Abstract: A new approach and instrument for field identification of micro-organisms and DNA fragments using a small and disposable device containing integrated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enzymatic reaction wells, attached capillary electrophoresis (CE) channels, detectors, and read-out all on/in a small hand-held package. The analysis instrument may be made inexpensively, for example, of plastic, and thus is disposable, which minimizes cross contamination and the potential for false positive identification between samples. In addition, it is designed for multiple users with individual applications. The integrated PCR/CE is manufactured by the PCR well and CE channels are "stamped" into plastic depressions where conductive coatings are made in the wells and ends of the CE microchannels to carry voltage and current to heat the PCR reaction mixtures and simultaneously draw DNA bands up the CE channels.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material is described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a microchip that is adapted for the simultaneous spatial confinement of electrokinetically driven fluidic material streams on a substrate. The apparatus includes a focusing chamber formed in a surface of the substrate and in fluid communication with two sample fluid channels and three focusing fluid channels. The device further includes electromotive means operatively connected to the sources of the sample fluid and the source of focusing fluid for electrokinetically driving the respective streams of the sample and focusing fluids through the respective channels into the focusing chamber such that the focusing fluid streams spatially confine the first and second sample fluid streams within the focusing chamber.

Abstract: An ultra-miniaturized surface structure with controllable adhesion having extremely miniaturized (in the sub atomic range) planar electrode strips applied to the surface to which high frequency pulse trains may be applied to generate progressive or stationary standing waves. The electrodes in themselves are combined with dielectric insulating materials with controlled bio-compatibility. The type of electric drive, together with the properties of the surface layers that cover the electrodes, determines the adhesion properties of the surface to a large extent regardless of the used base material. Particle movement is gently influenced, so that for the first time it becomes possible to influence particles in highly physiological nutritive solutions.

Abstract: An electrospray apparatus uses a microchannel formed in a microchip. Fluid is pumped through the channel to an outlet orifice using either hydraulic or electrokinetic means. An electrospray is generated by establishing a sufficient potential difference between the fluid at the outlet orifice and a target electrode spaced from the outlet orifice. Electrokinetic pumping is also utilized to provide additional benefits to microchip devices.

Abstract: An anchoring device to be placed atop a slab of electrophoresis gel in a submerged electrophoresis process chamber includes a planar frame member shaped and sized to distribute weight evenly across the gel slab, particularly having a width dimension generally the same as the slab, and a plurality of legs spaced evenly around the frame. The legs have a length sufficient to raise the frame above the level of buffer liquid in process chamber, and have a blunt bottom surface in contact with the gel slab. The weight of the device and the even distribution of that weight is sufficient to anchor the gel slab and keep it submerged in the buffer liquid in the electrophoresis process chamber while making minimal contact with the slab and not distorting the electrical field through the gel, and without penetrating or lacerating the slab. The frame encloses one or more open window areas above the sample wells in the gel slab to permit easy access to load biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for conducting a microfluidic process. The apparatus comprises integral first and second plates. The first plate comprises an array of sample receiving elements for receiving a plurality of samples from an array of sample containers and dispensing the samples. The second plate comprises a planar array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels for conducting a microfluidic process. Also disclosed is a method for processing an array of samples. At least a portion of each sample in an array of sample wells is simultaneously transferred to a corresponding array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels by means of a corresponding array of sample receiving elements that is in integral fluid communication with the array of microfluidic networks. The samples are then processed.

Abstract: A device for testing body fluids is disclosed, the device comprising an electrode body having an enclosed flow chamber extending longitudinally therethrough. A valve assembly is in liquid communication with the flow chamber and also detachably mounts a syringe thereon. The valve assembly provides liquid communication between a syringe mounted thereon and the flow chamber. A plurality of electrode cells is detachably mounted to the electrode body and is in liquid communication with the flow chamber. The plurality of electrode cells measures electrical resistivity, rH.sub.2, and pH. A circuit electrically connects the plurality of electrodes to an interface providing data output and command input.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for moving charged molecules through a medium by the application of a plurality of electrical fields of sufficient strength and applied for sufficient amounts of time so as to move the charged molecules through the medium. The devices although preferably small in size, preferably generate large numbers (100 or more) of electrical fields to a movement area which preferably contains a liquid buffered or gel medium. Mixtures of charged molecules are pulled through the gel by the force of the electrical fields. The fields are preferably activated simultaneously or sequentially one after another at various speeds to create complex force field distributions or moving field waves along the separation medium. Charged molecules capable of moving quickly through the gel will be moved along by the faster moving field waves and be separated from slower moving molecules.

