Abstract: A modular multiple lane or capillary electrophoresis (chromatography) system that permits automated parallel separation and comprehensive collection of all fractions from samples in all lanes or columns, with the option of further on-line automated sample fraction analysis, is disclosed. Preferably, fractions are collected in a multi-well fraction collection unit, or plate. The multi-well collection plate is preferably made of a solvent permeable gel, most preferably a hydrophilic, polymeric gel such as agarose or cross-linked polyacrylamide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for automating the operation to peel off and remove a lid seal part adhered and fixed to the top face of a substrate part constituting a lid-sealed “microchip” after subjecting a sample solution to be analyzed to electrophoretic separation. After subjecting sample solution to be analyzed to desired electrophoretic separation the by utilizing a channel formed in the lid-sealed microchip, the electrophoretically separated liquid sample held in the channel undergoes freezing of the aqueous solvent contained and then, while the whole electrophoretically separated liquid sample remains sustained in the frozen state, an end of the lid seal part used for sealing the top face of channel formed in the substrate part is lifted up at a predetermined speed so as to peel and remove it from the substrate part under a condition of maintaining a bend of a predetermined radius of curvature.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting and/or characterizing particles are shown. The device includes at least one nanopore, a voltage source for generating an electric potential difference between the two sides of the at least one nanopore in order to generate an ion current through the nanopore when the nanopore is surrounded by an electrolyte, and a measuring instrument adapted for recording a change in the impedance of the at least one nanopore in respect of the ion current when one or more particles that are to be detected and are present in the electrolyte pass(es) through the at least one nanopore. The device also includes a pipette with an end portion in which an opening is formed. A flow of the particles that are to be detected from outside the pipette is generated through the opening and through the nanopore, and the pipette is moved relative to a sample.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for concentrating and separating materials in fluids within a fluidic device having a fluid conduit such as a channel or capillary. The concentration is achieved by balancing the electrophoretic velocity of a material against the bulk flow of fluid in the presence of a temperature gradient. An additive is added to the fluid which interacts with the material and which modifies the normal electrophoretic mobility of the material. Using an appropriate fluid, the temperature gradient can generate a corresponding gradient in the electrophoretic velocity so that the electrophoretic and bulk velocities sum to zero at a unique position along the conduit and the material will be focused at that position. The method and device may be adapted for use with a variety of materials including fluorescent dyes, amino acids, proteins, DNA and to concentrate a dilute material.

Abstract: Interrogation of surface receptors of individual cells within a population of cell types in a single mixture is described. Each cell comprises, bound to target surface receptors on the cell, a collection of binding compositions, each comprising a distinct molecular tag. A continuous flow of cell medium containing the cells is pneumatically transported through a channel in a separation device, toward a cleavage/release zone, where specific tags correlating to each binding composition, and thus to each corresponding cell surface receptor, are released from the binding compositions on the cell surface. The method is effective to produce a separately detectable collection of tag signals for each cell.

Abstract: A method is provided for observing mixing interactions and reactions of two materials in a fluid. The method in one form provides for concentrating by balancing electrophoretic velocities of a material against the bulk flow of fluid in the presence of a temperature gradient. Using an appropriate fluid, the temperature gradient can generate a corresponding gradient in the electrophoretic velocity of the material so that the electrophoretic and bulk velocities sum to zero at a unique position and the material will be focused at that position. A second material can then be introduced into the fluid and allowed to move through and interact with the focused band of the first material. Products of the interaction can then be detected as they are focused at a different position along the gradient. The method can be adapted to study the temperature dependence of the molecular interaction.

Abstract: An improved sample introduction probe is disclosed for the production of ions from liquid sample solutions in an electrospray ion source. Nebulization of a liquid sample emerging from the end of an inner flow tube is pneumatically assisted by gas flowing from the end of an outer gas flow tube essentially coaxial with the inner sample flow tube. The disclosed probe provides for adjustment of the relative axial positions of the ends of the liquid and gas flow tubes without degrading the precise concentricity between the inner and outer tubes. Additionally, the terminal portion of the outer gas flow tube may be fabricated either from a conductive or dielectric material, thereby allowing the pneumatic nebulization and electrospray processes to be optimized separately and independently. Hence, the disclosed invention provides a pneumatically-assisted electrospray probe with improved mechanical and operational stability, reliability, reproducibility, and ease of use compared to prior art probes.

Abstract: When irradiating laser beam from the side face of the capillary array, an optical axis of the laser beam is inclined in vertical direction with respect to a plane face formed by the capillary array, thus, reflection light by the capillary array and returning light is prevented from entering into a laser beam source, thereby, instability of laser oscillation is eliminated.

