Patent ID: 7452507

Claim:
A modular apparatus for detecting a target analyte, the apparatus comprising: a reservoir module comprising: a fluid manifold base defining a plurality of bays and a plurality of outlets, each outlet extending between one of the plurality of bays and a lower surface of the fluid manifold base; and a plurality of reservoirs coupled to the fluid manifold base positioned within one of the plurality of bays, wherein at least one reservoir comprises a reservoir seal and wherein at least one needle penetrates said reservoir seal; a microfluidic chip comprising: a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the planar upper surface abutting the lower surface of the fluid manifold base; a plurality of inlets piercing the upper surface, the inlets positioned in locations corresponding to the plurality of outlets of the fluid manifold base and each in fluid communication with one of the inlets, wherein said at least one needle is in fluidic communication with at least one inlet; and a separation channel embedded within the microfluidic chip between the upper and lower surfaces thereof the separation channel in fluid communication with at least one of said inlets; a sample introduction port embedded within the microfluidic chip between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the sample introduction port in fluid communication with said reservoir module and at least one of the plurality of inlets; a seal positioned between the fluid manifold base and the microfluidic chip, the seal defining at least one area of fluidic communication between one of said plurality of outlets and one of said inlets; a detection module positioned to interrogate, at least a portion of the separation channel; and an output interface in communication with said detection module to indicate detection of the target analyte; and a power module for providing controlled current or voltage.