Apparatus for deposition and inspection of chemical and biological fluids
US6689319B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC40B60/14
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for producing and inspecting a plurality of deposited features in a pattern on a portion of a substrate surface, as in an oligonucleotide array. The apparatus comprises a printhead for depositing a fluid to form the array of features on the substrate surface and a camera for imaging the deposited features. The apparatus also comprises a printhead controller for positioning and activating the inkjet printhead to deposit the array features. The camera, e.g., a digital line scan camera, is controlled by a camera controller such that the camera acquires images corresponding to substantially only the portion of the surface on which features should have been deposited. The camera and printhead are preferably situated such that an induced movement of the printhead relative to the substrate results in a substantially identical corresponding movement of the camera. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises means for comparing an image acquired by the camera with a predetermined standard to produce a signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.