Abstract: A sample stacking method using on-line automatic solid phase extraction coupled to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis, and an interface structure between a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge and a capillary therefor. The sample analysis method using solid phase extraction coupled to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis by connecting a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge with a capillary includes: extracting a sample on a solid phase; injecting an elution solvent at an outlet terminal of the capillary, the elution solution desorbing analytes adsorbed onto a solid-phase material of a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge; and injecting a nonaqueous buffer solution from the outlet terminal of the capillary to push the elution solvent to the solid-phase material.

Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus 1 permits electric-field-assisted fluidic assembly of objects 2 on a patterned silicon substrate 11 by means of electrical addressing. Charged objects 2 such as beads and live cells are moved electrokinetically, like as in electrophoresis, through a solution, typically water 3, towards a micro-patterned charged semiconductor electrode, such as a silicon electrode 11 patterned with silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or agarose gel. The charged objects 2 are thus localized and assembled, most typically into arrays of multiple or single particles, in accordance with the patterning of the electrode 11. Correlating with theoretical predictions, negatively charged polystyrene beads of 20 ?m diameter, or live mammalian cells of 20-30 ?m diameter, can be assembled and disassembled on 100 ?m feature size micro-patterned substrates by means of electrical addressing.

Abstract: A method, computer program medium, and system for analyzing a protein sample that obtains a mass spectrum of the derived peptides, and determines from the mass spectrum a first set of peptide identifications for the peptides. In the method, computer program medium, and system, incorrect identifications can be filtered from the first set of peptide identifications by removal from the first set those peptide identifications ascertained to be false identifications; and the filtered first set can be filtered to generate a second set of the peptide identifications corresponding to the protein sample.

Abstract: An analysis system for and method of enabling determination of the velocities of migrating objects and also classifying migrating objects into groups having a common constraint. In one aspect the present invention provides an analysis system for and method of enabling determination of the velocities of migrating objects, the system comprising: a space-time map generator for generating a space-time map of points representative of the signal peaks of signals detected at a plurality of spaced positions; and a vertex finder for identifying at least one vertex from the space-time map, with a single vertex being identified for each group of objects having a common constraint and the velocities of the objects being determinable from the sets of points in the space-time map corresponding to the respective objects as fitted to the respective vertex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the membrane potential of red blood cells using electrophoretic analysis that analyzes red blood cells whose membrane potentials are reversed due to red blood cell agglutination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analytical chemistry, more particularly, to methods of electrophoretic analysis, and can be utilized to analysis of multicomponent solutions. The invention is aimed at elimination of effect of uncontrolled scatter of electroosmotic flow rates on reproducibility of electrophoretic separation.

Abstract: Use of a support material for capillary electrochromatography (CEC), characterized in that the support material has a porous design and a surface which consists of an outer surface and a pore surface, wherein the outer surface has regions of different derivatization and/or functionality from that of the pore surface.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include mass spectrometry systems and methods of performing molecular mass spectrometry and elemental mass spectrometry using a single mass spectrometry system.

Abstract: A multi-capillary electrophoresis apparatus is provided for reducing errors during analysis caused by fluctuations in electrophoresis time among plural capillaries of the apparatus. The multi-capillary electrophoresis apparatus can contain a multi-capillary array that has a separation medium filled therein for isolating a sample. A detector component can be provided at a position remote from a sample injecting end of the array for acquiring information from the sample. A buffer container can be provided for holding a buffer solution into which the sample injecting end can be immersed. One or more temperature controlling component devices can be arranged for controlling a temperature of the buffer solution, of the detector component, or of both the buffer solution and the detector component.

Abstract: Portable devices and methods for determining the presence of a target analyte using a portable device are provided. The portable device is preferably hand-held. A sample is injected to the portable device. A microfluidic separation is performed within the portable device and at least one separated component detected by a detection module within the portable device, in embodiments of the invention. A target analyte is identified, based on the separated component, and the presence of the target analyte is indicated on an output interface of the portable device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophoretic mobility measuring apparatus capable of conducting measurement with high sensitivity with optical attenuation reduced by incidence of light through the electrode face. This apparatus comprises a transparent electrode 63 forming a part of a cell wall of a cell 6 capable of confining a sample, and the other electrode 62 opposite to the transparent electrode 63. A voltage is applied across these electrodes 62, 63, and light is incident upon the inside of the cell 6 through the transparent electrode 63. The scattering light which scatters from a sample S at a predetermined angle ? with respect to the incident angle, is received through the transparent electrode 63. The Doppler displacement is then measured based on the difference in frequency between the incident light and the outgoing light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for the separation of proteins, comprising a capillary isoelectric focusing unit (2) for primarily separating protein samples on the basis of pi; and a hollow fiber flow field flow fractionation unit (4), connected to one side of the capillary isoelectric focusing unit (2), for secondarily separating the protein samples. The apparatus allows proteins to be separated on the basis of pi and molecular weight without denaturation and can further be applied for the identification of proteins in conjunction with nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry after enzymatic digestion of the protein fractions.

Abstract: An electrochemical detector including side channels associated with a separation channel of a sample component separation apparatus is provided. The side channels of the detector, in one configuration, provide a sheath-flow for an analyte exiting the separation channel which directs the analyte to the electrically developed electrochemical detector.

Abstract: A method of discharging a fluid flow with suspended microparticles from a fluidic microsystem (10) is described, whereby the fluid flow converges with at least one output flow to form a discharge flow at the end of a discharge channel (14) of the microsystem, and the discharge flow is delivered through a conduction element (19). A microsystem with a flow output device for implementation of this method is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a capillary electrophoresis apparatus wherein coupling efficiency of exciting irradiation light to a capillary array does not decline even if any one capillary array of two capillary arrays is removed. Light emission generated by capillaries of each capillary array of 2n (n is a positive integer) capillary arrays radiating exciting light from one side is detected by one optical detection system.

Abstract: A device for spectroscopy using charged analytes has an electron generator, which sends electrons through membrane into a charging chamber. The thermal strain of the membrane may be lowered significantly if a material is selected for the membrane which contains at least one component from the group of oxides, nitrides, and carbides with at least one of the elements B, Al, C, Si, and Ti or polysilicon.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is that a dynamic range is extended in an electrophoresis unit and concentration differences among a plurality of samples measured simultaneously are increased. An irradiation time to the samples is adjusted during analysis without changing a sampling time. By shortening the irradiation time, a fluorescence amount of the samples is reduced to cause signal intensity detected by a detector to physically decrease. If the irradiation time is very short (several 100 msec), the irradiation time and fluorescence intensity are in a direct proportional relationship. It is known that, if the irradiation time is reduced to 1/n, the fluorescence intensity, that is, signal intensity to be detected will be 1/n. Thus, for data whose irradiation time is reduced to 1/n during analysis, data obtained by multiplying a substantially measured value by n is used for data analysis as a true value to be originally acquired.

Abstract: The present invention is a capillary electrophoresis device, comprising a substrate; a first channel in the substrate, and having a buffer arm and a detection arm; a second channel in the substrate intersecting the first channel, and having a sample arm and a waste arm; a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm; a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm; a sample reservoir in fluid communication with the sample arm; and a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm. The detection arm and the buffer arm are of substantially equal length.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a zeta potential generated between a solid wall and a solution. The method includes (a) injecting an electrolyte solution into a first inlet of a T channel, which is provided with first and second inlet electrodes and a grounded outlet electrode, and a mixed solution of the electrolyte solution and a fluorescent dye into a second channel of the T channel and maintaining a steady-state of the two solutions; (b) applying a direct current electric field from the first and second electrodes to the outlet electrode to form an interface between the electrolyte solution and the mixed solution; (c) applying an alternating current electric field from one of the two inlet electrodes to the outlet electrode to oscillate the interface; and (d) measuring an amplitude of oscillation of the interface and determining the zeta potential from the standard relationship between the zeta potential and the amplitude.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro sensor for monitoring the cleaning and drying processes for very high aspect ratio micro channels in dielectric films oriented parallel to the fluid-solid interface during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices. The micro sensor can be used to monitor “vertical” micro features common in microelectronics fabrication or “horizontal” micro features found in MEMS or microfluidic fabrication. By forming the micro channels parallel to the interface, the channels can be made with much higher and well controlled aspect ratios. In addition, multiple sensors can sense the impedance at various points along the micro features. The addition of a guard reduces the effects of any parasitic capacitance, which extends the measurement bandwidth of the sensor.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system comprises capillaries positioned in parallel to each other forming a plane. The capillaries are configured to allow samples to migrate. A light source is configured to illuminate the capillaries and the samples therein. This causes the samples to emit light. A lens is configured to receive the light emitted by the samples and positioned directly over a first group of the capillaries and obliquely over a second group of the capillaries. The light source is further configured to illuminate the second group of capillaries more than the first group of the capillaries such that amount of light received by the lens from the first group of capillaries is substantially identical to amount of light received from the second group of capillaries when an identical amount of the samples is migrating through the first and second group capillaries.

