Depositing fluid specimens on substrates, resulting ordered arrays, techniques for analysis of deposited arrays

Abstract

An apparatus and a method is described for depositing fluid dots on a receiving surface to form an array. The apparatus includes a deposit device cooperatively related with a fluid source, a drop-carrying element coupled to the deposit device, a transport mechanism for positioning the device at a precisely referenced position over the receiving surface, and a drive mechanism for moving the element, relatively, in deposition motion toward and away from the surface.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for depositing fluid dots on a receiving surface in an array, comprising: 
 a deposit device cooperatively related with a fluid source;    a multiplicity of drop-carrying elements coupled to the deposit device;    a transport mechanism for positioning the device at a precisely referenced position over the receiving surface; and    a drive mechanism for moving the element, relatively, in deposition motion toward and away from the surface.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  further including a multiplicity of fluid-retaining structures, each co-operatively arranged with the drop-carrying element and constructed to retain fluid including biological material by surface tension.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein each said fluid-retaining structure is constructed and shaped for at least partial immersion into a well including the biological material.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said fluid-retaining structure includes a circular-shaped member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said fluid-retaining structure includes a U-shaped member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein fluid-retaining structure includes a helical member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein fluid-retaining structure includes a closed shape member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein fluid-retaining structure includes a partially closed shape member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein fluid-retaining structure is made of a material providing appropriate surface tension for retaining said liquid including biological material and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said fluid-retaining structure includes a circular-shaped member for said retention of liquid by surface tension and said drop-carrying element is constructed to move with respect to said member to receive said fluid therefrom.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said drop-carrying element includes a pin.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said deposit device is constructed to urge said drop-carrying element to a predetermined position to achieve said precisely referenced position when said drop-carrying elements is in contact with the receiving surface.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said deposit device is constructed to achieve said precisely referenced position using a gravity element.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said deposit device is constructed to achieve said precisely referenced position using a spring.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the receiving surface includes a rigid, smooth substrate.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the rigid, smooth substrate is a glass slide.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the receiving surface includes a porous membrane.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the receiving surface includes a nitrocellulose.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the receiving surface includes a cellulose acetate, polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) or nylon.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the receiving surface includes a gel.