Patent ID: 8841116

Claim:
A microfabricated structure comprising: a) a sample channel defining a flow path between a first location and a second location and comprising: i. a capture channel region comprising a capture matrix; ii. a separation channel region, wherein the structure of the capture channel region and the separation channel region is characterized by at least one of the following: 1) the capture channel region contacts that separation channel region without intervening channels or 2) the capture channel region and at least a portion of the separation channel region are arranged in a continuous line along the sample channel, said line being a straight line or a line that deviates from 180° by no more than about +/−45°; b) a first electrode in electrical communication with the first location; c) a waste port in fluid communication with the capture channel region; d) a second electrode in electrical communication with the waste port, wherein a voltage applied between the first and second electrodes moves charged molecules through the capture channel region to the waste port; and e) a third electrode in electrical communication with the second location, wherein a voltage applied between the first and third electrodes moves charged molecules from the capture channel region through the separation channel region, wherein the sample channel, first electrode, second electrode and third electrode are all integrated into the same microfabricated structure.