Abstract: An improved sample introduction probe is disclosed for the production of ions from liquid sample solutions in an electrospray ion source. Nebulization of a liquid sample emerging from the end of an inner flow tube is pneumatically assisted by gas flowing from the end of an outer gas flow tube essentially coaxial with the inner sample flow tube. The disclosed probe provides for adjustment of the relative axial positions of the ends of the liquid and gas flow tubes without degrading the precise concentricity between the inner and outer tubes. Additionally, the terminal portion of the outer gas flow tube may be fabricated either from a conductive or dielectric material, thereby allowing the pneumatic nebulization and electrospray processes to be optimized separately and independently. Hence, the disclosed invention provides a pneumatically-assisted electrospray probe with improved mechanical and operational stability, reliability, reproducibility, and ease of use compared to prior art probes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring and/or controlling the temperature on the surface or inside of micro chips are provided, including using thermally responsive polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the genotype of a sample polynucleotide having at least a first variant site. At least a portion of the sample polynucleotide is amplified to obtain first amplicons, the first amplicons including the first variant site. The first amplicons are combined with first and second different polynucleotide controls, the first and second polynucleotide controls differing by at least one base therealong, the position of the at least one differing base corresponding to the first variant site of the sample polynucleotide. A plurality of first duplexes are prepared, each of at least some of the first duplexes comprising (i) a polynucleotide strand of one of the first amplicons and (ii) a complementary polynucleotide strand of the first polynucleotide control.

Abstract: Methods for determining total analyte concentrations and amounts, especially in combination with analyte separations are provided. Microfluidic devices are used to separate analyte mixtures and detect the individual analytes. Signal areas are summed for each individual analyte to quantitate the total analyte amount. Separate measurements of the total analyte sample are also used to determine total analyte concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of a protein and/or peptide pattern of a liquid sample that is derived from the human or animal body. The proteins and peptides of the liquid sample are separated by capillary electrophoresis, then directly ionized and transferred for analysis online via an interface to a mass spectrometer coupled thereto.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus includes a multi-capillary array having a liquid or solid disposed between the capillaries of the array. The liquid or solid exhibits a refractive index higher than that of air and less than that of water and reduces the amount of laser beams scattered by the capillaries. Also provided are methods of adjusting refracted and reflected excitation light beams passing through capillaries of a multi-capillary array, to reduce loss of intensity of the laser beams and increase irradiation of respective samples disposed in the capillaries.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a capillary column with one or more excitation fibers and with one or more optical lens elements for Capillary Electrophoresis. The apparatus includes two identical blocks having a plurality of grooves for positioning and aligning the capillary column with the one or more excitation fibers, and a plurality of lens seats for optically coupling the lens element with the capillary column. Each block includes a male and female part for mating the two identical blocks together.

Abstract: Modular fluidic microchips, systems integrating such microchips, and associated preparative and analytical methods are presented.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, automatically determining an electric charge—related characteristic or derived parameter of particles in a dispersion or of a cell wall, comprises having a particle—containing dispersion provided in a cell. The dispersion is illuminated with light from a light source and detecting from a detection volume light scattered from the particles. An electric field is applied to the dispersion at a first frequency of change of direction of the electric field and an electric field is subsequently applied to the dispersion at a second frequency of change of direction of the electric field. First signals detected from the scattered light when the first frequency electric field is applied are used to provide first values related to the velocity distribution of the particles.

Abstract: The method entails using capillary electrophoresis or capillary isoelectric focusing to separate intact microbes. The capillary system can be a conventional capillary tube or a microfluidic device. The method is employed to maintain the microbes intact to identify and/or quantitate the microbes. The identification of the microbe allows for the diagnosis of disease associated with the microbe.

