Chapter 34 Miniaturised devices: electrochemical capillary electrophoresis microchips for clinical application

Abstract

Publisher Summary Miniaturized analytical systems, especially capillary electrophoresis microchips, have demonstrated to be a promising tool for analytical purposes. These devices require a sensitive detection system such as the electrochemical (EC) detection. Among all the EC techniques, amperometry and conductimetry have been noted because of their simplicity and analytical possibilities. Although capillary electrophoresis seemed initially incompatible with amperometric detection, different electrode configurations have been successfully employed for coupling EC detection with capillary electrophoresis (CE) microchips. The relevance of the working electrode alignment has also been demonstrated. The feasibility of constructing a miniaturized system including reaction, separation and detection units integrated directly onto the EC–CE microchip device has also been shown and approximates the concept of ‘‘total analysis system.’’ Furthermore, the low cost of the EC detection in connection with new polymer material can bring a real disposable device. These versatile microfluidic systems will provide new tools for clinical diagnostics and other important fields of Analytical Chemistry. Future directions point toward the development and refinement of truly self-contained portable micro-total analysis systems devices that can be used for point of-care or on-site analysis.