Signal Enhancement Using a Switchable Magnetic Trap

An apparatus for analysis of a sample, comprising:

• magnetic particles connected to the sample,
• a microchip,
• a flow channel in said microchip,
• a source of carrier fluid connected to said flow channel for moving the sample in said flow channel,
• a droplet maker connected to said flow channel for producing droplets containing the sample and said magnetic particles,
• an electromagnet trap connected to said flow line for selectively magnetically trapping the sample and said magnetic particles, and
• an analyzer for analyzing the sample.

A method of analyzing a sample on a microchip, comprising the steps of:

• providing a microchannel flow channel in the microchip;
• associating the sample with magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads;
• moving the sample with said magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads in said microchannel flow channel,
• trapping the sample with said magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads in a magnetic trap in said microchannel flow channel, and
• analyzing the sample.

A method of analyzing a sample, comprising the steps of:

• providing a microchannel flow channel;
• associating the sample with magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads;
• moving the sample with said magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads in said microchannel flow channel;
• holding the sample with said magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene-coated beads in a magnetic trap in said microchannel flow channel;
• and
• analyzing the sample obtaining an enhanced analysis signal.