Device for high-density deposition of biochemicals

Abstract

A biochemical deposition device for contactless deposition of biochemicals on a surface, the biochemical deposition device having a supporting substrate, an array of reservoirs on one side of the substrate, the reservoirs being configured for containing a plurality of biochemicals, and, an array of ejectors on the other side of the supporting substrate, the ejectors being in fluid communication with the reservoirs, and configured to eject droplets containing the biochemicals onto the surface with a density greater than 1 droplet per square millimeter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to diagnostic devices that use microsystems technologies (MST). In particular, the invention relates to microfluidic and biochemical processing and analysis for molecular diagnostics.CO-PENDING APPLICATIONSThe following applications have been filed by the Applicant which relate to the present application:GBS001USGBS002USGBS003USGBS005USGBS006USGSR001USGSR002USGAS001USGAS002USGAS003USGAS004USGAS006USGAS007USGAS008USGAS009USGAS010USGAS012USGAS013USGAS014USGAS015USGAS016USGAS017USGAS018USGAS019USGAS020USGAS021USGAS022USGAS023USGAS024USGAS025USGAS026USGAS027USGAS028USGAS030USGAS031USGAS032USGAS033USGAS034USGAS035USGAS036USGAS037USGAS038USGAS039USGAS040USGAS041USGAS042USGAS043USGAS044USGAS045USGAS046USGAS047USGAS048USGAS049USGAS050USGAS054USGAS055USGAS056USGAS057USGAS058USGAS059USGAS060USGAS061USGAS062USGAS063USGAS065USGAS066USGAS067USGAS068USGAS069USGAS070USGAS080USGAS081USGAS082USGAS083USGAS084USGAS085USGAS086USGAS087USGAS088USGAS089U...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The biochemical deposition device provides for an automated, volumetrically and positionally precise, fast, and high-density biochemical deposition technique, simplifying the complexity, increasing the reliability, increasing the security, increasing the safety, and reducing the cost of the automated manufacturing environment. The device also functions as the intermediate fluidic manipulation mechanism that is required for transferring fluids from a macroscopic level of volume and positioning accuracy to a microscopic level of volume and positioning accuracy. In particular, the capability of the device to deposit biochemicals at the requisite high-density provides for low final product dimensions, in turn, permitting the inexpensive product.

The data automation provided by the biochemical deposition device provides for an automated, safe, secure, and inexpensive technique of data monitoring and management in the automated manufacturing environment.

Problems solved by technology

Insufficient stringency can result in a high degree of nonspecific binding.

Excessive stringency can lead to a failure of appropriate binding, which results in diminished sensitivity.

Despite the advantages that molecular diagnostic tests offer, the growth of this type of testing in the clinical laboratory has been slower than expected and remains a minor part of the practice of laboratory medicine.

This is primarily due to the complexity and costs associated with nucleic acid testing compared with tests based on methods not involving nucleic acids.

However, controlling fluid flow through the LOC device, adding reagents, controlling reaction conditions and so on necessitate bulky external plumbing and electronics.

Connecting a LOC device to these external devices effectively restricts the use of LOC devices for molecular diagnostics to the laboratory setting.

The cost of the external equipment and complexity of its operation precludes LOC-based molecular diagnostics as a practical option for point-of-care settings.

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