Apparatus and method for removing small molecules and ions from low volume biological samples

US6284117A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Nanogen, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel Smolko · Jamul, US
• Ed Sheldon · San Diego, US
• Paul D. Swanson · Santee, US
• Prashant Mehta · Carlsbad, US
• Manuel Jimenez · San Diego, US
• Kenneth A. Bloch · San Diego, US
• Lorelei Westin · San Diego, US
• Geoffrey C. Landis · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A20/131
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus and method for desalting a low volume solution for use in connection with an electronically addressable microarray. The apparatus comprises a tubular molecular weight cut-off membrane embedded within a ion exchange resin filled chamber. The apparatus provides a very high surface to volume ratio of membrane pore surface to exchange resin capacity for absorbing charged molecules. The design facilitates the speedy removal of charged molecules from test solutions with the resultant desalted solution having a very low ionic strength suitable for use in the electronic transport of nucleic acids, proteins, and cells.