Patent ID: 6752922
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B01D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A microfluidic chromatography apparatus for separating an analyte in a sample fluid comprising:(a) a microfabricated fluid delivery system which is produced from a material comprising an elastomeric polymer, wherein said fluid deliver system comprises: (i) a microfluidic flow channel comprising a flow channel inlet for introducing the fluid into said flow channel and a flow channel outlet, (ii) a flow control channel, (iii) a flow control valve comprised of a flow control elastomeric segment that is disposed in between said flow channel and said flow control channel to regulate fluid flow through said flow channel, wherein said flow control valve is deflectable into or retractable from said flow channel upon which said flow control valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to said flow control channel, said flow control elastomeric segment when positioned in said flow channel restricting fluid flow therethrough, and (iv) a flow control channel actuation system operatively interconnected to said flow control channel for applying an actuation force to said flow control channel; and (b) a chromatography column comprising: (i) a stationary phase which is capable of separating at least a portion of the analyte from the sample fluid, (ii) a column inlet which is in fluid communication with said flow channel outlet, and (iii) a column outlet through which a separated fluid exits the chromatography column.