A variety of biological and chemical assays have been developed for detecting the presence of compounds of interest in samples. In the biomedical field, methods for detecting the presence of specific nucleotide sequences, proteins or peptides are utilized, for example, in diagnosing various medical conditions, determining predisposition of patients to diseases, and performing DNA fingerprinting.
In general, biological and chemical assays are based on exposing an unknown sample to one or more known reactants and monitoring the progress or measuring the outcome of the reaction. It is often desirable to expose a sample to multiple reactants, to react multiple dilutions of a single sample with one or multiple reactants, to expose multiple samples to a single reactant, or to perform multiple repetitions of a particular assay for a given sample, in order to improve reliability. There is currently a high level of interest in the development of high throughput methods for performing multiple biological and chemical analyses of this type simultaneously, quickly, and conveniently.
One recently developed method for performing multiple chemical reactions simultaneously is to form a microarray of multiple spots of reactant molecules on a planar substrate such as a glass microscope slide, typically in a two-dimensional grid pattern, and apply liquid reagents and reactants to the slide to contact multiple spots simultaneously. Various reaction steps may be performed with the bound molecules in the microarray, including exposure of bound reactant molecules to liquid reagents or reactants, washing, and incubation steps. The progress or outcome of the reaction may be monitored at each spot in the microarray in order to characterize either material(s) immobilized on the slide or material(s) in a liquid sample. Although it is typical to immobilize known reactants on the substrate and expose an unknown liquid sample to the immobilized reactants and monitor the reaction between the sample and the various reactants in order to characterize the sample, it is also possible to immobilize one or more unknown samples on the substrate and expose them to a liquid containing one or more known reactants.
Microarrays are frequently used in analysis of DNA samples, but may also be used in diagnostic testing of other types of patient samples. Spots in microarrays may be formed of various large biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins; smaller molecules such as drugs; co-factors, signaling molecules, peptides or oligonucleotides. Cultured cells may also be grown onto microarrays. For example, if it is desired to analyze gene expression by studying the presence of particular DNA sequences in a patient sample, the sample is exposed to a microarray of spots formed of oligonucleotides having sequences complementary to sequences of interest. If the DNA sequence of interest is present in a patient sample, it will hybridize with the bound oligonucleotides. The occurrence of hybridization at a particular spot then indicates the presence, and perhaps additionally the quantity, of the sequence associated with that spot in the sample. Hybridization can be detected by various methods. One commonly used method involves labeling the sample with a fluorescent dye, so that fluorescence can be detected at spots where hybridization occurred. Various types of slide readers are commercially available for reading microarray slides.
Microarrays offer great potential for performing complex analyses of samples by carrying out multiple detection reactions simultaneously. However, a current limitation of microarrays is the time and care required to process slides to obtain reliably high quality results. The need for high quality processing is particularly pronounced because individual microarrays slides are expensive and only limited quantities of the samples used in the reactions may be available, making it particularly important to obtain good results consistently.
Both manual and automated methods of performing microarray hybridizations have been developed. However, to date, no method has been completely satisfactory. In order to process a microarray manually, reagents or reactant solutions are applied to the microarray slide and a cover slip applied to spread the solution out into a thin layer that covers the entire microarray and prevents evaporation. Evaporation of solution and non-uniformity of the fluid layer are problematic. Moreover, the success of the procedure is largely dependent on the skill of the human technician. In addition, the hybridization fluid is static, which can limit sensitivity.
Various methods have been developed to overcome the limitations of manual slide processing. These range from simple slide processing chambers designed to simplify the application of solutions to microarray slides and reduce loss and leakage of solutions, to large and expensive machines capable of processing large numbers of slides simultaneously.
Loeffler et al. (PCT publication WO 00/63670, dated Oct. 26, 2000) describe a slide processing chamber designed for processing microarray slides. Freeman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,760, issued Sep. 28, 1999), Stapleton et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,604 issued Jul. 13, 1999), Stevens et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,813, issued Feb. 25, 1997) and Richardson (U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,224, issued Apr. 18, 2000) all disclose slide processing chambers not specifically disclosed for use in microarray processing, which however serve to illustrate the general state of the art relating to the processing of individual slides.
Devices capable of processing multiple slides simultaneously in an automated fashion are described by Custance (U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,910, issued May 29, 2001) and Juncosa et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,109, issued May 1, 2001).
