HIGH THROUGHPUT DISPENSER
First Claim
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1. A dispenser comprising:
- (a) an array of capillaries for transfer of aqueous samples, said array comprising;
a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of sample from a sample source; and
a pressure source capable of operably connecting to the first ends of the plurality of separate capillary channels wherein the pressure source may effect a transfer of the predetermined volume of sample entirely from the first end to the second end; and
(b) a support structure orienting the first end as a first footprint and orienting the second end as a second footprint, wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area.
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Abstract
The invention is directed to systems and methods for transferring nano-quantities of fluid samples using a high throughput or ultra high throughput dispenser. Such samples may be transferred from a first location and reformatted for being transferred to a second location. The invention may transfer a predetermined volume of sample quickly and accurately.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A dispenser comprising:
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(a) an array of capillaries for transfer of aqueous samples, said array comprising; a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of sample from a sample source; and a pressure source capable of operably connecting to the first ends of the plurality of separate capillary channels wherein the pressure source may effect a transfer of the predetermined volume of sample entirely from the first end to the second end; and (b) a support structure orienting the first end as a first footprint and orienting the second end as a second footprint, wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 47, 48)
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19. A method of transferring of aqueous samples, comprising:
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receiving a sample from a sample source to a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end; drawing a predetermined volume of sample through the first end of each of the plurality of separate capillary channels using capillary action; applying positive pressure to the first end of each of the plurality of separate capillary channels; dispensing the entire predetermined volume of sample through the second end of each of the plurality of separate capillary channels to a sample receiving location. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A dispenser comprising:
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(a) an array of capillaries for transfer of aqueous samples, said array comprising;
a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end; and(b) a support structure orienting the first end as a first footprint and orienting the second end as a second footprint, wherein each of the plurality of separate capillary channels have the substantially same volume capacity, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the same predetermined volume of sample from a sample source, and wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An array of capillaries for transfer of aqueous samples, comprising:
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a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end; and a support structure orienting the first ends as a first footprint and orienting the second ends as a second footprint, wherein the first end is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of sample from a sample source, wherein the second end is adapted to dispense the predetermined volume of sample to a sample receiving location wherein both the second end and the sample receiving location are adapted to remain substantially stationary during the dispensing, and wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area.
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39. A system for dispensing comprising:
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a sample source; an array of capillaries for transfer of a sample from the sample source, the array of capillaries comprising; a plurality of separate capillary channels each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of sample from the sample source, a pressure source capable of operably connecting to the first ends of the plurality of separate capillary channels wherein the pressure source may effect a transfer of the predetermined volume of sample entirely from the first end to the second end, and a support structure orienting the first ends as a first footprint and orienting the second ends as a second footprint, wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area; a sample receiving location for receiving the predetermined volume of sample from the second end, wherein the sample receiving location contacts a temperature block; and an optical detection device directed to the sample receiving location. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A sample transfer block, comprising:
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a plurality of separate capillary channels embedded therein, each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of sample from a sample source; a pressure source capable of operably connecting to the first ends of the plurality of separate capillary channels wherein the pressure source may effect a transfer of the predetermined volume of sample entirely from the first end to the second end; and a support structure orienting the first ends as a first footprint and orienting the second ends as a second footprint, wherein the first footprint and second footprint have a different area.
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Specification