Abstract: The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for isolating nucleic acids from biological fluids and suspensions containing nucleic acids, a reaction compartment 17 for receiving an adsorption medium 100 being connected to a removal compartment 50, and the nucleic acids being able to be moved and enriched from the reaction compartment 17 into the removal compartment 50 by an electrophoresis apparatus 20a, 20b.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and systems for monitoring and controlling electroosmotic flow rates in microfluidic systems. Generally, such methods and systems monitor flow rates in electroosmotically driven microfluidic systems by flowing signaling elements within these channels and measuring the flow rate of these signals. The methods of monitoring flow rates are also applied to methods and systems for continuously monitoring and controlling these flow rates in electroosmotically driven microfluidic systems.

Abstract: An automated parallel electrophoresis system including a plurality of capillaries configured to accommodate samples during an electrophoresis run which includes a plurality of phases. The system also includes a control circuit coupled to the capillaries and configured to perform one of monitoring and regulating the capillaries, a display monitor and a computer processor coupled to the control circuit and the display monitor. The computer processor includes a input/output (I/O) interface configured to communicate with the control circuit and a first computer memory storing a display program which displays a graphical user interface on the display monitor. In addition, a method of monitoring and regulating an electrophoresis run performed on a parallel capillary electrophoresis system which comprises a plurality of capillaries configured to accommodate samples during an electrophoresis run.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for the contamination-free isolation of nucleic acids from biological fluids and suspensions containing nucleic acids comprising: a reaction compartment for holding an adsorption medium laden with nucleic acids; connected via a channel to a removal compartment; wherein the nucleic acids can be moved by an electrophoresis device from the reaction compartment into the removal compartment and enriched there; and the reaction compartment can be charged via a charging orifice and drained via a draining orifice being located essentially opposite of the charging orifice.

Abstract: In order to irradiate a constant range of a separation passage of a microchip, light from a light source linearly extending along the separation passage is transmitted through a cylindrical lens and a bandpass filter and introduced into the separation passage. The light transmitted through the separation passage of the microchip is introduced into a photocell array through a cylindrical lens and detected. Measurement is repetitively performed and accumulated to determine migration patterns.

Abstract: The automated capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus analyzes a sample in real time or near real time in order to identify the presence of a number of different ions as well as other sample parameters, such as the relative concentrations of each ion identified in the sample. By performing capillary electrophoresis in an automated fashion, the automated capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus may be configured to monitor a manufacturing process online with little, if any, input from the system operator. The automated capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus also provides a base line such that the analysis results can be compared and can be more meaningfully interrupted. The automated capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus initially performs capillary electrophoresis upon a sample containing at least one ion to obtain data over time which relates to a predetermined property of the sample, such as the degree of transparency of at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection capillary array electrophoresis analyzer comprising a capillary array holder holding a plurality of capillary array units and a transferring unit for transferring in turn the capillary array units held by the capillary array holder to a sample injection station, a fluorescence detection station or a gel refresh station, which reduces the time required for pre-electrophoresis and replacement of a used gel by fresh gel, and conducts efficient and automatic analysis. Furthermore, the analyzer automatically discharges residual samples remaining in the capillaries, and hence automatically analyzes a large number of samples by electrophoresis.

Abstract: When a microchip is set on a tray and operation of an apparatus is begun, the microchip moves to feed position in order to be filled up with a buffer solution, where upon a sample is injected into this microchip. Thereafter the tray is located on a detecting position, so that a sample introduction voltage is applied between a sample reservoir and a sample waste reservoir for introducing the sample into a separation passage. Subsequently, the operation is switched to application of a separation voltage between a buffer reservoir and a drain reservoir, for beginning analysis. When the analysis has begun, a detector detects a migration pattern in the separation passage, so that a signal processing board data-processes the detected pattern.

Abstract: A novel free-fluid electrophoresis system applicable to both "analytical" and "preparative" separations combines the advantages of electrophoresis with those of automated liquid chromatography. The system attains plug flow of sample molecules within a separation column that has a sufficiently small diameter to avoid uncorrected convective dispersions and a sufficiently large diameter to ensure adequate preparative throughput. Sample molecules are introduced by liquid chromatographic-type injection mechanisms and moved to the separation column by means of a highly accurate, low-pressure pumping system. A novel pressure detector monitors pressure across the column during the electrophoretic separation. When the pressure across the column is zero, electroosmotic flow within the column exactly balances pump-induced flow so that there is no lateral dispersion of the separating sample molecules (i.e., plug flow is achieved).

