Robotic microchannel bioanalytical instrument
US6627446B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.