Abstract: A spraying device for dispensing electrostatic liquid droplets includes a container holding a liquid at one end, and having a nozzle assembly with an aperture at another end. The nozzle assembly includes a longitudinal hollow tube terminating in a metallic structure. The metallic structure includes a metallic base plate having at least one aperture formed therein for fluid communication with the hollow tube. The longitudinal hollow tube includes an end inserted in the liquid. A charge accumulator disposed in the liquid accumulates electrostatic charges. A wire conductor between the base plate and the charge accumulator transfers the electrostatic charges from the liquid to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A method for accomplishing a plurality of combinatorial processes in parallel using a microelectronic and fluidic array (device array) having micron-sized reservoirs, connecting microchannels and reaction cells etched into a substrate. The device array has a top feedthru plate, a center distribution plate and a bottom cell plate. The top feedthru plate serves as a cover for the device array and contains apertures selectively positioned above the reservoirs located in the center distribution plate. The center distribution plate includes a plurality of micron sized reservoirs, microchannels, reservoir feeds, cell feeds and overflow feeds for the distribution of reagent fluids to the reaction cells located in the bottom cell plate. The detachable bottom cell plate serves as a microlaboratory tray of reaction cells. Once the proper reagents or other materials are introduced into the reaction cells, the bottom cell plate is decoupled from the device array and removed for incubation or analysis.

Abstract: A substrate is robotically picked up at a station and transported to a measuring station to measure the distance to a reference. The substrate is aligned to a robot before measurement. The measured substrate is then transported to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic powder/grain deposition station where the powder/grains are controllably deposited on the substrate to predetermined thicknesses over a plurality of powder/grain collection zones. The deposited powder/grains are then measured to determine the thickness and area covered by the deposited powder/grains at each collection zone. The substrate is then transported to a lamination station and each collection zone of powder/grains is welded to a cover substrate. The system remembers which collection zones are out of specification so that they can be later selectively discarded.

Abstract: A substrate is roboticaly picked up at a station and transported to a measuring station to measure the distance to a reference. The substrate is aligned to a robot before measurement. The measured substrate is then transported to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic powder/grain deposition station where the powder/grains are controllably deposited on the substrate to predetermined thicknesses over a plurality of powder/grain collection zones. The deposited powder/grains are then measured to determine the thickness and area covered by the deposited powder/grains at each collection zone. The substrate is then transported to a lamination station and each collection zone of powder/grains is welded to a cover substrate. The system remembers which collection zones are out of specification so that they can be later selectively discarded.

Abstract: A display as for images and/or information comprises a plurality of linearly addressed light-emitting fibers disposed in side-by-side arrangement to define a viewing surface. Each light-emitting fiber includes a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed along its length which is linearly addressed by signals provided by a drive circuit at one end thereof. Linear addressing signals are either optical signals or electrical signals, and may be frequency modulated, digitally encoded or analog encoded. A detector associated with each pixel detects the linear addressing signal and decodes same to activate and deactivate organic or inorganic light-emitting material elements. Thus, the light-emitting elements emit light to display a pixel or sub-pixel of the image and/or information. The light-emitting fiber may include a transparent fiber as substrate for propagating the optical signals therethrough and may include electrical conductors disposed along its length for propagating the electrical signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the enhancement of fluorescence wherein a fluorophor is connected to a textured material. The method can be used in any forensic or medical diagnostic assay, particularly where the absence or presence of a molecule having a concentration of less than about 1 .mu.g/ml is desirably determined.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of performing a synthetic process in a liquid distribution system having reaction cells, by pumping at least one reagent into a reaction cell.

Abstract: A system and method for accomplishing a plurality of combinatorial processes in parallel comprising a microelectronic and fluidic array (device array) having micron-sized reservoirs, connecting microchannels and reaction cells etched into a substrate. The device array is supported by a station which serves to interface and perform electro-optic measurements of material in the reaction cells of the device array. The device array incorporates a modular configuration with three distinct layers or plates. The device array comprises a top feedthru plate, a center distribution plate and a bottom cell plate. The three plates are stacked vertically and coupled together to form a liquid-tight seal. Reservoirs, microchannels and reactions cells are controllably etched onto the plates using traditional semiconductor fabrication techniques. The top feedthru plate serves as a cover for the device array and contains apertures selectively positioned above the reservoirs located in the center distribution plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay system for conducting elevated temperature reactions in a fluid-tight manner within a reaction chamber, the assay system comprising: (a) a first assembly comprising the reaction chamber, and (b) a second assembly for temperature control, wherein the second assembly can be positioned adjacent to the reaction chamber. More particularly, the invention relates to an assay system comprising (a) a reaction chamber having a cover formed of a deformable material and (b) a mechanism for rapidly adjusting the temperature of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for detecting light from, for example, closely spaced detection sites. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for measuring the amount of light emitted from or transmitted through two or more detection sites of a first set of detection sites on a planar substrate while spatially resolving the measurements for each detection site of the first set, the apparatus comprising: for each detection site of the first set, an addressable source of a light beam directed to that detection site at a first angle; and an array detector comprising a plurality of light responsive pixels, wherein for each detection site of the first set there is at least one light responsive pixel that receives light emitted from or transmitted through that detection site at a second angle that can be the same as the first angle.

Abstract: A method of making a dielectric substrate array for conducting a plurality of reactions in parallel in a number of wells, the method comprising: forming a first passage and a second passage each extending through a dielectric substrate, the substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface; forming a plurality of channels on said first or second surface, including a first channel, a second channel, a third channel and a fourth channel on the substrate, wherein the first channel is on the first surface and intersects with the first passage, wherein the second channel is on the second surface and intersects with both of the first passage and the second passage, wherein the third channel is on the first surface and intersects with the second passage, wherein the fourth channel is on the first surface and is located between the outlets of the first and second passage at the first surface, and wherein (a) the connected first channel, first passage, second channel, second passage and third channel def

Abstract: The invention provides a parallel reaction device for conducting reactions therein comprising one or more reaction flow-ways, each such reaction flow-way comprising one or more chambers connected serially by fluid exchange channels, additional fluid exchange channels connecting such reaction channels in parallel, valve means for initiating and impeding the flow of fluids through such fluid exchange channels, and means for moving the flow of fluids into and out of such chambers.

Abstract: The invention provides electrode-based pumps and methods of operating such pumps. In one embodiment, the invention provides an electrode-based pump situated in a fluid channel comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes have a diameter from about 25 microns to about 100 microns and are spaced from about 100 microns to about 2,500 microns apart. In another embodiment, the invention provides an electrode-based pump comprising a first electrode, second electrode and third electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of performing an immunological assay separately and in parallel for each of at least a first sample containing or prospectively containing a first binding moiety, which can be an antigen or an antibody, and a second sample containing or prospectively containing the first binding moiety, the method comprising: placing the first sample and the second sample into an array comprising a solid substrate, a plurality of wells and channels, wherein at least one channel is a crossover channel formed in the upper surface of the substrate and is situated above another channel formed in the lower surface of the substrate, thereby forming crossovers comprising crossing but non-intersecting channels; moving said first sample into a first well containing a second binding moiety, which can be an antigen or an antibody, that binds to the first binding moiety, wherein the second binding moiety is bound to the walls of the first well; moving said second sample into a second well containin

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for detecting light from, for example, closely spaced detection sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid distribution system, which is useful in a number of contexts, including in accomplishing various synthetic, diagnostic and drug screening reactions. The distribution system can comprise an alpha reservoir and a beta reservoir, a first set of parallel and adjacent first and second feeder channels and a second set of parallel and adjacent third and fourth feeder channels which are offset from the first and second feeder channels, wherein (a) the first and third feeder channels are connected to the alpha reservoir via a first connector channel that is situated above or below the second and fourth feeder channels and are independent of the beta reservoir and (b) the second and fourth feeder channels are connected to the beta reservoir via a second connector channel that is situated above or below the first and third feeder channels and are independent of the alpha reservoir. The distribution system is preferably a microscale distribution system.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of tests or syntheses in parallel comprising a sample channel for moving samples into a microlaboratory array of a plurality of wells connected by one or more channels for the testing or synthesis of samples, a station for housing the array and an optical system comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector for measuring the samples in the array, and a means of electrically connecting said array to an apparatus capable of monitoring and controlling the flow of fluids into the array.Samples are loaded from a common loading channel into the array, processed in the wells and measurements taken by the optical system. The array can process many samples, or synthesize many compounds in parallel, reducing the time required for such processes.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of tests or syntheses in parallel comprising a sample channel for moving samples into a microlaboratory array of a plurality of wells connected by one or more channels for the testing-or synthesis of samples, a station for housing the array and an optical system comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector for measuring the samples in the array, and a means of electrically connecting said array to an apparatus capable of monitoring and controlling the flow of fluids into the array. Samples are loaded from a common loading channel into the array, processed in the wells and measurements taken by the optical system. The array can process many samples, or synthesize many compounds in parallel, reducing the time required for such processes. Etching from both sides of a substrate using patterned photoresist and metal layers to form a network of capillary channels for separately transporting a plurality of different liquids.

Abstract: Methods are provided for synthesizing a plurality of compounds in parallel. The methods use cross-over channels for moving samples from a reservoir of starting materials into a plurality of wells. The movement is achieved, for example, using an electrokinetic pump.