초록 ▼

A microscale fluid handling system that permits the efficient transfer of nanoliter to picoliter quantities of a fluid sample from the spatially concentrated environment of a microfabricated chip to "off-chip" analytical or collection devices for further off-chip sample manipulation and analysis is

A microscale fluid handling system that permits the efficient transfer of nanoliter to picoliter quantities of a fluid sample from the spatially concentrated environment of a microfabricated chip to "off-chip" analytical or collection devices for further off-chip sample manipulation and analysis is disclosed. The fluid handling system is fabricated in the form of one or more channels, in any suitable format, provided in a microchip body or substrate of silica, polymer or other suitable non-conductive material, or of stainless steel, noble metal, silicon or other suitable conductive or semi-conductive material. The microchip fluid handling system includes one or more exit ports integral with the end of one or more of the channels for consecutive or simultaneous off-chip analysis or collection of the sample. The exit port or ports may be configured, for example, as an electrospray interface for transfer of a fluid sample to a mass spectrometer.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [21.] A method for processing microscale quantities of a liquid comprising the steps of:providing a microscale liquid handling system comprising a substrate having one or more channels integrated in said substrate, said one or more channels terminating in one or more exit port

[ What is claimed is:] [21.] A method for processing microscale quantities of a liquid comprising the steps of:providing a microscale liquid handling system comprising a substrate having one or more channels integrated in said substrate, said one or more channels terminating in one or more exit ports in an outer surface of said substrate;loading a liquid sample into one of said one or more channels;causing said liquid sample to travel in said channel in the direction of said exit port; andcausing said liquid sample to exit said substrate through said exit port of said channel and transfer off said substrate by droplet, spray or stream to an external analytical and/or collection system, said system having an inlet that is proximate to but separate from said exit port.