The present invention relates to an asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation device (1) configured to separate a sample (8) of particles (12) dispersed in a liquid mobile phase (11), the device including a fractionation microchannel (2) comprising a sample inlet, a sample outlet, an auxiliary microchannel (3) comprising an auxiliary outlet, a semipermeable membrane (10) separating the fractionation microchannel (2) and the auxiliary microchannel (3), said membrane being permeable to liquid and being configured to maintain the particles (12) in said fractionation microchannel (2), the fractionation microchannel (2) being superimposed on the auxiliary microchannel (3), wherein the device (1) comprises two layers (19), each layer being with a microfabricated recess (14) which thickness (t) is less than 100.sub.IJm, the membrane (10) being mechanically held in between the two layers (19), the recesses (14) respectively defining the fractionation microchannel (2) and the auxiliary microchannel (3) on each side of the membrane (10).

A device and method for isolating extracellular vesicles from biofluids is disclosed. A nanoporous silicon nitride membrane is provided with a tangential flow of biofluid. A pressure gradient through the nanoporous silicon nitride membrane facilitates capture of extracellular vesicles from the tangential flow vector of biofluid. Reversal of the pressure gradient results in the release of the extracellular vesicles for subsequent collection.

A field flow fractionation apparatus includes a separation channel provided with an inlet port and an outlet port at both ends and forming a space through which a carrier fluid flows between the inlet port and the outlet port, a separation membrane which is a wall surface that defines the separation channel and is parallel to a channel flow in which a carrier fluid flows in the separation channel from the inlet port toward the outlet port, and has a property of permeating the carrier fluid and not permeating particles to be separated, and a discharge port that discharges the carrier fluid having permeated through the separation membrane to outside. At least a part of the surface of the separation membrane is an ion exchangeable region in which a functional group having ion exchangeability is modified.

The present inventions provide methods for detecting and determining protein structures and stability, including heteromeric protein complexes, in biological fluids, such as serum and other bodily fluids. Systems for performing the methods also are provided.

The present inventions provide methods for detecting and evaluating viruses and virus-like particles using A4F combined with Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) and fluorescent (Flr) detectors. Systems for performing the methods also are provided.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for field-flow fractionation and to a method for separating samples by means of field-flow fractionation using this apparatus. The apparatuses of the invention comprise a separation channel which, in addition to a first outlet for sample-containing solvent, comprises a second outlet for sample-free solvent, wherein the second outlet is arranged in a region of the separation channel from which sample-free solvent may be removed during elution and a flow volume control device is arranged downstream of the second outlet. They are characterized in that the flow volume control device is a mass flow controller.

A field flow fractionator comprises a top plate comprising a channel side, a fitting side, a channel outlet port, and a dilution control module (DCM) port. The DCM port is positioned a predetermined distance from the channel outlet port on the channel side of the top plate. An opening of the DCM port comprises a slot with a height to span a channel from a first edge of the channel to a second edge of the channel and with a width to allow for the distance. A fitting of the DCM port extending through the top plate is positioned at an angle relative to a direction of extension of the top plate to accommodate the predetermined distance.