Self aliquoting sample storage plate

• US 20040033168A1
• Filed: 05/12/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Hughes, Kevin, Perreault, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,354,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0203 Burettes, i.e. for withdrawing and redistributing liquids through different conduits
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A self-aliquoting dispensing unit for use with a multi-receptacle storage unit is provided including a lower plate having a plurality of access ports therethrough, wherein at least one of the access ports is in fluid communication with a microtube, an upper plate releasably attached to the lower plate, the upper plate including a sample port for supplying a sample to the dispensing unit, and a sealing member for forming a reversible fluid tight connection between the storage unit and the upper plate. An assembly for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit and a method for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit are also provided.

Claims

1. A self-aliquoting dispensing unit for use with a multi-receptacle storage unit, comprising:

a lower plate (26) having a plurality of access ports therethrough, wherein at least one of said access ports is in fluid communication with a microtube (32);

an upper plate (28) releasably attached to said lower plate, said upper plate including a sample port for supplying a sample to said dispensing unit; and

sealing means for forming a reversible fluid tight connection between said storage unit and said upper plate.

2. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said lower plate includes a plurality of access ports, each access port corresponding to a single receptacle in said multi-receptacle storage unit.

3. The dispensing unit of claim 2, wherein each access port includes a microtube.

4. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprises:

at least one receptacle cover, wherein said microtube pierces said receptacle cover to access at least one receptacle of said multi-receptacle storage unit when said lower plate is secured to said upper plate.

5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said receptacle cover comprises a plurality of caps, each of said caps corresponding to a receptacle in said multi-receptacle storage unit.

6. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein said receptacle cover comprises a film septum.

7. The dispensing unit of claim 4, further comprising securement means for securing said lower plate to said upper plate.

8. The dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein said securement means comprises:

at least one threaded aperture in said upper plate;

at least one corresponding threaded aperture in said lower plate; and

at least one screw for connecting said apertures.

9. The dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein said securement means further comprises a gasket interposed between said upper plate and said lower plate.

10. The dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising a vent hole for allowing fluid communication between said dispensing unit and an ambient environment.

11. The dispensing unit of claim 10, further comprising a vent hole plug for forming a fluid tight seal for said vent hole.

12. The dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising a separating member on at least one of the upper plate and the lower plate for defining a plurality of sections of said dispensing unit that are fluid tight with respect to one another.

13. The dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising distribution means interposed between said upper plate and said lower plate for evenly distributing said sample in said distribution unit.

14. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein said distribution means comprises a distribution plate having a plurality of uniformly or semi-uniformly spaced hollow channels.

15. The dispensing unit of claim 14, wherein said distribution plate further comprises a ramped trough on a top corner of said distribution plate and at least one capillary channel on a bottom side of said distribution plate.

16. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said distribution unit is sterile.

17. An assembly for dispensing a sample to a plurality of receptacles, said assembly comprising:

a distribution unit of claim 1;

and

a storage unit in fluid tight communication with said distribution unit.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said storage unit comprises:

a storage plate arranged on a storage member, said storage plate having a plurality of orifices;

a support member for supporting said storage plate; and

a plurality of receptacles for holding individual samples.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said receptacles comprise tubular containers, wherein each of said receptacles is sealed with a fluid sealing cap.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said receptacles comprise a multi-well micro-titer plate, wherein said wells are covered with a fluid tight film septum.

21. A method of dispensing a sample into a storage unit having a plurality of receptacles, said method comprising the steps of:

adding a sample to the dispensing unit of claim 1;

creating a temperature generated vacuum in said receptacles of said storage unit to dispense an aliquot of said sample into each of said receptacles.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of adding a reagent to said storage unit.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of adding said reagent is performed before adding said sample to said dispensing unit.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said reagent is a protease inhibitor.

25. A kit for processing a sample is provided, comprising:

a dispensing assembly of claim 1;

and

reagents for processing a sample.