RoboDesign International of Carlsbad, Calif., has received US Patent No. 7,025,933, "Microarray dispensing with real-time verification and inspection." The patent claims a microarrayer for spotting solution onto a receiving surface via an automated microarray dispensing device. The patented invention claims at least one dispense head for spotting the receiving surface, at least one light source capable of illuminating the receiving surface, and at least one camera operating in conjunction with the one light source. According to the patent's abstract, the camera is capable of acquiring and transmitting surface image data to a computer that is programmed to receive the data and analyze it. The computer then generates post-analysis data based on the analysis of the surface image data and that can be used for improving the spotting of the solution.
Illumina of San Diego has received US Patent No. 7,025,935, "Apparatus and methods for reformatting liquid samples." The patent claims an apparatus and method for transferring a plurality of samples from an array of source sample locations to an array of destination sample locations. According to the patent's abstract, the invention can be used for reformatting samples in cases where the array of source sample locations differs in shape or orientation from the array of destination sample locations. It can also be used to transfer fluid samples in the absence of an externally applied force, the abstract states.
Agilent Technologies of Palo Alto, Calif., has received US Patent No. 7,026,124, "Method and multiple reservoir apparatus for fabrication of biomolecular arrays." The patent claims methods and an apparatus for delivering a plurality of different biological materials onto discrete locations on a receiving surface, for example to fabricate an array. The orifice member should have at least six delivery chambers each in fluid-conducting relationship with at least one of the orifices, and a plurality of reservoirs each in fluid communication with at least one of the delivery chambers. It should also have means associated with each orifice for propelling fluid through the associated orifice from the delivery chamber that is in fluid conducting relationship with the orifice, and a vent for commonly venting at least two of the reservoirs.
Agilent has also received US Patent No. 7,026,573, "Methods for producing glass substrates for use in biopolymeric microarrays." The patent describes methods for producing glass substrates having scribed edges with straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions in order to create microarray glass substrates. To produce the substrates, at least one scribe line is scribed in glass using reduced laser power at the beginning and end of each scribe line relative to the laser power used to scribe the remaining portions of each respective scribe line, according to the patent's abstract. The scribed glass is then divided to produce a plurality of scribed glass pieces, each having straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions. The scribed glass can then be used as substrates for biopolymeric microarrays, according to the abstract.
Agilent has also received US Patent No. 7,027,629, "Method of extracting locations of nucleic acid array features." The patent claims methods for correcting systematic errors in the measured position of deposited features of a nucleic acid array on a substrate. Systematic errors are modeled by an algorithmic model based on measuring the positions of a subset of the features, and a model is constructed for predicting deviations in feature position from an ideal grid, enabling deviations arising in the deposition process, the scanning process, or both to be corrected, according to the patent.