US5126022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for moving molecules by the application of a plurality of electrical fields
Assignee: Monogram Biosciences Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-28
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Granted: 1992-06-30
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Expires: 2010-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods are disclosed for moving charged molecules through a medium by the application of a plurality of electrical fields of sufficient strength and applied for sufficient amounts of time so as to move the charged molecules through the medium. The devices although preferably small in size, preferably generate large numbers (100 or more) of electrical fields to a movement area which preferably contains a liquid buffered or gel medium. Mixtures of charged molecules are pulled through the gel by the force of the electrical fields. The fields are preferably activated simultaneously or sequentially one after another at various speeds to create complex force field distributions or moving field waves along the separation medium. Charged molecules capable of moving quickly through the gel will be moved along by the faster moving field waves and be separated from slower moving molecules. The fields can be activated by computer software and can be used to move molecules away from and toward each other to obtain rapid and complex chemical synthesis, sequencing or reaction protocols.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Soane
- 👤 Zoya M. Soane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:41
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0093; B01D; B01D57/00; B01D57/02; B01F; B01F33/00; B01F33/30; B01F33/3031; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; B82Y40/00; C; C07; C07K; C07K1/00; C07K1/14; C07K1/24; C07K1/26; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756; G01N27/44773; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: placing the charged particles in a movement area having defined boundaries, formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate with neglible surface charge, and containing multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, the electrodes providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, and a medium therein, wherein the medium is comprised of particles different from the charged particles and provides frictional resistance to the charged molecules moving through the medium; generating a moving electrical field along a given direction of the medium by sequentially activating electrodes placed along the movement area in a time-controlled fashion; and continuing to generate the fields in order to cause the charged particles to move in response to the field through the medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: placing the charged particles in a movement area having defined boundaries, formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate with neglible surface charge, and containing multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, the electrodes providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, and a medium therein, wherein the medium is comprised of particles different from the charged particles and provides frictional resistance to the charged molecules moving through the medium; generating a moving electrical field along a given direction of the medium by sequentially activating electrodes placed along the movement area in a time-controlled fashion; and continuing to generate the fields in order to cause the charged particles to move in response to the field through the medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the medium is in the form of a gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gel is a cross-linked polyacrylamide gel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the medium is in the form of a liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the liquid is a liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid polymer solutions, liquid surfactant micellular solutions, and liquid suspensions containing packed particles having a porous or solid form.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: placing the charged particles in a movement area having defined boundaries, formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate with neglible surface charge, and containing multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, and providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, and a medium therein, wherein the medium is comprised of particles different from the charged particles and provides frictional resistance to the charged molecules moving through the medium; generating a voltage profile along a given direction of the movement area by simultaneously activating electrodes placed along the movement area with different voltages so as to provide the voltage profile; and continuing to generate the voltage profile in a manner to cause the charged particles to move through the medium in response to the forces created by the voltage profile.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: placing the charged particles in a movement area having defined boundaries, formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate with neglible surface charge, and containing multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, and providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, and a medium therein, wherein the medium is comprised of particles different from the charged particles and provides frictional resistance to the charged molecules moving through the medium; generating a voltage profile along a given direction of the movement area by simultaneously activating electrodes placed along the movement area with different voltages so as to provide the voltage profile; and continuing to generate the voltage profile in a manner to cause the charged particles to move through the medium in response to the forces created by the voltage profile.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reacting particles comprising providing a device for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising a movement area with defined boundaries formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate having neglible surface charge; a medium held in the movement area, the medium comprising material different from the particles to be reacted; multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, and providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, the fields being of sufficient strength to move the charged molecules through the medium and from one electrical field to another along the movement area in a controlled manner, placing particles to be reacted into the movement area, and applying a voltage or electrical potential to the electrodes to move the particles to be reacted together under conditions promoting the reaction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reacting particles comprising providing a device for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising a movement area with defined boundaries formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate having neglible surface charge; a medium held in the movement area, the medium comprising material different from the particles to be reacted; multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, and providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, the fields being of sufficient strength to move the charged molecules through the medium and from one electrical field to another along the movement area in a controlled manner, placing particles to be reacted into the movement area, and applying a voltage or electrical potential to the electrodes to move the particles to be reacted together under conditions promoting the reaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the particles are degraded.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: a movement area with defined boundaries formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate having neglible surface charge; a medium held in the movement area, the medium comprising material different from the charged particles to be moved, the medium providing frictional resistance to the charged molecules to be moved; and multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, the fields being of sufficient strength to move the charged molecules through the medium and from one electrical field to another along the movement area in a controlled manner.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: a movement area with defined boundaries formed on a non-porous, non-electrically conductive substrate having neglible surface charge; a medium held in the movement area, the medium comprising material different from the charged particles to be moved, the medium providing frictional resistance to the charged molecules to be moved; and multiple electrodes at each end and within each movement area providing a plurality of electrical fields to the movement area, the electrodes separated by a distance between one and 100 microns, the fields being of sufficient strength to move the charged molecules through the medium and from one electrical field to another along the movement area in a controlled manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for providing a plurality of electrical fields provides at least 5 electrical fields.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the medium is in the form of a gel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the gel is a cross-linked polyacrylamide gel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the medium is in the form of a liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the liquid is a liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid polymer solutions, liquid surfactant micellular solutions, and liquid suspensions containing packed particles having a porous or solid form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device of claim 1 for moving charged particles through a medium, comprising: a movement area defined by polymeric material which forms a surface which surface has embedded therein trenches hollowed out into the surface; a first electrode positioned at a given position on the surface at a given point abutting a trench on the surface; and a second electrode positioned on the surface of the polymeric material which a second electrode is positioned at a distance from the first electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the polymeric material is translucent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the polymeric material is transparent and dimensionally rigid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the substrate is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terepthalate, polystyrene, and polymer coated glass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 further comprising sensing devices located adjacent to the movement area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9 further comprising computer means for controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9 further comprising reservoirs connected to the movement area.
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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) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |