Microfluidic sample separation device
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorStephen R. Quake
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides microfluidic chromatography devices for separating an analyte from a sample solution, and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to microfluidic devices which comprise a microfabricated flow channel and a material delivery system for transporting a material through the flow channel. The flow channel comprises a chromatography column portion having a solid stationary phase which is capable of separating at least a portion of the analyte from the sample solution.
Claims24
A microfluidic device for separating an analyte from a sample fluid comprising:
- (a) a microfabricated flow channel comprising:
- (i) an inlet for introducing a material into said flow channel;
- (ii) an outlet for removing the material from said flow channel;
- (iii) a chromatography column portion located within said flow channel and in between the inlet and the outlet, and
- (iv) a solid stationary phase within at least a portion of said chromatography column portion, wherein said solid stationary phase is capable of separating at least a portion of an analyte from a sample fluid;
- and
- (b) a flow control system for regulating fluid flow through said flow channel.
A method for separating an analyte from a sample solution, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) introducing a sample solution into a microfluidic device comprising:
- (i) a microfabricated flow channel comprising:
- (A) an inlet for introducing a material into said flow channel;
- (B) an outlet for removing the material from said flow channel;
- (C) a chromatography column portion located within said flow channel and in between the inlet and the outlet, and
- (D) a solid stationary phase within at least a portion of said chromatography column portion, wherein said solid stationary phase is capable of separating at least a portion of an analyte from a sample fluid;
- and
- (ii) a flow control system for regulating fluid flow through said flow channel;
- and
- (b) eluting the sample solution through the chromatography column portion with an eluent using the flow control system, whereby at least a portion of the analyte is separated from the sample solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.