Nanogen, Inc., developer of advanced diagnostic products, announced today
that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,867,048, "Multiplexed Active Biologic
Array" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The '6,867,048 patent relates to a
method of addressing one or more electrodes (or "test sites") across multiple
rows and columns of a microarray. The patent also covers a method for storing
the value of the voltage associated with each electrode in a local memory.
This "smart chip" technology is a key feature of Nanogen's NanoChip
400 electronic microarray, the company's second generation multi-purpose
system for developing and performing molecular diagnostic tests.
Using local memory circuits provides for precise control of the currents
delivered to individual electrodes on the array, while minimizing the
utilization of "off-chip" circuitry and overall system costs. The electric
potential is controlled at each of the NanoChip's 400 test sites to move and
concentrate DNA or RNA, providing accuracy, speed and flexibility for
developing molecular diagnostic tests. Storing critical voltage information
allows for precise control of the biological molecules during analysis and
increases data management efficiency by tracking test site activation and
array usage directly on the electronic microarray cartridge.
"This addition to our growing intellectual property portfolio illustrates
our ability to develop differentiated advanced diagnostic products that add
value to the company and to research and clinical laboratory customers," said
Howard C. Birndorf, Nanogen chairman of the board and CEO.
This new patent expands Nanogen's intellectual property portfolio to
include 114 patents issued in the U.S.
