Methods and apparatus for depositing a high density biological or chemical
array onto a solid support. Specifically, the apparatus is made up of a plurality
of open ended channels collectively forming a matrix. The matrix has been redrawn
and cut such that the pitch of the channels on the loading end is larger than the
pitch of the channels on the liquid delivery end. The upper portion of each channel
serves as a reservoir, while the opposing end, which has been formed by the redrawing
process, is diametrically sized such that liquid in the reservoir is retained by
capillary pressure at the delivery end. At any point along the height of the capillary
reservoir device, all cross-sectional dimensions and areas are uniformly reduced.
In other words, the on-center orientation of any two channels, also referred to
as the pitch between 2 channels, measured as a function of the diameter of any
cross section, is constant throughout the structure. The liquid within the channels
is either printed directly from the tool onto a substrate or transferred to a substrate
by a typographical pin plate. In another embodiment, the device may be used in
transferring sample between multiwell plates of different well density.
