Patent ID: 8841070

Claim:
A device for processing an analyte, wherein said device comprises: a substrate, wherein said substrate is a monolithic piece of material and comprises: a system of channels comprising: at least a first channel, said first channel having dimensions of from 1 μm to 1 mm in depth and width, and at least a second channel, said second channel being in fluid connection with said first channel and having dimensions of from 1 nm to 2000 nm in depth and width, said first channel flowing into said second channel, wherein the second channel is smaller than the first channel; a region of analyte processing or release formed at a position where said first channel flows into said second channel; a detector being in fluid connection with said second channel and being spaced apart from said region of analyte processing or release, wherein said detector is selected from the group consisting of a biological pore protein, an artificial nanopore and a nanogap sensor; a carrier particle capable of binding the analyte; a solvent within said system of channels capable of transporting said carrier particle within said first channel; and a separate channel connected to said second channel comprising a co-factor for adding the co-factor to an enzyme and the analyte, wherein the first channel comprises the carrier particles bound to the analyte and the enzyme, and the second channel comprises an analyte processed or released by activating the bound enzyme with the co-factor, and wherein said substrate is made of a polymer or a combination of polymers, and said substrate is formed as a monolithic piece of material by molding or embossing said polymer or combination of polymers using a master.