Abstract: In a microfluidic system using electrokinetic forces, the present invention uses electrical current or electrical parameters, other than voltage, to control the movement of fluids through the channels of the system. Time-multiplexed power supplies also provide further control over fluid movement by varying the voltage on an electrode connected to a fluid reservoir of the microfluidic system, by varying the duty cycle during which the voltage is applied to the electrode, or by a combination of both. A time-multiplexed power supply can also be connected to more than one electrode for a savings in cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for direct detection concurrently with separation in capillary electrophoresis using a lanthanide cation selected from the group consisting of Tb(III), Eu(III), Dy(III), and Sm(III) to provide fluorescence for enhanced sensitivity. Analytes separated and concurrently detected using this method have an absorption spectrum from about 230 nm to 400 nm and include compounds having an .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated carbonyl group, an .alpha.-keto acid, an aromatic moiety, indole carboxylic acid, a diketone moiety, or an organic acid, for example, a salicylic acid, a carboxylic acid, or an amino acid. Advantages of this method include the lack of derivatization, either pre- or post-column, loss of analyte during derivatization is avoided, and fewer items are needed for a commercial capillary electrophoresis kit.

Abstract: A multiple capillary analyzer allows detection of light from multiple capillaries with a reduced number of interfaces through which light must pass in detecting light emitted from a sample being analyzed, using a modified sheath flow cuvette. A linear or rectangular array of capillaries is introduced into a rectangular flow chamber. Sheath fluid draws individual sample streams through the cuvette. The capillaries are closely and evenly spaced and held by a transparent retainer in a fixed position in relation to an optical detection system. Collimated sample excitation radiation is applied simultaneously across the ends of the capillaries in the retainer. Light emitted from the excited sample is detected by the optical detection system. The retainer is provided by a transparent chamber having inward slanting end walls. The capillaries are wedged into the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing capillary electrophoresis, which includes an electronically controlled valve system for automatically introducing a sample into the capillary by means of a vacuum at the end of the capillary tube. This approach of sucking in the sample is extremely accurate and reproducible, and results in a minimum of band broadening. Furthermore, it enables the entire capillary electrophoresis sytem to be easily automated. An automated temperature control system is provided which enables the temperature of the capillary tube (and hence the solvent/solute system) to be controlled during electrophoresis, thereby very directly controlling pH and electrophoretic mobility. In another embodiment, the capillary is prewashed and equilibrated to achieve substantially zero charge on the capillary wall, thereby essentially eliminating electroosmotic flow and substantially improving resolution.

Abstract: System for analyzing the concentration of a number of different ions in a watery solution, using a capillary zone electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube extending between an input opening and a detection area and filled with an electrolyte, an input device for injecting a sample of the solution to be analyzed in the input opening of the capillary tube, a voltage source for establishing a voltage gradient along the capillary tube between the input opening and the detection area to evoke a migration of the ions in the same through the capillary tube, and a detector circuit for detecting the ions passing through the capillary tube by measuring the conductivity of the passing fluid. The system comprises furthermore a processor for calculating the ion concentrations, the processor receiving data from the detector circuit and from a further conductivity sensor providing to the processor data representing the total conductivity of the solution from which the sample was taken.

Abstract: The fraction collector according to the present invention comprises a separating means composed of electrophoresis tracks to separate samples by electrophoresis, and a transferring means to transfer the separated components eluted from said electrophoresis tracks, a transferring means which comprises the capillary sample transferring tubes which are placed with their ends close to the ends of said electrophoresis tracks at the specified gap, and which transfers the separated components eluted from each electrophoresis track, a transport means to supply the buffer solution to said gap and to carry said separated component to said sample transferring tube by sheathflow of said buffer solution, a fractionating means to fractionate the separated components having moved inside said sample transfer tube, a detecting means to detect the elution of said separated component by detecting the light emitted from said separated component, and a control means to control said fractionating means based on the signal gained b