All of the above mentioned patents or applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Devices for automated processing of microarray slides offer advantages in terms of reproducibility and ability to process large numbers of slides, but require relatively large sample volumes and are prohibitively expensive for labs that do not need to process large numbers of slides. Although reproducibility is significantly improved by automation, the results obtained with commercially available instruments may be of lower quality than those obtained with manual processing.
In many applications, it is desirable to mix or agitate fluid on the surface of the microarray during processing. In particular, if the microarray is used to detect materials that occur in low concentrations in the liquid sample, the amount of time needed for molecules in the liquid sample to diffuse to binding locations on the microarray may be a limiting factor. Some slide processing systems incorporate mixing functions but effective mixing in low volume hybridization chambers is difficult to attain.
The present invention is a microarray interface device that can be connected to a substrate bearing a microarray of spots made up of DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, proteins, or other biomolecules and can provide continuous mixing of sample solutions in contact with the microarray. Applicants' earlier invention disclosures of various methods and systems for microfluidic interfacing to arrays set forth in U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 60/274,389, 60/284,427, and 60/313,703 are incorporated herein.
The novel microarray interface device is an adhesive laminate device formed of multiple thin layers, as will be described subsequently, and is a relatively flexible structure. It has the advantage of being simple and inexpensive to manufacture. It also has a low thermal mass which allows it to be brought rapidly to a desired reaction temperature.
The array interface devices described herein may be adapted to perform hybridizations on conventional 1″×3″ microarray slides. They may also be readily adapted to a variety of different microarray formats. The devices may be adapted for use with various types of slides having different dimensions and slide surfaces. Although it is presently preferred that the slide surface be planar, the flexible nature of the device allows it to conform to curved surfaces.
As shown in the exploded view of
Multiple versions of the microarray interface device can be produced with minor modifications in the laminated structure. Different versions will allow the units to interface with slides having a variety of array configurations while still being fully compatible with other components of a reaction system, which may include a hot block interface device, pneumatic tubing, clamp, and assembly jig. These modifications involve varying the length and width of the opening(s) in adhesive gasket 5 and relocating the positions of the mixing bladders 23, port 15, inlet 17, and outlet 19.
As illustrated in
In the embodiments of the invention depicted in
In the embodiment of
In use, device 1 is first adhered to slide 3 to form a reaction chamber 13 on slide 3, as depicted in
A preferred embodiment of the invention has two pneumatically driven mixing bladders. The device may also be made with just one mixing bladder, or with more than two mixing bladders. It is also within the scope of the present invention to produce mixing in multiple reaction chambers with the use of just one or two mixing bladders, by having each mixing bladder overlie portions of all or some of the reaction chambers. In particular, as shown in
The interface device can be modified to interface with slides 3 that are spotted less than 8 mm from one edge of the slide. The gasket of the standard device would cover some spots of such slides. To avoid this, adhesive gasket 5 may be squared off on one end 53, as in the alternative embodiment shown in
Mixing
As discussed previously, to drive mixing within the reaction chamber, air moves into and out of mixing bladders 23 via ports 15 and channels 51. Ports 15 may exit device 1 on its top surface, on the top or bottom surface of removal tab 27, or even on an edge. Port connectors 25 may attach over ports 15 via double-sided adhesive tabs, as depicted in
As illustrated in
Alternatively, a clamping connection may be made between a pressure source and ports in removal tab 27, as depicted in
Mixing is achieved within the reaction chamber by alternating between generating positive and negative pressures at each port thereby increasing or decreasing the pressure in each mixing bladder. According to Pascal's Principle, this pressure difference is distributed equally within the mixing bladder, resulting in bending of the diaphragm layer as discussed below. Separate pumps could also be used to generate pressure differentials. Pumps other than an air pump, including syringe pumps and compressors, could also be used.
The flexible diaphragm layer responds to changes in pressure within the mixing bladder. The main support layer responds less to a pressure change. As the pressure within the mixing bladder increases, the tendency of the diaphragm layer to bend into the reaction chamber increases. Intrusion of the diaphragm layer into the reaction chamber displaces solution within the reaction chamber. Displacement of the solution results in movement of the solution over any chemical spots on the surface of a microarray substrate. Likewise, decreased pressure in the mixing bladder sucks the diaphragm layer into the mixing bladder creating a vacuum for solution within the reaction chamber to occupy, resulting in movement of the solution over any chemical spots on the surface of a microarray substrate. By inflating and deflating the mixing bladders 180° out of phase, fluid may be moved back and forth over the surface of the slide.
