Applicator for use in deposition of fluid samples onto a substrate surface

• US 6,475,440 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1999
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clontech Laboratories Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Clontech Laboratories Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bochkariov, Dmitry
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Lyle A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gordon, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US09/382,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 422/100, 422/99, 436/180, 436/174, 435/309.1, 435/309.3, 738/647.2, 401/221, 401/287
• US Class Current: 422/519
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0255 characterized by the form or material of the pin tip
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Applicator devices for depositing a fluid sample onto a substrate, as well as methods for their use, are provided. The subject devices are elongate in shape and have a first end and a second end. The first end has a planar surface of substantially circular shape with a conical protuberance arising therefrom. The second end may have a means for attaching to an automated movement means. In using the subject devices, the first end is dipped into a fluid sample and then contacted with the surface of a substrate in a manner sufficient to deposit a fluid sample onto the substrate surface. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, particularly in the preparation of biopolymeric arrays.

Claims

1. An applicator device for depositing a fluid sample onto the surface of a substrate, said device comprising:

an elongate member with a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is characterized by the presence of a substantially planar surface having a diameter ranging from about 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm and a solid conical protuberance arising therefrom having a height that ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.2 mm and a diameter that is at least 5 fold less than the diameter of said substantially planar surface.

2. The applicator device according to claim 1, wherein said device has dimensions such that it is capable of depositing said fluid sample as a substantially uniform circular spot on said surface.

3. The applicator device according to claim 1, wherein said planar surface of said first end has a circular shape.

4. The applicator device according to claim 1, wherein said second end is characterized by the presence of a means for attaching to an automated movement means.

5. The applicator device according to claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises three different regions of different dimensions between said first and second ends.

11. A method of depositing a fluid sample on a substrate surface, said method comprising:

(a) contacting said first end of an applicator device according to claim 1 with said fluid sample in a manner sufficient for a volume of said sample to adhere to said first end; and

(b) contacting said first end with said substrate surface in a manner sufficient to deposit said fluid sample on said surface.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said fluid sample comprises a biopolymer.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said biopolymer is selected from the group consisting of polypeptides and polynucleotides.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said fluid is positioned on said surface by placing the tip of said conical protuberance onto said surface to produce a biopolymeric array.

6. An applicator device for depositing a fluid sample in a substantially uniform circular spot on the surface of a substrate, said device comprising:

an elongate member with a first end and a second end separated by three different regions of different dimensions, wherein said first end is characterized by the presence of a substantially circular planar surface having a diameter ranging from about 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm and a solid conical protuberance arising therefrom having a height that ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.2 mm and a diameter that is at least 5 fold less than the diameter of said substantially circular planar surface and said second end is characterized by the presence of a means for attaching to an automated movement means.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein a first of said three different regions has a tubular shape with a constant cross-sectional dimension.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein a second of said three different regions has a shape in which the cross-sectional dimension decreases from one end to the other at a first rate.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein a third of said three different regions has a shape in which the cross-sectional dimension decreases from one end to the other at second rate that is less than said first rate.

10. An applicator device for depositing a fluid sample in a substantially uniform circular spot on the surface of a substrate, said device comprising:

an elongate member with a first end having a circular planar surface of a diameter ranging from about 0.1 to 2.0 mm and a solid conical protuberance having a height that ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.2 mm arising therefrom and a diameter that is at least 5 fold less than the diameter of said circular planar surface;

a first region of decreasing cross-sectional dimension;

a second region of decreasing cross-sectional dimension adjacent to said first region;

a third region of constant cross-sectional dimension adjacent to said second region; and

a second end characterized by the presence of a means for attaching to an automated movement means.