Apparatus and method for aligning a microarray printing head

Abstract

An alignment apparatus and method are described for accurately and reliably depositing biological materials on a microscope slide or other substrate. A preferred implementation includes a first mounting assembly that enables rotation of deposit elements around a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface using one or more bearing surfaces concentric with the first axis. A second mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a second axis parallel to the depositing surface, and a third mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a third axis that is parallel to the depositing surface and perpendicular to the second axis. Various types of deposit elements may be used, such as pins, quills, or jetting elements.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . A method for registering a print head with respect to a surface, comprising the steps of: 
 (1) moving the print head in a circular motion around a first axis in a yaw direction so that it is aligned with respect to a yaw reference;    (2) moving the print head in a circular motion around a second axis in a roll direction so that it is aligned with respect to a roll reference; and    (3) moving the print head in a circular motion around a third axis in a pitch direction so that it is aligned with respect to a pitch reference;    wherein, the print head deposits biological materials on the surface.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (4) after step (1), securing the print head in the aligned yaw direction;    (5) after step (2), securing the print head in the aligned roll direction; and    (6) after step (3), securing the print head in the aligned pitch direction.    
     
     
         32 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the biological materials comprise one or more probes selected from the group consisting of oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, peptides, and complex proteins.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the print head includes one or more deposit elements selected from the group consisting of pins, quills, and jetting elements.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the second and third axes are perpendicular to each other.    
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the circular motion around the first axis is uncoupled from the circular motion around one or both of the second and third axes, respectively.    
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the circular motion around the second axis is uncoupled from the circular motion around one or both of the first and third axes, respectively.    
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the surface is a surface of a substrate; and    the method further comprises holding the substrate.    
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein: 
 the surface of the substrate is substantially flat.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein: 
 the substrate includes a microscope slide.    
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the yaw reference, roll reference, and pitch reference are determined so that the biological materials are deposited from each of the deposit elements at substantially a ninety degree angle to the surface.