Patent ID: 8691147
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: B01L,C12M,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet, the apparatus comprising a processing compartment and a medium disposed in said processing compartment, wherein said processing compartment is defined by a reservoir and an immobilisation member, wherein said medium is (i) immiscible with said liquid droplet, and (ii) of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet; wherein said reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base, and wherein said immobilisation member is (i) arranged within said reservoir, and (ii) comprises a surface, wherein the surface is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilisation area, wherein (a) the at least one predefined immobilisation area within said surface is (i) of a higher surface energy than said medium, (ii) of a higher surface energy than the remaining surface, and (iii) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width in the plane of the surface to allow, in said medium, the immobilisation of the liquid droplet on the at least one predefined immobilisation area via interfacial interactions, and (b) the remaining surface is of at most the same surface energy as said medium.