Tip design and random access array for microfluidic transfer
First Claim
1. A random access contact-transfer dispensing system for selectively transferring microfluidic quantities of at least one fluid from a source to at least one predetermined position of a target, comprising:
- a plurality of contact transfer pins arranged in a predetermined manner, each said contact transfer pin being adapted to collect fluid when dipped in said source and to deposit a quantity of said fluid when contacted with said target;
a mount in which said contact transfer pins are slidingly mounted;
a plurality of actuators each being associated with a respective one of said contact transfer pins for selectively raising or lowering each said contact transfer pin relative to said target and/or said source to independently operate each contact transfer tip;
each said contact transfer pin being connected to a respective base with each said base positioned above said mount; and
each said base comprising a magnetic material and each said actuator comprising a solenoid responsive to an actuation signal and mounted above a respective one of each said base for selectively raising or lowering each said base, thereby independently raising or lowering each said contact transfer pin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a ceramic tip and a random access print head for the transfer of microfluidic quantities of fluid. The print head can randomly collect and deposit fluid samples to transfer the samples from a source plate to a target. The print head can also be programmed to create a direct map of the fluid samples from the source plate on the target or to create any desired pattern or print on the target. The tip and print head can be used for a wide variety of applications such as DNA microarraying and compound reformatting. In one preferred embodiment, the tip is used as a capillary or “gravity” pin to draw or collect source fluid and “spot” or deposit the fluid onto the target via physical contact (touch-off). In another preferred embodiment, the tip is used in conjunction with an aspirate-dispense system to actively aspirate source fluid and deposit the fluid via a contact or non-contact approach. The tip provides improved, accurate and repeatable microfluidic transfer.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A random access contact-transfer dispensing system for selectively transferring microfluidic quantities of at least one fluid from a source to at least one predetermined position of a target, comprising:
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a plurality of contact transfer pins arranged in a predetermined manner, each said contact transfer pin being adapted to collect fluid when dipped in said source and to deposit a quantity of said fluid when contacted with said target;
a mount in which said contact transfer pins are slidingly mounted;
a plurality of actuators each being associated with a respective one of said contact transfer pins for selectively raising or lowering each said contact transfer pin relative to said target and/or said source to independently operate each contact transfer tip;
each said contact transfer pin being connected to a respective base with each said base positioned above said mount; and
each said base comprising a magnetic material and each said actuator comprising a solenoid responsive to an actuation signal and mounted above a respective one of each said base for selectively raising or lowering each said base, thereby independently raising or lowering each said contact transfer pin. - 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)
selectively and independently dipping one or more of said contact transfer pins in said source to collect a quantity of one or more liquids; and
selectively and independently contacting one or more of said contact transfer pins with said target to deposit one or more of said liquids in a predetermined arrangement.
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24. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing relative motion between said contact transfer tips and said source and/or said target.
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25. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact transfer pins comprises a substantially V-shaped groove or notch adapted to provide an easy break point in the event of accidental hard jarring or excessive contact forces.
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26. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact transfer pins is fabricated from a ceramic.
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27. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 26 wherein at least one of said contact transfer pins is fabricated from alumina.
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28. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact transfer pins is coated with a film or coating of hydrophobic material.
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29. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 28 wherein said hydrophobic material is selected from the group:
- silicon nitride, silicon carbide and titanium nitride.
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30. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 16 wherein each said lower-most end of each said contact transfer pin has an outer diameter of about 50 μ
- m to about 400 μ
m.
- m to about 400 μ
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31. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 16 wherein each said lower-most end of each said contact transfer pin has an outer diameter of about 400 μ
- m to about 900 μ
m.
- m to about 900 μ
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32. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bases is removably attached to a respective one of said contact transfer pins.
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33. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises a bearing alignment sleeve and has a plurality of through holes arranged in a predetermined manner through which said contact transfer pins are slidingly fitted to align said contact transfer pins in a precise predetermined manner.
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34. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises brass with a low friction surface finish.
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35. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the spacing between adjacent contact transfer pins is about 2.5 mm.
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36. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the spacing between adjacent contact transfer pins is about 4.5 mm.
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37. The contact-transfer dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the spacing between adjacent contact transfer pins is about 9 mm.
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38. A random access contact-transfer dispensing system for selectively transferring microfluidic quantities of at least one fluid from a source to at least one predetermined position of a target, comprising:
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a plurality of contact transfer pins arranged in a predetermined manner, each said contact transfer pin being adapted to collect fluid when dipped in said source and to deposit a quantity of said fluid when contacted with said target;
a mount in which said contact transfer pins are slidingly mounted; and
a plurality of actuators each being associated with a respective one of said contact transfer pins for selectively raising or lowering each said contact transfer pin relative to said target and/or said source to independently operate each contact transfer tip;
each said contact transfer pin having a lumen extending generally therethrough and an orifice at a lower-most end thereof adapted to admit a quantity of fluid into said lumen by capillary action when said contact transfer pin is dipped into said source and further adapted to dispense a spot or dot of said fluid when said lower-most end is contacted with said target;
the contact-transfer dispensing system in combination with a wash station comprising a vacuum system; and
said vacuum system comprising a plurality of cavities connected to a pump and adapted to receive said contact transfer pins. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification