Punctuated microgradients for improved separations of molecules and particles

US10022728B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Mark J. Hayes · Sparta, US
• Paul Jones · Mesa, US
• Stacy Kenyon · Baltimore, US
• Michael Keebaugh · Mesa, US
• Thomas J. Taylor · Tempe, US
• Prasun Mahanti · Tempe, US
• Sarah J. R. Staton · Washington, US
• Noah Weiss · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 3, 2014
• Grant date: Jul 17, 2018
• Expiry date: Dec 16, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B03C2201/26
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods to separate and concentrate target species. In some embodiments, a punctuated continuous microchannel or parallel processing (array-based) separations are provided, the microchannel having a plurality of sequential, constrictive insulating features to form a plurality of reservoirs including a first, second and third reservoir, and a plurality of constricted passageways including a first constricted passageway that connects the first reservoir to the second reservoir and a second constricted passageway that connects the second reservoir to the third reservoir. A voltage is applied to the microchannel to create different electrical fields and/or different dielectrophoresis (DEP) gradients at each of the plurality of constricted passageways in order to separate species that have differing ratios of electrokinetic mobility to dielectrophoretic mobility.