METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING POLARIZABLE ANALYTES VIA DIELECTROPHORESIS

摘要

The present invention is directed to devices and methods for manipulating polarizable analytes via dielectrophoresis to allow for improved detection of target analytes. Microfluidic devices (405) are configured such that the application of a voltage between field-generating electrodes (420, 421) results in the generation of an asymmetric electric field within the device (405). Some embodiments of the invention provide a physical constriction (410), and electrically floating conductive material (430) or a combination of the two techniques to generate an asymmetrical field. Using dielectrophoresis, target analytes are concentrated or separated from contaminant analytes and transported to a detection module (440).