Microfluidic chip with enhanced tip for stable electrospray ionization
First Claim
1. A microfluidic chip for mass spectrometric analysis comprising:
- a microfluidic body layer formed with at least one fluid reservoir;
at least one defined microchannel formed along the microfluidic body layer that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and
a laminate layer for enclosing the defined microchannel formed along the microfluidic body layer, wherein the laminate layer extends beyond a tapered end portion of the microfluidic body layer to form a open-ended distal tip portion at which the defined microchannel terminates to provide an electrospray ionization tip that directs an ionization spray from the microfluidic chip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic chip formed with multiple fluid channels terminating at a tapered electrospray ionization tip for mass spectrometric analysis. The fluid channels may be formed onto a channel plate that are in fluid communication with corresponding reservoirs. The electrospray tip can be formed along a defined distal portion of the channel plate that can include a single or multiple tapered surfaces. The fluid channels may terminate at an open-tip region of the electrospray tip. A covering plate may substantially enclose most portions of the fluid channels formed on the channel plate except for the open-tip region. Another aspect of the invention provides methods for conducting mass spectrometric analysis of multiple samples flowing through individual fluid channels in a single microfluidic chip that is formed with a tapered electrospray tip having an open-tip region.
200 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A microfluidic chip for mass spectrometric analysis comprising:
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a microfluidic body layer formed with at least one fluid reservoir; at least one defined microchannel formed along the microfluidic body layer that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and a laminate layer for enclosing the defined microchannel formed along the microfluidic body layer, wherein the laminate layer extends beyond a tapered end portion of the microfluidic body layer to form a open-ended distal tip portion at which the defined microchannel terminates to provide an electrospray ionization tip that directs an ionization spray from the microfluidic chip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A microfluidic chip for electrospray ionization comprising:
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a channel plate formed with at least two non-intersecting fluid channels that are each in fluid communication with at least one fluid reservoir also included with the channel plate; and a covering plate for substantially enclosing the non-intersecting fluid channels formed on the channel plate, wherein the covering plate includes an overhang that extends beyond a tapered end portion of the channel plate to provide an electrospray tip that includes an open-tip region at which each of the non-intersecting fluid channels terminate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A microfluidic chip for mass spectrometric analysis comprising:
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a body layer formed with a plurality of reservoirs for containing at least one fluid medium, wherein a plurality of separated channels are formed within the body layer that are each in fluid communication with at least one reservoir but not in fluid communication with each other within at least a portion of the body layer; and an enclosure layer for enclosing at least a portion of the separated channels formed within the body layer, wherein the enclosure layer further includes an exposed open-tip extension extending beyond a dual-tapered end portion of the body layer to provide an electrospray ionization tip at which the plurality of separated channels terminate to direct an ionization spray from the microfluidic chip. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A microfluidic chip with enhanced electrospray tip for mass spectrometric analysis comprising:
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a microfluidic chip formed with at least one fluid reservoir for containing at least one fluid medium; at least one microchannel channel formed within the microfluidic chip that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and an electrospray ionization tip formed with a tapered open-ended distal tip portion positioned along an end surface of the microfluidic chip, wherein the microchannel terminates at the open-ended distal tip portion to direct an ionization spray from the microfluidic chip.
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Specification