Process and assembly to apply and fix biochemically-active micro- and nano- micro-spheres on a substrate, especially useful in biochemical analysis such as DNA, viral and genetic testing

摘要

Process and assembly for fixing biochemically-active micro- and nano- micro-spheres (2) to a substrate (1). A process and assembly for fixing biochemically-active micro- and nano- micro-spheres (2) to a substrate (1). The micro-spheres (2) are charged into a funnel (5) whose internal volume is sub-divided into a number of passages whose cross-sectional area reduces towards the outlet (7) at the base. The diameter of the outlet (7) is such that only one micro-sphere (2) may be discharged at a time. The funnel (5) is pre-positioned as required at the substrate (1) surface and the spheres are presented to the surface by the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the funnel (5). The spheres are then fixed by chemical or physical means e.g. short exposure to UV light (13) to induce polymerization.