Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a ring pattern, such that the outer edge of the ring pattern is circular or oval along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a ring pattern, such that the outer edge of the ring pattern is circular or oval along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated systems and methods for washing microtiter plates that offer advantages such as increased efficiency and decreased contamination during the washing process. In an exemplary embodiment, an automated system for washing multiwell plates comprises an arm having a metal portion and having a multiwell plate holder for holding a multiwell plate; a first rotational servo configured to rotate the multiwell plate about a first axis; a second rotational servo configured to rotate the arm about a second axis; and a controller configured to operate the system to dispels fluid in the multiwell plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improved detection sensitivity of assays. The systems include an upper plate that is inserted into a well of testing well, such as a base microtiter plate. For bottom detection, a coating, including polymer coatings or membrane coatings, is applied to an insert portion of the upper plate, and the base plate includes transparent windows. In bottom detection, a detector will image from below the base plate. Alternatively, for top detection, the coating is applied to the well of the base plate, and the upper plate includes transparent windows. In top detection, a detector will image from above the upper plate. Analysis features, including capture antibody features or antigen features, can be printed on the coating surface for forward-phase assays or reverse-phase assays, respectively. Methods for making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for printing in-well calibration features onto assay substrates. An apparatus includes a testing substrate; a plurality of capture compound features in a well of the testing substrate; a calibration feature on one of the capture compound features in the well of the testing substrate, where the calibration feature has a known concentration of a compound that is capable of binding to the capture compound; and at least one additional capture compound feature in the same well of the testing substrate, where the at least one additional capture compound feature does not have a calibration feature printed onto the at least one additional capture compound feature. Methods for using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow composite images with enhanced dynamic range to be generated that result in more accurate, reliable, and efficient chemical and/or biological analyses. The disclosed systems include an image detector; a timer for tracking exposure time of the image detector; and computer readable medium, including instructions that when executed cause a computer system to generate a composite image using the multiple images of pixels.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for applying blocking material to assay substrates are disclosed. A method includes supplying an assay substrate having at least one surface. A first portion of the surface of the substrate has at least one analysis feature thereon, and a second portion of the surface of the substrate lacks analysis features. The method also includes generating a spray of a blocking material in proximity to the surface of the substrate and continuing the spray generation in proximity to the surface of the substrate at least until the second portion of the surface of the substrate is substantially covered by the blocking material.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for printing in-well calibration features onto assay substrates. An apparatus includes a testing substrate; a plurality of capture compound features in a well of the testing substrate; a calibration feature on one of the capture compound features in the well of the testing substrate, where the calibration feature has a known concentration of a compound that is capable of binding to the capture compound; and at least one additional capture compound feature in the same well of the testing substrate, where the at least one additional capture compound feature does not have a calibration feature printed onto the at least one additional capture compound feature. Methods for using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a circular or oval pattern along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow composite images with enhanced dynamic range to be generated that result in more accurate, reliable, and efficient chemical and/or biological analyses. The disclosed systems include an image detector; a timer for tracking exposure time of the image detector; and computer readable medium, including instructions that when executed cause a computer system to generate a composite image using the multiple images of pixels.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.