BIOCHIP DEFINING A CHANNELED CAPILLARY ARRAY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

A biochip (10) is provided comprising a plate (20) defining a plurality of cylindrical capillaries (50), each capillary (50) having a pair of opposed ends, and a plurality of channels (60) oriented substantially perpendicularly to the capillaries (50) and configured to selectively operably connecting adjacent capillaries (50). At least one capillary (50) comprises a reagent inlet (52) and at least one capillary (50) comprises a reagent inlet (52) and at least one capillary (50) comprises a reagent outlet (54). The channels (60) operably connect adjacent capillaries (50) so as to form a continuous passage from the reagent inlet (52) to the reagent outlet (54) through each of the capillaries (50). The channels are configured such that the reagent flow is directed into a capillary (50) at one end thereof. The reagent flow is then directed from the capillary (50) at the other end thereof such that the reagent flows through substantially the length of the capillary (50). The channels (60) operably connect adjacent capillaries (50) such that the reagent is directed to flow serially through all of the capillaries (50). Several associated methods of fabricating a biochip according to the present invention are also provided, in addition to a related method of use thereof.