Apparatus and method for spotting a substrate
First Claim
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1. A method for the manipulation of liquid, comprising:
- (a) providing a system comprising (i) a device comprising first and second opposing surfaces and at least 1024 channels extending between said surfaces, said channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings, with said openings defining upper and lower opening arrays;
wherein at least a region of each channel is of capillary size, and wherein each of said channels includes an interior region that is hydrophilic; and
(ii) a multi-well tray;
(b) introducing a selected liquid comprising a biological sample or reagent into said channels, with the liquid being retained in the channels by surface tension forces;
(c) placing said device adjacent said multi-well tray, such that each of said channels is in alignment with a respective well of said tray; and
(d) transferring the selected liquid from each channel into its respective well.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a small volume of a selected liquid, such as a biological sample or reagent, onto a substrate. The device includes a tube adapted to contain the liquid. An elongated fiber is disposed within the tube for axial movement therein between raised and lowered positions. Upon shifting or oscillating the fiber between its raised and lowered positions, a liquid spot can be formed at a selected position on the substrate. The device is readily adaptable for the production of micro-arrays having a great number of individual spots.
64 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for the manipulation of liquid, comprising:
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(a) providing a system comprising (i) a device comprising first and second opposing surfaces and at least 1024 channels extending between said surfaces, said channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings, with said openings defining upper and lower opening arrays;
wherein at least a region of each channel is of capillary size, and wherein each of said channels includes an interior region that is hydrophilic; and
(ii) a multi-well tray;(b) introducing a selected liquid comprising a biological sample or reagent into said channels, with the liquid being retained in the channels by surface tension forces; (c) placing said device adjacent said multi-well tray, such that each of said channels is in alignment with a respective well of said tray; and (d) transferring the selected liquid from each channel into its respective well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for the manipulation of liquid, comprising:
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(a) providing a system comprising (i) a device comprising first and second opposing surfaces and at least 1024 channels extending between said surfaces, said channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings, with said openings defining upper and lower opening arrays;
wherein at least a region of each channel is of capillary size, such that a liquid placed in the channel will normally be maintained therein;
(ii) a multi-well tray;
(iii) a liquid-transfer tip, movable between said channels and said tray;
(iv) an actuator operatively connected to the tip for moving the tip; and
(v) a control unit operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator; and(b) using said tips, moving a selected liquid comprising a biological sample or reagent between said channels and said tray. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for the manipulation of liquid, comprising:
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a device comprising first and second opposing surfaces and at least 1024 channels extending between said surfaces, said channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings, with said upper-end and lower-end openings defining respective opening arrays;
wherein at least a region of each channel is of capillary size, such that a liquid placed in the channel will normally be maintained therein;a plurality of liquid-transfer tips disposed in an array;
wherein said tips are adapted for movement toward and away from one of said surfaces;an actuator operatively connected to the tip for moving the tip; and a control unit operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for manipulation of liquid, comprising:
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a device comprising at least 1536 channels in fixed, spaced relation;
with the channels including opposite upper-end and lower-end openings;
wherein at least a region of each channel is of capillary size, such that an aqueous liquid placed in the channel will normally be maintained therein;a liquid-transfer tip; an actuator operably coupled to said tip, and adapted to move said tip toward and away from said channels; and a control unit operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification