Capillary printing systems
First Claim
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1. A printing system comprising a pod, a detachable printing device, a substrate, an actuator, and a preservation device, wherein:
- the pod comprises a receptacle for reversibly attaching an attachment portion of the printing device;
the printing device comprises a reservoir having a proximal opening to ambient pressure, the reservoir containing a liquid comprising a predetermined agent, and a capillary comprising an axial bore having a proximal opening in fluid connection with the reservoir and a distal opening open to ambient pressure, and a printing tip comprising the distal opening operative to print the agent on the substrate;
wherein the preservation device comprises a hermetic barrier device, the hermetic barrier device being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the preservation device is operative to preserve the capability of the printing device to print the agent on the substrate over long-term storage of the printing device, wherein in the open position the preservation device is operative to permit coupling of the actuator and the printing device in the printing system, wherein the system is operative to print by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.
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Abstract
The invention provides printing systems and methods for depositing small volumes of liquid on solid substrates. These systems and methods are useful with a wide variety of liquids and substrates and offer a wide variety of applications, including the deposition of arrays of analytes. In particular embodiments, the systems comprise a preservation device, a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, and/or a wire bonding capillary.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A printing system comprising a pod, a detachable printing device, a substrate, an actuator, and a preservation device, wherein:
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the pod comprises a receptacle for reversibly attaching an attachment portion of the printing device;
the printing device comprises a reservoir having a proximal opening to ambient pressure, the reservoir containing a liquid comprising a predetermined agent, and a capillary comprising an axial bore having a proximal opening in fluid connection with the reservoir and a distal opening open to ambient pressure, and a printing tip comprising the distal opening operative to print the agent on the substrate;
wherein the preservation device comprises a hermetic barrier device, the hermetic barrier device being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the preservation device is operative to preserve the capability of the printing device to print the agent on the substrate over long-term storage of the printing device, wherein in the open position the preservation device is operative to permit coupling of the actuator and the printing device in the printing system, wherein the system is operative to print by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for printing an agent on a substrate with a printing system comprising a pod, a detachable printing device, an actuator, a substrate, and a preservation device, wherein:
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the pod comprises a receptacle for reversibly attaching an attachment portion of the printing device;
the printing device comprises a reservoir having a proximal opening to ambient pressure, the reservoir containing a liquid comprising a predetermined agent, and a capillary comprising an axial bore having a proximal opening in fluid connection with the reservoir and a distal opening open to ambient pressure and a printing tip comprising the distal opening for printing the agent on the substrate;
the preservation device is within, containing or in contact with the printing device and preserves the capability of the printing device to print the agent on the substrate over long-term storage of the printing device, wherein the preservation device comprises a deterrent to evaporation of the liquid, wherein the deterrent is selected from the group consisting of a hermetic barrier, a refrigerator, a humidifier and a hygroscopic agent, wherein the system is operative to print by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate, said method comprising the steps of;
printing the agent a first time by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip;
subjecting the printing device to long-term storage; and
without reloading the printing device, printing the agent a second time by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip.
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Specification