Abstract: An electrophoresis member is produced by laying a plurality of capillaries on an adhesive layer born on a support layer to form a capillary layer, laminating thereon a second support layer, and partially removing the first support layer, the first adhesive layer and the second support layer to partially expose the capillaries to form a window portion for irradiation and detection and a sample injection portion for injecting a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfabrication and utilization of microscale electrophoresis devices as well as the separation and detection of biomolecules in microscale electrophoresis devices. The device of the present invention utilizes novel fabrication and detection methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a mixture of sample substances comprises a fluid-guiding structure wherein the sample substances are moving essentially in one dimension along the structure and are subject to at least two separation mechanisms, such as capillary electrochromatography (CEC) and capillary zone electrophoresis using high voltage. The signals from a detection means are supplied to a signal processing means, which derives a parameter therefrom which in turn is used to derive improved measuring results for each of the separation results associated with the various separation mechanisms, respectively. The apparatus can be used for protein analysis, for example in combination with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The windows 5a, 5b are configured so that the thickness of the upper and lower parts of the substrate formed therein with the channels becomes thinner in these parts than in other parts. An air space is defined in the vicinity of the one side wall of the channel within a part where the first outgoing window 5a is formed, so as to serve as a window, and the second outgoing window 5b has a shape such as to be recessed inward from the one side wall of the planar plate 10, in comparison with the other part thereof. Further, the fluorescence transmission path 6b is also formed on opposite sides with air spaces. It is noted that a rod-like fiber or the like may be embedded in the planar plate 10 on the outgoing side of the planar plate 10 at the time of forming the separation channel 21 and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device and method are described which provide for control over the distortion of a sample zone upon exiting an electrophoresis separation channel. According to the teachings herein (i) the downstream regions of the channels, near the outlet ends, and/or (ii) the detection chamber, is/are configured so that distortion of one or more sample zones passing from the channels into and across the detection chamber can be controlled (e.g., reduced) in a fashion affording enhanced detectability. In certain embodiments, the lumens along the end regions of the separation channels progressively expand.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a microfluidic apparatus comprising a body defining at least one channel that extends through said body, the channel including an inlet and an outlet; and an electrode positioned in proximity to the body and configured to provide an electrical field near the outlet of the channel to at least partially confine an eluted sample component passing from the channel. The present teachings also provide an electrophoresis system, comprising a microfluidic chip defining a plurality of channels passing therethrough, each of the channels having an inlet and an outlet; a first electrode in electrical communication with the inlet of each of the channels; a second electrode in electrical communication with the outlet of each of the channels; and a third electrode in electrical communication with the outlet of each of the channels, wherein the third electrode is positioned to provide an electrical field to at least partially confine an eluted sample component passing from any of the channels.

Abstract: An improved rotary confocal fluorescence scanner capable of detecting analytes separated on over a 1,000 capillaries simultaneously. This system uses a confocal microscope objective and mirror assembly that rotates inside a vertical ring of capillaries to provide rapid and efficient excitation and detection of fluorescently labeled fragments separated within a cylindrical capillary array. Use of automated procedures to load and run all capillaries permits one to read more than 350,000 base pairs of raw sequence data per hour.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring reactions, e.g., assays, that filter out background signal from substrate, in detecting the product. The methods and systems controllably move detectable reaction product from a first location to a second location at which the product is detected while controllably moving potentially interfering substrate materials away from or not toward the second location. Controllable movement of the different species is accomplished through the controlled combination of bulk fluid flow and differential electrophoresis of substrate and product to move the product, but not the substrate past the detection region.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating fluid samples comprises a micro-chip device having first and second covered channels, each channel having openings at both ends. The channels intersect to form a common intersection. Three of the openings of the channels are connected to a multi-port valve to control pressure in the device.

Abstract: An electrophoretic apparatus which can analyze multiple tests specimens and being comprised of an electrophoretic member having a relatively simple configuration of passages, such that one or a plurality of passages are formed inside a plate-shaped member therein in which holes are formed connecting to the passages at positions corresponding to the ends of each passage, a voltage application part for applying a voltage across the passages, a detector part for detecting a specimen within the passage and an electrophoretic-member holding part for holding a plurality of the electrophoretic members so as to provide for simultaneous electrophoretic operations.

Abstract: The electrophoresis apparatus has plural capillaries for separating fluorephore-labeled samples by electrophoresis, fluorescence detecting parts provided in a part of these capillaries arranged in the same plane for detecting fluorescence emitted by fluorephore labels when a part of the plural capillaries is scanned and irradiated by a laser beam, and a fluorescence detection system for detecting this fluorescence. The fluorescence detecting parts are scanned and repeatedly irradiated by the laser beam where a scanning period of the fluorescence detecting parts by the laser beam is t1, and the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detecting system where an acquisition time of fluorescence signal is t2 (t1?t2). The laser beam from a laser source is narrowly converged by a light collecting lens, and a galvanomirror is rotated in a rotation directional of the galvanomirror around the rotation axis of the galvanomirror so as to repeatedly scan the fluorescence detecting parts.