Patent ID: 7033476
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: B01D,B82Y,C25D,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for the separation and counting of sample molecules in a liquid comprising: a) a nonconductive hydrophobic base; b) a pair of macroelectrodes located on said base; c) a strip of hydrophilic material for accommodating the liquid, said strip of hydrophilic material located on said nonconductive hydrophobic base between said macroelectrodes; d) a pair of nanoelectrodes located on said base crosswise of said strip of hydrophilic material, the gap between said nanoelectrodes forming a nanoscale detection gate, the nanoscale detection gate located in the liquid; e) a programmable pulse generator connected to produce an electrophoresis electric field between said macroelectrodes, the electrophoresis electric field capable of controllably moving sample molecules in the liquid along said strip of hydrophilic material through the detection gate; f) a pair of parallel spaced-apart electrically conductive plates, said base located between said parallel spaced-apart electrically conductive plates; g) a second programmable pulse generator connected to produce a holding electric field between said electrically conductive plates, the holding electric field capable of holding and/or orienting sample molecules in the liquid with respect to said base; and h) a molecule detection means connected to said nanoelectrodes.