The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2001
Richard H. Bruce, Los Altos, CA (US);
Scott A. Elrod, La Honda, CA (US);
Babur B. Hadimioglu, Mountain View, CA (US);
David A. Horine, Los Altos, CA (US);
Jaan Noolandi, Mississauga, CA;
Joy Roy, San Jose, CA (US);
Robert A. Sprague, Saratoga, CA (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A method and mechanism for ensuring quality control in printed biological assays is provided. A multi-ejector system having a plurality of individual drop ejectors is loaded with a variety of biofluids. Biofluids include at least a carrier fluid, a biological material to be used in the testing, and markers, such as fluorescent dyes. Data regarding the biofluid loaded in each of the drop ejectors is stored along with an expected signature output of the biofluid. Particularly, the signature output represents signals from individual ones of the fluorescent markers included within the biofluid. Once a biological assay consisting of the biofluid drops has been printed, a scanner capable of detecting the markers scans the biological assay and obtains signature output signals for each of the drops of the biological assay. A comparing operation is undertaken to compare the obtained signature output through the scanning operation, with the expected signature output signals for the biofluid loaded in the corresponding drop ejector. The biological material itself may also be tagged with a marker to ensure its inclusion in the biofluid. By the comparing operation, it is possible to verify the biofluids were loaded in the proper drop ejector, including the proper biological material, and that the drop ejectors are functioning properly.