Method and apparatus for automatic pin detection in microarray spotting instruments
First Claim
1. A method of determining the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument, said printhead having a plurality of pin locations, at least some of which each include a fluid dispensing pin disposed therein, the method comprising:
- automatically detecting whether a fluid dispensing pin is present at each said pin location to determine the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead; and
generating a signal indicating said arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead.
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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.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of determining the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in a printhead of a microarray spotting instrument, said printhead having a plurality of pin locations, at least some of which each include a fluid dispensing pin disposed therein, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting whether a fluid dispensing pin is present at each said pin location to determine the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead; and generating a signal indicating said arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. An apparatus used in a microarray spotting instrument for determining which pin locations in a printhead of the microarray spotting instrument are occupied by fluid dispensing pins, comprising at least one sensor element to automatically detect whether a fluid dispensing pin is present in each said pin location for determining the arrangement of a plurality of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead.
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34. A microarray spotting instrument comprising:
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a printhead having a plurality of pin locations; a plurality of fluid dispensing pins movably or releasably mounted in at least a subset of the pin locations of the printhead; a substrate station for holding at least one microarray substrate; a well station for holding sample material to be deposited on said at least one microarray substrate using said printhead; a positioning mechanism for moving said printhead; a controller for controlling movement of said printhead; and a pin detection apparatus comprising at least one sensor element to automatically detect whether a fluid dispensing pin is present in each pin location for automatically determining the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in said printhead.
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35. In a microarray spotting instrument, a method of providing to a controller operating the instrument information on the arrangement of fluid dispensing pins in a printhead in the instrument, comprising:
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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 each pin location to determine the arrangement of pins in the printhead and generating a signal indicative thereof; and transmitting the signal to the controller.
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Specification