Patent ID: 7128876

Claim:
A microdevice assembly for separating the components of a fluid sample, the assembly comprising: a microdevice comprising: a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second microchannels formed in the first surface; a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the first and second microchannels defining first and second conduits, respectively, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein; a sample inlet port in fluid communication with a valve, wherein the valve is constructed for selectively providing fluid communication from the inlet port to either one of the conduits to allow a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, an integrated introducing means, the selected conduit and a sample outlet port associated with the selected conduit; and wherein the integrated introducing means is an integrated introducing means for mechanically, controllably introducing a predetermined volume of the fluid sample from the sample inlet port through a sample loading chamber of the integrated introducing means and through the selected conduit, and wherein the integrated introducing means comprises a switching plate comprising a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface, three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate; wherein at least one of the conduits is constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, and an external device is interfaced with and in communication with the microdevice via an electrospray nozzle.