It should be noted that pressure may be transmitted to the mixing bladders by another gas or gaseous mixture, or by a liquid such as water, oil, etc., rather than air, with corresponding appropriate selection of a pressure source and possible minor modification to the interface device. References are made throughout this document to mixing bladders, ports, pressure lines, etc., operating in connection with air pressures, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to air as the medium by which pressure is transmitted to the mixing bladders to generate mixing, and that other fluids (gas or liquid) are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as materials suitable for transmitting pressures to the mixing bladders or mixing bladders. Pressure sources may pressurize gas or liquids to either positive or negative pressures in order to drive mixing in the inventive device.
Assembly and Manufacturing
Various materials may be used to prepare the microarray interface device within the scope of the present invention. Suitable materials for use in the device may be selected to meet desired functional requirements including appropriate flexibility, rigidity, durability for the supporting layer and diaphragm layer, appropriate adhesion properties for the adhesive gasket material, acceptable level of outgassing for all materials, and desired surface properties of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the main structure of the laminated interface device is constructed from alternating layers of adhesive and non-adhesive sheet materials, such that non-adhesive layers are adhered together by adhesive layers. Adhesive layers are preferably formed by adhesive sheet materials. Both adhesive and non-adhesive sheet materials may have openings cut through them to define mixing bladders, channels, fill or outlets, and other such structures. As an alternative to using adhesive sheet materials, it would also be possible to use adhesive materials that came in liquid form and were applied directly to non-adhesive layers. It would be possible to apply liquid adhesive materials in a pattern, by printing or silk screening techniques, in order to form channels, bladders, or other structures between non-adhesive layers. Layers may also be bonded together with thermal or solvent means.
Each layer of the device has properties unique to that layer. The materials preferred in the manufacturing of the device establish those properties. The manufacturing method employed may also be a factor in choosing construction materials. Layers in the device whose main purpose is to provide structure, such as main support layer 11 in
The mixing bladder layer, adhesive channel layer, and adhesive gasket are preferably formed of adhesive materials. The adhesive gasket is preferably formed on the bottom of the device, on the diaphragm layer. Importantly, the gasket should be capable of creating a gas tight seal around the reaction chamber while being able to be compressed to create the desired chamber volume. It is important that when the device is removed from the slide, the gasket remain bound to the device and not the slide, since gasket material remaining on the slide would interfere with the slide reader. The adhesive must thus bind preferentially to the diaphragm layer rather than the slide. A variety of removable and repositionable adhesives may be used. Acrylic transfer film (e.g., 501 FL, 3M, St. Paul, Minn.) has been found to function in a satisfactory manner in devices used for hybridization. It is available in 25 μm thickness, thus providing a 25 μm chamber height. Other adhesives that may be used include, but are not limited to, acrylic, urethane, silicone, and rubber adhesives. Such materials are resilient and subject to plastic and/or elastic deformation. The adhesive gasket may be formed from a commercially available adhesive film, which may also be used to form mixing bladder layer and adhesive channel layer, as described above. Gasket materials may alternatively be applied to supporting layers by spray coating, silk screening, pad printing or other printing method that produces a suitable finish and thickness. The adhesive gasket may be constructed in such a way that a release liner covers the adhesive portion of the adhesive gasket. If the device is used in combination with a clamp to secure it to a substrate the seal or gasket could be made of any plastically deformable material, such as Parafilm™, or an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, polybutadiene methacrylate rubber, or any other suitable material that can be compressed to create a seal.
The assembly process is preferably performed in a particle free environment to avoid trapping particles between laminate layers, which can negatively impact both reaction chamber uniformity and reliable sealing. If the polymeric sheet materials of the preferred embodiment of the device are used, it is preferred that the materials are degassed by exposure to a vacuum for a period of time sufficient to prevent the materials from releasing significant amounts of gases during use of the device, which may cause the formation of bubbles within the hybridization chamber. Degassing will be accomplished most rapidly if the parts are degassed prior to assembly; however, it is also possible to degas the device subsequent to assembly. The particular degassing requirements will depend on the specific materials used and the specific device configuration, and the optimal parameters must be determined on a case by case basis. For a device constructed from the presently preferred polymeric sheet materials, we have found that degassing the parts for 2–3 hours at about 0.05 Atm pressure and a temperature of 45° C. provides satisfactory results. Following assembly, the device may be cleaned and packaged to ensure it stays clean. A clean device will form a reaction chamber that will fill reliably and produce better reaction results. Because positive pressure is needed to rapidly inject probe, the inlets are preferably manufactured in a uniform manner such that they seal tightly with the pipette tip or other device used to inject sample. Manufacturing of the inlets must not produce a lip that projects into the reaction chamber and interferes with filling and sealing.
The manufacturing and assembly of the microarray interface device is important to ensure: 1) thickness and uniformity of the reaction chamber, 2) a highly reliable seal, 3) vapor bubbles or particles are not introduced into the reaction chamber, 4) reliable filling, and 5) proper interfacing with other adhesive laminate microarray interface device components. Therefore, the materials that comprise the laminate device are preferably cut without introducing deformations or burrs, and assembled with sufficient alignment tolerances. For example, the various layers of the device. may be cut using automated processes, such as die-cut processing. Other methods include but are not limited to layer cut processing and injection molding.
Relationship to Other Elements
The microarray interface device can be used in conjunction with other elements. A microarray slide with attached microarray interface device may be placed on a commercial or custom built hot block or slide warmer. The hot block or slide warmer may hold multiple microarray slides with an attached device. The hot block or slide warmer serves to bring to and maintain at a desired temperature the slide, interface device, and any components reacting within the reaction chamber. In a custom built hot block device for use with the pneumatically actuated microarray interface device a pressure source, manifold and pressure line connection may be incorporated into the hot block device. As mentioned previously, an air pump may be connected to the device via pneumatic tubing. The tubing preferably connects to the ports, said ports terminating in the mixing bladder. Alternatively, openings for the transmittance of pressure differentials in the base unit may interface with ports in the removal tab of the device. An pressure manifold attached to a pump may be used for controlled distribution of pressure differentials to multiple devices simultaneously. Pneumatic tubing extending from the pressure manifold and attaching to the ports on the microarray interface device transmit the pressure differentials into the mixing bladders contained within the device.
To assist with assembling microarray interface device 1 to glass microarray slide 3, and removing device 1 from the slide following hybridizations, a simple reusable alignment jig 33 as depicted in
A brayer having a straight, rigid edge, such as an acrylic block, is run over the top of the device to ensure that the adhesive gasket is adhered securely to slide 3. Alternatively, a roller 64 may be used as depicted in
Following completion of the desired reaction and possibly removal of any fluids from the reaction chamber, the slide with interface device attached is replaced in the alignment jig. It may be desirable to maintain the slide at an elevated temperature (e.g. about 42° C.) to facilitate complete removal of the adhesive gasket from the slide surface. Referring back to
Clamp 45, shown in
In a preferred embodiment shown in
As described previously, a syringe or micropipette will be used to introduce fluids into reaction chamber 13 through inlet 17. A shown in
After reaction chamber 13 has been filled, an adhesive tab 22, plug 21, or other sealing structure, may be placed over each inlet 17 and outlet 19 to seal reaction chamber 13, as shown in
Use of Microarray Interface Device
A preferred method of utilizing the present invention is in the performance of hybridization reactions on a microarray slide. When the present invention is used for hybridization, the reaction chamber can be referred to as a hybridization chamber. The microarray user starts with a prehybridized and dried slide prepared using standard protocols. A release liner is removed from the microarray interface device to expose the adhesive gasket. This gasket is attached to the slide with the alignment jig as discussed above and pressed against the slide to form a seal with the use of a brayer, roller or press as described above. The user sets the microarray slide with attached device in a slot in a hot block so it can come to temperature, and moves on to assembling additional slides. The hot block has multiple slots to process multiple slides simultaneously. The adhesive laminate structure of the microarray interface device minimizes the thermal mass of the device allowing it to come to temperature quickly. Using the exemplary device described herein, about 38 μl of prewarmed (e.g., to about 42° C.) probe solution is injected into the inlet using a micro syringe fitted with a pipette tip or a positive displacement pipet such as an Eppendorf Combitip™ pipettor, as described above. It is typically preferable to load a slightly larger volume of solution into the pipette to ensure complete filling. As solution enters the hybridization chamber via the inlet, air escapes via the outlet. The hybridization chamber fills more quickly and easily if the slide/lid is prewarmed (e.g., to about 42° C.), probably due to the lower viscosity of the carrier DNA in the probe solution at higher temperatures. The inlets are sealed with adhesive tabs, the port connectors are attached, the mixing bladders are alternatively inflated and deflated, and the hybridization is allowed to proceed. Appropriate temperature is maintained by the temperature controller.
