Patent ID: 8062903
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for preserving the separation integrity of a chemically-separated liquid stream using a device comprising a sample channel having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end comprising a reservoir of buffer solution, and said distal end opening into a carrier channel, the method comprising: (a) flowing a carrier liquid through the carrier channel to provide a carrier liquid stream; and (b) introducing a sample liquid, immiscible with the carrier liquid, through the sample channel into the carrier liquid stream at a rate sufficient to provide segmented liquid bodies of the sample liquid in the carrier liquid stream, the sample liquid comprising the effluent of a separatory device, the effluent comprising an analyte: wherein the carrier channel has a single carrier inlet in upstream liquid communication with a first branch and a second branch, the first and second branches intersecting at a junction of the sample channel where the sample liquid is introduced into the carrier liquid stream, wherein the sample channel and the junction of the sample channel define an axis and the first and second branches intersect the axis at non-perpendicular angles; and wherein providing segmented liquid bodies of the sample liquid in the carrier liquid stream comprises simultaneously flowing the carrier liquid from the carrier inlet, through the first branch and the second branch of the carrier channel, towards the junction of the sample channel while the sample liquid is introduced into the carrier channel through the junction.