Device and process for simultaneous transfer of liquids

• US 20030124734A1
• Filed: 06/04/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Dannoux, Thierry L.A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,141,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00891 Feeding or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/001 Feed or outlet devices as such, e.g. feeding tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/021 Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/563 Joints or fittings in general F16L; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Devices and processes for the simultaneous transfer of liquids from a source container to a target container are disclosed. The source container includes a multitude of source sub-containers, and the target container includes a multitude of target sub-containers. The device includes a multitude of tubes arranged in a matrix, each tube having an entrance and exit.

Claims

1. A device for simultaneous transfer of liquids from a source container to a target container comprising:

a multitude of tubes arranged in a matrix, each tube having an entry opening at an entry end and an exit opening at an exit end; and

at least one alignment member to maintain the pre-determined distances between the entry ends of the tubes and to maintain pre-determined distances between the exit ends of the tubes;

wherein each of said tubes being capable of holding fluid by a phenomenon of capillarity and wherein the source container includes a multitude of source sub-containers the target container includes a multitude of target sub-containers.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first alignment member to maintain pre-determined distances between the entry ends of the tubes; and

a second alignment member to maintain pre-determined distances between the exit ends of the tubes;

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tubes are made of stainless steel.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tubes are made of polymer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubes are cylindrical.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubes are conical, and the tubes decrease in diameter from the entry end to the exit end.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the tubes include a succession of cylindrical parts, which decrease in size from the entry end of the tubes to the exit end of the tubes.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the tubes have a beveled exit end.

9. The device according to any of claim 1, wherein a non-absorbing surface treatment is provided on the external surface of the tubes.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more alignment members includes of a perforated plate attached to the ends of the tubes.

11. The device according claim 1, wherein the alignment member is made of stainless steel.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said alignment member is made of organic polymer.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said alignment member is made of inorganic polymer.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said inorganic polymer is glass.

15. The device according to any of claim 1, wherein the device further includes at least one guide for the entry ends and/or the exit ends of the tubes, which is placed between said ends and the alignment members.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the guide includes a group of sleeves designed to fit over the corresponding ends of the tubes.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said guides is integral with the alignment members.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein one or more guides is made of stainless steel.

19. The device according to claim 15, wherein one or more guides is made of organic polymer.

20. The device according to any claim 15, wherein the one or more guides is made of inorganic polymer.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said inorganic polymer is glass.

22. The device according to claim 1, furthering including spacers for spacing the tubes proximate the ends of the tubes adjacent the target container.

23. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing flow of liquids into the tubes.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said means for providing flow of liquid includes a watertight buffer made of silicone, which can be heated to more than 50°

C.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to fill a capillary reservoir, wherein the capillary reservoir includes a guide for the exit ends of the tubes including a cross-section of the capillary reservoir.

26. A process of simultaneous transfer of liquids from a source container to a target container comprising:

providing a device including a multitude of tubes arranged in a matrix, each tube having an entry opening at an entry end and an exit opening at an exit end and at least one alignment member to maintain the predetermined distances between the entry ends of the tubes and to maintain pre-determined distances between the exit ends of the tubes, wherein each of said tubes being capable of holding fluid by a phenomenon of capillarity and wherein the source container includes a multitude of source sub-containers the target container includes a multitude of target sub-containers;

introducing the exit ends of the tubes into the target sub-containers;

introducing the entry ends of the tubes into the source sub-containers in an essentially vertical direction; and

progressively inclining the source container and the target container to an angle greater than 90°

.

27. A process according to claim 26, wherein the process is adapted to fill a capillary reservoir including a multitude of canals from a microtitration plate including a multitude of wells, further including:

introducing the exit ends of the into the entry openings of the canals;

introducing the entry ends of the tubes into the wells in an essentially vertical direction; and

inclining the device, the reservoir, and the microtitration plate to an angle greater than 90°

.

28. The process according to claim 27, wherein the angle of incline of the device is between 90°

and 150°

.

29. The process according to claim 27, wherein the angle of incline of the device is between 110°

and 135°

.

30. The process according to claim 27, further including withdrawing the source container and withdrawing the target container from the device.

31. The process according to claim 30, further including forcing the flow of the liquids into the tubes after the source container has been withdrawn.

32. The process according to claim 31, wherein forcing the flow includes applying a silicone buffer which is heated to more than 50°

C. to the entry openings of the tubes.