Capillary electrophoresis-electrochemical detection microchip device and supporting circuits

A capillary electrophoresis device, comprising:

• (1) a substrate;
• (2) a first channel in the substrate, and having a buffer arm and a detection arm;
• (3) a second channel in the substrate intersecting the first channel, and having a sample arm and a waste arm;
• (4) a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm;
• (5) a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm;
• (6) a sample reservoir in fluid communication with the sample arm;
• and
• (7) a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm;
• wherein the detection arm and the buffer arm have a balanced flow rate upon application of a first voltage to the buffer reservoir, the detection reservoir, and the sample reservoir;
• and a second voltage to the waste reservoir.

A method for performing capillary electrophoresis comprising:

• providing a substrate having:
• a first channel having a buffer arm and a detection arm;
• a second channel intersecting the first channel and having a sample arm and a waste arm;
• a sample reservoir for receiving a sample in fluid communication with the sample arm;
• a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm;
• a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm;
• a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm;
• wherein the first and second channels are filled with an electrolyte solution;
• applying voltages to the buffer, sample, and detection reservoirs to cause the electrolyte solution in the buffer arm, the sample arm, and the detection arm to flow towards the waste reservoir to form a pinched plug;
• and
• flowing the pinched plug along the detection arm to the detection reservoir.

A method for manufacturing a capillary electrophoresis device comprising:

• forming, in a first substrate:
• a first channel having a buffer arm and a detection arm;
• a second channel intersecting the first channel and having a sample arm and a waste arm,
• a sample reservoir for receiving a sample in fluid communication with the sample arm,
• a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm,;
• a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm;
• and
• a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm;
• forming, in a second substrate:
• a waste reservoir electrode;
• a sample reservoir electrode;
• a buffer reservoir electrode;
• and
• at least three detection reservoir electrodes;
• aligning the first substrate with the second substrate;
• and
• bonding the first substrate to the second substrate.

A capillary electrophoresis device, comprising:

• (1) a capillary channel;
• (2) a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the capillary channel;
• (3) a CE-Aux electrode in the detection reservoir;
• (4) a reference electrode in the detection reservoir;
• and;
• (5) a work electrode in the detection reservoir.

A capillary electrophoresis device, comprising:

• (1) a substrate;
• (2) a first channel in the substrate, and having a buffer arm and a detection arm;
• (3) a second channel in the substrate intersecting the first channel, and having a sample arm and a waste arm;
• (4) a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm;
• (5) a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm;
• (6) a sample reservoir in fluid communication with the sample arm;
• (7) a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm;
• the detection reservoir having three electrodes;
• and
• (8) three electrodes in the detection reservoir.

A power supply for a capillary electrophoresis device, comprising:

• (1) means for providing a reference voltage;
• (2) means for converting the reference voltage to a positive voltage output;
• (3) means for converting the reference voltage to a negative voltage output;
• (4) means for connecting a rail voltage supply to a battery;

A power supply for a capillary electrophoresis device, comprising:

• a DC voltage source to supply a reference voltage;
• a positive voltage circuit to convert the reference input voltage to a positive voltage output;
• a negative voltage circuit to convert the reference input voltage to a negative voltage output;
• and
• a rail voltage supply coupled to the positive voltage circuit and the negative voltage circuit, and configured to receive a voltage supplied by a battery.

An interface circuit for a capillary electrophoresis device having a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of capillary channels, comprising:

• (1) a first voltage supply;
• (2) a second voltage supply;
• (3) a first switch connected to the first voltage supply and a first one of the plurality of reservoirs;
• (4) a second switch connected to the second voltage supply and a second one of the plurality of reservoirs;
• and
• (5) a controller connected to the first switch and the second switch.