Method for mixing a film of fluid
First Claim
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1. A method for mixing a film of fluid, comprising:
- providing a first substrate and a second substrate having inner surfaces and a seal that define a closed chamber up to several millimeters in thickness therebetween, said closed chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces, and wherein at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polynucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides;
introducing a fluid containing a plurality of components so as to provide a quantity of fluid in contact with both inner surfaces;
providing a bubble in the fluid using a discrete, controllable heat source; and
moving the provided bubble within the fluid in the closed chamber to result in mixing.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for mixing a film of fluid, comprising:
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providing a first substrate and a second substrate having inner surfaces and a seal that define a closed chamber up to several millimeters in thickness therebetween, said closed chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces, and wherein at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polynucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides; introducing a fluid containing a plurality of components so as to provide a quantity of fluid in contact with both inner surfaces; providing a bubble in the fluid using a discrete, controllable heat source; and moving the provided bubble within the fluid in the closed chamber to result in mixing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The method of 1, wherein the at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polypeptides.
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13. A method for mixing a film of fluid comprising:
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providing a first substrate and a second substrate having inner surfaces and a seal that define a closed chamber up to several millimeters in thickness therebetween, said chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces, and wherein at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with an array of RNA or DNA probes; introducing a fluid sample containing DNA or RNA so as to provide a quantity of fluid in contact with both inner surfaces; providing a bubble in the fluid using a discrete, controllable heat source; moving a bubble within the fluid in the closed chamber to result in mixing; after hybridization is complete, removing the sample from the apparatus; and analyzing the functionalized inner surface for DNA or RNA that has hybridized. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification