Use of microfluidic systems in the electrochemical detection of target analytes

1. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample comprising:

a) a solid support member;

b) a sealing inlet port;

c) a detection chamber formed in said support member;

d) a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand; and,

e) a microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said sealing inlet port.

2. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample comprising:

a) a solid support member;

b) a sample inlet port;

c) a detection chamber formed in said support member;

d) a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand;

e) a microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said sample inlet port; and,

f) a valve, positioned within said microchannel.

3. The device according to claims 1 or 2 , further comprising a pump for inducing flow of a sample through said microfluidic device.

4. The device according to claims 1 or 2 further comprising a means for mixing a sample, said means positioned within said microchannel.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein at least one of said detection electrodes comprises a planar conductive electrode.

6. A device according to claim 5 , further comprising a reference electrode.

7. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said detection electrode comprises gold.

8. A device according to claim 7 , further comprising a reference electrode.

9. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , further comprising a processor coupled to said detection electrodes and configured to receive an output signal.

10. A device according to claim 9 , further comprising a reference electrode.

11. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

12. A device according to claim 11 , further comprising a reference electrode.

13. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

14. A device according to claim 13 , further comprising a reference electrode.

15. A device according to claim 3 or 4 , further comprising a reference electrode.

16. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample comprising:

a) a solid support;

b) a sample inlet port;

c) a detection chamber formed in said support member;

d) a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand;

e) a first microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said sample inlet port;

f) a pump for inducing the flow of a sample through said microfluidic device; and,

g) a second microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said pump.

17. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample comprising:

a) a solid support;

b) a sample inlet port;

c) a detection chamber formed in said support member;

d) a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand;

e) a first microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said sample inlet port;

f) a mixing chamber for mixing a sample; and

g) a second microchannel formed in said support member coupled to and extending between said detection chamber and said mixing chamber.

18. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 , or 17 , wherein at least one of said detection electrodes comprises a planar conductive electrode.

19. A device according to claim 18 , wherein said detection electrode comprises gold.

20. A device according to claim 19 , further comprising a reference electrode.

21. A device according to claim 18 , further comprising a processor coupled to said detection electrodes and configured to receive an output signal.

22. A device according to claim 21 , further comprising a reference electrode.

23. A device according to claim 18 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

24. A device according to claim 23 , further comprising a reference electrode.

25. A device according to claim 18 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

26. A device according to claim 25 , further comprising a reference electrode.

27. A device according to claim 18 , further comprising a reference electrode.

28. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 , or 17 , wherein said detection electrode comprises gold.

29. A device according to claim 28 , further comprising a processor coupled to said detection electrodes and configured to receive an output signal.

30. A device according to claim 29 , further comprising a reference electrode.

31. A device according to claim 28 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

32. A device according to claim 31 , further comprising a reference electrode.

33. A device according to claim 28 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

34. A device according to claim 33 , further comprising a reference electrode.

35. A device according to claim 28 , further comprising a reference electrode.

36. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 , or 17 , further comprising a processor coupled to said detection electrodes and configured to receive an output signal.

37. A device according to claim 36 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

38. A device according to claim 37 , further comprising a reference electrode.

39. A device according to claim 36 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

40. A device according to claim 39 , further comprising a reference electrode.

41. A device according to claim 36 , further comprising a reference electrode.

42. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 , or 17 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

43. A device according to claim 42 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

44. A device according to claim 43 , further comprising a reference electrode.

45. A device according to claim 42 , further comprising a reference electrode.

46. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 , or 17 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

47. A device according to claim 46 , further comprising a reference electrode.

48. A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 16 or 17 , further comprising a reference electrode.