Method and apparatus for performing microassays
First Claim
1. A perforated platen having substantially parallel planar surfaces for manipulating distinct liquid samples, each sample having a volume less than 1 microliter, the platen comprising:
- a. an inner layer of hydrophilic material;
b. two outer layers of hydrophobic material coupled to opposite sides of the inner layer in such a manner as to isolate the distinct liquid samples from each other; and
c. a two-dimensional array of through-holes for retaining the distinct liquid samples, the through-holes each having a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of between 100 and 400 micrometers, the through-holes spaced on a two-dimensional grid with a center-to-center spacing between nearest neighbors of twice the characteristic cross-sectional dimension or less, each through-hole traversing the inner layer and the two outer layers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the platen, wherein the platen has a substantially circular shape and includes a central aperture.
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Abstract
A system and method for analyzing a plurality of liquid samples. The system has a platen having two substantially parallel planar surfaces and a plurality of through-holes dimensioned so as to maintain a liquid sample in each through-hole by means of surface tension. A source of optical radiation illuminates the through-holes, and an optical arrangement analyzes the light emanating from the through-holes. The through-holes may be individually addressable, and may have volumes less than 100 nanoliters. Samples may be drawn from a planar surface by capillary action and may be accurately dispensed, diluted and mixed in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A perforated platen having substantially parallel planar surfaces for manipulating distinct liquid samples, each sample having a volume less than 1 microliter, the platen comprising:
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a. an inner layer of hydrophilic material;
b. two outer layers of hydrophobic material coupled to opposite sides of the inner layer in such a manner as to isolate the distinct liquid samples from each other; and
c. a two-dimensional array of through-holes for retaining the distinct liquid samples, the through-holes each having a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of between 100 and 400 micrometers, the through-holes spaced on a two-dimensional grid with a center-to-center spacing between nearest neighbors of twice the characteristic cross-sectional dimension or less, each through-hole traversing the inner layer and the two outer layers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the platen, wherein the platen has a substantially circular shape and includes a central aperture.
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2. A system for analyzing a plurality of distinct liquid samples, the system comprising:
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a. a platen having two substantially parallel planar surfaces and a two-dimensional array of through-holes, the platen having apertures and walls for retaining the distinct liquid samples in such a manner that the distinct liquid samples may not intermix, the through-holes each having a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of between 100 and 400 micrometers;
b. a source of optical radiation for illuminating a plurality of through-holes of the two-dimensional array; and
c. an optical arrangement including a detector array for separately analyzing light emanating from each of the plurality of illuminated through-holes. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
a. a central hydrophilic segment; and
b. two hydrophobic segments such that one hydrophobic segment extends from the central hydrophilic segment to each planar surface of the platen.
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9. A system according to claim 2, wherein the platen is a laminate having a central hydrophilic layer and two outer hydrophobic layers disposed on opposite sides of the central hydrophilic layer.
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10. A system according to claim 2, wherein the platen is a metal.
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11. A system according to claim 2, wherein the platen is a material selected from the group consisting of amorphous materials, ceramic, glass, quartz, and glassy carbon.
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12. A system according to claim 2, wherein the platen is a polymeric material.
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13. A system according to claim 2, wherein the walls of the plurality of through-holes are coated for allowing emission of light from the through-holes only at the planar surfaces of the platen.
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14. A system according to claim 2, further including an advancement mechanism for translating the platen in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Specification