Washington State University

The University of New Mexico

Other

Protasis Corporation

Cornelius F Ivory

Sang M Han

Dan M Leatzow

Youn-Jin Oh

William A Gobie

Steven Roy Julien Brueck

Gabriel P Lopez

David M Strand

Dimiter N Petsev

Mani Hossein-Zadeh

Fred J Schuetze

Zheng Huang

Noah Tracy

Provided is a sensor platform that includes a substrate, a plurality of nanochannels disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of electrodes, a waveguide disposed on the substrate and an analysis chamber and a reference chamber disposed on the substrate. Each electrode extends substantially across a width of the plurality of nanochannels. At least one analysis optical resonator is disposed in the analysis chamber and is optically coupled to at least a portion of the waveguide. The at least one analysis optical resonator is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of nanochannels. At least one reference optical resonator is disposed in the reference chamber and is optically coupled to at least a portion of the waveguide. The at least one reference optical resonator is in fluid communication with at least one other of the plurality of nanochannels.

Biomarker sensing based on nanofluidic amplification and resonant optical detection

Embodiments of electrophoresis systems, devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, an electrophoresis device includes a first electrode having a first polarity, a second electrode having a second polarity, and a substrate. The substrate includes a first channel having a first section with a first cross-sectional area and a second section with a second cross-sectional area. The first end is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the second end is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area in a first dimension and in a second dimension generally orthogonal to the first dimension.

Electrophoresis systems, devices, and associated methods of analysis

Embodiments of analysis systems, electrophoresis devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of analyzing a sample containing an electrolyte includes sequentially introducing a leading electrolyte, a sample electrolyte, and a trailing electrolyte into a extraction channel carried by a substrate. The extraction channel has a constriction in cross-sectional area. The method also includes applying an electrical field to separate components of the sample electrolyte into stacks and to concentrate the separated components by forcing the sample electrolyte to migrate through the constriction in the extraction channel. Thereafter, the applied electrical field is removed and the separated and concentrated components of the sample are detected in a detection channel carried by the substrate.

Sample analysis systems, devices, and associated methods of operation

Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for concentrating, focusing and/or separating proteins using nanofluidic channels and/or their arrays. In embodiments, low-abundance proteins can be focused and separated with high resolution using separation techniques including isoelectric focusing (IEF), and/or dynamic field gradient focusing (DFGF) in combination with nanofluidic channels and/or multi-gate nanofluidic field-effect-transistors (FETs).

High resolution focusing and separation of proteins in nanofluidic channels

Various embodiments provide an exemplary lab-on-a-chip (LOC) system that serves as an analytical tool and/or as a separation medium for an electrolyte solution including various charged molecular species. The LOC system can include an integrated nanofluidic FET device in combination with suitable analysis systems. By applying and controlling a longitudinal electric field and a transverse electric potential, the flow and the pH of the electrolyte solution in the nanofluidic channels can be controlled.

Control of electrolyte solution in nanofluidic channels

Devices are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes, comprising a separation chamber and two or more electrodes, for example, an electrode array. A membrane separates the separation chamber and the electrodes. The separation chamber of the device is configured, that is, the separation chamber has a shaped geometry, which serves to induce a gradient in an electric field generated by the electrodes in the electrode chamber. Optionally, molecular sieve is included in the separation chamber that is operative to shift the location at which a stationary focused band of a charged analyte forms under a given set of focusing process parameters. Methods are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes comprising introducing a first fluid comprising at least one charged analyte into the separation chamber of a device as just described, applying an electric field gradient to the charged analyte to focus the charged analyte in the electric field gradient.

Electrophoresis devices and methods for focusing charged analytes

The invention includes nanochannel devices and methods for using such nanochannel devices for separating molecules, ions and biomolecules. The nanochannel devices have at least one nanochannel through which fluid can move, wherein ionic double layers form in the fluid near walls of the nanochannel and those ionic double layers overlap within the nanochannel. Electrical voltage can be applied to the nanochannel to modify an electrostatic potential in the nanochannel and thereby control movement of ions and biomolecules through the nanochannel. The invention also includes arrays and networks of such nanochannel devices.

Nanofluidics for bioseparation and analysis

A vortex-stabilized electrophoretic processor comprises an annular processing chamber at least partly defined by concentric first and second processing chamber surfaces. At least one of the processing chamber surfaces is rotatable relative to the other processing chamber surface. The electrophoretic processor further comprises an electric field generator operative to be energized to establish a dynamic field gradient within the processing chamber. At least one fluid port is provided, having fluid communication with the processing chamber. The electric field generator may comprise an elongate electrode array positioned within a central bore of a rotor forming the inside surface of the processing chamber. One or both of the processing chamber surfaces can have shaping comprising multiple spaced tines or annular ridges extending toward the other of the processing chamber surfaces.

Vortex-stabilized electrophoretic devices and methods

An electrophoretic device and method for focusing a charged solute is disclosed. The device includes a first chamber for receiving a fluid medium, the first chamber having an inlet for introducing a first liquid to the chamber and an outlet for exiting the first liquid from the chamber; a second chamber comprising an electrode array, the second chamber having an inlet for introducing a second liquid to the chamber and an outlet for exiting the second liquid from the chamber; and a porous material separating the first and second chambers. The device's electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes and generates an electric field gradient profile which can be dynamically controlled. In the method, a charged solute is introduced into a fluid medium followed by the application of a hydrodynamic force. Opposing the hydrodynamic force with an electric field gradient results in solute focusing in the fluid medium. The electric field gradient is generated by an electrode array by individually adjusting the electrode voltages.

Device and method for focusing solutes in an electric field gradient

An electrophoretic processor for separating proteins and other chemicals exhibiting varying electrophoretic mobilities. The preferred processor includes a rotor which turns within a stator to define a processing chamber therebetween. The rotor and stator are preferably cylindrical to provide an cylindrically annular processing chamber which will induce transverse secondary flows, preferably in the form of toroidal vortices. The transverse toroidal vortices improve heat transfer and counteract longitudinal flows which decrease separation. Embodiments are described which include multizone electric fields. The resulting electric fields are varied in strength to focus mobile molecules against a countervailing flow of carrier fluid. The described processors can be used to perform a variety of processes including batch and continuous flow zone electrophoresis and batch isoelectric focusing.

Electrophoretic processing

An electrophoretic processor for separating proteins and other chemicals exhibiting varying electrophoretic mobilities. The preferred processor includes a rotor which turns within a stator to define a processing chamber therebetween. The rotor and stator are preferably cylindrical to provide an cylindrically annular processing chamber which will induce transverse secondary flows, preferably in the form of toroidal vortices. The transverse toroidal vortices improve heat transfer and counteract longitudinal flows which decrease separation. The processor can be provided with a process temperature stabilizer, such as a chamber surrounding the stator, through which a heat exchange fluid is passed. The processor can be used to perform a variety of processes including batch and continuous flow zone electrophoresis and batch isoelectric focusing.

Electrophoretic processor and methods

Recycle continuous flow electrophoresis (RCFE) makes use of an electrophoresis chamber having a plurality of inlet ports and a plurality of outlet ports disposed opposite the inlet ports. The flow exiting through an outlet port is recycled to an inlet port which is displaced by a distance .DELTA. from the inlet port directly opposite the outlet port. The distance .DELTA. is calculated using various physical parameters for the separation system and electrophoretic mobilities of the solutes. Improved resolution and reduced power requirements are achieved using the system. In addition, regeneration sections can be included to eliminate dilution of the separated solutes.

Growing community of inventors

Pullman, WA, United States of America

Cornelius F Ivory