Single column microplate system and carrier for analysis of biological samples

• US 10,118,177 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2015
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seahorse Bioscience
• Inventors: Burroughs, Sarah, McGarr, Paul, Armitstead, Suzanne, Teich, Jay S., Dell'Arciprete, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Levkovich, Natalia
• Application Number:
  US14/728,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20150343439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 422552, 422503
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0627 Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0893 having a very large number of wells, microfabricated wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/02 Water baths; Sand baths; Air baths
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates

Abstract

A multiwell microplate for holding liquid samples, and a method of use thereof. The multiwell microplate includes a frame defining a plurality of wells disposed in a single column, each well having an opening with a length l₁. A moat is disposed about the plurality of wells. A plurality of walls traverses the moat, the walls defining a plurality of compartments, each compartment having a length l₂ selected from a range of greater than l₁ and less than 6l₁. A multiwell microplate carrier includes a body defining a plurality of regions configured to hold a plurality of multiwell microplates in parallel, each multiwell microplate defining a single column of wells, and each of the regions defining a plurality of openings that are adapted to mate with the single columns of wells.

Claims

1. A multiwall microplate for holding liquid samples, the multiwell microplate comprising:

a frame defining

a plurality of wells disposed in a single column, each well, having an opening with a length l₁;

a moat comprising a plurality of compartments and equalizer channels at each end of the multiwell microplate; and

a plurality of walls traversing the moat, the walls defining the plurality of compartments of the moat, each compartment having a length l₂ selected from a range of greater than l₁ and less than 6l₁,

wherein the single column has at least two side walls, and at least two of the compartments are disposed on the at least two side walls of the single column of wells, and

wherein at least two of the compartments are in fluidic communication via the equalizer channel and the equalizer channels connect compartments disposed on opposing side wails of the column.

2. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein the well length l₁ is selected from a range of 1 mm to 9 mm.

3. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells comprises eight wells.

4. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein the moat comprises eight compartments.

5. The multiwell plate of claim 1, wherein a depth of the two compartments in communication via the equalizer channel is less than a depth of compartments adjacent thereto.

6. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, Wherein a depth of at least one compartment is less than a depth of one of the wells.

7. The multiwell microplate of claim 6, wherein the depth of the at least one compartment is up to 50% of the depth of one of the wells.

8. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein a depth of a compartment proximate an end portion of the frame is less than a depth of a compartment disposed at a center portion of the frame.

9. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein all of the compartments have a substantially equal length.

10. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, further comprising a filling tab defined on an end portion of the frame.

11. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein at least one well is opaque white.

12. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, wherein at least one well is opaque black.

13. The multiwell microplate of claim 1, the frame further comprising an indent on a lower edge thereof.