Systems for Filling a Sample Array by Droplet Dragging

Abstract

A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a through-hole array, comprising:
 providing a glass substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;   using a laser to form a plurality of through-holes extending from the first surface to the second surface;   wherein at least some of the through-holes have a volume of less than 100 nanoliters.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the through-holes have a volume of about 10-7 cm 3  or greater. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising loading at least some of the plurality of through-holes with a liquid by placing a drop proximal one of the surfaces and dragging the droplet across the proximal surface. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a through-hole array, comprising:
 providing a silicon substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;   using a laser to form a plurality of through-holes extending from the first surface to the second surface;   wherein at least some of the through-holes have a volume of less than 100 nanoliters.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the through-holes have a volume of about 10-7 cm 3  or greater. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising loading at least some of the plurality of through-holes with a liquid by placing a drop proximal one of the surfaces and dragging the droplet across the proximal surface. 
     
     
         15 . A through-hole array, comprising:
 a substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;   a plurality of through-holes extending from the first surface to the second surface, at least some of the through-holes having a volume of less than 100 nanoliters;   wherein the substrate comprises a glass material or a silicon material.   
     
     
         16 . The through-hole array of  claim 15 , wherein at least some of the through-holes have a volume of about 10-7 cm 3  or greater. 
     
     
         17 . The through-hole array of  claim 15 , wherein the substrate is a silicon wafer. 
     
     
         18 . The through-hole array of  claim 15 , wherein a volume of at least some of the through-holes varies with spatial location on the array. 
     
     
         19 . The through-hole array of  claim 15 , wherein a lateral dimension of at least some of the through-holes varies with spatial location on the array. 
     
     
         20 . The through-hole array of  claim 15 , wherein a thickness of at least a portion of substrate including at least some of the through-holes varies with spatial location on the array. 
     
     
         21 . A system for analyzing specified properties of a set of substances, the system comprising:
 a through-hole array according to  claim 15 ; and   a detector array comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels, the detector disposed such that at least some of the through-holes of the array of through-holes are imaged on different pixels of the array of pixel.