An isotachophoresis (ITP) apparatus, a kit comprising same and method of use thereof for the detection and/or separation of analytes of interest.

An electrode for use in instruments capable of measuring the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution is disclosed. The electrode is comprised of an inexpensive support member, generally made of titanium, onto a flat surface of which has been connected, generally by microwelding, a flat electrically conductive but chemically inert foil member, preferably platinum. A uniform texture can be generated on the exposed surfaces of the electrode by various means including tumbling the electrode with an abrasive. An oxide layer can be generated on the support member by soaking the composite electrode in an appropriate medium, protecting the exposed surface of the support member from fluid contact with the sample solution, while the foil member, unaffected by the oxidation process, is able to contact the sample solution.

A measuring method includes applying a first signal having a first value to a sample disposed in the flow passage by using a working electrode and a counter electrode, measuring a first electric response value of the sample to the first signal, applying contiguously for a given time a second signal having a second value higher than the first value to the sample disposed in the flow passage by using the working electrode and the counter electrode, measuring a second electric response value of the sample within the given time to the second signal, the second electric response value indicating amount of electric charge generated by electrolysis of water in the sample, and correcting a value obtained from the first electric response value based on the second electric response value.

Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.

An electrode for use in instruments capable of measuring the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution is disclosed. The electrode is comprised of an inexpensive support member, generally made of titanium, onto a flat surface of which has been connected, generally by microwelding, a flat electrically conductive but chemically inert foil member, preferably platinum. A uniform texture can be generated on the exposed surfaces of the electrode by various means including tumbling the electrode with an abrasive. An oxide layer can be generated on the support member by soaking the composite electrode in an appropriate medium, protecting the exposed surface of the support member from fluid contact with the sample solution, while the foil member, unaffected by the oxidation process, is able to contact the sample solution.

A method for separating a plurality of deformable objects, such as biological cells or biological supramolecules such as DNA, in a liquid medium by use of an electrophoretic technique combined with hydrodynamic forces. The deformable objects are introduced into a channel, having a flow axis and a cross section at right angles to the flow axis, with the minimum size of the cross section being less than or equal to 50 pm; A hydrodynamic flow is defined a in the channel together with the application of an electric field in the channel, making it possible to move the deformable objects in the channel according to the flow axis and to separate them along the flow axis. A device suitable for implementing this method. The electrolyte used for the electrophoretic separation may be a non-Newtonian fluid with viscoelastic properties.

Embodiments herein relate to breath analysis system. In an embodiment, a gas measurement device is included having a housing defining an interior volume. The housing can include a fluid ingress port, a fluid egress port, a bottom wall, and a circuit board disposed within the interior volume. The circuit board can include a first side and a second side, where the first side of the circuit board faces inward toward the interior volume. The circuit board can include a plurality of gas sensors disposed on the first side of the circuit board and a plurality of conductive pads disposed on the second side of the circuit board, wherein a plurality of electrical contacts contact the conductive pads when the circuit board is seated within the housing. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.

Gradient elution isotachophoretic apparatus, and systems for performing gradient elution isotachophoresis to separate, purify, concentrate, quantify, and/or extract charged analytes from a sample. The isotachophoretic apparatus include an electrophoretic assembly, a sampling assembly connected to the electrophoretic assembly, and/or a support structure connected to the electrophoretic assembly and/or to the sampling assembly. The system includes an isotachophoretic apparatus, and a controller communicatively coupled to the isotachophoretic apparatus. The controller includes a storage medium and a processor for executing computer readable and executable instructions.

The present invention provides a mobility electrophoresis separation device, its operating method, and an interface between liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The mobility electrophoresis separation device comprises a separation capillary, a syringe pump for injecting a buffer solution, a syringe for injecting a sample solution, and two electrodes disposed apart from each other on either side of the separation capillary. A sample solution is injected by a syringe at a position of the capillary channel, and a buffer solution is injected into the capillary channel upstream the first position, and carries the sample solution to flow downstream. While the mixed liquid flows through the capillary, an electric field is applied in the direction of the flow. Different ions in the sample are thus separated in the flow due to their different velocities traveling in the flow.