TIP DESIGN AND RANDOM ACCESS ARRAY FOR MICROFLUIDIC TRANSFER

摘要

The present invention relates to a ceramic tip (200) and a random access print head (230) for the transfer of microfluidic quantities of fluid. The print head (230) can randomly collect and deposit fluid samples to transfer the samples from a source plate (29) to a target (30). The print head (230) can also be programmed to create a direct map of the fluid samples from the source plate (29) on the target (30) or to create any desired pattern or print on the target (30). The tip (200) and print head (230) can be used for a wide variety of applications such as DNA microarraying and compound reformatting. In one preferred embodiment, the tip (200) is used as a capillary or "gravity" pin to draw or collect source fluid and "spot" or deposit the fluid onto the target (30) via physical contact (touch-off). In another preferred embodiment, the tip (200) is used in conjunction with an aspirate-dispense system (10) to actively aspirate source fluid and deposit the fluid via a contact or non-contact approach. The tip (200) provides improved, accurate and repeatable microfluidic transfer.