Small volume chambers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a reaction chamber having relatively small volumes. An apparatus comprises two elements and a mechanism for introducing a gas to form a movable aerodynamic seal between the elements. In this manner a chamber having a controllable interior environment is formed. One of the elements may have at least a portion of a device for dispensing reagents sealingly affixed therein. The other element may be adapted for introduction of a support into the interior of the chamber formed by the top and the bottom element. The apparatus may be used in methods for synthesizing biopolymers on a support.

1 . An apparatus for preparing an array of chemical compounds on the surface of a support, said apparatus comprising two elements that are in a sealed, movable relationship relative to one another and that form a chamber having a controllable interior environment for preparing said array of chemical compounds.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said two elements are a top element and a bottom element and wherein one of said elements comprises a mechanism for introducing a gas into a gap between said top element and said bottom element to form a movable aerodynamic seal between said top element and said bottom element.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said mechanism is adapted to introduce said gas adjacent the perimeter of said top element and the perimeter of said bottom element.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  comprising a bottom wall and side walls wherein said mechanism for introducing a gas comprises openings in said side walls and a source of said gas.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said gas is introduced into at a pressure of about 20 to about 50 psi.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said top element has sealingly affixed therein at least a portion of a device for dispensing reagents.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said bottom element is adapted for introduction of a support therethrough and said support is releasably attached to a platform for moving said support relative to said dispensing device and said bottom element relative to said top element.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said platform comprises a theta stage moved by an x,y linear stage.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  comprising a gas inlet for introducing a second gas into the interior of said chamber and a gas outlet for exiting said second gas from said chamber.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the flow of said second gas through the interior of said chamber is substantially uniform.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  comprising a mechanism for dispersing said second gas within the interior of said chamber.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said mechanism comprises one or more gas inlets and a manifold comprising one or more compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with a respective gas inlet.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said manifold comprises one or more features for diffusing gas introduced into said manifold.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  comprising a porous element between said manifold and said chamber.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said gas outlet comprises a mechanism for controlling the exit flow of said second gas.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said top element comprises glass.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said device for dispensing reagents is selected from the group consisting of print heads and print nozzles.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  comprising a device for dispensing reagents for synthesizing an array of chemical compounds on a support wherein at least a portion of said device is within said chamber.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18  herein said reagents are reagents for synthesizing an array of biopolymers on said support.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said top element comprises a mechanism for introducing a gas into a gap between said top element and said bottom element and said bottom element comprises a support and a holder for said support.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of biopolymers on a support in the form of an array, comprising: 
 (a) a top element having sealingly affixed therein at least a portion of a device for dispensing reagents for synthesizing said biopolymers on a surface of said support,    (b) a bottom element adapted for introduction of a said support therethrough wherein a surface of said support comprises discrete sites that are activated for reaction with said reagents,    (c) a mechanism for introducing a gas to form a movable aerodynamic seal between said top element and said bottom element thereby forming a chamber having a controllable interior environment, and    (d) a platform to which said support is releasably attached for moving said surface of said support relative to said dispensing device and said bottom element relative to said top element.    
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said mechanism is adapted to introduce said gas adjacent the perimeter of said bottom element.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  comprising a bottom wall and side walls wherein said mechanism for introducing a gas comprises openings in said side walls and a source of said gas.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said gas is introduced into at a pressure of about 20 to about 50 psi.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said gas is introduced into a gap between said top element and said bottom element.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said platform comprises a theta stage moved by an x,y linear stage.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  comprising a gas inlet for introducing a second gas into the interior of said chamber and a gas outlet for exiting said second gas from said chamber.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the flow of said second gas through the interior of said chamber is substantially uniform.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus according to  claim 28  comprising a mechanism for dispersing said second gas within the interior of said chamber.  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said mechanism comprises one or more gas inlets and a manifold comprising one or more compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with a respective gas inlet.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus according to  claim 30  wherein said manifold comprises one or more features for diffusing gas introduced into said manifold.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus according to  claim 30  comprising a porous element between said manifold and said chamber.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein said gas outlet comprises an exit door or an exit nozzle.  
     
     
         34 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said top element comprises glass.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said device for dispensing reagents is selected from the group consisting of print heads and print nozzles.  
     
     
         36 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  comprising a device for dispensing reagents for synthesizing an array of biopolymer features on a support wherein at least a portion of said device is within said chamber.  
     
     
         37 . An apparatus according to  claim 36  wherein said reagents are reagents for synthesizing an array of oligonucleotides on said support.  
     
     
         38 - 67 . (canceled)