# US 7,745,091 B2 · Miniaturized microparticles

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- Number: US 7,745,091 B2
- Document ID: US7745091B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/521,057
- Filed: 2006-09-13
- Published: 2008-02-14
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-09-13
- Assignees: Affymetrix, Inc.
- Inventors: Randall True
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745091B2

## CPC

- G01N 33/532: Production of labelled immunochemicals
- G01N 33/585: {with a particulate label, e.g. coloured latex}
- G03F 7/0002: {Lithographic processes using patterning methods other than those involving the exposure to radiation, e.g. by stamping}
- G03F 7/0035: {Multiple processes, e.g. applying a further resist layer on an already in a previously step, processed pattern or textured surface}
- G09F 3/00: Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means (medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40); Seals; Postage or like stamps
- B82Y 25/00: Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
- H01F 1/0072: {one dimensional, i.e. linear or dendritic nanostructures}
- Y10T 428/2989: Microcapsule with solid core [includes liposome]
- Y10T 428/2996: Glass particles or spheres
- Y10T 436/143333: Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]
- 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)
- G03F: PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR; (phototypographic composing devices B41B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; electrophotography, sensitive layers or processes therefor G03G)
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An encoded microparticle carrying a code is provided; and a set of encoded microparticles are provided with distinguishable codes, wherein the codes comply with a pre-determined coding scheme.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An encoded microparticle comprising:
a longest dimension less than 50 microns;
a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments form a spatial code; and
an outer surface, wherein the outer surface encloses the spatial code, and wherein the spatial code is detectable through the outer surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is configured such that the spatial code is detectable with one of the group consisting of reflected light, transmitted light, emitted light, magnetic field, visible light, ultraviolet light, and fluorescence imaging.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the spatial code is detectable during Brownian motion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the spatial code is detectable from at least two orthogonal directions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the spatial code is detectable with a single image capture event.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle has a volume of 20,000 cubic microns or less.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle has a volume of 5,000 cubic microns or less.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle has a volume of 1,000 cubic microns or less.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the spatial code of the microparticle is from a codespace that is greater than 1,000.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the spatial code of the microparticle is from a codespace that is greater than 10,000.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle comprises an opaque material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The microparticle of claim 11, wherein the opaque material comprises a semiconductor or metal.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the microparticle is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length to the width of the microparticle is 3:1 or higher.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a magnetic, ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and a superparamagnetic material.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of fluorescent molecules therein or thereon.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, further comprising a multiplicity of biochemical molecules on a surface of the microparticle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein the microparticle is a member of a plurality of microparticles that is substantially disposed in a monolayer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The microparticle of claim 18, wherein the microparticles are disposed in a liquid buffer and the microparticles undergo substantial Brownian motion and have biochemical molecules attached to the surface.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The microparticle of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of indentations in a surface of the microparticle.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The microparticle of claim 1, wherein a length of the microparticle is 30 microns or less.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The microparticle of claim 21, wherein a length of the microparticle is 20 microns or less.

### Claim 23

An encoded microparticle comprising:
a first material comprising two or more separate segments aligned along an axis;
a second material enclosing the first material such that the segments are detectable through the second material; and
wherein a spatial code for the microparticle is provided.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the separate segments comprise a longest dimension of 1.5 microns or less.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the microparticle has a volume of 20,000 cubic microns or less.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the microparticle has a volume of 5,000 cubic microns or less.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The microparticle of claim 24, wherein the separate segments comprise a longest dimension of 1.0 microns or less.

### Claim 28 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the spatial code is detectable with one of the group consisting of a reflectance imaging system, a transmissive imaging system, and a fluorescence imaging system.

### Claim 29 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the microparticle comprises a longest dimension of less than 50 microns.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The microparticle of claim 29, wherein the microparticle comprises a longest dimension of less than 20 microns.

### Claim 31 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the spatial code is detectable with a single image capture event.

### Claim 32 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the first material comprises an opaque material.

### Claim 33 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein a cross section of the microparticle is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 34 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the ratio of the length to the width of the microparticle is 3:1 or higher.

### Claim 35 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the first material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a magnetic, ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and a superparamagnetic material.

### Claim 36 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of fluorescent molecules on or in a surface of the microparticle.

### Claim 37 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, further comprising a multiplicity of biochemical molecules on a surface of the microparticle.

### Claim 38 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the microparticle is a member of a plurality of microparticles that is substantially disposed in a monolayer.

### Claim 39 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, wherein the microparticles are disposed in a liquid and the microparticles undergo substantial Brownian motion and have biochemical molecules attached to the surface.

### Claim 40 (depends on 23)

The microparticle of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of indentations in a surface of the microparticle.