Apparatus and method for spotting a substrate

• US 20050120949A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applera Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applera Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vann, Charles S., Bryning, Zbigniew
• Granted Patent: US 7,211,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 118/401
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00369 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00376 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0061 The surface being organic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00626 Covalent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0063 Other, e.g. van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00637 by coating it with another layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/028 Pin is moved through a ring which is filled with a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0244 using pins
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0251 : Pin and ring type or pin in tube type dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0262 : using touch-off at substrate or container
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 : Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1034 : Transferring microquantities of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 : Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1039 : Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1069 : by adjusting the spacing between multiple probes of a single transferring head
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1016 : Control of the volume dispensed or introduced
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1067 : for transfer to or from containers having different spacing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 : arranged in a two-dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a small volume of a selected liquid, such as a biological sample or reagent, onto a substrate. The device includes a tube adapted to contain the liquid. An elongated fiber is disposed within the tube for axial movement therein between raised and lowered positions. Upon shifting or oscillating the fiber between its raised and lowered positions, a liquid spot can be formed at a selected position on the substrate. The device is readily adaptable for the production of micro-arrays having a great number of individual spots.

Claims

1. A method for the manipulation of liquids, comprising:

providing a plurality of capillary channels, each adapted to hold a selected liquid, said channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings, with said lower-end openings defining a first array; and

moving a plurality of tips between raised and lowered positions with respect to said channels, such that each tip moves longitudinally within an associated channel, as it is moved between its raised and lowered positions;

whereby liquids are transferred between at least some of said channels and a region adjacent said first array.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said capillary channels are defined by through-holes formed in a block.