Patent ID: 7419784

Claim:
A method of separating a sample material into a plurality of separated components and isolating one or more of said separated components comprising: providing a microfluidic substrate including a separation conduit having a separation matrix disposed therein; providing a detector in sensory communication with a first location along a length of the separation conduit for detecting said one or more separated components in the separation conduit; providing a sample component collection conduit in said substrate in fluid communication with said separation conduit, said sample component collection conduit intersecting said separation conduit at a second location downstream from said first location, said sample component collection conduit in fluid communication with at least a first agent; providing a processor which is operably coupled to said detector and to a fluid direction system for controlling movement of sample components from said separation conduit into said sample component collection conduit based on information received from said detector, said processor including a computer that includes appropriate programming for receiving a signal from the detector that is indicative of a separated component passing the detector, transporting a first sample material through the separation conduit to separate the first sample material into a plurality of sample components; detecting said plurality of sample components at said first location with said detector; determining a retention time of the separated components in the separation conduit and determining a size of the separated components by comparing the retention time of the separated components to a retention time of components of a standard reference of known size for the sample material; inputting instructions to the computer to direct the fluid direction system move a selected one or more of the separated components of interest from the separation conduit into the sample component collection conduit based on the determined size of the selected one or more sample components; moving a selected one or more of said plurality of sample components from said separation conduit into the sample component collection conduit in response to instructions from the processor to the fluid direction system; and transporting an amount of the first agent into the sample component collection conduit to mix with the one or more sample components therein.