High-speed liquid deposition device for biological molecule array formation

• US 5,770,151 A
• Filed: 06/05/1996
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Molecular Dynamics Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Roach, David J., Johnston, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/658,527
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/65, 422/100, 436/43, 436/49, 436/174, 436/180, 73/864.01, 73/864.02, 73/864.14
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• 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 2219/00639 the compounds being trapped in or bound to a porous medium
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0072 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0248 Prongs, quill pen type dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0255 characterized by the form or material of the pin tip
• 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 2035/1037 Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A microspot deposition system featuring a hollow cylindrical wall extending from a closed end, terminating in an open end and including a longitudinal gap extending from the open end toward the closed end to allow the rapid exhaustion of the atmosphere and efficient cleaning within the cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall defines a lumen with both the lumen and the gap adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus proximate to the open end. To facilitate deposition of liquid contained within the lumen, the gap may be tapered so that it is narrowest proximate to the open end. The narrowed portion of the gap results in a meniscus having a reduced area to ensure preferential fluid flow toward the open end, which facilitates deposition via capillary action between the liquid in the lumen and a working surface on which the liquid is to be deposited.

Claims

1. A collection and deposition device, comprising:

a hollow tube including an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to said open end, defining a lumen therebetween having a longitudinal axis, said tube including an elongated slit extending from said open end toward said closed end, parallel to said axis, with said lumen and said slit adapted to permit liquid flow into said tube by capillary action, the slit tapering from a wider dimension distal to the open end to a smaller dimension proximate to the open end;

a cross-member extending along a first direction;

an arm extending along a second direction, transverse to said first direction, with said arm movably attached to said cross-member to traverse parallel to said first direction; and

a pod movably attached to said arm to traverse along said second direction and along a third direction, traverse to both said first and second directions, said hollow tube being mounted to said pod with said longitudinal axis extending parallel to said third direction allowing collection and deposition of liquids by providing three-dimensional movement of said hollow tube.

2. The device of claim 1 further including a drive means for providing power to move said cross-member, said arm and said pod.

3. The device of claim 1 further including a drive means for providing power to move said cross-member, said arm and said pod, and means for providing automated control to said drive means.

4. The device as recited in claim 1 further including a rigid body portion positioned proximate to said closed end.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow tube has a cylindrical cross-section, with said lumen having a length and a diameter being constant along said length.

6. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow tube has a cylindrical cross-section, with said lumen having a length and a diameter, said diameter being smallest proximate to said open end and greatest proximate to said closed end.

7. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow tube comprises a rigid wall extending between said closed and open ends.

8. The device as recited in claim 1 further including a rigid body portion positioned proximate to said closed end, said rigid body portion having a channel extending completely therethrough, parallel to said axis, with said channel being in fluid communication with said lumen.

10. The device as recited in claim 1, further including a rigid body portion positioned proximate to said closed end.

11. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow tube has a cylindrical cross-section, with said lumen having a length and a diameter, said diameter being smallest proximate to said open end and greatest proximate to said closed end.

12. The device as recited in claim 11 further including means for moving said hollow cylindrical wall in three dimensions, with said hollow cylindrical wall being attached to said moving means.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 further including a rigid body portion positioned proximate to said closed end, said rigid body portion having a channel extending completely therethrough, parallel to said axis, with said channel being in fluid communication with said lumen.

9. A collection and deposition device, comprising:

a hollow cylindrical wall extending from a closed end, terminating in an open end, defining a lumen therebetween, said cylindrical wall including a longitudinal gap extending from said opening toward said closed end with said gap and said lumen both being adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus proximate to said open end,

said gap having a width which is smaller proximate to said open end than said width proximate to said closed end.

14. A collection and deposition device, comprising:

a rigid body having a hollow cylindrical wall extending therefrom terminating at a closed end at one end proximate to the rigid body and in an open end opposite the closed end, the volume between the closed and open ends defining a lumen, said cylindrical wall including a slit defining a longitudinal gap extending from said open end toward said closed end with said gap and said lumen both being adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus proximate to said open end, the slit tapering from a wider dimension proximate to the closed end to a smaller dimension proximate to the open end.

15. The device as recited in claim 14 wherein said rigid body has a length, with a diameter being constant along said length.

16. The deposition device as recited in claim 15 wherein said rigid body portion includes a channel extending completely therethrough, parallel to said axis, with said channel being in fluid communication with said lumen.