Fluid containment structure

• US 20030231983A1
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Schleifer, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,351,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00287 movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes

Abstract

A fluid containment structure that includes a substrate with a gasket surface and a form-in-place gasket disposed on the gasket surface and a method for forming the fluid containment structure are described. The form-in-place gasket is disposed around and marks the perimeter of an interior area on the substrate. The interior area and the form-in-place gasket define a well that is adapted for retaining a fluid. The fluid containment structure may be associated with or form a portion of an analysis site where a sample fluid retained in the fluid containment structure may be analyzed.

Claims

1. A fluid containment structure comprising a form-in-place gasket disposed on a substrate.

2. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 10 micrometers and about 250 micrometers thick.

3. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 250 micrometers and about 1.5 millimeters thick.

4. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 100 micrometers and about 3 millimeters wide.

5. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, wherein the form-in-place gasket is adapted to be placed against a cover to form a fluid-tight seal that may be broken and reformed by removing and replacing the cover.

6. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, further comprising an analysis component in operable relation to the substrate.

7. The fluid containment structure of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines a depression in the substrate, the depression defining a well.

8. A method of forming a fluid containment structure comprising depositing a gasket material onto a substrate, curing the gasket material to provide a form-in-place gasket, wherein the form-in-place gasket defines an interior area of the substrate, and the interior area and the form-in-place gasket together define the fluid containment structure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the gasket material is self-leveling.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the gasket material is non-slumping.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket is of uniform thickness.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 10 micrometers and about 250 micrometers thick.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 250 micrometers and about 1500 micrometers thick.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket between about 100 micrometers and about 1000 micrometers wide.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket is between about 100 micrometers and about 3000 micrometers wide.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the gasket material is a self-leveling material that has a viscosity of between about 15,000 to about 50,000 centipoise.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the form-in-place gasket is adapted to be placed against a cover to form a fluid-tight seal that may be broken and re-formed by removing and replacing the cover.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein curing comprises a process selected from the group comprising contacting the gasket material with moisture in the air, heating the gasket material, shining light on the gasket material, and contacting the gasket material with a catalyst.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein the substrate further comprises an analysis component.

20. The assay chamber according to claim 8, wherein the substrate defines a depression in the substrate, the depression defining a well.