Method of Screen Printing With Semi-Continuous Replenishment

• US 20090038489A1
• Filed: 11/27/2006
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Edelbrock, Andrew J.
• Application Number:
  US12/084,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20090038489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 101/129
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 1/12 Stencil printing; Silk-screen printing

Abstract

A method of screen printing on a substrate comprises providing a screen including a first portion with an emulsion and a second portion formed without an emulsion. An ink solution is supplied on the screen. The ink solution comprises a solid and a liquid. The ink solution includes an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample. The ink solution contacts the substrate via the second portion of the screen. The ink solution is mechanically replenished in semi-continuous intervals from an ink-solution reservoir.

Claims

1. A method of screen printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a screen including a first portion with an emulsion and a second portion formed without an emulsion;

supplying an ink solution on the screen, the ink solution comprising a solid and a liquid, the ink solution including an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample;

contacting the ink solution onto the substrate via the second portion of the screen; and

mechanically replenishing the ink solution in semi-continuous intervals from an ink-solution reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the screen is a woven fabric.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is glucose oxidase and the ink solution further comprises a mediator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the semi-continuous intervals is less than 10 cycles.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the semi-continuous intervals is less than 5 cycles.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ink solution reservoir is pressurized.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the ink solution onto the substrate via the second portion of the screen includes pushing the ink solution onto the substrate via a squeegee.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the replenishing ink is discharged from a plurality of discharge points.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the emulsion is a photosensitive emulsion.

3. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. A method of screen printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a screen including a first portion with an emulsion and a second portion formed without an emulsion;

providing an ink-reservoir system including a plunger, a control valve and an ink-solution reservoir, the ink-reservoir system maintaining a generally constant pressure;

supplying an ink solution on the screen, the ink solution comprising a solid and a liquid, the ink solution including an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample;

contacting the ink solution onto the substrate via the second portion of the screen; and

mechanically replenishing the ink solution in semi-continuous intervals from the ink-solution reservoir.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A method of screen printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a screen including a first portion with an emulsion and a second portion formed without an emulsion;

providing an ink-reservoir system including a plunger, a controlled displacement mechanism adapted to move a known distance, and an ink-solution reservoir, the movement of the controlled displacement mechanism resulting in a known amount of ink solution being displaced from the ink-reservoir system;

supplying an ink solution on the screen, the ink solution comprising a solid and a liquid, the ink solution including an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample;

contacting the ink solution onto the substrate via the second portion of the screen; and

mechanically replenishing the ink solution in semi-continuous intervals from the ink-solution reservoir.

22. A method of stencil printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a stencil;

supplying an ink solution on the stencil, the ink solution comprising a solid and a liquid, the ink solution including an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample;

contacting the ink solution onto the substrate; and

mechanically replenishing the ink solution in semi-continuous intervals from an ink-solution reservoir.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the stencil comprises metallic material, polymeric material or a combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the stencil comprises a polymeric material, the polymeric material including a polyimide.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the stencil comprises a metallic material, the metallic material including stainless steel.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the stencil comprises a metallic material and a polymeric material.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the ink solution further comprises a mediator.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the enzyme is glucose oxidase and the ink solution further comprises a mediator.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the semi-continuous intervals is less than 10 cycles.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein the ink solution reservoir is a pressurized cartridge.

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)