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US 8,012,328 B2Granted
Non-fluidic micro-detection device and uses thereof
AssigneeColorado State University Research Foundation
InventorsCharles S. Henry, Carlos D. Garcia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a microchip for performing electrophoresis with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) for the separation and detection of underivatized carbohydrates, amino acids, sulfur-containing antibiotics, etc. PAD allows for the direct detection of amines, thiols, alcohols and carbohydrates and therefore is a useful technique for the development of electrochemical detection for microchip electrophoresis.
Claims55
A microchip comprising
- a first layer and a second layer, said first layer comprising:
- at least one main separation channel formed in a channel forming medium, said main separation channel containing microfluids when in operation;
- electrodes in reservoirs at the ends of said main separation channel to drive electrophoretic separation;
- at least one detecting channel containing a first conductive element for performing electrochemical detection, said detecting channel being formed in said channel forming medium within said first layer and adjoining said main separation channel, wherein said main separation channel and said detecting channel intersect;
- and
- at least one reservoir containing a second conductive element for serving as a reference to said first conductive element, said reservoir being formed in said channel forming medium, said second layer being absent a conductive element, separation channel and detection channel.
3 more elements
A method of forming a microchip comprising:
- a first layer and a second layer, said first layer being prepared by
- forming a main separation channel in a channel forming medium, said main separation channel having a reservoir at each end, each of said reservoirs containing an electrode to drive electrophoresis;
- forming a detecting channel in a channel forming medium, wherein said detecting channel adjoins a main channel within said first layer;
- placing a first conductive element in said detecting channel;
- and
- placing a second conductive element in said reservoir or said detecting channel to thereby form said microchip,
- wherein said second layer is absent a conductive element, separation channel and detection channel.
4 more elements
A method of performing electrophoresis comprising:
- attaching a first conductive element and a second conductive element to a microchip having at least one test microfluid thereon, wherein said microchip comprises:
- a first layer and a second layer, said first layer comprising at least one main separation channel formed in a channel forming medium, said main channel containing at least one microfluid;
- and
- at least one detecting channel containing said first conductive element for performing electrochemical detection, said detecting channel being formed within said first layer of said channel forming medium and adjoining said main separation channel;
- and at least one reservoir containing said second conductive element to provide a reference to said first conductive element, said second layer being absent a conductive element, separation channel and detection channel;
- and
- applying electrochemical, continuous or pulsed amperometric detection to said microchip using said conductive elements,
- wherein specimens within said microfluid migrate toward said first conductive element and electrodes in a reservoir at each end of said main channel drive electrophoretic transport in the microfluid, and wherein electrical contact with said first conductive element generates a measurable signal.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.