Patent ID: 8438903

Claim:
A semiconductor device for detecting one or more molecules, the semiconductor device comprising: a channel formed within a semiconductor structure; and at least one detector formed within the semiconductor structure; wherein the at least one detector is configured to detect the one or more molecules in the channel; wherein the channel comprises: a first end coupled to a sample inlet; a second end coupled to a sample outlet; a first section having a first diameter, the first section extending from the sample inlet to a first point in the channel; a second section having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, the second section extending from the first point to a second point in the channel; and a third section having a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the second diameter, the third section extending from the second point to the sample outlet; wherein the sample inlet is configured to provide a sample comprising the one or more molecules to the channel, the sample inlet coupled to one end of the channel and the sample outlet is configured for at least a portion of the sample to leave the channel; and wherein the semiconductor device further comprises one or more additional channels formed within the semiconductor structure, wherein one end of each of the one or more additional channels is coupled to the sample inlet and another end of the each of the one or more additional channels is coupled to the sample outlet, and wherein the one or more additional channels is coupled to one or more associated additional detectors.