Apparatus and method for mixing a film of fluid

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient thereby mixing the fluid.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method comprising:
 providing a first substrate and a second substrate having inner surfaces that define a closed chamber therebetween, said closed chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces, and wherein at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polynucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides;   introducing a fluid containing a plurality of components into the closed chamber so as to provide a quantity of fluid therein in contact with both inner surfaces;   providing a bubble in the fluid in the closed chamber; and   moving the provided bubble within the fluid in the closed chamber to result in mixing.   
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the polynucleotide is a polyribonucleotide. 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the chamber is adapted to retain a film of fluid in contact with both inner surfaces. 
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 44 , wherein the chamber is up to several millimeters in thickness. 
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the chamber is up to three millimeters in thickness. 
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the chamber is up to two millimeters in thickness. 
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the bubble is moved within the closed chamber using discrete sources for creating individual bubbles at selected locations within the closed chamber. 
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein said discrete source is a heat source. 
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein said discrete source is a radiofrequency source. 
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein said discrete source is a microwave source. 
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein said discrete source is a light source. 
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein said discrete source is a mechanical source. 
     
     
         55 . A method of  claim 50 , wherein the heat source is positioned adjacent an inner surface of at least one of the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         56 . A method of  claim 55 , wherein the heat source comprises resistors arranged in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polynucleotides. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  42 , wherein the at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with polypeptides. 
     
     
         59 . A method comprising:
 providing a first substrate and a second substrate having inner surfaces that define a closed chamber therebetween, said chamber adapted to retain a quantity of fluid so that the fluid is in contact with both inner surfaces, and wherein at least one of said inner surfaces is functionalized with an array of RNA or DNA probes;   introducing a fluid sample containing DNA or RNA into the closed chamber so as to provide a quantity of fluid therein in contact with both inner surfaces;   providing a bubble in the fluid in the closed chamber;   moving a bubble within the fluid in the closed chamber to result in mixing;   after hybridization is complete, removing the sample from the apparatus; and   analyzing the functionalized inner surface for DNA or RNA that has hybridized.   
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 59 , additionally comprising heating the DNA or RNA containing sample fluid while in the closed chamber. 
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 59 , additionally comprising washing the functionalized inner surface prior to the analyzing. 
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 59 , wherein the bubble is moved in a circular pattern.