Patent ID: 8932524
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. In apparatus for the analysis of a sample solution containing a plurality of chemicals, including at least one analyte chemical, effected with the rapid separation and subsequent detection of the at least the one analyte chemical, the combination of comprising: a microchannel comprising a stationary medium and being sufficiently transparent to excitation radiation, at least at a plurality of locations, to permit transmission of excitation radiation effective for generating measurable amounts of surface-enhanced Raman scattered radiation, and being sufficiently transparent to such scattered Raman radiation, at least at said plurality of locations, to permit transmission of measurable amounts of such scattered Raman radiation; a stationary medium contained in said microchannel and comprised of at least one separation material and at least one metal having surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity, said at least one metal being of particulate form, and that is functional to separate the at least one chemical contained in the sample solution and to exhibit surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity, said stationary medium comprising or defining an elongate path for the sample solution, and said plurality of locations being along said elongate path; an entrance into said microchannel for introducing a sample solution at a location adjacent one end of said elongate path, said at least said plurality of locations being spaced from said entrance along said microchannel; an exit adjacent the opposite end of said elongate path; and driving force-producing means, operatively connected to one of said entrance into said microchannel and said exit adjacent the opposite end of said elongate path, for promoting flow of the sample solution away for said location of introduction, and for effecting distribution of the sample through said stationary medium, along said elongate path.