Multiple microchannels chip for biomolecule imaging

• US 6,643,010 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Royce Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Royce Technology Limited
• Inventors: Rahbar-Dehghan, Fariborz
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANS, FANNIE L
• Application Number:
  US09/800,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20020015149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 356/244, 356/246, 422/102, 422/942, 422/948, 435/288.4, 435/288.5, 435/288.7, 359/398
• US Class Current: 356/244
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0325 Cells for testing reactions, e.g. containing reagents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/34 Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/361 Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups

Abstract

A panel chip for supporting biological samples for observation with an imaging microscope. The glass panel defines a top flat surface, a bottom bearing surface, and at least a few channels extending generally parallel to each other from top to bottom surfaces. Each of the channels defines a top access mouth for ingress of biological. The channels are arranged in subgroups made of a number of unit cells. Instead of being cylindroid, these channels may form cross sectional rectangular or arcuate channels, or cross sectionally water droplet like channels. Each channel has such an inner diameter as to accommodate flow through viscosity of a biological sample containing fluid. The porous substrate that is created by slot channel can provide the maximum binding surface area per unit cell or pixel, as compared to cylindrical pores, thus achieving higher sensitivity and better imaging. Also, this panel chip is capable of being used as direct in situ synthesizing of molecules and drugs. Other impurities in test solutions are however allowed to pass freely therethrough and be least prone to blockage.

Claims

1. A rigid panel chip for supporting biological samples for observation with a laser imaging microscope, said panel chip defining a top flat surface, a bottom bearing surface, and a plurality of unit cells extending generally parallel to each other from said top to bottom surfaces, each of said unit cells defining a layout at said top surface of at least two channels arranged in plan view generally symmetrically relative to one another, each of said channels defining a top access mouth for ingress of said biological samples and having such an inner diameter as to accommodate flow through viscosity of a biological sample containing fluid;

wherein a sharper and more uniform panel chip channel imaging is achieved.

2. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein the number of said channels in each of said unit cells can vary between about one and two hundred.

3. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein the substrate for fabrication of the panel chip is selected from polymers, plastics, polypropylene, parylene, polyester, polyimide, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, glass, silicon dioxide, fused silica, borosilicate, synthetic resins, metal, and aluminum.

4. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell is selected from:

at least three straight slot channels, extending parallel to one another;

an air fan like layout of arcuately shaped “

blade”

channels, with a central circular “

hub”

channel forming the top end of a cylindroid channel;

a number of concentrically disposed arcuate channels, with a central circular channel forming the top end of a cylindroid channel; and

a number of cross-shaped disposed straight channels.

5. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell includes a number of star shaped disposed straight channels.

6. A panel chip as in claim 5,

further including a pair of straight channels, much shorter than said star shaped disposed channels and disposed parallel to one another within a free area centrally of said star shaped disposed channels.

7. A panel chip as in claim 5,

further including a plurality of circular channels, disposed concentrically of said star shaped disposed channels.

8. A panel chip as in claim 5,

further including a plurality of additional shorter straight segments channels, each disposed concentrically of said star shaped disposed channels in between a pair of successive said star shaped disposed channels but at a distance from the center of the unit cell.

9. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell includes a number of C-shaped channels successively disposed circumferentially thereof in the same general trough-facing circular direction.

10. A panel chip as in claim 9,

further including a number of circular channels, disposed within said C-shaped channels.

11. A panel chip as in claim 9,

further including a plurality of shorter straight segments channels, disposed within said C-shaped channels.

12. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell includes a pair of triplets of C-shaped channels disposed in facing opposing register relative to one another.

13. A panel chip as in claim 12,

further including a plurality of circular channels, sparsely settled about said C-shape channels.

14. A panel chip as in claim 12,

further including a plurality of shorter straight channels, sparsely settled in between each pair of successive C-shape channels.

15. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell includes a plurality of radially extending waterdroplet like channels.

16. A panel chip as in claim 1,

wherein said channels layout at said panel top surface in a given unit cell includes a few waterdroplet like channels, disposed parallel to one another.

17. A panel chip as in claim 2,

wherein the number of said channels range between 2 and 50.

18. A rigid panel chip for supporting biological samples for observation with a microscope, said panel defining a top flat surface, a bottom bearing surface, and a plurality of unit cells extending generally parallel to each other from said top to bottom surfaces, each of said unit cells defining at least one non cylindroid slot channel, said slot channel defining a top access mouth for ingress of said biological samples and having such an inner diameter as to accommodate flow through viscosity of a biological sample containing fluid;

said slot channel having a shape selected from a straight slot, an arcuate slot and a water droplet like slot;

wherein a sharper and more uniform panel chip channel imaging is achieved.