Method and apparatus for automatic pin detection in microarray spotting instruments
First Claim
1. A method of determining which pin locations in a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument are occupied by fluid dispensing pins, comprising:
- providing a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument, said printhead including a plurality of pin locations, at each of which a fluid dispensing pin is releasably or movably positionable;
providing a pin detection apparatus; and
for each pin location, using the pin detection apparatus to automatically detect whether a pin is present at said pin locations.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for automatically sensing the presence (or absence) of spot dispensers such as pins in various possible mounting locations in the printhead of a microarray spotting instrument. Pin-location data obtained by the method and apparatus is provided to the computer controller of the instrument, which uses the data to control the motion of the printhead during operation of the instrument. A pin detection apparatus includes one or more sensor elements that automatically sense possible pin locations in the printhead for the presence of pins. The sensor elements are preferably arranged in an array corresponding to the array of pin locations in the printhead so that pin detection at each pin location can be performed simultaneously. Various types of sensor elements can be used to locate pins in a printhead. For example, sensors can be used that are remote from or attached to a printhead. Pin sensors can be used that sense pin locations from various positions relative to the printhead including above or below the printhead. Also, pin sensing can be by contact or non-contact mechanisms. The method and apparatus allow pin positions in a printhead to be quickly and accurately determined, and without significant risk of damaging the pins, which are fragile.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A method of determining which pin locations in a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument are occupied by fluid dispensing pins, comprising:
-
providing a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument, said printhead including a plurality of pin locations, at each of which a fluid dispensing pin is releasably or movably positionable;
providing a pin detection apparatus; and
for each pin location, using the pin detection apparatus to automatically detect whether a pin is present at said pin locations. - 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. In a microarray spotting instrument, an apparatus for determining which pin locations in a printhead of the microarray spotting instrument are occupied by releasably or movably mounted fluid dispensing pins, comprising at least one sensor element to automatically detect whether a fluid dispensing pin is present or absent in each said pin location for determining the arrangement of a plurality of fluid dispensing pins loaded in said printhead.
-
26. In a microarray spotting instrument, a method of providing to a controller operating the instrument information on which pin locations in a printhead in the instrument are occupied by fluid dispensing pins, comprising:
-
providing a printhead having a plurality of pin locations at which fluid dispensing pins are movably or releasably positionable;
automatically sensing whether a pin is present in a pin location and generating a signal indicative thereof; and
transmitting the signal to the controller.
-
-
27. A method of printing on a substrate and determining whether a pin in a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument is stuck in a raised position, comprising:
-
dipping tips of pins mounted in the pinhead into a reservoir of target material;
positioning the printhead over a microarray substrate to be spotted;
lowering the printhead to bring the tips of the pins into contact with the substrate to print spots on the substrate and, in the process, moving the pins in the printhead into raised positions relative to the printhead;
raising the printhead to separate the pins from the substrate; and
using a pin detection apparatus to automatically detect whether a pin in the printhead is stuck in a raised position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
-
Specification