Abstract

A method of converging charged particles is disclosed, comprising: a) injecting charged particles of at least one substance into a chamber having a main axis; and b) applying, along at least a first portion of the main axis of the chamber, an electric field sequence. This comprises the steps of: b1) applying a first electric field gradient, in which the sign of the electric field is one of either positive or negative at substantially all points within a first region of the main axis and the magnitude of the electric field decreases along the main axis in the first region in a first direction of the main axis; and then b2) applying a second electric field gradient, in which the sign of the electric field is the other of either positive or negative at substantially all points within the first region of the main axis and the magnitude of the electric field decreases along the main axis in the first region in a second direction of the main axis which is opposite to the first direction. During step (b1), a group of the charged particles moves under the influence of the first electric field gradient in the first direction along the main axis, and in step (b2) the group of charged particles moves under the influence of the second electric field gradient in the second, opposite, direction along the main axis of the chamber, and during each of steps (b1) and (b2) the front edge of the group moves more slowly than the trailing edge of the group due to the smaller electric field magnitude acting on the particles at the front edge, such that the width of the group of charged particles is successively reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 57/02 - Separation, other than separation of solids, not fully covered by a single other group or subclass, e.g. by electrophoresis
• B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis

Abstract

The invention provides an electrophoresis method for detecting an analyte in a sample, the method comprising providing the sample and an agent that specifically binds the analyte, combined in a fluid medium in a separation channel; applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile, and thereby causing bound and unbound analyte and/or agent to move relative to the fluid; varying the applied electric field so as to adjust the field profile relative to the separation channel, thereby causing the bound analyte and the unbound analyte to concentrate at locations apart from one another in the fluid under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis

Abstract

The invention provides an electrophoresis method for detecting an analyte in a sample, the method comprising providing the sample and an agent that specifically binds the analyte, combined in a fluid medium in a separation channel; applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile, and thereby causing bound and unbound analyte and/or agent to move relative to the fluid; varying the applied electric field so as to adjust the field profile relative to the separation channel, thereby causing the bound analyte and the unbound analyte to concentrate at locations apart from one another in the fluid under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis

Abstract

A device comprises an electric field applying assembly adapted to generate an electric field having a discrete electric field profile; a conducting volume and an electrical interface region provided between the conducting volume and the electric field applying assembly such that the discrete electric field is applied to the material by the electric field applying assembly at a location spaced from the conducting volume, wherein the electrical interface region comprises at least an ionically conductive material arranged adjacent to an in contact with the conducting volume; such that the discrete electric field applied by the electric field applying assembly is smoothed by the electrical interface region so that the electric field profile established within the conducting volume is substantially continuous.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis
• B01D 57/02 - Separation, other than separation of solids, not fully covered by a single other group or subclass, e.g. by electrophoresis

Abstract

A device comprises an electric field applying assembly adapted to generate an electric field having a discrete electric field profile; a conducting volume and an electrical interface region provided between the conducting volume and the electric field applying assembly such that the discrete electric field is applied to the material by the electric field applying assembly at a location spaced from the conducting volume,wherein the electrical interface region comprises at least an ionically conductive material arranged adjacent to an in contact with the conducting volume;such that the discrete electric field applied by the electric field applying assembly is smoothed by the electrical interface region so that the electric field profile established within the conducting volume is substantially continuous.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis
• G01N 27/453 - Cells therefor
• B01D 57/02 - Separation, other than separation of solids, not fully covered by a single other group or subclass, e.g. by electrophoresis

Abstract

An electrophoresis method is provided for separating objects in a fluid contained in a separation channel. The method comprises: applying an electric field along the separation channel, the electric field having a field profile, and thereby causing at least some of the objects to move relative to the fluid; varying the applied electric field so as to adjust the field profile relative to the separation channel, thereby causing the objects to separate into bands under the combined influences of an electric force due to the electric field and a hydrodynamic force due to the fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/447 - Systems using electrophoresis
• G01N 27/453 - Cells therefor
• B01D 57/02 - Separation, other than separation of solids, not fully covered by a single other group or subclass, e.g. by electrophoresis