Cross-flow split-thin-flow cell

A method of separating components of a fluid using a split thin-flow process, comprising:

• a) passing a sample fluid and a carrier fluid into a fluid channel under diffusional split-flow thin cell conditions such that a first component of the sample fluid preferentially flows into a carrier fluid outlet, wherein the sample fluid includes the first component which has a lower molecular weight than a second component in the sample fluid, and wherein the fluid channel comprises an inlet zone, an outlet zone, and a transport region between the inlet zone and outlet zone, said inlet zone including a sample inlet through which the sample fluid passes and a carrier fluid inlet through which the carrier fluid passes, the sample inlet and carrier fluid inlet being fluidly separated by an inlet splitter to minimize mixing of the sample fluid with the carrier fluid in the inlet zone, said transport region being a substantially open rectangular ribbon channel having a sample wall opposite a carrier wall and two side walls bridging the sample wall and carrier wall, said two side walls having a height substantially less than a width of each of the sample wall and carrier wall, so as to form an inlet fluid rich region proximate the sample inlet wall and a carrier fluid rich region proximate the carrier wall and said outlet zone including a sample outlet and the carrier fluid outlet which are fluidly separated by an outlet splitter to segregate portions of the sample fluid and carrier fluid into each of the two outlets as the sample fluid and carrier fluid enter the outlet zone;
• and
• b) inducing a cross-flow field transversely across the fluid channel under conditions sufficient to augment separation of the first component from the sample fluid while minimizing transfer of the second component into the carrier fluid outlet, said cross-flow field being induced by at least one cross-flow inducer along a wall of the fluid channel in the transport region, said at least one cross-flow inducer directing a cross-flow fluid into the transport region.

A split thin-flow separations device, comprising:

• a) a fluid channel having an inlet zone, an outlet zone, and a transport region between the inlet zone and outlet zone, said inlet zone including a sample inlet and a carrier fluid inlet which are fluidly separated by an inlet splitter to minimize mixing of fluids from respective inlets in the inlet zone, said transport region being a substantially open channel, and said outlet zone including a sample outlet and a carrier outlet which are fluidly separated by an outlet splitter to segregate portions of a fluid into each of the two outlets as the fluid enters the outlet zone;
• and
• b) at least one cross-flow inducer along a wall of the fluid channel in the transport region, said at least one cross-flow inducer is oriented to direct a cross-flow fluid into the transport region;
• wherein the device is formed as a layered structure including:
• a carrier wall plate having the carrier fluid inlet and carrier fluid outlet therein;
• a carrier side channel plate oriented adjacent the carrier wall plate having a first open region;
• a splitter plate oriented adjacent the carrier side channel plate and forming the inlet splitter and the outlet splitter and a second open region there between;
• a sample side channel plate oriented adjacent the splitter plate having a third open region;
• and
• a sample wall plate having the sample inlet and sample outlet therein such that the first open region, the second open region and the third open region collectively form the fluid channel.