Following hybridization, the inlet adhesive tabs may be removed. In some cases it may be desirable to collect the used hybridization solution and recover the probe from the solution. The used probe can be recovered as follows: prewarmed hybridization solution (minus DNA or other probe) is injected into inlet 17, and the hybridization probe plus additional hybridization solution (minus DNA or other probe, as noted above) is pushed out of outlet 19, where it may be collected by being pushed into or wicked into a pipette tip, piece of absorbent material, or other collection device, such as a waste collection cap 41 as shown in
If the collection device is a pipette tip, it may be affixed to the outlet using a port adapter as shown in
Following probe recovery the slide may be subjected to an additional washing step. Pre-warmed wash buffer, for example, one or two applications of 200 μl, may be injected into the inlet, and waste wash buffer that is pushed out of the outlet may be captured using a specially designed disposable waste collection cap, as described previously, or simply wicked into a piece of absorbent tissue or the like. After these washing steps have been completed, the device may be peeled away from the slide utilizing the alignment jig and the slide placed in pre-warmed wash buffer in a wash rack. Clean removal of the device from the slide is accomplished by using a diaphragm material that has a higher affinity for the gasket material than does the pre-hybridized slide. Once all slides are in the wash rack, the washing process begins. The first wash proceeds for sufficient time to minimize the time differences between disassembly of the first and last slide.
It is possible to skip the wash steps prior to disassembly and disassemble the device with the assembly/disassembly jig submerged in wash buffer to prevent dehydration of the assay materials prior to subsequent wash steps. It is desirable to avoid dehydration of the assay materials, as this may lead to increased background signal. The wash buffer may be maintained at an elevated temperature to facilitate complete removal of the gasket from the slide.
Although the foregoing discussion has focused on the use of the microfluidic interface mixing device in connection with conventional microarray slides, the present invention may also be used to process cytology or histology slides, or slides with any other types of material which are subject to processing by delivering fluids to the surface of the slide. The chamber on the slide surface may be referred to as a hybridization chamber when the device is used with microarray slides, or with other slides on which DNA hybridization is to take place. When used with other applications, the chamber may be described as a reaction chamber.
The present invention, which has been described in several exemplary preferred embodiments, can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT international application number PCT/US02/07113, filed Mar. 8, 2002, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/274,389, filed Mar. 9, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/284,427, filed Apr. 17, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/313,703, filed Aug. 20, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/339,851, filed Dec. 12, 2001.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3726764 | White | Apr 1973 | A |
3745091 | McCormick | Jul 1973 | A |
3879106 | McCormick | Apr 1975 | A |
3891327 | Welch | Jun 1975 | A |
4171866 | Tolles | Oct 1979 | A |
4426451 | Columbus | Jan 1984 | A |
4441793 | Elkins | Apr 1984 | A |
4447140 | Campbell et al. | May 1984 | A |
4494912 | Pauliukonis | Jan 1985 | A |
4505557 | Golias | Mar 1985 | A |
4526690 | Kiovsky et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4687423 | Maget et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4722598 | Ford | Feb 1988 | A |
4790640 | Nason | Dec 1988 | A |
4853262 | Horie et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4908319 | Smyczek et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4911782 | Brown | Mar 1990 | A |
4948564 | Root et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
4985206 | Bowman et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
5023187 | Koebler et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
RE33826 | Mitchell | Feb 1992 | E |
5100626 | Levin | Mar 1992 | A |
5100775 | Smyczek et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5192503 | McGrath et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5200152 | Brown | Apr 1993 | A |
5273905 | Muller et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5313264 | Ivarsson et al. | May 1994 | A |
5346672 | Stapleton et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5360741 | Hunnell | Nov 1994 | A |
5364790 | Atwood et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5393494 | Greenfield et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5417576 | Hill | May 1995 | A |
5443890 | Ohman | Aug 1995 | A |
5460945 | Springer et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5466603 | Meehan et al. | Nov 1995 | A |
5503803 | Brown | Apr 1996 | A |
5518925 | Tyndorf et al. | May 1996 | A |
5527510 | Atwood et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5571721 | Turner | Nov 1996 | A |
5578270 | Reichler et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5605813 | Stevens et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5637469 | Wilding et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5639428 | Cottingham | Jun 1997 | A |
5658723 | Oberhardt | Aug 1997 | A |
5661029 | Self et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5675700 | Atwood et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5681741 | Atwood et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5718567 | Rapp et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5726026 | Wilding et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5846727 | Soper et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5856174 | Lipshutz et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5866345 | Wilding et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5876675 | Kennedy | Mar 1999 | A |
