CAPTURING ASSAYABLE AGENTS IN A DIELECTRIC FLUID UTILIZING ELECTROKINETIC DEVICE COMPRISING REMOVABLE ELECTRODES

摘要

Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient In one embodiment, an ionic propulsion device for providing a sample for a bio-specific assay of aerosol particles comprises a housing receiving a sample of aerosol particles and enclosing a high voltage electrode to generate a plasma of electrically charged particles. A carrier assembly is removably receivable in the housing, the carrier assembly comprising a non-conductive carrier and an electrode removably secured to the carrier.