Chambers for storing arrays
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRichard O. Hilson, Bill J. Peck, Eric M. Leproust
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of chemical compounds bound to the surfaces of the supports. In the apparatus, a mechanism for diffusively introducing pressurized gas into the apparatus is in fluid communication with an outlet element comprising a plurality of openings. A holding chamber for the supports is in fluid communication with the outlet element. The outlet element and the holding chamber are disposed such that gas flow through the chamber is substantially uniform and unidirectional. The holding chamber comprises an opening sufficient to permit movement of the supports to and from the holding chamber and comprises a plurality of holding elements for holding the supports.
Claims39
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of chemical compounds bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a mechanism for diffusively introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said mechanism, said outlet element comprising a plurality of openings therein,
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber and said supports being disposed such that gas flow through and out of said holding chamber is substantially unidirectional and substantially parallel to said supports, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports, and
- (d) a flow-straightening element disposed in fluid communication between said outlet element and said holding chamber.
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of chemical compounds bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a mechanism for diffusively introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said mechanism, said outlet element comprising a plurality of openings therein, and
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber and said supports being disposed such that as flow through and out of said holding chamber is substantially unidirectional and substantially parallel to said supports, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports, wherein said holding elements for said supports are adapted to hold said supports in a substantially vertical position.
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of biopolymers bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a manifold comprising one or more compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with at least one gas inlet for introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus, wherein said gas inlets are positioned in said manifold such that gas is introduced into said manifold in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of gas exiting said manifold,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said manifold, said outlet element comprising about 10 to about 50 openings per square inch, and
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber and said supports being disposed such that gas flow through and out of said holding chamber is substantially unidirectional and substantially parallel to said supports, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports.
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of chemical compounds bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a mechanism for diffusively introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said mechanism, said outlet element comprising a plurality of openings therein,
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber being disposed such that gas flow therethrough is substantially uniform, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports, and
- (d) a flow-straightening element disposed in fluid communication between said outlet element and said holding chamber.
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of biopolymers bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a manifold comprising one or more compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with at least one gas inlet for introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus, wherein said gas inlets are positioned in said manifold such that gas is introduced into said manifold in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of gas exiting said manifold and wherein each of said gas inlets comprises a valve,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said manifold, said outlet element comprising about 10 to about 50 openings per square inch,
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber being disposed such that gas flow through and out of said holding chamber is substantially unidirectional and parallel to said supports, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports, and
- (d) a flow-straightening element disposed in fluid communication between said outlet element and said chamber.
An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having a plurality of biopolymers bound thereto at individual sites thereon, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a manifold comprising one or more compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with at least one gas inlet for introducing pressurized gas into said apparatus, wherein said gas inlets are positioned in said manifold such that gas is introduced into said manifold in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of gas exiting said manifold,
- (b) an outlet element in fluid communication with said manifold, said outlet element comprising a plurality of openings therein, and
- (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber being disposed such that gas flow therethrough is substantially unidirectional, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports, and
- (d) a flow-straightening element disposed in fluid communication between said outlet element and said chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.