Patent ID: 6759013
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A modular microchannel apparatus for the chemical analysis of an analyte in a sample, comprising:(a) a plurality of separation units each effective to carry out a different analytical application of interest and comprised of a first solid substrate having a microchannel present in a surface thereof, wherein the microchannel in each separation unit is of a different length corresponding to the analytical application of interest for the separation unit containing the microchannel and forms a separation column or capillary that separates the analyte from the sample according to the molecular characteristics of the analyte; (b) a single reservoir unit in the form of a plate comprised of a reservoir that contains a liquid for introduction into each of the microchannels of the separation units in succession; and (c) an external power source capable of generating an electric field difference between electrically conductive probes extending into the reservoir unit, the power source operatively connected to the reservoir unit for electrokinetically driving the liquid from the reservoir through the microchannels of the separation units, wherein the reservoir unit has dimensions that enable the operative and modular coupling of the reservoir unit to each separation unit in succession to allow liquid from the reservoir to be electrokinetically driven, by a power-source-generated electric field difference between the probes, into the microchannel of the separation unit that is operatively and modularly coupled to the reservoir unit, and at least one of the separation units is chip-shaped and further comprised of a second substrate having a surface facing and joining the first substrate surface, thereby forming the microchannel.