Capillary-channeled polymeric fiber as solid phase extraction media

A solid phase extraction process for a test sample comprising one or more members of an analyte class, comprising:

• contacting a plurality of polymeric fibers with the test sample, each polymeric fiber being configured with a plurality of co-linear capillaries along the entire length of the surface of the fiber, the polymeric fibers being held in a region of a micropipette tip defining a wall, the micropipette tip being free of any containment barrier or wall projections for holding the polymeric fibers in place, the polymeric fibers being nominally aligned with one another and being maintained within the micropipette tip by packing of the fibers against one another and the wall, the fibers being packed tightly enough so as to ensure they will be securely maintained in the micropipette tip during the solid phase extraction process, the one or more members of the analyte class being adsorbed onto the surfaces of the polymeric fibers;
• and
• eluting the one or more members of the analyte class off of the polymeric fibers so as to concentrate the one or more members of the analyte class.