US4891120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chromatographic separation device
Assignee: GEC-MARONI Ltd
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Filing: 1987-06-08
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2007-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A chromatographic separation device comprises a body 2 of a semiconductor material which body has a longitudinal channel 1 formed in a surface thereof, the channel 1 being capable of containing a predetermined volume of a liquid or solid material for a chromatography test or separation procedure, the channel carrying at least one electrode 6 positioned intermediate the channel ends. The semiconductor body may additionally support an electronic or optical sensor 8 arranged in line with said channel 1 to provide an integrated detection system.
Inventors
- 👤 Rajinder S. Sethi
- 👤 Jack Brettle
- 👤 Christopher Lowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/60; G01N30/6052; G01N30/6086; G01N30/26; G01N30/28; G01N2030/285; G01N30/38; G01N30/46; G01N30/466; G01N30/6082; G01N30/6095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connections with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting at least one alumina strip, said alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connections with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting at least one alumina strip, said alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said channel has a width of 100 microns or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said alumina strip is secured to the mounting package by an epoxy resin adhesive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said silicon wafer body is secured to said alumina strip by an epoxy resin adhesive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which each said electrode area is connected by a gold bonding wire to its contact pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said channel is associated with a third electrode area which is spaced form the said first and second electrode areas, said third electrode area being correspondingly connected to a contact pin.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of constructing a chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connectors with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting at least one alumina strip, said alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and of said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit, the method comprising the step of providing a body of silicon wafer material, and cutting a narrow longitudinal channel in said body by a micromechanical machining operation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of constructing a chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connectors with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting at least one alumina strip, said alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and of said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit, the method comprising the step of providing a body of silicon wafer material, and cutting a narrow longitudinal channel in said body by a micromechanical machining operation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
170 words
A method constructing a chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connections with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting one or more alumina strips, each alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and of said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit, the method comprising the step of forming the required electrode areas as metal layers deposited by an integrated circuit metallisation process.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
170 words
A method constructing a chromatographic/electrophoretic separation and sensing device comprising a semiconductor chip mounting package carrying electrically insulated contact pins for making electrical connections with an external measurement circuit, the package supporting one or more alumina strips, each alumina strip carrying a silicon wafer body which includes a narrow longitudinal channel capable of accommodating a low volume of a sample medium for a relevant gas or liquid test process, said channel being closed on its open side by a cover plate, and of said channel being associated with a first and a second electrode area being spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel such that both electrode areas are in contact with said sample medium when said sample medium is present in the channel, and each electrode area being connected to a respective contact pin of the package for integration with the said measurement circuit, the method comprising the step of forming the required electrode areas as metal layers deposited by an integrated circuit metallisation process.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |