Electrophoresis device and method for separating objects
AssigneeGenetic Microdevices Limited
InventorDimitrios Sideris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrophoresis method is provided for separating objects in a fluid contained in a separation channel. The method comprises: applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile, and thereby causing at least some of the objects to move relative to the fluid; varying the applied electric field so as to adjust the field profile relative to the separation channel, thereby causing the objects to separate into bands under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid.
Claims54
An electrophoresis method for separating objects in a fluid contained in a separation channel, the method comprising:
- applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile whereby the magnitude of the electric field varies spatially along at least a portion of the separation channel, and thereby causing at least some of the objects to move relative to the fluid;
- varying the applied electric field so as to adjust the field profile relative to the separation channel, thereby causing the objects to separate into bands according to the objects electrical and hydrodynamic properties under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid, each band comprising objects with like electrical and hydrodynamic properties;
- wherein the electric field profile is shaped such that the net force experienced by each object, resulting from the combination of the electric force exerted by the field and the hydrodynamic force exerted by the fluid, is such that the width of each separated band remains substantially constant with time;
- and
- wherein the fluid and the separation channel are substantially stationary with respect to one another.
An electrophoresis device for separating objects, the device comprising:
- a separation channel which, in use, contains a fluid and the objects to be separated;
- means for applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile whereby the magnitude of the electronic field varies spatially along at least a portion of the separation channel, such that in use, objects in the separation channel are caused to move relative to the fluid;
- a controller adapted in use to apply and vary the applied electric field so as to adjust the electric field profile relative to the separation channel, whereby objects in the separation channel are caused to separate into bands according to the objects' electrical and hydrodynamic properties under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid;
- each band comprising objects with like electrical and hydrodynamic properties;
- wherein the controller is further adapted to apply an electric field profile shaped such that the net force experienced by each object, resulting from the combination of the electric force exerted by the field and the hydrodynamic force exerted by the fluid, is such that each separated band undergoes substantially zero spatial diffusion;
- and
- wherein in use, the fluid contained in the separation channel is substantially stationary relative to the separation channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.