A versatile sample injection system for miniaturised isotachophoresis devices

• Published in: Microelectronic engineering Vol. 85; no. 5-6; pp. 1440 - 1442
• Main Authors: Baldock, S.J., Fielden, P.R., Goddard, N.J., Kretschmer, H.R., Prest, J.E., Brown, B.J. Treves
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-05-2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied fluid mechanics; Chip technologies; Electroseparation; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluidics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Injection methods; Instrumentation; Isotachophoresis; Microfluidic; Miniaturisation; Physics; Miniaturisation; Injection methods; Chip technologies; Microfluidic; Instrumentation; Isotachophoresis; Electroseparation; Short channel; Miniaturization; Microfluidics
• ISSN: 0167-9317; 1873-5568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mee.2008.01.095

A variable-volume sample injector design is presented and evaluated for performing sample introduction protocols for carrying out miniaturised isotachophoresis (ITP) separations. The microdevice design features a wide bore sample loop channel connected to a narrower bore separation channel via a short injection channel angled at 45°. An additional side arm channel located at the injection point enabled a range of injection strategies, using a gravity-fed system, to be implemented and assessed. A model analyte was used to demonstrate the versatility of the injector design for low and high sample loading regimes suitable for concentrated and dilute sample solutions, respectively.