The SPT™ (Surface Patterning Tool) is the “ink cartridge” for the Nano eNabler™ system. Each SPT is a microcantilever-based microfluidic sample handling and delivery device. SPTs contain either a single microcantilever print head or multiple microcantilevers for simultaneous printing of multiple molecular species or materials. The integrated microfluidic network transports fluid samples from reservoirs located on the SPT through microchannels to the distal end of the cantilever. Thousands of spots can be printed with one load. SPTs can be used to print materials that include biological samples such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and whole viruses, as well as non-biological samples such as chemical solutions, colloids and particle suspensions. SPTs are disposable, eliminating any requirement for labor intensive cleaning and risk of cross contamination inherent in re-use. For some experiments, SPTs may be cleaned in the BioForce UV-Ozone TipCleaner(TM) for re-use. BioForce Nanosciences Inc. supplies a variety of different SPTs to meet a broad range of customer needs and can also provide custom SPT design and fabrication. See Specifications of SPTs for details.
