Mixed mode microfluidic systems
First Claim
1. A method of extracting a charged species from a sample and concentrating it, comprising:
- providing an interconnected channel network comprising a first, second and third channel segment which intersect at a first fluid junction, the second channel segment terminating in a first fluid reservoir at one end and intersecting the first fluid junction at its other end, and a fourth channel segment intersecting the third channel segment at a second fluid junction at one end and terminating in a second fluid reservoir at its other end, the second fluid reservoir comprising a first buffer;
flowing the charged species in the sample in a second buffer through the interconnected channel network by applying a first pressure differential across the first and second channel segments and a second pressure differential across the third and fourth channel segments, wherein the first pressure differential is larger than the second pressure differential and the first buffer has a different ionic strength than the second buffer; and
applying a voltage differential across the first and second reservoirs which is sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the charged species in the sample in the first fluid junction to flow into the third channel segment.
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Abstract
Methods and systems that employ hybrid fluid flow profiles for optimized movement of materials through channel networks. These systems employ hybrid pressure-based and electrokinetic based flow systems for moving materials through interconnected channel networks while maintaining interconnection among the various channel segments. In particular, the invention is generally directed to channel networks where flow in a first channel segment is driven by pressure flow with its consequent parabolic flow profile, while flow in an interconnected channel segment is dominated by electrokinetic flow with its consequent plug flow profile. The invention also provides channel networks wherein fluid flow in channel segments is driven by both pressure and electric field and the multiple species contained in a fluid plug are separated (and can be concentrated) by altering the applied pressure and electric fields in the various channel segments of the channel networks.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of extracting a charged species from a sample and concentrating it, comprising:
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providing an interconnected channel network comprising a first, second and third channel segment which intersect at a first fluid junction, the second channel segment terminating in a first fluid reservoir at one end and intersecting the first fluid junction at its other end, and a fourth channel segment intersecting the third channel segment at a second fluid junction at one end and terminating in a second fluid reservoir at its other end, the second fluid reservoir comprising a first buffer; flowing the charged species in the sample in a second buffer through the interconnected channel network by applying a first pressure differential across the first and second channel segments and a second pressure differential across the third and fourth channel segments, wherein the first pressure differential is larger than the second pressure differential and the first buffer has a different ionic strength than the second buffer; and applying a voltage differential across the first and second reservoirs which is sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the charged species in the sample in the first fluid junction to flow into the third channel segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification