Patent ID: 8859296
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for separating a sample comprising: means for introducing a sample into a first microchannel having an isoelectric focusing buffer with a first ionic strength therein formed in a module; means for separating the sample into a plurality of sub-samples based on varying isoelectric points of the plurality of sub-samples; means for causing a first of the plurality of sub-samples to enter a first of a plurality of second parallel microchannels integrally connected to the first microchannel, the plurality of second parallel microchannels having an electrophoresis buffer with a second ionic strength therein, wherein the second ionic strength of the electrophoresis buffer is different from the first ionic strength of the isoelectric focusing buffer; means for separating the first of the plurality of sub-samples into a plurality of protein components according to electrophoresis; means for applying opposite charges to either end of the first microchannel to facilitate separating the sample into the plurality of sub-samples; means for applying a first charge to the non-intersecting end of a third microchannel integrally connected to the first microchannel and applying a second opposite charge to the non-intersecting end of the first of the plurality of second microchannels to facilitate the first of the plurality of sub-samples entering the first of the plurality of second microchannels and further separating according to electrophoresis; means for aligning a first detector with the first microchannel in order to detect the separation of the sample into the plurality of sub-samples based on varying isoelectric points of the plurality of sub-samples within the first microchannel; means for aligning a second detector with the non-intersecting end of the first of the plurality of second microchannels; and means for detecting the plurality of protein components for the first of the plurality of sub-samples.