Thin reaction chambers for containing and handling liquid microvolumes
First Claim
1. An apparatus for handling liquids in a thin capillary space, comprising(a) two opposing walls forming a thin capillary space;
- (b) at least one feature projecting from a wall into the thin capillary space to create regions of capillarity stronger than other regions;
(c) a liquid receiving area in fluid communication with the thin capillary space; and
wherein the liquids from the liquid receiving area fill the thin capillary space in a predictable manner under the control of differential capillarities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is an apparatus and a process for containing and handling liquids in a thin capillary space. Two opposing walls positioned at a first and a second distance apart define a thin space having at least two different heights and two different regions of capillary liquid attraction. Enclosing the thin space with side walls defines a reaction chamber. A liquid receiving area, entry and exit ports and features projecting from, or encircling, at least one wall allow coatings on the internal surface of either of the two opposing walls to react with multiple microvolumes of reagents and wash treatments in series. Liquids flow into, or are withdrawn from, the thin space in a way in which bubbles are not introduced into the thin space. Bubbles that may arise in the thin space move along a sloped feature out of the thin space into an annular enclosure. The liquids are withdrawn after reacting with the coatings, either to empty the chamber and recover the liquid volume, or to wash the coatings with treatment liquids and introduce new treatment liquids. The ability to control liquid movement in spaces thin enough to exhibit capillarity is useful for analyzing biological specimens cost-effectively with less reagent volume and more information per specimen and without sacrificing convenience in liquid handling or surface reaction space.
280 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for handling liquids in a thin capillary space, comprising
(a) two opposing walls forming a thin capillary space; -
(b) at least one feature projecting from a wall into the thin capillary space to create regions of capillarity stronger than other regions; (c) a liquid receiving area in fluid communication with the thin capillary space; and wherein the liquids from the liquid receiving area fill the thin capillary space in a predictable manner under the control of differential capillarities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for holding liquids in a thin capillary space, comprising a wall forming a thin space with respect to the plane of another wall positioned opposite said apparatus;
- wherein said wall of the apparatus has features creating differential capillarities in the thin space when said wall of apparatus is positioned opposite another wall;
wherein liquids in the the thin capillary space flow in a predictable manner under the control of said differential capillarities. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- wherein said wall of the apparatus has features creating differential capillarities in the thin space when said wall of apparatus is positioned opposite another wall;
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13. A process for handling liquids in a thin space for analyzing a sample, comprising:
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(a) providing a thin space between two opposing walls, said two opposing walls having features made by a method selected from a group consisting of, but not limited to, molding and micromachining and forming a thin space having regions of stronger capillary liquid attraction between the two opposing walls than other regions; (b) providing a liquid receiving area in fluid communication with said thin space between said two opposing walls; (c) dispensing a liquid drop to said liquid receiving area; wherein the liquid drop fills the regions of weaker and stronger capillary liquid attractions predictably. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification