Microdevice and method for component separation in a fluid

A microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample, the microdevice comprising:

• a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second microchannels formed in the first surface;
• a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the first and second microchannels defining first and second conduits, respectively, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein;
• a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the first conduit;
• a first integrated introducing means for mechanically, controllably introducing the fluid sample from the sample inlet port, through the first integrated introducing means and through the first conduit, and wherein the first integrated introducing means comprises a switching plate comprising
• a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface,
• three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate;
• and
• a second integrated introducing means for controllably introducing the fluid sample from the first conduit through the second conduit to an outlet port, and
• wherein at least one of the conduits is constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property.

A microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample, the microdevice comprising:

• a substrate comprising
• first and second opposing surfaces and a microchannel formed in the first surface, the microchannel comprising a sample inlet terminus at a first end and a conduit at the sample inlet terminus, and
• five conduits extending through the substrate that, in combination with the sample inlet port represent the vertices of an equilateral hexagon;
• a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the microchannel defining a separation conduit constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, the cover plate comprising
• a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the separation conduit,
• a waste port in fluid communication with a conduit of the substrate,
• a mobile phase inlet in fluid communication with a conduit of the substrate, and
• a linear channel, wherein in each of the inlet port, waste port, and mobile phase inlet are located the same distance from a center point of the linear channel;
• and
• a switching plate comprising
• a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface,
• three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal to the length of the linear channel of the cover plate;
• wherein the sample inlet port allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, a switching plate configured to mechanically, controllably introduce a volume of the fluid sample, the separation conduit, and a sample outlet port.

A method for separating the components of a fluid sample, comprising:

• (a) providing a microdevice comprising
• a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a microchannel formed in the first surface,
• a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the microchannel defining a conduit constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein, and
• a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the sample inlet port allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that a fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, a switching plate, the conduit, and a sample outlet port;
• (b) mechanically, controllably introducing a predetermined volume of the fluid sample from the sample inlet port, through the switching plate, and through the conduit, wherein the switching plate comprises
• a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface,
• three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate;
• (c) conveying the fluid sample through the conduit, thereby separating the components of the fluid sample;
• (d) interfacing an external device with microdevice via an electrospray nozzle;
• and
• (e) analyzing the fluid sample flowing in the flow path or from the sample outlet port with the external device.