Abstract:
A microspot deposition system (12) featuring a hollow cylindrical wall (26) extending from a closed end (28), terminating in an open end (30) and including a longitudinal gap (34) extending from the open end (30) toward the closed end (28) to allow the rapid exhaustion of the atmosphere and efficient cleaning within the cylindrical wall (26). The cylindrical wall (26) defines a lumen (32) with both the lumen (32) and the gap (34) adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus (46) proximate to the open end (30). To facilitate deposition of liquid contained within the lumen (32), the gap (34) may be tapered so that it is narrowest proximate to the open end (30). The narrowed portion of the gap (34) results in a meniscus (46) having a reduced area to ensure preferential fluid flow toward the open end (30), which facilitates deposition via capillary action between the liquid in the lumen (32) and a working surface (52).
Abstract:
A capillary valve, connector and router where one or more cylindrical fibers, which may be capillaries, plugged capillaries, optical fibers, or the like, including at least one capillary tube (12a) are contained in a first cylindrical bundle of fibers that terminates at a first face (18a). A second cylindrical bundle of fibers also containing one or more fibers including at least one capillary tube (12b) terminates in a second face (18b) abutting the first face.
Abstract:
An automated system utilizes an array of nanoscale capillary-dimension reaction chambers (12). The ends of the chambers are temporarily sealed with deformable membranes (264a, 264b) and the reactions effected by incubation or temperature cycling. The reaction containers may be filled by capillary action and dispensed by air displacement, centrifugal force or other means. Reaction mixtures may be assembled by using the reaction chambers (12) to meter reaction components that are combined on a substrate. Alternatively, a first reaction component may be immobilized on the interior surface of the reaction container and a second mixture component pumped of drawn into the container to form a final reaction mixture.
Abstract:
A substrate (15) with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate (15), and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper (11) for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires (78) suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.
Abstract:
A microspot deposition system (12) featuring a hollow cylindrical wall (26) extending from a closed end (28), terminating in an open end (30) and including a longitudinal gap (34) extending from the open end (30) toward the closed end (28) to allow the rapid exhaustion of the atmosphere and efficient cleaning within the cylindrical wall (26). The cylindrical wall (26) defines a lumen (32) with both the lumen (32) and the gap (34) adapted to facilitate capillary action of liquid in fluid communication therewith to form a meniscus (46) proximate to the open end (30). To facilitate deposition of liquid contained within the lumen (32), the gap (34) may be tapered so that it is narrowest proximate to the open end (30). The narrowed portion of the gap (34) results in a meniscus (46) having a reduced area to ensure preferential fluid flow toward the open end (30), which facilitates deposition via capillary action between the liquid in the lumen (32) and a working surface (52).