Capillary printing systems

• US 6,309,891 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1998
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Incyte Corporation
• Inventors: Titsworth, Loren D., Shalon, Tidhar D., Maurino, Joseph R., Bevirt, JoeBen
• Primary Examiner(s): LUDLOW, JAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/150,502
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/65, 422/81, 422/100, 422/103, 422/104, 436/43, 436/49, 436/54, 436/174, 436/180, 436/176, 738/640.1, 738/642.4, 738/642.5, 141/31, 101/494
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0036 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00369 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00385 Printing
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0061 The surface being organic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00725 Peptides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/10 Means to control humidity and/or other gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/105 using desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1894 Cooling means; Cryo cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/021 non contact spotting by inertia, i.e. abrupt deceleration of the nozzle or pin
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/025 tapping tip on substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0244 : using pins
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 : using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/06 : Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/10 : Libraries containing peptides or polypeptides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00237 : Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 : Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 : with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 : with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2525 : Stabilizing or preserving
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The invention provides printing systems and methods for depositing small volumes of liquid on solid substrates. These systems and methods are useful with a wide variety of liquids and substrates and offer a wide variety of applications, including the deposition of arrays of analytes. In particular embodiments, the systems comprise a preservation device, a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, and/or a wire bonding capillary.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising a pod, a detachable printing device, a substrate, an actuator, and a preservation device, wherein:

the pod comprises a receptacle for reversibly attaching an attachment portion of the printing device;

the printing device comprises a reservoir having a proximal opening to ambient pressure, the reservoir containing a liquid comprising a predetermined agent, and a capillary comprising an axial bore having a proximal opening in fluid connection with the reservoir and a distal opening open to ambient pressure, and a printing tip comprising the distal opening operative to print the agent on the substrate;

wherein the preservation device comprises a hermetic barrier device, the hermetic barrier device being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the preservation device is operative to preserve the capability of the printing device to print the agent on the substrate over long-term storage of the printing device, wherein in the open position the preservation device is operative to permit coupling of the actuator and the printing device in the printing system,

wherein the system is operative to print by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the bore tapers toward the distal opening of the tip.

3. The printing system of claim 1 further comprising a motion resistor operatively joined to the capillary and providing an incomplete resistance to motion of the capillary along its longitudinal axis, biasing said motion toward the substrate, wherein the resistor is selected from a plurality of springs, an elastomeric membrane and the weight of the capillary.

4. The printing system of claim 1 further comprising a motion resistor operatively joined to the capillary and providing an incomplete resistance to motion of the capillary along its longitudinal axis, biasing said motion toward the substrate, wherein the resistor is the weight of the capillary.

5. The printing system of claim 1 further comprising a register comprising a guide which contacts a registration portion of the printing device, distal to the attachment portion, and moves the tip relative to the substrate.

6. The printing system of claim 1 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir.

7. The printing system of claim 1 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir, wherein the detachable ganged plurality is of one-piece construction.

8. The printing system of claim 1 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir, wherein the detachable ganged plurality comprises a block having receptacles for and which laterally constrain each of the printing devices.

9. The printing system of claim 1 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir, wherein the detachable ganged plurality comprises a rigid or elastomeric band or clamp to gang together the printing devices.

10. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the printing device comprises a wire bonding capillary.

11. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the system suffers less than a 20% degradation in printing capacity over the long-term storage.

12. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the agent is a polynucleotide or polypeptide.

13. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a homogeneous glass surface.

14. The printing system of claim 3 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir.

15. The printing system of claim 3, wherein the printing device comprises a wire bonding capillary.

16. The printing system of claim 4 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir, wherein the detachable ganged plurality comprises a block having receptacles for and which laterally constrain each of the printing devices.

17. The printing system of claim 4, wherein the printing device comprises a wire bonding capillary.

18. The printing system of claim 6 wherein the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir.

19. The printing system of claim 6, wherein the printing device comprises a wire bonding capillary.

20. The printing system of claim 16 when the printing device is one of a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, each comprising a reservoir containing an agent unique to the reservoir.

21. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 1 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

22. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 2 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

23. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 3 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

24. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 4 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

25. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 5 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

26. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 6 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

27. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 7 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

28. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 8 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

29. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 9 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

30. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 10 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

31. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 11 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

32. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 12 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

33. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 13 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

34. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 14 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

35. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 15 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

36. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 16 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

37. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 17 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

38. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 18 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

39. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 19 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

40. A method for printing an agent on a substrate comprising the step of printing an agent with the printing system of claim 20 by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate.

41. A method for printing an agent on a substrate with a printing system comprising a pod, a detachable printing device, an actuator, a substrate, and a preservation device, wherein:

the pod comprises a receptacle for reversibly attaching an attachment portion of the printing device;

the printing device comprises a reservoir having a proximal opening to ambient pressure, the reservoir containing a liquid comprising a predetermined agent, and a capillary comprising an axial bore having a proximal opening in fluid connection with the reservoir and a distal opening open to ambient pressure and a printing tip comprising the distal opening for printing the agent on the substrate;

the preservation device is within, containing or in contact with the printing device and preserves the capability of the printing device to print the agent on the substrate over long-term storage of the printing device, wherein the preservation device comprises a deterrent to evaporation of the liquid, wherein the deterrent is selected from the group consisting of a hermetic barrier, a refrigerator, a humidifier and a hygroscopic agent, wherein the system is operative to print by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip and onto the substrate,

said method comprising the steps of;

printing the agent a first time by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip;

subjecting the printing device to long-term storage; and

without reloading the printing device, printing the agent a second time by decelerating the capillary to move the agent through the bore, out the tip.