Methods for sampling a liquid flow
First Claim
1. A method for sampling a liquid flow, comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying a continuous liquid flow from a continuous flow fluid input source to a surface along a first flow path, wherein the surface comprises an array and/or path of electrodes;
(b) sampling the continuous liquid flow by splitting off a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow, wherein the splitting off is mediated by the electrodes;
(c) moving the sample droplet along a second flow path to a processing area of the surface; and
(d) processing the sample droplet at the processing area.
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Abstract
In a method for sampling a continuous liquid flow, the liquid flow is supplied to a surface along an input flow path. The liquid flow is sampled by forming a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow. The sample droplet is moved along an analysis flow path to a processing area of the surface, where the sample droplet is processed. Discrete sample droplets are formed and moved using an electrowetting technique. A binary mixing apparatus and method are also provided. The apparatus comprises an array of electrodes, an electronic controller communicating with the electrodes, a sample droplet supply area communicating with the array, and an additive droplet supply area communicating with the array. The electronic controller alternately energizes and de-energizes selected electrodes to carry out droplet-to-droplet binary mixing operations to obtain one or more droplets having a target mixing ratio.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for sampling a liquid flow, comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying a continuous liquid flow from a continuous flow fluid input source to a surface along a first flow path, wherein the surface comprises an array and/or path of electrodes; (b) sampling the continuous liquid flow by splitting off a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow, wherein the splitting off is mediated by the electrodes; (c) moving the sample droplet along a second flow path to a processing area of the surface; and (d) processing the sample droplet at the processing area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 36, 37, 38)
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24. A method for sampling multiple droplets from a liquid flow, comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying a continuous liquid flow from a continuous flow fluid input source to a surface along an input flow path, wherein the surface comprises an array and/or path of electrodes; (b) sampling the continuous liquid flow by splitting off a first sample droplet and a second sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow, wherein the splitting off is mediated by the electrodes; (c) moving the first sample droplet along a first transport flow path to a first destination area of the surface; and (d) moving the second sample droplet along a second transport flow path to a second destination area of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39)
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Specification