# US 11,029,315 B2 · Fluidic separation and detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,315 B2 - Document ID: US11029315B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/377,837 - Filed: 2019-04-08 - Published: 2019-10-31 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-14 - Assignees: Cambridge Enterprise Limited - Applicants: Cambridge Enterprise Limited - Inventors: Emma Yates; Christopher Dobson; Therese Herling; Tuomas Pertti Jonathan Knowles - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029315B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/6845: {Methods of identifying protein-protein interactions in protein mixtures} - B01L 3/502753: {characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation} - G01N 15/0266: {with electrical classification} - G01N 27/447: using electrophoresis - G01N 33/50: Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing (measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, compositions or test papers therefor; processes for forming such compositions, condition responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes C12Q) - G01N 33/52: Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper {and including single- and multilayer analytical elements (immunological elements G01N33/54386; involving labelled immunochemicals G01N33/58; for haemoglobin or occult blood G01N33/72)} - B01L 2200/0631: Purification arrangements, e.g. solid phase extraction [SPE] - B01L 2200/0636: Focussing flows, e.g. to laminate flows - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/0861: Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices - B01L 2300/0867: Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution - B01L 2300/087: Multiple sequential chambers - B01L 2300/0883: Serpentine channels - B01L 2400/0421: electrophoretic flow - G01N 2015/0038: {Investigating nanoparticles} - G01N 2015/0288: {Sorting the particles} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow apparatus for detecting a component in a mixture, the apparatus comprising: a separation channel for containing first and second flows in contact, wherein the separation channel is configured to permit lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows; a flow separator positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the separation channel, wherein the flow separator is configured to divert a part of the first fluid flow, a part of the second fluid flow, or parts of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow, from the separation channel, and a detection zone comprising: a detection channel positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator; and a label channel configured to subsequently label the component in the diverted flows from the flow separator; an observation zone configured to allow recordation of an analytical signal from each of the diverted flows to enable a comparison between the diverted flows; and a reservoir for collecting flow output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir collects the flow output from the observation zone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir collects the non-diverted flow from the separation channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two or more microfluidic channels for introducing at least first and second flows into the separation channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flow apparatus according to claim 4, wherein three microfluidic channels are provided. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separation channel has a rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the separation channel is configured to limit or prevent absorption of the component thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flow apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow apparatus is configured to apply an electric field across the separation channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flow apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the electric field causes the lateral movement of the component. ### Claim 10 A method of analyzing a component, the method comprising the steps of: providing the component in a first fluid flow; contacting the first fluid flow with a second fluid flow to generate laminar flow including the component; applying a field to divert the component through the laminar flow; diverting a plurality of parts of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow, wherein at least one of the diverted parts comprises the component; subsequently labelling the component in the diverted flows; and spectroscopically analyzing the diverted parts of the first fluid flow and/or the second fluid flow to obtain an analytical signal indicative of the UV fluorescence of the component in its native state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of introducing at least the first and second fluid flows into the separation channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein three flows are introduced into the separation channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the three flows comprise the component flanked by sheaths of buffer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the first and second fluid flows are aqueous flows. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the component is a biomolecule. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the biomolecule is a protein. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the distribution of the component across the first and second fluid flows is non-uniform.