Patent ID: 6399023
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An analytical system comprising:a base unit having an attachment region with a base interface array including at least one interface component therein; an adapter configured to be removably attached to the attachment region on the base unit and having an adapter-base interface array including at least one interface component disposed to mate with a corresponding interface component in the base interface array when the adapter is attached to the attachment region, a sample substrate attachment region, and an adapter-sample substrate interface array having at least one interface component therein; and a sample substrate configured to be removably attached to the sample substrate attachment region of the adapter and having a sample substrate interface array including at least one interface component disposed to mate with a corresponding interface component in the adapter-sample substrate interface array when the sample substrate is attached to the sample substrate attachment region, wherein the sample substrate has disposed therein a plurality of mesoscale channels connecting a plurality of reservoirs; wherein the base interface array includes at least one interface component selected from the group consisting of electrical power sources, analog signal connectors, digital signal connectors, energy transmission sources, and electrical/electrochemical signal detectors, pH detectors and energy emission detectors and wherein when the system is assembled the adapter is connected between the attachment region on the base unit and the sample substrate interface array on the sample substrate so that power, signal, or energy will be transferred between the base unit and one or more of at least one of die plurality of mesoscale channels and at least one of the plurality of reservoirs of the sample substrate, through the adapter.