Electrical microhydraulic multiplex system and use thereof

Abstract

The electric microfluidics multiplex system comprises at least one channel for liquid flows which includes molecules, particularly biomolecules, molecule complexes or microparticles adapted to be manipulated and in particular to be transported by electric fields. Further, the electric microfluidics multiplex system comprises a multitude of electrodes arranged to follow each other individually or in groups along the at least one channel, and drive electronics with a plurality of outputs for control signals to be applied to the electrodes. The electrodes are divided into groups. Each group is assigned to an output of the drive electronics. The electrodes of each group are interconnected and are connected to the respective assigned output of the drive electronics. The interconnected electrodes of two respective groups are positioned in such a manner that, except for at least one electrode of one group, all electrodes of this group are respectively arranged at such a large distance from the electrodes of the other group that, when control signals are applied to the two groups of electrodes, an electric field which is sufficient for the manipulation of a molecule or molecule complex can be built up, with minimum distance, exclusively between the respective at least one electrodes of both groups.

1 . An electric microfluidics multiplex system comprising 
 at least one channel for liquid flows, comprising molecules, particularly biomolecules, molecule complexes or microparticles adapted to be manipulated and particularly to be transported by electric fields,    a plurality of electrodes arranged to follow each other individually or in groups along the at least one channel,    drive electronics comprising a plurality of outputs for control signals to be applied to the electrodes, wherein 
 the electrodes are divided into groups,  
 each group is assigned to an output of the drive electronics,  
 the electrodes of each group are galvanically interconnected and are connected to the respective assigned output of the drive electronics,  
 the interconnected electrodes of respectively two groups are positioned in such a manner that, except for at least one electrode of one group, all electrodes of this group are respectively arranged at such a large distance from the electrodes of the other group that, when control signals are applied to the two groups of electrodes, an electric field which is sufficient for the manipulation of a molecule, molecule complex or microparticle can be built up, with minimum distance, exclusively between the respective at least one electrodes of both groups (i.e. if required, when viewing two random electrode groups, only one pair of electrodes comprising respectively one electrode of the two groups, is positioned sufficiently close to exert a substantial effect), and  
 the control signals are pulse signals and the succession of the pulses of the control signals at different outputs is normally smaller than the relaxation time of the reduction of the electric field in the liquid between two electrodes.  
   
     
     
         2 . The electric microfluidics multiplex system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, for the duration of the applying of control signals to the electrodes of two groups, at least one further control signal can be applied to the electrodes of that further group which includes an electrode that is positioned between two electrodes respectively assigned to the two other groups, such that an undesired interaction between these two electrodes having the electrode of the further group positioned therebetween is suppressed.  
     
     
         3 . The electric microfluidics multiplex system according to claims  1 , characterized in that the electrodes of the individual groups are connected in series and/or in parallel or partially in series and/or in parallel.  
     
     
         4 . The electric microfluidics multiplex system according to claims  1 , characterized in that microfluidics networks, adapted to be reconfigured electrically, can be implemented.  
     
     
         5 . The electric microfluidics multiplex system according to claims  1 , with discrete predetermined pulse sequences to be applied to the electrodes for emulation of continuous voltage values by means of the specific electrochemical conditions in a microfluidics structure (wherein particularly also the relaxation times of ion movements and polarization results in the solution are electrically used).  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
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         9 . (canceled)