Patent ID: 8277659

Claim:
A method for analyzing a sample by microchip capillary electrophoresis, the method characterized by the steps of: Applying a sample pressure in a sample channel greater than the sample pressure in a separation channel, the sample channel being connected to the separation channel at an intersection and lacking electrodes associated with electrokinetic-based injectors; Applying a continuous electric field for CE separation along the separation channel; Mechanically opening for a duration a mechanical valve, not an electrokinetic-based injector, located in the sample channel or at the intersection with the separation channel, thereby providing an injection of the sample from the sample channel into the separation channel, the injection volume being a function of the duration; Separating sample components in the injection according to the electric field applied in the separation channel; Repeating said mechanically opening in a rapid, pseudo-random sequence, thereby providing a plurality of discrete injections of the sample from the sample channel to the separation channel, the sample comprising a plurality of components; Mixing at least one component from at least one of the discrete injections to another discrete injection, thereby resulting in CE-induced overlap; Detecting the discrete injections at the end of the separation channel after the CE-induced overlap; and Deconvoluting the CE-induced overlap.