Methods for operating chemically sensitive sensors with sample and hold capacitors
First Claim
1. A method of operating an apparatus comprising an array of sensors arranged in rows and columns, the sensors comprising chemically-sensitive field effect transistors (chemFETs), the method comprising:
- placing the chemFETs in a condition to allow charge to accumulate thereon;
thereafter, in response to a first timing signal transferring charge from the chemFETs to sample and hold capacitors in sensors in a plurality of sensors in a row of the array;
enabling a column output circuit coupled to sensors in a column of the array in response to a column select signal; and
outputting signal samples to the column output circuit from the sample and hold capacitors of the sensors in the column in response to respective row select signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of operating an apparatus comprising an array of sensors arranged in rows and columns, the sensors comprising chemically-sensitive field effect transistors (chemFETs), the method comprising:
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placing the chemFETs in a condition to allow charge to accumulate thereon; thereafter, in response to a first timing signal transferring charge from the chemFETs to sample and hold capacitors in sensors in a plurality of sensors in a row of the array; enabling a column output circuit coupled to sensors in a column of the array in response to a column select signal; and outputting signal samples to the column output circuit from the sample and hold capacitors of the sensors in the column in response to respective row select signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification