Submerged Spotter for Lipid Array Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating micropatterned lipid arrays lack sophistication and throughput, limiting their ability to mimic in vivo membranes effectively, particularly for diagnostics like Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome testing, and fail to maintain the three-dimensional properties of fluid lipid bilayers and membrane proteins.
Innovation Solution
A spotter device that deposits substances on a submerged surface using an outlet cavity with a sealing orifice and conduits, allowing fluid to flow and form high-density deposition spots, maintaining biomolecules in a liquid environment and enabling automated printing of lipid and protein arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current methods (microcontact printing, deep UV photolithography, prepatterned substrates, 2D microfluidics) are used to create micropatterned lipid arrays, then array formation is achieved, but throughput is limited and sophistication is insufficient for effective in vivo membrane mimicry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D microfluidic flow lanes to a 3D printing approach where material is deposited through a z-axis nozzle onto the substrate surface. This dimensional change enables high-density array formation with improved throughput while maintaining the ability to create complex micropatterns with sophisticated spatial control.
2Manufacturing precision
If small spot sizes (250 μm) are used to generate multicomponent membrane arrays, then spatial resolution is improved, but volumes become extremely small (picoliters) requiring humidity chambers to prevent evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressure-driven fluid delivery system where inert gas pressure controls the flow of lipid solutions through the printing nozzle. This hydraulic control mechanism enables precise deposition of extremely small volumes (femtoliters to picoliters) with accurate spatial positioning, achieving high manufacturing precision without requiring complex humidity chamber environmental control.
3Ease of manufacture
If 2D flow lanes are used for creating lipid arrays, then simplicity and low cost are achieved, but the ability to create high density arrays is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic printing process where the nozzle moves in three dimensions (x, y, z axes) to deposit material at precisely controlled positions. This dynamic approach replaces the static 2D flow lane configuration, enabling high-density array formation while maintaining operational simplicity and low cost through software-controlled motion and deposition parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of high-density, native-like lipid bilayer arrays with improved robustness and throughput, suitable for diagnostics, by maintaining biomolecules in a liquid environment and preventing exposure to air, thus preserving their functionality.
Implementation Method 1
sealing the spotting orifice against a liquid-submerged deposition surface
Implementation Method 2
causing fluid to flow through the first conduit and the second conduit, thereby communicating among the first opening, the second opening, and the deposition surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods involving a spotter for depositing a substance on a submerged surface. The spotter comprises an outlet cavity defined at least in part by a spotting orifice, a first opening, and a second opening. The spotter also comprises a first conduit fluidly coupled to the first opening and a second conduit fluidly coupled to the second opening. The spotter is adapted so that fluid flowing through the first conduit and the second conduit is communicated among the first opening, the second opening, and a submerged deposition surface when the sealing orifice is sealed against the submerged deposition surface to form a deposition spot on the submerged deposition surface. The submerged deposition surface is within a liquid such that the liquid covers the deposition spot upon removal of the orifice from the deposition surface.