Patent ID: 8182746
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A controlled electrophoresis method, comprising: introducing a sample into a transport passage of a multi-dimensional electrophoresis apparatus; the multi-dimensional electrophoresis apparatus including a first separation passage intersecting the transport passage at a first overlapping portion, a first biomarker concentrator at the first overlapping portion to concentrate a first biomarker of interest, a second separation passage intersecting the transport passage at a second overlapping portion, a second biomarker concentrator at the second overlapping portion to concentrate a second biomarker of interest, the transport passage being communicable at an inlet end with a sample supply, the first and second separation passages being communicable upstream of the first and second overlapping portions separate and independently with a biomarker separation buffer supply or with a supply of an elution buffer or solution, a valve system for controlling the flow of the sample in the transport passage from the inlet end of the transport passage to an outlet end of the transport passage, the valve system controlling the flow of the biomarker separation buffer in the separation passage introduced from a biomarker separation buffer supply or a plug of a biomarker elution buffer or solution in the separation passage introduced from a biomarker elution buffer supply in a sequential order from an inlet end of the separation passage to an outlet end of the separation passage, the valve system comprising a first valve on the first separation passage downstream of the first biomarker concentrator, a second valve on the transport passage upstream of the first biomarker concentrator, a third valve on the transport passage downstream of the first biomarker concentrator, a fourth valve on the first separation passage upstream of the first biomarker concentrator, a fifth valve on the second separation passage upstream of the second biomarker concentrator, a sixth valve on the second separation passage downstream of the second biomarker concentrator, and a seventh valve on the transport passage downstream of the second biomarker concentrator, passing the introduced sample in the transport passage into the first overlapping portion so that the first biomarker of interest in the sample is concentrated in the first biomarker concentrator; passing the introduced sample in the transport passage into the second overlapping portion so that the second biomarker of interest in the sample is concentrated in the second biomarker concentrator; localizing the first biomarker concentrator and thereby increasing the concentration of the first biomarker of interest by the first biomarker concentrator; localizing the second biomarker concentrator and thereby increasing the concentration of the second biomarker of interest by the second biomarker concentrator; releasing the first biomarker of interest concentrated in the first biomarker concentrator into the first separation passage; releasing the second biomarker of interest concentrated in the second biomarker concentrator into the second separation passage; delivering the released first biomarker of interest in the first separation passage to a biomarker detection zone which identifies and characterizes the first biomarker of interest; and delivering the released second biomarker of interest in the second separation passage to the biomarker detection zone which also identifies and characterizes the second biomarker of interest: the first overlapping portion has a staggered configuration which includes a first elongated concentration area in which the first biomarker concentrator is positioned; and/or the second overlapping has a staggered configuration which includes a second elongated concentration area in which the second biomarker concentrator is positioned.