Microfluidics Packaging
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a plate for the passage through a set of apertures of at least one substance from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of:
- forming two sets of vertical apertures arranged in a array of sample cells in a first layer, with each sample cell containing a member of each of said two sets of vertical apertures;
forming corresponding sets of vertical apertures connecting to said two sets in at least one corresponding layer;
forming a set of connecting horizontal apertures in a lower layer disposed below said first and said at least one corresponding layer, in which at least some of said horizontal apertures in said lower layer connect members of said two sets of vertical apertures; and
assembling said first layer, said at least one corresponding layer and said bottom layer to form a plate containing an array of sample cells containing U-shaped structures.
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Abstract
A plate for use in mixing and testing materials in the pharmaceutical industry is formed by a method in which an array of sample cells contain a U-shaped structure having two vertical apertures connected by a horizontal passage in a bottom sheet; reagents are drawn in to the vertical passages by capillary action and react in the horizontal passage. An optional version of the invention includes a relatively large reservoir for containing rinsing fluids.
60 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of forming a plate for the passage through a set of apertures of at least one substance from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of:
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forming two sets of vertical apertures arranged in a array of sample cells in a first layer, with each sample cell containing a member of each of said two sets of vertical apertures;
forming corresponding sets of vertical apertures connecting to said two sets in at least one corresponding layer;
forming a set of connecting horizontal apertures in a lower layer disposed below said first and said at least one corresponding layer, in which at least some of said horizontal apertures in said lower layer connect members of said two sets of vertical apertures; and
assembling said first layer, said at least one corresponding layer and said bottom layer to form a plate containing an array of sample cells containing U-shaped structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sample-holding plate containing an array of sample cells for the reaction of reagents in a set of apertures comprising:
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two sets of vertical apertures arranged in said array of sample cells in a first layer, with each sample cell containing a member of each of said two sets of vertical apertures;
at least one corresponding layer containing sets of corresponding vertical apertures connecting to said two sets of apertures in first layer;
a bottom layer disposed below said first and said at least one corresponding layer and containing a set of connecting horizontal apertures, in which said set of connecting horizontal apertures connect at least some members of said two sets of vertical apertures, thereby forming an array of sample cells containing U-shaped structures. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A support and handling structure for manipulating a plate containing an array of sample holders comprising:
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alignment means for positioning said plate at a reference location, comprising a set of supports in mechanical contact with said plate; and
a set of adjusters for moving said set of supports relative to said support frame, whereby said set of supports moves relative to said support frame. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A support and handling structure for manipulating a plate containing an array of sample holders comprising:
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alignment means for positioning the plate at a reference location, comprising a set of supports in mechanical contact with said plate; and
a set of interface modules positioned adjacent a lower surface of said plate, each of said set of interface modules containing means for applying gaseous pressure to an aperture in said lower surface of said plate.
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Specification