Patent ID: 8187864
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
1. A substrate pre-loaded with reagents for use with a digital microfluidic device, the digital microfluidic device including an electrode array, said electrode array including an array of discrete electrodes, the digital microfluidic device including an electrode controller, the pre-loaded substrate comprising: an electrically insulating sheet having a back surface and a front hydrophobic surface, said electrically insulating sheet being removably attachable to said electrode array of the digital microfluidic device with said back surface being adhered to said electrode array, said electrically insulating sheet covering said discrete electrodes for insulating the discrete electrodes from each other and from liquid droplets on the front hydrophobic surface, said electrically insulating sheet having one or more reagent depots located in one or more pre-selected positions on the front hydrophobic surface of the electrically insulating sheet; wherein in operation the electrode controller being capable of selectively actuating and de-actuating said discrete electrodes for translating liquid droplets over the front hydrophobic surface of the electrically insulating sheet; wherein said one or more pre-selected positions on said front hydrophobic surface of said electrically insulating sheet are positioned to be accessible to droplets translated over said front hydrophobic surface of the electrically insulating sheet under actuation of said discrete electrodes when said insulating sheet is aligned with said electrode array; and wherein said electrically insulating sheet and said electrode array each include alignment marks for aligning the electrically insulating sheet with the said electrode array when affixing the electrically insulating sheet to the electrode array such that said one or more pre-selected positions on said front hydrophobic surface of said electrically insulating sheet are selected to be in registration with one or more pre-selected discrete electrodes of said electrode array.