Methods for filing a sample array by droplet dragging
First Claim
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1. An array filling system for transferring liquid to an array of receptacles, the system comprising:
- an array of receptacles characterized by a hydrophilic surface, the receptacles separated by a hydrophobic surface;
a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid; and
a controller configured to position the liquid transfer device in proximity to the hydrophobic surface and to move the liquid transfer device across the hydrophobic surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the hydrophilic surface of each receptacle.
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Abstract
A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An array filling system for transferring liquid to an array of receptacles, the system comprising:
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an array of receptacles characterized by a hydrophilic surface, the receptacles separated by a hydrophobic surface; a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid; and a controller configured to position the liquid transfer device in proximity to the hydrophobic surface and to move the liquid transfer device across the hydrophobic surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the hydrophilic surface of each receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for transferring a liquid into an array of receptacles, each receptacle having a hydrophilic surface, the receptacles separated by a hydrophobic surface, the method comprising:
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a. positioning a liquid transfer device in proximity to the hydrophobic surface; and b. moving the liquid fluid transfer device across the hydrophobic surface and over the receptacles to be filled so as to cause sequential communication of liquid in the liquid transfer device with the hydrophilic surface of each receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for loading a liquid into a plurality of through-holes of a platen, the platen having a top surface, the top surface having an opening to each through-hole, the method comprising:
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a. forming a droplet of the liquid on the end of a liquid transfer device; b. moving the liquid transfer device so as to drag the droplet across the top surface of the platen and over the through-holes to be filled; c. dispensing the liquid in such a manner as to keep the droplet from being depleted; and d. withdrawing the droplet from the surface after the through-holes are filled. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification