Microfluidic Detection of Analytes
AssigneeHeadway Technologies, Inc.
InventorCeline Hu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and methods for concentrating samples for application to microfluidic devices are disclosed. The methods involve electrophoresing charged molecules from a high volume sample into a smaller volume. The analyte of interest can be a charged molecule or can be modified to be charged using, for example, one or more ionic moieties.
Claims27
1-55. (canceled)
A method for introducing an analyte of interest in a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising:
- providing an aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir, said sample containing the analyte and having a volume of greater than or equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has been associated with a charged molecule;
- electrophoresing the analyte from the large volume reservoir to a microfluidic device via a connector, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analyis area, and the large volume reservoir and the microfluidic device are fluidically connected via the connector;
- and
- continuously flowing the analyte to the analysis area for a time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of the analyte in the analysis area than in the sample.
A method for introducing an analyte of interest in a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising:
- providing an aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir comprising a first microelectrode operably attached thereto, said sample containing the analyte and having a volume of greater than or equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyte of interest is charged or has been associated with a charged molecule;
- electrophoresing the analyte via a connector from the large volume reservoir to a staging reservoir positioned in a microfluidic device, wherein the connector fluidically connects the large volume reservoir and the staging reservoir, and wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analysis area, a second microelectrode located in the staging reservoir and a third microelectrode located in or distal to at least a portion of the analysis area, said microelectrodes being configured such that an electric field may be generated between the electrodes and a charged analyte electrophoresed from the first microelectrode to the second microelectrode and from the second microelectrode to the third microelectrode;
- and
- transporting the analyte to the analysis area for a time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of analyte in the analysis area than in the sample.
A method for introducing an analyte of interest to a microfluidic device, comprising:
- introducing a solid phase-bound analyte into a large volume reservoir to provide a sample, said sample having a volume of greater than or equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has been associated with a charged molecule;
- exposing the solid support-bound analyte to conditions sufficient to free the analyte from the solid support;
- electrophoresing the analyte from the large volume reservoir to a microfluidic device via a connector, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analysis area, and the large volume reservoir and the microfluidic device are fluidically connected via the connector;
- and
- transporting the analyte to the analysis area for a time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of analyte in the analysis area than in the sample, wherein the analyte is continuously flowed from the large volume reservoir to the analysis area during said time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.