Patent ID: 6432696
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for hybridizing a nucleic acid microarray immobilized on a surface of a solid substrate, the apparatus comprising:at least one assembly for securing the solid substrate during hybridization, the assembly comprising a carrier and a cover having a surface facing the carrier, the carrier and the cover dimensioned to receive the solid substrate between the carrier and the surface of the cover so that the surfaces of the cover and the solid substrate define a cavity; a fluid control module comprising a manifold, at least one liquid reservoir, at least one waste container, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the waste container, the manifold providing fluid communication between the liquid reservoir and the cavity and between the cavity and the waste container, and the vacuum source providing a pressure difference between the liquid reservoir and the waste container; at least one thermal management module for controlling temperature of the nucleic acid microarray immobilized on the surface of the solid substrate, the thermal management module thermally contacting the assembly; and a pulse valve in fluid communication with the cavity, the pulse valve adapted to agitate fluid within the cavity.