Method for transferring micro quantities of liquid samples to discrete ...

United States Patent [w]

Wilson et al.

[54] METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING MICRO QUANTITIES OF LIQUID SAMPLES TO DISCRETE LOCATIONS

[75] Inventors: Richard K. Wilson, Chesterfield, Mo.;

Elaine R. Mardis, Troy, 111.; Dimitrios
A. Panussis, Creve Coeur, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

[21] Appl. No.: 617,494

[22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1996

[51] Int. CI.6 COIN 1/10

[52] U.S. CI 436/180; 436/179; 422/81;

422/100

[58] Field of Search 436/179, 177,

436/180; 422/65, 81, 100, 101

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,193,358 7/1965 Barach 422/65

3,269,800 8/1966 Lukrec 422/65

3,489,525 1/1970 Natelson 422/65

3,544,272 12/1970 Vaills 422/65

3,615,239 10/1971 Jones 422/65

3,677,091 7/1972 Guigan 422/100 X

3,846,075 11/1974 Cioffi 422/81

3,929,411 12/1975 Takano et al 422/81 X

4,108,602 8/1978 Hanson et al 422/81 X

4,155,978 5/1979 Naono et al 422/64

4,211,747 7/1980 Gross 422/81

4,219,530 8/1980 Kopp et al 422/69

4,338,280 7/1982 Ambers et al 422/68

4,601,881 7/1986 Webster 422/67

4,640,821 2/1987 Mody et al 422/81

4,704,256 11/1987 Hood et al 422/68

4,710,355 12/1987 Ushikubo 422/100

4,746,490 5/1988 Saneii 422/62

4,798,095 1/1989 Itoh 73/863.01

4,859,422 8/1989 Qureshi et al 422/81

mi iiiiiii in mi mi iiijii iiijiii ill mil mil in mi mi

[ii] Patent Number: 5,849,598 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 15, 1998

4,865,811 9/1989 Newton et al 422/81

4,868,129 9/1989 Gibbons et al 436/179

4,886,876 12/1989 Zimmerman et al 530/383

4,946,795 8/1990 Gibbons et al 436/179

4,962,044 10/1990 Knesel et al 436/177

5.013,529 5/1991 Itoh 422/100

5,073,343 12/1991 Hukuhara et al 422/67

5,108,928 4/1992 Menard et al 436/43

5,112,575 5/1992 Whitehouse et al 422/116

5,198,193 3/1993 Bunce et al 422/100

5,223,222 6/1993 Ricchio et al 422/63

5,316,728 5/1994 Hayashi et al 422/70

5,380,495 1/1995 Chang et al 422/131

5,405,585 4/1995 Coassin 422/100

5,445,037 8/1995 Itoh 73/864.25

5,453,382 9/1995 Novotny et al 436/178

5,565,171 10/1996 Dovichi et al 422/68.1

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Hewick et al., A gas-liquid Solid phase Peptide and Protein Sequenator, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 256, No. 15, pp. 7990-7997, Aug. 10, 1981.

Primary Examiner—Harold Y. Pyon

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Howell & Haferkamp, L.C

[57] ABSTRACT

A method for simultaneously and uniformly transferring micro quantities of liquid from a first plurality of separate cells to a second plurality of separate cells. Each of the first plurality of separate cells contain a liquid sample. Intake ends of a plurality of conduits are inserted into the first cells so that the intake ends of the conduits are immersed in the liquid samples. The conduits further including discharge ends. The discharge ends of the conduits are aligned with the second plurality of cells. A pressure differential is created between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells to cause micro quantities of the liquid samples to simultaneously and uniformly flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets