Microfabricated spotting apparatus for producing low cost microarrays
OwnerRobert C. Haushalter, Xiao-Dong Suninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved apparatus for producing microarrays of chemical and biochemical materials. The apparatus includes one or more pins, a holder for the pins and a dispensing tray for holding one or more liquids. The apparatus is microfabricated from semiconductor materials such as silicon, silicone oxides, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, polymers, ceramics, non-ferric alloys using chemical and physical microfabrication and photolithographic techniques.
Claims129
An apparatus for producing a microarray, the apparatus comprising:
- a pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate, the pin including:
- a dispensing tip at a first end thereof;
- and
- a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip;
- wherein the pin is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.
A pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce a microarray, the pin comprising:
- a dispensing tip at a first end thereof;
- and
- a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip,
- wherein the pin is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.
A holder for use in producing a microarray, the holder comprising:
- a first planar member;
- and
- a first aperture extending through the planar member for receiving a pin that deposits a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce the microarray;
- wherein the holder is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.
A dispensing tray for use in producing a microarray, the dispensing tray comprising:
- a well for holding a liquid;
- wherein the tray is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.
A method of making a pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce a microarray, the pin having a dispensing tip at a first end thereof and a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip, the method comprising:
- selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;
- generating design parameters of the pin;
- and
- fabricating the pin from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.
A method of making a holder for use in producing a microarray, the holder having a first planar member and a first aperture extending through the planar member for receiving a pin that deposits a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce the microarray, the method comprising:
- selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;
- generating design parameters of the holder;
- and
- fabricating the holder from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.
A method of making a dispensing tray for use in producing a microarray, the dispensing tray having a well for holding a liquid, the method comprising:
- selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;
- generating design parameters of the dispensing tray;
- and
- fabricating the dispensing tray from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.