Apparatus and Methods for Controlling Application of a Substance to a Substrate

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a biological component to a surface, comprising:
 a first substrate;   a printhead for jetting a functional agent onto the first substrate in a first pattern;   a first apparatus configured to introduce a first principal substance to the functional agent and transfer the first principal substance to a second substrate in the first pattern; and   a second apparatus configured to apply a second principal substance to the second substrate;   wherein the first principal substance and the second principal substance undergo a biological interaction to determine a second pattern of the second principal substance associated with the second substrate, and wherein the biological interaction is at least one of a cell surface antigen interaction, a protein-nucleic acid interaction, a nucleic acid-nucleic acid interaction, extracellular matrix protein interactions, growth factor interactions, and cell adhesion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises at least one of a web of nitrocellulose, a membrane, a film, an electrically conductive surface, glass, a paper, a ceramic, a metal, a plastic, a tissue, a mesh, a biocompatible substrate, a gel, a rubber, a microfluidic channel, a pre-coated surface, a sterile surface, an applied principal substance, an applied functional agent, a disc, a continuous loop, a roller, a blanket roller, a hollow matrix, and a three dimensional structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises at least one of a hydrophobic surface, a hydrophilic surface, a porous surface, an electrically conductive surface, a heated surface, a cooled surface, a smooth surface, a textured surface, a concave surface, a convex surface, a surface having a channel, a surface having a raised ridge, a conical surface, a cylindrical surface, a reflective surface, and a surface having a matte finish. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the functional agent comprises at least one of a chemoattractant, a chemorepellant, a multifunctional agent, an aqueous composition, a saline solution, an intracellular cell signaling chemical, an extracellular matrix protein, an antibody, a sugar, a lipid, an enzyme, a cell, a biological sample, a bodily fluid, a cell, an organelle, a peptide, a protein, a sugar, a vesicle, a salt, a pharmaceutical compound, a nucleotide, a nucleic acid, a plasmid, a vaccine, an enzyme, a small molecule, a virus, a bacteria, an inorganic salt, an antibiotic, a dye, a fluorescent compound, a polymer, a cytokine, a chemokine, a neurotransmitter, an amino acid, a receptor, a coreceptor, a glycoprotein, a glycolipid, a phospholipid, an acid, a base, a catalyst, a pigment, a metal, an adjuvant, a filler, a hydrophobic agent, an oxidant, a reductant, and a hydrophilic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the principal substance comprises at least one of a chemoattractant, a chemorepellant, a multifunctional agent, an aqueous composition, a saline solution, an intracellular cell signaling chemical, an extracellular matrix protein, an antibody, a sugar, a lipid, an enzyme, a cell, a biological sample, a bodily fluid, a cell, an organelle, a peptide, a protein, a sugar, a vesicle, a salt, a pharmaceutical compound, a nucleotide, a nucleic acid, a plasmid, a vaccine, an enzyme, a small molecule, a virus, a bacteria, an inorganic salt, an antibiotic, a dye, a fluorescent compound, a polymer, a cytokine, a chemokine, a neurotransmitter, an amino acid, a receptor, a coreceptor, a glycoprotein, a glycolipid, a phospholipid, an acid, a base, a catalyst, a pigment, a metal, an adjuvant, a filler, a hydrophobic agent, and a hydrophilic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises at least one of a two dimensional pattern, a three dimensional pattern, a repeating pattern, a continuous pattern, an indicium, a picture, and a gradient pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second pattern comprises at least one of a two dimensional pattern, a three dimensional pattern, a repeating pattern, a continuous pattern, an indicium, a picture, and a gradient pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate and the jetting means are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first substrate is rotatable relative to the jetting means. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second substrates are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second substrates are rotatable relative to one another.