(19)

(11)

EP 1 088 229 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/14 (21) Application number: 99933529.2 (22) Date of filing: 21.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/53, B44C 1/22 (86) International application number: PCT/US9913/918 (87) International publication number: WO 9967/639 (29.12.1999 Gazette 1999/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 25.06.1998 US 104519 27.01.1999 US 117370 P (71) Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corporation Mountain View, CA 94043 (US)	(72) Inventors: WADA, H., Garrett Atherton, CA 94027 (US) SUNDBERG, Steven, A. San Francisco, CA 94127 (US) ALAJOKI, Marja, Liisa Palo Alto, CA 94303 (US) (74) Representative: Kiddle, Simon John et al Mewburn Ellis,York House,23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)