Liquid dispensing apparatus and method

• US 20050180892A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Genetix Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Genetix Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Stephens, Sarah Katharine, Davies, Douglas, Haslam, James Keith
• Application Number:
  US11/107,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20050180892A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• 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 2219/00387 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 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0244 using pins
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A multiwell plate for microarraying comprising a self-sealing lower membrane and optionally also a self-sealing upper membrane. Spotting is performed by pushing a pin down through the liquid and then on to pierce the self-sealing lower membrane. A slide having an upper spotting surface is arranged under the well plate. The liquid sample forced through the lower membrane by the pin tip can thus be deposited directly onto the spotting surface. The pin is then withdrawn upwards through the lower membrane, which automatically reseals preventing further loss of liquid. The optional resealable upper membrane also prevents loss of sample liquid by evaporation and spillage. By contrast to the prior art, there is the major advantage that the pin head does not have to traverse between the well plate and slide to collect sample liquid, thus dramatically increasing operational speed for an automated microarraying apparatus employing the multiwell plate. Excellent spot reproducibility is also observed.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. A well plate comprising:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

an array of wells extending between the upper surface and the lower surface;

a lower membrane extending over the lower surface to form a self-sealing, liquid-tight base for the wells.

6. A well plate according to claim 5, wherein the lower membrane is formed of a single sheet of material.

7. A well plate according to claim 5, wherein the lower membrane is formed of multiple sheets.

8. A well plate according to claim 7, wherein there is one sheet for each of the wells.

9. A well plate according to claim 5, further comprising an upper membrane extending over the upper surface to form a top for the wells.

10. A well plate according to claim 9, wherein the upper membrane is made of self-sealing material.

11. A well plate according to claim 5, further comprising a removable cover extending over the upper surface to form a top for the well plate.

12. A well plate according to claim 5, wherein the array of wells conforms to a square grid having a grid spacing of one of:

2.25 and 4.5 millimeters.

13. A well plate according to claim 5, wherein the array of wells has one of:

96, 384 and 1536 wells.

14-20. -20. (canceled)