US 5,770,151 A · High-speed liquid deposition device for biological molecule array formation

Abstract

A microspot deposition system featuring a hollow cylindrical wall extending from a closed end, terminating in an open end and including a longitudinal gap extending from the open end toward the closed end to allow the rapid exhaustion of the atmosphere and efficient cleaning within the cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall defines a lumen with both the lumen and the gap adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus proximate to the open end. To facilitate deposition of liquid contained within the lumen, the gap may be tapered so that it is narrowest proximate to the open end. The narrowed portion of the gap results in a meniscus having a reduced area to ensure preferential fluid flow toward the open end, which facilitates deposition via capillary action between the liquid in the lumen and a working surface on which the liquid is to be deposited.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A collection and deposition device, comprising:

a hollow tube including an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to said open end, defining a lumen therebetween having a longitudinal axis, said tube including an elongated slit extending from said open end toward said closed end, parallel to said axis, with said lumen and said slit adapted to permit liquid flow into said tube by capillary action, the slit tapering from a wider dimension distal to the open end to a smaller dimension proximate to the open end;
a cross-member extending along a first direction;
an arm extending along a second direction, transverse to said first direction, with said arm movably attached to said cross-member to traverse parallel to said first direction;
and
a pod movably attached to said arm to traverse along said second direction and along a third direction, traverse to both said first and second directions, said hollow tube being mounted to said pod with said longitudinal axis extending parallel to said third direction allowing collection and deposition of liquids by providing three-dimensional movement of said hollow tube.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High-speed liquid deposition device for biological molecule array formation

Life of this patent

High-speed liquid deposition device for biological molecule array formation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16