Non-Contact Devices and Methods for Preparation of a Hybridization Substrate
The present application relates to an apparatus and method for non-contact collapsing of a porous material on a nonporous substrate.
1 . A method of manufacturing a hybridization chamber, the method comprising:
providing a substrate having a porous layer disposed upon the substrate, wherein the porous layer provides a foundation for positioning an array; and
removing a portion of the porous layer using non-contact means, wherein the removed portion forms a moat defining a boundary for the hybridization chamber.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-contact means is a radiative heating element.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the radiative heating element is a resistive heater.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-contact means is a laser.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the laser is a CO 2 laser.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning a gasket in the moat, wherein the gasket provides a nonporous seal around the hybridization chamber.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the nonporous seal substantially inhibits the flow of liquids.
8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising depositing an array on the porous layer in the hybridization chamber.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing is done without substantially contacting the porous layer.
10 . A substrate for hybridization, comprising:
a porous layer, wherein the porous layer is adapted for depositing an array; and
a moat in the porous layer, wherein the moat is formed using non-contact means.
11 . The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the non-contact means is a radiative heating element.
12 . The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the non-contact means is a laser.
13 . The substrate of claim 10 , further comprising an array.
14 . A laser assembly for providing a hybridization chamber, comprising:
a laser adapted to form a moat in a porous layer of a hybridization substrate; and
a mechanism to position the laser light on a portion of the porous layer.
15 . The laser assembly of claim 14 , wherein the mechanism comprises at least one of a linear actuator and a galvanometer scan assembly.
16 . A heating assembly for providing a hybridization chamber, comprising:
a die adapted to form a moat in a porous layer of a hybridization substrate;
a mechanical stop to provide a gap between the die and the substrate, wherein the gap is adapted to form the moat in the porous layer without substantially contacting the porous layer; and
a holder comprising a thermal path adapted to form the moat in the porous layer.
17 . A system for the automated preparation of hybridization substrates, comprising:
a collapsing assembly mounted on a first linear actuator, said collapsing assembly having a non-contact means for removing a portion of a porous layer of a hybridization substrate, wherein the non-contact means is mounted on a second linear actuator; and
a third linear actuator to position a slide holder.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the non-contact means is a radiative heating element.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the non-contact means is a laser.
20 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a fourth linear actuator to position a spotting head.
21 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a camera to inspect a moat formed on the substrate.