Electrokinetic devices and methods for capturing assayable agents
AssigneeInspirotec, Inc.
InventorJulian Gordon
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Abstract
Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. Pulsed DC fields applied to electrodes result in enhanced flow by synchronizing the pulses between successive electrodes. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will effect their capture on to an assay device.
Claims20
An electrokinetic device for capturing particulates from the air, comprising:
- a housing enclosing a high voltage electrode, a plurality of propulsion electrodes and a capture electrode;
- a control circuit electrically connected to the electrodes,
- wherein, the high voltage electrode generates ionizing plasma, said plasma imparting charge on particulates from the air,
- wherein said propulsion electrodes are subject to pulsed voltages in a synchronous relationship, whereby waves of voltage pulses enhance volume flow of charged substances through the device, and
- wherein said capture electrode is at a low or negative voltage relative to the high voltage electrode thus creating a potential well,
- whereby said particulates become electroprecipitated in said potential well.
An electrokinetic device for capturing particulates from the air for bio-specific assay, comprising:
- at least one wire or point high voltage electrode generating ionizing plasma, said plasma imparting charge on said particulates;
- a plurality of propulsion electrodes, wherein said propulsion electrodes are subject to pulsed voltages in a synchronous relationship to control flow of particulates;
- one or more capture electrodes at a low or negative voltage relative to the high voltage electrode thus creating a potential well;
- and
- a removable sample transport means for transporting sample to said bio-specific assay, wherein said removable sample transport means is non-conductive and completely surrounds said capture electrode,
- whereby electrical contact is maintained with the capture electrode by virtue of the pulsed voltage relative to high voltage electrodes.
An electrokinetic device for creating fluid flow in a dielectric medium, comprising at least one wire or point high voltage electrodes generating ionizing plasma, a plurality of propulsion electrodes, wherein a succession of said propulsion electrodes are subject to pulsed voltages in a synchronous relationship, whereby waves of voltage pulses enhance volume flow of said plasma through the device, and flow of plasma imparts momentum to fluid, thus generating net fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.