Array fabrication
First Claim
1. An apparatus for fabricating a chemical array, comprising:
- (a) a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises a series of drop dispensers, and each series comprises at least a first and a second drop dispenser loaded with a same fluid;
(b) a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different dispensers in the series of each group following respective paths; and
(c) a processor which;
dispenses droplets from a single dispenser of each group of dispensers in a pattern along a selected path for each group during operation of the transport system, so as to form the array; and
when an error in said first drop dispenser of a series is detected, dispenses droplets from said second dispenser of the series along the selected path for its group.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and computer program, for use in fabricating a chemical array. The method may use an apparatus which includes a head system, a transport system, and a processor. The head system has multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, each group having multiple dispensers. The transport system can move the head system with respect to a substrate with different dispensers of the groups following respective paths. The processor can dispense droplets from dispensers during operation of the transport system, in a pattern along a selected path for each group so as to form the array. The method includes identifying an error in one or more dispensers. When a dispenser of a first group is in error, then a second dispenser of each group is moved along the selected path for its group while dispensing droplets from at least the second dispenser of the first group in at least part of the pattern for the selected path of the first group.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An apparatus for fabricating a chemical array, comprising:
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(a) a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises a series of drop dispensers, and each series comprises at least a first and a second drop dispenser loaded with a same fluid;
(b) a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different dispensers in the series of each group following respective paths; and
(c) a processor which;
dispenses droplets from a single dispenser of each group of dispensers in a pattern along a selected path for each group during operation of the transport system, so as to form the array; and
when an error in said first drop dispenser of a series is detected, dispenses droplets from said second dispenser of the series along the selected path for its group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer program product for use with an apparatus for fabricating a chemical array having:
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a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises a series of drop dispensers, and wherein said series comprises at least a first and a second drop dispenser loaded with a same fluid;
a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different dispensers of the series of each group following respective paths; and
a processor;
the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when loaded into the processor, performs the steps of;
a) dispensing droplets from a single dispenser of each group of dispensers in a pattern along a selected path for each group during operation of the transport system b) identifying for an error in one or more dispensers of a group; and c) moving said group of dispensers to dispense droplets from said second drop dispenser of said group along at least part of the path selected for said group. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for fabricating a chemical array, comprising:
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(a) a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises multiple rows and columns of dispensers and wherein at least two dispensers of a same column within a group are loaded with a same fluid;
(b) a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different rows following respective paths; and
(c) a processor which;
dispenses droplets from dispensers during operation of the transport system, in a pattern along a selected path for each group so as to form the array; and
in response to detection of an error in dispensers of different columns within first and second rows of a first group;
(i) positions the head with a first row of each group aligned with the selected path for that group;
(ii) moves the head with respect to the substrate while dispensing droplets from said second dispenser in the first row of the first group in accordance with a part of the pattern for the selected path for that group;
(iii) re-positions the head such that a second row of each group is aligned with the selected paths; and
(iv) moves the head with respect to the substrate while dispensing droplets from non-error dispensers in the second row of the first group in accordance with a part of the pattern for that group. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of fabricating a chemical array using:
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a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises a series of drop dispensers, and wherein said series comprises at least a first and a second drop dispenser loaded with a same fluid;
a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different dispensers in the series of each group following respective paths;
a processor to dispense droplets from a single dispenser of each group in a pattern along a selected path for each group during operation of the transport system, so as to form the array;
the method comprising;
a) identifying an error in said first drop dispenser of a group; and b) moving said group of dispensers to dispense droplets from said second drop dispenser of said group along at least part of the path selected for said group. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of fabricating a chemical array using:
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a head system with multiple groups of drop dispensers which move in unison, wherein each group comprises multiple rows and columns of dispensers and wherein at least two dispensers of a same column within a group are loaded with a same fluid;
a transport system to move the head system with respect to a substrate with different rows following respective paths;
a processor to dispense droplets from dispensers during operation of the transport system, in a pattern along a selected path for each group, so as to form the array;
the method comprising; a) identifying an error in one or more dispensers; and b) when in response to identifying an error in one or more dispensers of different columns within first and second rows of a first group; (i) positioning the head with a first row of each group aligned with the selected path for that group;
(ii) moving the head with respect to the substrate while dispensing droplets from non-error dispensers in the first row of the first group in accordance with a part of the pattern for the selected path for that group;
(iii) re-positioning the head such that a second row of each group is aligned with the selected paths; and
(iv) moving the head with respect to the substrate while dispensing droplets from non-error dispensers in the second row of the first group in accordance with a part of the pattern for that group. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification