Method and device for moving molecules by the application of a plurality of electrical fields

A device for moving charged particles through a medium employing an electrical field, said device comprising:

• a polymer solid substrate having an upper surface, wherein said upper surface of said polymer solid substrate is substantially uncharged;
• a main trench of capillary dimensions in said substrate having opposite ends;
• a pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said trench, with one electrode proximal to one end of said trench and the other electrode proximal to the other end of said trench;
• means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electricity;
• and
• means for introducing and removing liquid from said trench.

A device for moving charged particles through a medium employing an electrical field, said device comprising:

• an organic polymer solid substrate having an upper surface, wherein said upper surface of said organic polymer is substantially uncharged;
• a main trench in said substrate extending downward from said upper surface, having opposite ends, said trench having a depth of about 5 and 25.mu. and extending across said substrate;
• a pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said trench, with one electrode proximal to one end of said trench and the other electrode proximal to the other end of said trench;
• means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electricity;
• and
• ports for liquid transfer proximal to each end of said trench for liquid transport or a reservoir at each end of said trench.

A device for moving charged particles through a medium employing an electrical field, said device comprising:

• a polymethylmethacrylate card having an upper surface, wherein said upper surface of said substrate is substantially uncharged;
• a main trench in said substrate extending downward from said upper surface, having opposite ends, said trench having capillary dimensions and extending across said substrate;
• a pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said trench, with one electrode proximal to one end of said trench and the other electrode proximal to the other end of said trench;
• at least one lateral branch trench crossing said main trench;
• and at least one additional pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said lateral branch trench, each additional pair proximal to opposite ends of each of said lateral branch trenches;
• means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electricity;
• and
• ports for liquid transfer proximal to each end of said trench and each said lateral branch for liquid transport or a reservoir proximal to each end of said trench and each said lateral branch.

A device for moving charged particles through a medium employing an electrical field, said device comprising:

• an organic polymer solid substrate having an upper surface, wherein said upper surface of said organic polymer solid substrate is substantially uncharged;
• a main trench in said substrate extending downward from said upper surface having opposite ends, said trench having capillary dimensions and extending across said substrate;
• a pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said main trench, with one electrode proximal to one end of said main trench and the other electrode proximal to the other end of said main trench;
• at least one latenal branch trench crossing said main trench, wherein said at least one lateral branch trench comprises a charged reactant material;
• at least one additional pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said lateral branch trench, each additional pair proximal to opposite ends of each of said lateral branch trenches;
• means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electricity;
• and
• ports for liquid transfer proximal to each end of said trench for liquid transport or a reservoir at each end of said trench.

A method for moving charged particles through a medium in a controlled manner in a device comprising:

• at least one branched movement area comprising a main trench and at least two branch trenches, wherein said medium is present in said movement area;
• at least one electrode positioned in each of said trenches to be in electrical contact with said medium when present in said movement area to apply at least two electric fields in different directions to said medium in said movement area;
• and
• means for introducing liquid into and removing liquid from said movement area;
• said method comprising:
• introducing sample comprising said charged particles into said medium present in said movement area;
• and
• applying at least two different electric fields to said medium in a manner sufficient to move said particles through said medium in a controlled manner.

A method for moving charged particles through a medium in a controlled manner in a device comprising:

• at least one branched movement area comprising a central trench and at least one branch comprising charged reactant material at its base, wherein said medium is present in said movement area;
• at least two pairs of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with said medium in said movement area to apply at least two electric fields in different directions to said medium in said movement area;
• and
• means for introducing liquid into and removing liquid from said movement area;
• said method comprising:
• introducing sample comprising said charged particles into said medium present in said movement area;
• applying a central trench electric field to said medium to move said sample to a site at least proximal to the intersection of said central trench and latent branch;
• applying a lateral branch electric field to said medium to move said charged reactant material to said reaction site.

A device for moving particles through a medium employing an electrical field, said device comprising:

• a non-porous polymer substrate having an upper surface;
• a main trench in said substrate extending downward from said upper source having opposite ends, said trench having capillary dimensions and extending across said substrate;
• a pair of electrodes positioned to be in electrical contact with a medium when present in said main trench, with one electrode proximal to one end of said main trench and the other electrode proximal to the other end of said main trench;
• at least two branch trenches connected to said main trench;
• at least one electrode positioned in each of said branch trenches so as to be in electrical contact with a medium present in said branch trenches;
• means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electricity;
• and
• ports for liquid transfer proximal to each end of said trench for liquid transport or a reservoir at each end of said trench.

A method for moving particles through a medium in a controlled manner in a device comprising:

• at least one branched movement area comprising main trench and at least two branch trenches connected to said main trench, wherein said medium is present in said movement area;
• electrodes positioned in said trenches to be in electrical contact with said medium in said movement area to apply at least two electric fields in different directions to said medium in said movement area;
• and
• means for introducing liquid into and removing liquid from said movement area;
• said method comprising:
• introducing sample comprising said particles into said medium present in said movement area;
• and
• applying at least two different electric fields to said medium in a manner sufficient to move said particles through said medium in a controlled manner.