Device for volume coupling in epitachophoresis
AssigneeRoche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
InventorsFrantisek FORET, Ivona VORACOVA, Jan PRIKRYL, Jakub NOVOTNY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Epitachophoresis (ETP) methods and devices that improve concentrating samples and/or separating components of samples. ETP methods and devices allow for electromigration in two dimensions. Electromigration of a sample may first occur in a first dimension along a single plane. Electromigration may then continue in a second dimension, which may be different from the first dimension. The volume where the electromigration occurs may significantly reduce from the first dimension to the second dimension. This smaller dimension may allow for increased concentration of samples or improved separation of components of a sample.
Claims22
A method of concentrating a component from a sample, the method comprising:
- applying a voltage difference between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein:
- the first electrode is disposed in a first mixture comprising a first electrolyte and the sample,
- the second electrode is disposed in a second electrolyte, and the first electrolyte is different from the second electrolyte;
- flowing, using the voltage difference, the component in a first channel in a first direction, wherein:
- the first direction is away from the first electrode and to a second channel,
- the component is focused into a band,
- the first mixture is characterized as having a first thickness perpendicular to the first direction;
- flowing, in the second channel, the component focused in the band in a second direction, wherein:
- the second electrolyte is in the second channel,
- the second direction is from the first channel to an orifice of a vessel,
- the second channel is an annular space,
- a second mixture comprising the component and the second electrolyte in the second channel is characterized as having a second thickness perpendicular to the second direction, and
- the first thickness is greater than the second thickness;
- and
- collecting the second mixture in the vessel while applying the voltage difference, wherein the concentration of the component in the second mixture in the vessel is higher than the concentration of the component in the sample.
(canceled)
A system for concentrating components in a sample, the system comprising:
- a base defining a first channel and a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises a conical shape with a first outer diameter at a top of the cavity being greater than a second outer diameter at a bottom of the cavity;
- a first electrode disposed in the first channel;
- and
- a second electrode;
- wherein:
- the first channel is in fluid communication with the cavity,
- an outer diameter of the first channel is greater than the first outer diameter at the top of the cavity,
- the second electrode is configured to be in closer electrical communication with the cavity than with the first channel when the first channel and the cavity contain an electrolyte,
- the first channel is characterized by a first volume,
- the cavity is configured to receive a vessel and to form a second channel when the vessel is disposed in the cavity,
- the second channel is an annular space,
- the annular space is defined by a surface of the base and a surface of the vessel when the vessel is disposed in the cavity,
- the second channel is characterized by a second volume, and
- the first volume is greater than the second volume.
21-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.