Microfluidic separation device and method of making same

Abstract

A device and method for making a microfluidic separation device. A microfluidic separation device could include a microfluidic column having an inlet, the microfluidic column being configured to hold a first fluid and the microfluidic column including a porous portion, and an outlet attached to the microfluidic column, the outlet being configured to output a second fluid. The method may include providing a microfluidic column having an inlet, configuring the microfluidic column to hold a first fluid, forming a porous portion in the microfluidic column, and attaching an outlet to the microfluidic column.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a microfluidic separation device, the method comprising:
 providing a microfluidic column having an inlet;   configuring the microfluidic column to hold a first fluid;   forming a porous portion in the microfluidic column; and   attaching an outlet to the microfluidic column.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the forming the porous portion further comprises including one of a filter, a paper filter; a sodium silicate frit, a partially fused material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the configuring the microfluidic column to hold the first fluid includes configuring the microfluidic column to process less than a range of 100 nanoliter to 1 milliliter of at least one of the first fluid and a second fluid, the second fluid passing through the outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing the microfluidic column further comprises including a silica in the column. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing the microfluidic column includes one of providing an elution column and providing an affinity column. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising urging the first fluid towards the porous portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the forming the porous portion includes temporarily sealing the microfluidic column, and wherein the method further comprises configuring the outlet to output a second fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing the microfluidic column includes providing a microfluidic column of a material selected from the group consisting of:
 fluorinated polymer,   elastomer, and   plastic.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing the microfluidic column further includes providing a plurality of microfluidic columns. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing the microfluidic column further includes connecting one or more of the microfluidic columns to one or more of a first microfluidic channel enclosed in a first microfluidic chip and a second microfluidic channel enclosed in a second microfluidic chip. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making a microfluidic separation device, the method comprising:
 providing a microfluidic column having an inlet;   configuring the microfluidic column to hold a first fluid;   including a porous portion in the microfluidic column;   configuring an outlet to the microfluidic column;   configuring the outlet to output a second fluid;   sizing the microfluidic column to process less than a range of 100 nanoliter to 1 milliliter of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid;   configuring the microfluidic column to urge the first fluid towards the porous portion; and   sizing the microfluidic column to have a length and a diameter, wherein the length is in a range of 5-40 times the diameter.   
     
     
         23 . A method of making a microfluidic separation device, the method comprising:
 selecting one or more dimensions of a microfluidic column;   creating a mold of the microfluidic column;   forming a porous portion in the mold of the microfluidic column;   embedding the mold of the microfluidic column in one of:
 a fluorinated polymer, 
 an elastomer, and 
 a plastic; and 
 removing the mold. 
   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further including removing the wax. 
     
     
         25 - 26 . (canceled)