Integrated solid-phase hydrophilic matrix circuits and micro-arrays
AssigneeEpocal Inc.
InventorsImants Lauks, Raymond J. Pierce, James Wojtyk, Benoit R. Bergevin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is directed to analytical devices and micro-arrays with integral fluidic inputs and outputs. The devices are constructed from planar solid-phase hydrophilic matrix circuits containing dry chemical reagents overlaying integral electro-kinetic pumping electrodes. The hydrophilic matrix circuits are enclosed within a gas permeable electrical insulator. The devices are for use in micro-scale bio-analysis, mixture separation and reaction.
Claims55
An enclosed hydrophilic matrix device for transport of an aqueous solute, comprising
- an electrically insulated substrate;
- a hydrophilic matrix path on the substrate for electro-kinetic transport of the solute, the matrix path having a pair of spaced apart contacting locations for respective electric contact with a source of power for producing an electric potential along the hydrophilic matrix path;
- an electrode supported on the substrate and having a contact end for connection to the power source and a matrix end for electric contact with the hydrophilic matrix at one of the contacting locations;
- the hydrophilic matrix being initially dry and including a humectant for increasing a water absorption rate of the matrix;
- an insulator enclosing the hydrophilic matrix for sealing the matrix between the insulator and the substrate, the insulator being made of a water vapor permeable material impermeable to the solute;
- and
- an orifice in the insulator above the matrix for the passage of an aqueous solute through the insulator.
A micro reactor device with integrated fluidic i/o, comprising
- an insulated substrate;
- a pair of electrodes supported on the substrate, each electrode having a contact end for connection to an external circuit for supplying power and a matrix end for electric contact with a hydrophilic matrix;
- a hydrophilic matrix path on the substrate for electro-kinetic transport of the solute, the matrix path including a reservoir for containing a reagent, a transport path for electro-kinetic transport of the reagent, a discrete micro-reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction and a pair of spaced apart contacting locations for electric contact with the respective matrix ends of the electrodes, the matrix being initially dry and including a humectant for increasing a water absorption rate of the matrix;
- an insulator enclosing the hydrophilic matrix for sealing the matrix between the insulator and the substrate, the insulator being made of a vapor permeable material impermeable to the solute;
- and
- an orifice in the insulator above the matrix for the passage of an aqueous solute through the insulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.