5902096 | Behringer et al. | May 1999 | A |
5922591 | Anderson et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5922604 | Stapleton et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5928880 | Wilding et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5935524 | Bass et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5948673 | Cottingham | Sep 1999 | A |
5955028 | Chow | Sep 1999 | A |
5958341 | Chu | Sep 1999 | A |
5958760 | Freeman | Sep 1999 | A |
5989402 | Chow et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5989499 | Catanzariti | Nov 1999 | A |
6008893 | Roos et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6020187 | Tam | Feb 2000 | A |
6033544 | Demers et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6033628 | Kaltenbach et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6037168 | Brown | Mar 2000 | A |
6043080 | Lipshutz et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6048498 | Kennedy | Apr 2000 | A |
6052224 | Richardson | Apr 2000 | A |
6054277 | Furcht et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6057100 | Heyneker | May 2000 | A |
6063579 | Bevirt | May 2000 | A |
6071478 | Chow | Jun 2000 | A |
6074725 | Kennedy | Jun 2000 | A |
6074827 | Nelson et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6083763 | Balch | Jul 2000 | A |
6103199 | Bjornson et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6114122 | Besemer et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6130098 | Handique et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6132685 | Kercso et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6136592 | Leighton | Oct 2000 | A |
6140044 | Besemer et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6143496 | Brown et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6144447 | Ohman et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6158712 | Craig | Dec 2000 | A |
6159727 | Bochkariov | Dec 2000 | A |
6167910 | Chow | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6168948 | Anderson et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6197494 | Oberhardt | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6197595 | Anderson et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6200814 | Malmqvist et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6207031 | Adourian et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6225059 | Ackley et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6225109 | Juncosa et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6238910 | Custance et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6251343 | Dubrow et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6251601 | Bao et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6268219 | McBride et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6272939 | Frye et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6274337 | Parce et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6284113 | Bjornson et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6284525 | Mathies et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6284531 | Zhu et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6287850 | Besemer et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6303288 | Furcht et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6303389 | Levin et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6309875 | Gordon | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6326211 | Anderson et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6376256 | Dunnington et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6399394 | Dahm et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6555361 | Lyman et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6569674 | McGarry et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
20010003652 | Freeman | Jun 2001 | A1 |
20010018183 | Bao et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20020022261 | Anderson et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020071339 | Winkler et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020074271 | Hu et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020127146 | Bergh et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20040037739 | McNeely et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20050019898 | Adey et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0843169 | May 1998 | EP |
WO9005295 | May 1990 | WO |
WO9005305 | May 1990 | WO |
WO9423326 | Oct 1994 | WO |
WO9936766 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO0038838 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO0063670 | Oct 2000 | WO |
WO0104634 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO0125137 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO0125138 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO0141931 | Jun 2001 | WO |
WO0143871 | Jun 2001 | WO |
WO0168257 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO0170381 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO0170400 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO0178893 | Oct 2001 | WO |
WO0189695 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO0189787 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO0189788 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO0194635 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO0218756 | Mar 2002 | WO |
WO0218785 | Mar 2002 | WO |
WO0218949 | Mar 2002 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20020192701 A1 | Dec 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60339851 | Dec 2001 | US | |
60313703 | Aug 2001 | US | |
60284427 | Apr 2001 | US | |
60274389 | Mar 2001 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/US02/07113 | Mar 2002 | US |
Child | 10211503 | US |