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 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.

6 . 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.

7 . A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 5 , or 6 , wherein at least one of said detection electrodes comprises a planar conductive electrode.

8 . A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 5 , or 7 , wherein said detection electrode comprises gold.

9 . A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 5 , or 6 , further comprising a processor coupled to said detection electrodes and configured to receive an output signal.

10 . A device according to 1 , 2 , 5 , or 6 , further comprising an AC voltage source capable of delivering a DC offset voltage to said electrodes.

11 . A device according to claim 1 , 2 , 5 , or 6 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.