Modular apparatus for chemical microanalysis
First Claim
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1. A modular microchannel apparatus for the chemical analysis of an analyte in a sample, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of separation units each effective to carry out a different analytical application of interest and comprised of a first solid substrate having a microchannel present in a surface thereof, wherein the microchannel in each separation unit is of a different length corresponding to the analytical application of interest for the separation unit containing the microchannel and forms a separation column or capillary that separates the analyte from the sample according to the molecular characteristics of the analyte;
(b) a single reservoir unit in the form of a plate comprised of a reservoir that contains a liquid for introduction into each of the microchannels of the separation units in succession; and
(c) an external power source capable of generating an electric field difference between electrically conductive probes extending into the reservoir unit, the power source operatively connected to the reservoir unit for electrokinetically driving the liquid from the reservoir through the microchannels of the separation units, wherein the reservoir unit has dimensions that enable the operative and modular coupling of the reservoir unit to each separation unit in succession to allow liquid from the reservoir to be electrokinetically driven, by a power-source-generated electric field difference between the probes, into the microchannel of the separation unit that is operatively and modularly coupled to the reservoir unit, and at least one of the separation units is chip-shaped and further comprised of a second substrate having a surface facing and joining the first substrate surface, thereby forming the microchannel.
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Abstract
A modular microchannel apparatus for analysis of an analyte. The apparatus includes a separation unit and a reservoir unit. The separation unit has a microchannel. The analyte can be driven to pass through the microchannel such that the time for the analyte to pass through the microchannel is indicative of the molecular characteristics of the analyte. The reservoir unit has one or more reservoirs for coupling operatively modularly with the separation unit to supply liquid reagents to the separation unit. The reservoirs has prepackaged liquid reagents in it before the reservoir unit is coupled with the separation unit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A modular microchannel apparatus for the chemical analysis of an analyte in a sample, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of separation units each effective to carry out a different analytical application of interest and comprised of a first solid substrate having a microchannel present in a surface thereof, wherein the microchannel in each separation unit is of a different length corresponding to the analytical application of interest for the separation unit containing the microchannel and forms a separation column or capillary that separates the analyte from the sample according to the molecular characteristics of the analyte;
(b) a single reservoir unit in the form of a plate comprised of a reservoir that contains a liquid for introduction into each of the microchannels of the separation units in succession; and
(c) an external power source capable of generating an electric field difference between electrically conductive probes extending into the reservoir unit, the power source operatively connected to the reservoir unit for electrokinetically driving the liquid from the reservoir through the microchannels of the separation units, wherein the reservoir unit has dimensions that enable the operative and modular coupling of the reservoir unit to each separation unit in succession to allow liquid from the reservoir to be electrokinetically driven, by a power-source-generated electric field difference between the probes, into the microchannel of the separation unit that is operatively and modularly coupled to the reservoir unit, and at least one of the separation units is chip-shaped and further comprised of a second substrate having a surface facing and joining the first substrate surface, thereby forming the microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A kit for making a modular microchannel apparatus for the chemical analysis of an analyte in a sample, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of separation units each effective to carry out a different analytical application of interest and comprised of a first solid substrate having a microchannel present in a surface thereof, wherein the microchannel in each separation unit is of a different length corresponding to the analytical application of interest for the separation unit containing the microchannel and forms a separation column or capillary that separates the analyte from the sample according to the molecular characteristics of the analyte;
(b) a single reservoir unit in the form of a plate comprised of a reservoir that contains a liquid for introduction into each of the microchannels of the separation units in succession; and
(c) an external power source capable of generating an electric field difference between electrically conductive probes and having dimensions that enable its modular and operative connection to the reservoir unit for electrokinetically driving the liquid from the reservoir through the microchannels of the separation units, wherein the reservoir unit has dimensions that enable the operative and modular coupling of the reservoir unit to each separation unit in succession, the probes extend into the reservoir unit when the reservoir unit is operatively coupled to the external power source, a power-source-generated electric field difference between the probes electrokinetically drives liquid from the reservoir into the microchannel of the separation unit that is operatively and modularly coupled to the reservoir unit, and at least one of the separation units is chip-shaped and further comprised of a second substrate having a surface facing and joining the first substrate surface, thereby forming the microchannel.
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14. A modular microdevice for analyte analysis, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of separation units each effective to carry out a different analytical application of interest and comprised of a solid substrate having a micro channel present in a surface thereof, wherein the microchannel in each separation unit is of a different length corresponding to the analytical application of interest for the separation unit containing the microchannel and forms a separation column or capillary that separates an analyte from a sample according to the molecular characteristics of the analyte;
(b) a single reservoir unit in the form of a plate comprised of a plurality of reservoirs, wherein each reservoir contains a liquid, each liquid is suitable for introduction into a microchannel of a separation unit; and
(c) an external power source capable of generating an electric field difference between electrically conductive probes extending into the reservoir unit, the power source operatively connected to the reservoir unit for electrokinetically driving liquids from the reservoir unit through the microchannels of the separation units, wherein the reservoir unit has dimensions that enable the operative and modular coupling of the reservoir unit to each separation unit in succession to allow liquid from at least one of the plurality of reservoirs to be electrokinetically driven, by a power-source-generated electric field difference between the probes, into the microchannel of the separation unit that is operatively and modularly coupled to the reservoir unit, and at least one of the separation units is chip-shaped and further comprised of a second substrate having a surface facing and joining the first substrate surface, thereby forming the microchannel. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification