Patent ID: 7169277

Claim:
A method of separating one or more sample materials into a plurality of fractions, comprising; providing a system comprising: a separation channel having a separation matrix disposed therein, a source of additional separation matrix in fluid communication with the separation channel, an injection channel in fluid communication with the separation channel at an intermediate point along the injection channel, and a sample loading channel in fluid communication with the injection channel, a source of a first sample material, and a source of a reagent; transporting the first sample material and the reagent into the sample loading channel, wherein the first sample material and the reagent form a mixture; injecting a portion of the mixture from the sample loading channel, through the injection channel, into the separation channel; separating the first sample material within the mixture into a plurality of fractions; displacing a portion of the separation matrix from the separation channel after separating the first sample material into a plurality of fractions; and transporting a second sample material into the sample loading channel, wherein the force used to transport the second sample material into the sample loading channel displaces the portion of the separation matrix from the separation channel and replaces the displaced portion of the separation matrix with additional separation matrix.