Devices and methods for producing microarrays of biological samples
First Claim
1. The manifold assembly for removing liquid from in combination, a plurality of microarray spotting members, and a plurality of microarray spotting members, the spotting members each having a spotting member body and a first open end portion for printing a spot on a microarray slide, comprising:
- a plate, the plate defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures extending through the plate, each aperture located to cooperate with a corresponding spotting member, each aperture having an axis a first diameter, an upstream edge forming an inlet and a downstream edge forming an outlet, the edges defining the aperture, the corresponding spotting member body having a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter so that the spotting member may not entirely pass through the aperture, and wherein the first open end portion of the spotting member is adapted to extend into the corresponding aperture to a position where there is space between the spotting member and the aperture; and
turbulence means for creating turbulence in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet in the space between the spotting member and the aperture for removing liquid from the first open end portions of the spotting members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for producing microarrays of biological samples using an improved slide platform, vacuum manifold, and variable pin contact velocity. Slides onto which spotting pins produce the microarray of biological samples are secured on a flat slide platform using magnetic unit bars. The vacuum manifold effects optimal cleaning of the spotting pins by inducing increased air flow and turbulence. By reducing the velocity of the spotting pins before or after contact with the blot pad or the microarray slide, the morphology of biological samples deposited may be kept uniform. Similarly, low impact and separating velocities while acquiring biological materials prevent the pins from being overloaded with solution on the outside of the pin and causing sample wastage and non-uniform spotting.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. The manifold assembly for removing liquid from in combination, a plurality of microarray spotting members, and a plurality of microarray spotting members, the spotting members each having a spotting member body and a first open end portion for printing a spot on a microarray slide, comprising:
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a plate, the plate defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures extending through the plate, each aperture located to cooperate with a corresponding spotting member, each aperture having an axis a first diameter, an upstream edge forming an inlet and a downstream edge forming an outlet, the edges defining the aperture, the corresponding spotting member body having a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter so that the spotting member may not entirely pass through the aperture, and wherein the first open end portion of the spotting member is adapted to extend into the corresponding aperture to a position where there is space between the spotting member and the aperture; and
turbulence means for creating turbulence in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet in the space between the spotting member and the aperture for removing liquid from the first open end portions of the spotting members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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16. A microarrayer, said microarrayer comprising:
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a) a manifold assembly for removing liquid from a plurality of microarray spotting members;
b) a plurality of spotting members each having a spotting member body and a first open end portion for printing a spot on a microarray slide;
c) a plate, the plate defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures extending through the plate, each aperture located to cooperate with a corresponding spotting member, each aperture having an axis, a first diameter, an upstream edge forming an inlet and a downstream edge forming an outlet, the edges defining the aperture, a corresponding spotting member body having a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter so that the spotting member may not entirely pass through the aperture, and wherein the first open end portion of the spotting member is adapted to extend into the corresponding aperture to a position where there is space between the spotting member and the aperture; and
d) turbulence means for creating turbulence in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet in the space between the spotting member and the aperture for removing liquid from the first open end portions of the spotting members. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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24. A method of removing liquid from a plurality of microarray spotting members, the spotting members each having a spotting member body and a first open end portion for printing a spot on a microarray slide, the liquid removed through a plate, the plate defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures extending through the plate, each aperture located to cooperate with a corresponding spotting member, each aperture having an axis, a first diameter, an upstream edge forming an inlet and a downstream edge forming an outlet, the edges defining a corresponding aperture, a corresponding spotting member body having a second diameter wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter so that the spotting member may not entirely pass through the aperture, and wherein the first open end portion of the spotting member is adapted to extend into the corresponding aperture to a position where there is space between the spotting member and the aperture, the method comprising:
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first aligning the spotting members proximate to the apertures with each spotting member body extending generally axially away from the corresponding aperture;
drawing air around the spotting members to flow from the inlet to the outlet; and
repeatedly reciprocating the spotting members generally toward and away from the corresponding apertures while maintaining the spotting members axially aligned with corresponding apertures and limiting axially inward travel to provide clearance with the apertures in the limiting position, wherein turbulence is created in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet in the space between the spotting member and the aperture wall for removing liquid from the first open ends of the spotting members through the apertures. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification