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Methods for fabricating separation apparatus

a separation apparatus and fabrication method technology, applied in the field of miniature chromatographs, can solve the problems of affecting the movement of samples, affecting the quality of samples, so as to facilitate the movement of samples

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-09-21
GILTON TERRY L
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] The sample separation apparatus of the present invention includes a substrate with a capillary column thereon, the latter comprising a rough surface, such as a matrix which defines a plurality of pores therethrough or an open column with a rough surface, which is also referred to as a matrix. The surface area of the matrix of each capillary column facilitates the separation of the constituents of a sample over a relatively short length of the column compared to the required lengths of conventional smooth, “open,” etched or ablated columns to effectively separate the constituents. Preferably, the capillary column, which is also referred to as a porous capillary column, comprises porous silicon or hemispherical grain silicon, and is formed on a silicon substrate. Such a column, depending on the width and depth thereof, may be useful for separating the constituents of a sample or detecting constituents in a sample having a volume of as small as about one femtoliter (1×10−15 liter). The separation apparatus may also include a detector disposed proximate the capillary column. Such a detector analyzes a characteristic of a constituent as the constituent passes through the capillary column, and thereby identifies or otherwise analyzes the constituent.
[0024] A second variation of the separation apparatus of the present invention is useful for conducting electrophoretic separation. Thus, size of the pores that are defined through the porous silicon matrix or the amount of space between grains of hemispherical grain silicon of the capillary column is determined by the desirable rate of separation and the size of the sample constituents for which separation is desired. The second variation of the separation apparatus also includes first and second electrodes positioned proximate respective first and second ends of the capillary column. The first and second electrodes are connectable to opposite electrical charges so as to facilitate the generation of a current along a length of the capillary column, and thereby facilitate the movement and separation of the sample constituents along the column. Preferably, the second variation of the separation apparatus also includes a control column adjacent the capillary column and having substantially the same dimensions, structure, and pore sizes or spacing as the capillary column. The control column is useful for determining the molecular size or weight of at least some of the various sample constituents.

Problems solved by technology

The use of substantially smooth, open-channeled capillary columns in miniature chromatographs is, however, somewhat undesirable from the standpoint that open-channeled columns typically have a surface area that is limited by the area of the substantially smooth surface of the channel.
The amount of stationary phase material that may be disposed along a given length of substantially smooth, open-channeled capillary columns is also limited by the surface area of that length of the capillary column.
Thus, the use of substantially smooth, open-channeled capillary columns in miniature gas chromatographs imposes minimum size limitations on such chromatographs.

Method used

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  • Methods for fabricating separation apparatus
  • Methods for fabricating separation apparatus
  • Methods for fabricating separation apparatus

Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, a sample separation apparatus 10 of the present invention is depicted. Sample separation apparatus 10 includes a substrate 12 and capillary columns 14 formed in the substrate. Capillary columns 14 each include a matrix 16 and a plurality of pores 18 formed through the matrix. Pores 18 permit gases and liquids to flow along the distance of capillary columns 14. Capillary columns 14 may also include one or more reaction regions 20 along the longitudinal extent thereof. Preferably, the reaction regions 20 along each capillary column 14 are discrete from one another. Sample separation apparatus 10 may also include one or more detectors 22 disposed proximate each capillary column 14.

[0045] Substrate 12 may be formed of silicon, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, or another material that can be treated to form porous regions, such as capillary columns 14, and upon which electrical devices, such as detector 22, can be formed. Accordingly, capillary columns...

second embodiment

[0052] Turning now to FIG. 2, the sample separation apparatus 10′ of the present invention is shown, which comprises a chromatography column. Accordingly, a stationary phase 17 may be disposed on matrix 16′ of each capillary column 14′. Stationary phase 17 comprises a material that is selected on the basis of several factors, including without limitation the chromatographic technique that will be employed and type of sample constituents for which separation or isolation is desired. Conventionally employed stationary phase materials may also be employed as stationary phase 17.

[0053] Separation apparatus 10′ may also include a migration facilitator 24′ which comprises a pump 26′ that applies positive pressure to facilitate the migration of a sample along each capillary column 14′. Exemplary pumps 26′ that are useful in separation apparatus 10′ are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,488 (the “'488 patent”), which issued to Tak Kui Wang et al. on Sep. 2, 1997, the disclosure of which is h...

third embodiment

[0055]FIG. 3 illustrates the sample separation apparatus 10″ of the present invention, which is particularly useful for conducting electrophoretic separation on a sample 70″. The degree to which the constituents of sample 70″ are separated depends upon the cross-sectional diameter of pores 18″. Accordingly, the greatest degree of separation occurs when the size of pores 18″ is approximately equivalent to the size of the various constituents of sample 70″ for which separation is desired, or the “targeted” constituents. Thus, pores 18″ of small cross-sectional diameters separate the smaller constituents of sample 70″. Pores 18″ of larger cross-sectional diameters permit the migration and separation of the larger sized constituents through each capillary column 14″. Thus, the cross-sectional diameter of pores 18″ preferably facilitates separation of the various targeted constituents of sample 70″.

[0056] Electrophoretic techniques typically employ an electric current to move the constit...

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Abstract

Methods for fabricating sample separation apparatus include forming at least one elongate matrix in a solid substrate. The matrix, which may include pores, includes the same material as a nonporous substrate. A stationary phase may be applied to the matrix. Examples of stationary phases include, but are not limited to, capture molecules immobilized to discrete locations of the substrate and stationary phases that are used in chromatographic separation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 387,830 filed Mar. 13, 2003, pending, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 442,713, filed Nov. 18, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,057, issued Jul. 13, 2004, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09 / 177,814, filed Oct. 23, 1998, now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to chromatographs and other apparatus for separating the constituents of a sample. Particularly, the present invention relates to a miniaturized separation apparatus which comprises a porous capillary column. More specifically, the porous separation apparatus of the present invention includes a sample column and a detector that is disposed along the column to detect the presence of and identify each constituent that passes by the detector. The porous capillary column may comprise a matrix of porous silicon or hemispherical ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G01N33/554G01N33/543
CPCB01D61/18Y10T436/25375B01L3/5023B01L3/502707B01L2200/12B01L2300/0816B01L2400/0421B01L2400/0487G01N27/44791G01N30/466G01N30/6065G01N30/6073G01N30/6095G01N33/54353B01D63/088B01D2313/345B01D63/081
Inventor GILTON, TERRY L.
Owner GILTON TERRY L