US 7,238,521 B2 · Microarray hybridization device having bubble-fracturing elements

Abstract

A novel hybridization device that improves the efficiency and consistency of microarray hybridization reactions by achieving a greater degree of internal mixing of target solution. The device provides a gasket-and-cover-type chamber wherein solution mixing is achieved by the creation of a multitude of microbubbles. One or more of the inner walls that define the chamber contain bubble-rupturing elements that extend into the chamber and terminate in sharp edges. They are typically located on opposite sides of a rectangular chamber and are pointed in a direction opposing bubble movement. Their interference with larger bubbles causes their breakup into microbubbles which travel separate and distinct paths as a result of external agitation and thereby provide improved solution mixing that results in a uniform distribution of target molecules to the probe molecules bound to the substrate. The sensitivity and consistency of the hybridization reaction is significantly increased.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A microarray hybridization device which comprises:

a flat substrate having a surface to which a microarray of reactive moieties can be attached,
liquid barrier means juxtaposed with said surface to create a chamber having an interior wall surface in which chamber said microarray is located, and
a cover closing said chamber so said device may be manipulated without loss of liquid target solution that fills said chamber except for a gaseous bubble included therein,
said barrier means having inwardly facing surfaces which border said chamber and which are generally perpendicular thereto, which surfaces are formed with a plurality of bubble-fracturing elements that lie in a planar region extending parallel to said flat substrate and extend laterally into said chamber so that, when said device is moved so that a liquid target solution in said chamber moves along said flat substrate surface from one boundary of said chamber to another boundary, a bubble initially in said chamber is ruptured into a plurality of microbubbles that then assure very effective distribution of the liquid target solution in said chamber across the entire microarray, driven by movement of said microbubbles.

1 more element

A microarray hybridization device which comprises:

a flat substrate having an upper surface,
a microarray of reactive moieties attached to said upper surface,
a liquid perimeter barrier juxtaposed with said surface to create a chamber having an interior wall surface, in which chamber said microarray is located, and
a cover juxtaposed with said barrier to close said chamber so said device may be manipulated without loss of a liquid target solution that fills said chamber except for a gaseous bubble included therein,
said perimeter barrier having inwardly facing walls which border said chamber and which are generally perpendicular thereto, which walls are formed with a plurality of bubble fracturing elements that lie in a planar region extending parallel to said flat substrate and extend laterally into said chamber so that, when said device is moved so that the liquid target solution moves along said flat substrate surface upon which said microarray is located, a bubble initially in said chamber is ruptured into a plurality of microbubbles that assure very effective distribution of the liquid target solution in said chamber across the entire microarray, driven by movement of said microbubbles.

2 more elements

A microarray hybridization device which comprises:

a flat substrate having an upper surface,
a microarray of reactive moieties in 3D spots attached to said upper surface,
a rectangular liquid perimeter barrier juxtaposed with said surface to create a chamber in which said microarray is located,
a flat cover juxtaposed with said barrier to close said chamber so as to confine a liquid target solution therein that fills said chamber except for a gaseous bubble,
said cover including at least one filling port through which a liquid target solution can be supplied into said chamber, and
means for sealing said port so said device may be manipulated in a substantially vertical plane about a horizontal axis without loss of the confined target solution,
said perimeter barrier having four inwardly facing surfaces which border said chamber and which are generally perpendicular thereto, which surfaces are formed with a plurality of bubble-fracturing elements that extend laterally into said chamber in a planar region between said cover and said flat substrate, so that, when said device is manipulated causing the liquid target solution to move along said flat substrate surface upon which said microarray is located, a bubble initially in said chamber is ruptured into a plurality of microbubbles that assure very effective distribution of the liquid target solution in said chamber across the entire microarray, driven by movement of said microbubbles.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microarray hybridization device having bubble-fracturing elements

Life of this patent

Microarray hybridization device having bubble-fracturing elements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22