Devices, methods and systems for low volume microarray processing

Abstract

Devices, methods and systems for low volume microarray processing are disclosed. The microarray devices preferably include a plurality of reactant sites on a reactant surface. The reactant sites include reactants that operate to capture one or more selected analytes that can then be detected based on an electromagnetic signal, e.g., fluorescence, that is emitted by each analyte in response to excitation energy incident on the microarray device. Mixing and/or distribution of the analyte sample over the reactant surface is accomplished by tilting the reactant surface such that the analyte sample flows over the reactant surface under the force of gravity. The tilting is performed such that a portion of the analyte sample accumulates in a bead along a first edge of the reactant surface. The reactant surface is then tilted in a different direction such that a portion of the analyte sample flows over the reactant surface and accumulates at a second edge. The reactant surface preferably generates sufficient capillary forces with the analyte sample such that the analyte sample is retained on the reactant surface. The tilting and resultant flow may be performed as many times as necessary to obtain the desired mixing and/or distribution of analyte sample over the reactant surface.

1 . A microarray device for low volume fluid processing, the device comprising: 
 a substrate;    a hydrophilic microreplicated structured reactant surface on the substrate; and    a plurality of reactant sites dispersed over the reactant surface, wherein the plurality of reactant sites are distinct from each other.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reactant surface comprises a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending between a first edge of the reactant surface and a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reactant surface comprises a plurality of channels extending from a first edge of the reactant surface to a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for low volume fluid processing, the apparatus comprising: 
 a carrier; and    a plurality of separate reactant surfaces located on a surface of the carrier, wherein each reactant surface comprises a hydrophilic microreplicated structured reactant surface and a plurality of reactant sites dispersed over the reactant surface, wherein the plurality of reactant sites are distinct from each other.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending between a first edge of the reactant surface and a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending between a first edge of the reactant surface and a second edge of the reactant surface, and further wherein the plurality of channels in the separate reactant surfaces are aligned with each other.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a plurality of channels extending from a first edge of the reactant surface to a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending from a first edge of the reactant surface to a second edge of the reactant surface, and further wherein the plurality of channels in the separate reactant surfaces are aligned with each other.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for low volume fluid processing, the apparatus comprising: 
 a carrier; and    a plurality of separate reactant surfaces located on a surface of the carrier in an 8×12 array with 9 millimeter spacing in both row and column directions, wherein each reactant surface comprises a hydrophilic reactant surface and a plurality of reactant sites dispersed over the reactant surface, wherein the plurality of reactant sites are distinct from each other.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of reactant surfaces comprises 96 reactant surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a microreplicated structured surface comprising a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending between a first edge of the reactant surface and a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a microreplicated structured surface comprising a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending between a first edge of the reactant surface and a second edge of the reactant surface, and further wherein the plurality of channels in the separate reactant surfaces are aligned with each other.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a microreplicated structured surface comprising a plurality of channels extending from a first edge of the reactant surface to a second edge of the reactant surface.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the reactant surfaces comprises a microreplicated structured surface comprising a plurality of channels aligned with an axis extending from a first edge of the reactant surface to a second edge of the reactant surface, and further wherein the plurality of channels in the separate reactant surfaces are aligned with each other.