Abstract: A base plate is made of an insulating material, and comprised of a flat surface and a connector part connected therewith. A plurality of wells are vertically and transversely arranged on the surface of the base plate at regular intervals respectively, and the respective wells are provided with individual electrode patterns reaching the connector part from bottoms thereof through the surface of the base plate. The connector part is connected to an external high-voltage application part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrochemically modifying the retention of a species on a chromatography material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an effluent flow channel adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The effluent flow channel comprises chromatography material. The apparatus further comprises first and second electrodes positioned such that at least a portion of the chromatography material is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and fluid flow through the apparatus is between, and in contact with, the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A buffer system for conducting discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis comprises a separation gel buffer solution, an anodic electrode solution and a cathodic electrode solution. According to the invention, the separation gel buffer contains a base having a pK value of 8.8 or higher and an acid which titrates the pH of the gel buffer to a pH value lower than 8, and the cathodic electrode solution contains an ampholyte or weak acid having a pK value of 9.4 or higher.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement is disclosed for protecting an electrophoresis gel from damage during shipment and storage. The package arrangement includes first and second sheets that are sealed about their respective edges to form an enclosed cavity. The cavity is at least partially evacuated of air. An electrophoresis gel is located within the cavity. A support sheet may be disposed between the electrophoresis gel and the package to facilitate removal of the gel and to further stiffen the package. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrophoresis gels are disposed within the cavity. Each gel is preferably separated from adjacent gels by a spacer.

Abstract: Chiral surfactants, methods for their synthesis and use, and apparatus designed to facilitate chiral separations using nucellar capillary electrophoresis is disclosed. A chiral surfactant having the general formula: ##STR1## is described, R1 is the hydrophobic tail, Y-A-X is the linker, the brackets define a chiral center, and the hydrophilic head group is Z. All the various components may potentiate the enantioselectivity of the chiral surfactant. The capillary electrophoresis (CE) system includes a narrow diameter capillary, a high voltage power supply, an electrolyte reservoir at each end of the capillary, a means for injecting a sample, and a detector. Chiral surfactants are dissolved in the electrolyte above their critical micelle concentration (cmc), resulting in the formation of chiral micelles. The electrolyte reservoirs and capillary tube are filled with the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a record sheet used in an electro-coagulation printing method for forming characters and images on a cylinder as an electrode with an ink which coagulates with electric charge and for transferring the characters and images to the record sheet, wherein the wet time is 15 milliseconds or less, obtained from the absorption curve of pure water measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer. Preferably, the record sheet has 5 ml/m.sup.2 s.sup.-1/2 or more absorption coefficient, and more preferably, has contact ratio measured by a specular reflection smoothness tester under a pressure of 40 kg/cm.sup.2 with a ray having a wavelength of 0.5 .mu.m is 40% or more. The record sheet can be used for various print sheets, in particular, for business form sheets and newspaper sheets.

Abstract: Fluid introduction is facilitated through the use of a port which extends entirely through a microfluidic substrate. Capillary forces can be used to retain the fluid within the port, and a series of samples or other fluids may be introduced through a single port by sequentially blowing the fluid out through the substrate and replacing the removed fluid with an alternate fluid, or by displacing the fluid in part with additional fluid. In another aspect, microfluidic substrates have channels which varying in cross-sectional dimension so that capillary action spreads a fluid only within a limited portion of the channel network. In yet another aspect, the introduction ports may include a multiplicity of very small channels leading from the port to a fluid channel, so as to filter out particles or other contaminants which might otherwise block the channel at the junction between the channel and the introduction port.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system (10) comprising: a separation capillary (20) with a first distal tip (30) and a second distal tip (140); a source vessel (50) containing a solution (40); a microreservoir-electrode (59) comprising a wire loop; a power source (60) connected to the microreservoir-electrode by wire (57); a control system (200); a detector (90); and a final destination vessel (160) containing electrolyte (150) and a ground electrode (155).

Abstract: To sequence DNA automatically, DNA marked with far infrared, near infrared, or infrared fluorescent dyes are electrophoresed in a plurality of channels through a gel electrophoresis slab or capillary tubes wherein the DNA samples are resolved in accordance with the size of DNA fragments in the gel electrophoresis slab or capillary tubes into fluorescently marked DNA bands. The separated samples are scanned photoelectrically with a laser diode and a sensor, wherein the laser scans with scanning light at a wavelength within the absorbance spectrum of said fluorescently marked DNA samples and light is sensed at the emission wavelength of the marked DNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides for techniques for transporting materials using electrokinetic forces through the channels of a microfluidic system. The subject materials are transported in regions of high ionic concentration, next to spacer material regions of high ionic concentration, which are separated by spacer material regions of low ionic concentration. Such arrangements allow the materials to remain localized for the transport transit time to avoid mixing of the materials. Using these techniques, an electropipettor which is compatible with the microfluidic system is created so that materials can be easily introduced into the microfluidic system. The present invention also compensates for electrophoretic bias as materials are transported through the channels of the microfluidic system by splitting a channel into portions with positive and negative surface charges and a third electrode between the two portions, or by diffusion of the electrophoresing materials after transport along a channel.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus utilizing a capillary coating of linear and crosslinked polymers and copolymers of acrylamidomonomers or methacrylamides bearing two hydroxyethyl residues. The method and apparatus employ this coating to maintain coating integrity and suppress electroosmotic flow under basic conditions in capillary electrophoresis.

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.