# US 2021/0172010 A1 · Method and device for the detection of molecular interactions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0172010 A1 - Document ID: US20210172010A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/154,749 - Filed: 2021-01-21 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2004-05-06 - Assignees: Alere Technologies GmbH - Applicants: Alere Technologies GmbH - Inventors: Ralf Bickel; Alexandra Dworrak; Thomas Ellinger; Eugen Ermantraut; Torsten Schulz; Thomas Ullrich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210172010A1 ## CPC - C12Q 1/6837: using probe arrays or probe chips (C12Q1/6874 takes precedence) - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - C12Q 1/6825: Nucleic acid detection involving sensors - C12Q 1/6832: Enhancement of hybridisation reaction - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - G01N 33/54306: {Solid-phase reaction mechanisms} - G01N 33/54366: {Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing} - G01N 33/58: involving labelled substances (G01N33/53 takes precedence) - G01N 33/6845: {Methods of identifying protein-protein interactions in protein mixtures} - G01N 35/00: Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor - B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples} - B01L 7/525: {with physical movement of samples between temperature zones} - B01L 2200/027: for microfluidic devices - B01L 2200/028: Modular arrangements - B01L 2300/0636: Integrated biosensor, microarrays - B01L 2300/0654: Lenses; Optical fibres - B01L 2300/0672: Integrated piercing tool - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/0819: Microarrays; Biochips - B01L 2300/0877: Flow chambers - B01L 2300/1827: using resistive heater - B01L 2300/1838: using fluid heat transfer medium - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics - G01N 2021/6439: {with indicators, stains, dyes, tags, labels, marks} - Y10T 436/143333: Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.] - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to devices and methods for the detection of specific interactions between probe and target molecules. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of targets, including: introducing a sample containing targets into a reaction chamber formed between a first surface of the device and a second surface of a device, which is preferably located opposite to the first surface, wherein the distance between the first and the second surface is variable; and detecting the targets. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-62. (canceled) ### Claim 63 A device for qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting molecular interactions between probe molecules and target molecules in a sample solution, said device comprising: a micro-array having a substrate, on which probe molecules are immobilized on array elements, said micro-array being arranged on a first surface of the device; and a reaction chamber formed between the first surface having said micro-array arranged thereon, and a second surface, wherein the distance between said micro-array and said second surface is variable such that the sample solution between said micro-array and said second surface can be essentially removed without removing the sample solution from the reaction chamber. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the device further comprises a means for varying the distance between said micro-array and said second surface in such a way that the sample solution between said micro-array and said second surface can be essentially removed. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The device according to claim 64, wherein the distance between said micro-array and the second surface is variable in a range of about 0 to about 1 mm. ### Claim 66 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the device further comprises a temperature control unit and/or temperature regulating unit for controlling and/or regulating the temperature within the reaction chamber. ### Claim 67 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the device comprises a detection system and a fluorescence-optical system. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The device according to claim 67, wherein said fluorescence-optical system is a fluorescence microscope without an autofocus. ### Claim 69 (depends on 67) The device according to claim 67, wherein said detection system is connected to a spacer which, when resting upon the second surface, adjusts a spacing between the detection system and the second surface. ### Claim 70 (depends on 67) The device according to claim 67, wherein laterally limiting compensation zones are provided for the reaction chamber formed between the first and second surfaces, said compensation zones keeping the volume within the reaction chamber upon a reduction of the spacing between said micro-array and the second surface essentially constant. ### Claim 71 (depends on 63) The device according claim 63, wherein the second surface is made of an optically transparent material. ### Claim 72 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the first surface is configured at least in the zone below said micro-array such that said micro-array may be guided relative to the second surface so that the distance between said micro-array and the second surface is variable. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The device according to claim 72, wherein the first surface is elastically deformable at least in the zone below said micro-array, and wherein the first surface is made of elastic plastics. ### Claim 74 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein said micro-array may be guided relative to the second surface by said means for varying the distance between said micro-array and said second surface, and wherein said micro-array is guided relative to the second surface by said means acting upon the first surface by compression and/or tension and/or wherein the first surface is set into vibration by said means. ### Claim 75 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the second surface may be guided relative to the first surface so that the distance between said micro-array and the second surface is variable, wherein the second surface is guided relative to the first surface by said spacer acting upon the second surface by compression and/or tension so that the distance between said micro-array and the second surface is variable. ### Claim 76 (depends on 63) The device according to claim 63, wherein the probe molecules and/or target molecules are biopolymers selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, antigens, antibodies, carbohydrates and/or analogs thereof, and/or copolymers of the above-mentioned biopolymers.