Nanogen, Inc.

Applied Micro Circuits Corporation

Timothy L LeClair

Paul David Swanson

Donald E Ackley

William Frank Butler

Scott O Graham

Elizabeth L Mather

Robert Bernard Welstand

Mary Jo Nettles

An electronic device for performing biological operations includes a support substrate and an array of microlocations disposed on the substrate. The array of microlocations include electronically addressable electrodes. A first collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a first side of the array of microlocations. A second collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a second side of the array of microlocations, the second side of the array being opposite of the first side such that the array of microlocations is disposed between the first and second collection electrodes. A flow cell is supported on the substrate. Preferably, the combined area of the collection electrodes is a substantial fraction, preferably at least 50% of the area of the footprint of the flow cell.

Electronic device for performing active biological operations and method of using same

An electronic device performs active biological operations such as, for example, the analysis of a solution containing charged biological materials. The device can take the form of a flow cell that includes an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber connected to a flow cell chamber. An array containing a plurality of electrodes is contained within the flow cell chamber. Inlet and outlet ports are provided in the inlet chamber and outlet chamber, respectively. The inlet and outlet chambers advantageously have substantially constant cross-sectional flow areas.

Multicomponent devices for molecular biological analysis and diagnostics

An integrated circuit device includes electrical conductors providing electrical communication between a substrate and a silicon chip. The silicon chip has first electronics and second electronics. The second electronics are for operating at higher frequencies than the first electronics. A first portion of electrical conductors are in communication with the first electronics and a second portion of electrical conductors are in communication with the second electronics. A first medium is positioned adjacent to the first portion of electrical conductors and a second medium is positioned adjacent to the second portion of electrical conductors. The second medium is different from the solid first medium.

Selective flip chip underfill processing for high speed signal isolation

An interface have been provided to permit the formation of solder connections between substrates suitable for microwave to millimeter wave frequencies. Specifically, signal traces on the substrate are selectively masked to form solder dams. The high temperature, thick-film solder dams define the bonding area and control the flow of solder. Since the solder dam forms a finite-extent structure, the solder mask minimally overlies the signal trace, and signal propagation through the trace is not degraded.

Microwave to millimeter wave frequency substrate interface

A method for manufacturing a multicomponent flip-chip device is disclosed. The device includes a chip disposed adjacent to a substrate, the substrate including a via therethrough. The device is adapted to receive a fluid to be placed on the substrate, wherein the fluid then flows through the via down to the chip. The chip includes a sealant free region and a sealant receiving region. The method includes the steps of placing a chip adjacent to a substrate. Light is exposed to the substrate and through the via, down onto the surface of the chip. A light-curable, wickable sealant is applied to the interface between the substrate and the chip, wherein the light at least partially cures the sealant to preclude the sealant from flowing to the sealant free region. Additional curing of sealant may also be performed.

Methods for fabricating multi-component devices for molecular biological analysis and diagnostics

Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%. In yet another embodiment, a first collection electrode is disposed adjacent an array, with a second collection electrode disposed on the at least an opposite portion of the array. Preferably, the combined area of the collection electrodes is a substantial fraction, preferably at least 50% of the area of the footprint of the flow cell. In yet another embodiment, a concentric ring design is provided. Various flip chip embodiments are disclosed.

Advanced active electronic devices for molecular biological analysis and

Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%. In yet another embodiment, a first collection electrode is disposed adjacent an array, with a second collection electrode disposed on the at least an opposite portion of the array. Preferably, the combined area of the collection electrodes is a substantial fraction, preferably at least 50% of the area of the footprint of the flow cell. In yet another embodiment, a concentric ring design is provided. Various flip-chip embodiments are disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a relatively small number of components, for example, five components, for a flip-chip device. A first substrate includes a via, through which solution flows to the underlying analytical chip, which a sealant between the chip and the first substrate. An overlying flow cell contains the solution. Novel manufacturing techniques are provided for utilizing the via as a shadow mask to constrain the flow of the sealant. A multiple site array system includes a row select and column select, which are preferably memory, and most preferably shift register memory. An improved current output circuit is of the current mirror type and serves to output selected current based upon input from the column select and row select.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Timothy L LeClair