Methods and using chemico-mechanical microvalve devices for the selective separation of components from multi-component fluid samples

#The field of this invention is micro-fluidic devices.

#Carrying out chemical or biochemical analyses, syntheses or preparations, even at the simplest levels, requires one to perform a large number of separate manipulations on the material components of that analysis, synthesis or preparation, where such manipulations include, but are not limited to: measuring, aliquoting, transferring, diluting, concentrating, separating, detecting, etc. One step that is performed in many of the above described processes is the separation of one or more components from a multi-component fluid sample. Such separation steps are common in applications where a given sample is concentrated with respect to one or more of its constituents and/or “desalted.”

#In many situations, it is desirable to work with small volumes of fluid, e.g., from femtoliter to μl quantities of fluid. Such situations include sample analysis in which small volumes of initial sample are analyzed; chemical synthesis, in which small quantities of chemical are desired and/or expensive reagents are employed; and the like. As such, there has been much interest in the development of micro-fluidic devices in which fluid is manipulated through one or more micro-channels present in the device.

#FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of a microfluidic device that can be used to desalt a sample according to the subject invention.

#FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of a microfluidic device that can be used to concentrate a sample according to the subject invention.

#Methods for selectively separating at least one component from a multi-component fluidic sample are provided. In the subject methods, the fluidic sample is introduced into a micro-fluidic device that includes at least one micro-valve made up of a phase reversible material. The multi-component fluidic sample is then contacted with the microvalve in the microfluidic device under conditions sufficient for the at least one component to enter, and often pass through, the microvalve, while the remaining constituents of the fluidic sample remain outside of the microvalve. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods, where the kits include at least a microfluidic device having a microvalve and means for obtaining instructional material, or a means for obtaining the same, on how to use the device in the subject methods. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, including sample desalting and concentration applications. In further describing the subject invention, the subject methods are discussed first in greater detail, followed by a review of various representative applications in which the subject methods find use and a description of the kits of the subject invention.

#Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims.

#In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.