Patent ID: 6485905
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B82Y,C12Q,G01N,H01J,Y10S

Abstract:
A bio-assay array test system, comprising:(1) a test fixture comprising: (a) a bio-assay device comprising a plurality of multiple-port signal paths, each multiple-port signal path having at least one signal input port and one signal output port, the multiple-port signal path operable to support the propagation of a test signal at one or more frequencies from 10 MHz to 1000 GHz and comprising: (i) a transmission line connected between the at least one signal input port and the at least one signal output port; (ii) a ground element; and (iii) a dielectric substrate attached between the transmission line and ground element; and (b) a plurality of sample cavities, each of said sample cavities configured to retain a volume of sample adjacent to at least one of said plurality of multiple-port signal paths, whereby an input test signal propagating along the at least one multiple-port signal path is electromagnetically coupled to the adjacently located sample; (2) a measurement system having an output connected to the at least one signal input port of the multiple-port signal path and an input connected to the at least one signal output port of the multiple-port signal path, the measurement system configured to transmit, at one or more predefined frequencies, the input test signals to one or more of the plurality of multiple-port signal paths and to receive a modulated test signals from one or more of the plurality of multiple-port signal paths; and (3) a computer connected to the measurement system and configured to control the measurement system's transmission of the input test signal and reception of the modulated test signal.