Multiwell sample plate with integrated impedance electrodes and connection scheme

• US 20060216203A1
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Molecular Devices LLC (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MDS Sciex Incorporated
• Inventors: Sugarman, Jeffrey H., Fuller, Chris K.
• Application Number:
  US11/091,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20060216203A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.10
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48728 Investigating individual cells, e.g. by patch clamp, voltage clamp investigating individual particles in general G01N15/10

Abstract

As disclosed within, the present device is directed to a multi-well sample module having integrated impedance measuring electrodes (which allow for the generation of an electric field within each well and the measuring of the change in impedance of each of the well'"'"'s contents) and an electrical connection scheme allowing simultaneous measurement of each well'"'"'s change in impedance.

Claims

1. A multiwell impedance measurement device comprising:

A. a plurality of chambers for containing separated samples in a planar array configuration,

Said chambers having a bottom surface and said chambers being formed from an upper plate containing a plurality of through holes and a bottom plate,

Said bottom plate having a top surface and a bottom surface,

Said upper plate having a top surface and a bottom surface

Said top surface of said bottom plate being sealingly affixed to said bottom surface of said upper plate.

B. A plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes lying flat on said bottom surface of each of said plurality of chambers and on said top surface of said bottom plate, said electrodes exposed to said samples, wherein each of said electrodes is electrically insulated from each of the other electrodes in the device, said electrodes having a top surface and a bottom surface.

C. Connection means for making electrical contact with each of said electrodes from said bottom surface of said bottom plate.

2. The multiwell impedance device of claim 1 wherein said samples are liquid.

3. The multiwell impedance device of claim 1 wherein said samples are solid.

4. The multiwell impedance device of claim 1 wherein said samples are biological compounds.

5. The multiwell impedance device of claim 1 wherein said samples are molecular.

6. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said through holes are cylindrical.

7. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said through holes are square.

8. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said through holes are conical.

9. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said upper and bottom plates are made from plastics, elastomers, ceramics, composites, glass, carbon materials, or a combination of any of these materials.

10. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 9 wherein said plastic may be polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclo-olefinpolymer, or polyester.

11. The multiwell impedance measurment device of claim 9 wherein said plastic is any injection moldable plastic.

12. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is transparent.

13. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said planar array consists of 24 wells.

14. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said planar array consists of 96 wells.

15. The multwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said planar array consists of 384 wells.

16. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said planar array consists of 864 wells.

17. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said planar array consists of 1536 wells.

18. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes consist of two identical electrodes.

19. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are formed from conductive material deposited onto the surface of said bottom plate via electroplating, sputtering, evaporating, screenprinting, or pad printing.

20. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 1 wherein said conductive material is gold, silver, indium tin oxide, copper, or carbon fibers, copper.

21. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are formed of a single layer of a conductive material.

22. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are formed from multiple layers of conductive materials.

23. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said process of sealingly affixing the upper plate to the bottom plate is achieved with an adhesive layer, thermal bonding, or ultrasonic bonding.

24. The multiwell impedance device of claim 1 wherein the connection means for making electrical contact with each of said electrodes from said bottom surface of said bottom plate comprises electric contact pads formed on said bottom surface of said bottom plate and electrically conductive vias connecting said contact pads to the electrodes on said top surface of said bottom plate.

25. The electrical contact pads of claim 24 wherein said pads are formed from conductive material deposited onto said bottom surface of said bottom plate via electroplating, sputtering, evaporating, screenprinting, or pad printing.

26. The electrical contact pads of claim 25 wherein said conductive material is gold, silver, indium tin oxide, copper, or carbon fibers.

27. The electrical contact pads of claim 24 wherein said contact pads are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

28. The electrical contact pads of claim 27 wherein said conductive particles are made from gold, silver, platinum, or carbon.

29. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said impedance measuring electrodes are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

30. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 29 where said conductive particles are made from gold, silver, platinum, or carbon.

31. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

32. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 24 wherein said conductive vias are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

33. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 24 wherein said electrical contact pads are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

34. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 1 additionally comprising a means for instrument readable plate identification.

35. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 34 wherein said means for instrument readable plate identification comprises optically readable features, electrically readable features, mechanical features, RFID tags, or a memory chip.

36. A multiwell impedance measurement device comprising:

A. a plurality of chambers for containing separated samples in a planar array configuration,

Said chambers having a bottom surface and said chambers being formed from a plate containing a plurality of holes extending partially through said plate.

B. A plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes lying flat on said bottom surface of each of said plurality of chambers, said electrodes exposed to said samples, wherein each of said electrodes is electrically insulated from each of the other electrodes in the device, said electrodes having a top surface and a bottom surface, said plate being formed around said electrodes.

C. Connection means for making electrical contact with said electrodes from said bottom surface of said plate.

37. The multiwell impedance device of claim 36 wherein said samples are liquid.

38. The multiwell impedance device of claim 36 wherein said samples are solid.

39. The multiwell impedance device of claim 36 wherein said samples are biological compounds.

40. The multiwell impedance device of claim 36 wherein said samples are molecular.

41. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said holes are cylindrical.

42. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said holes are square.

43. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said holes are conical.

44. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said plate is made from plastics, elastomers, ceramics, composites, glass, carbon materials, or a combination of any of these materials.

45. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 44 wherein said plastic may be polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclo-olefinpolymer, or polyester.

46. The multiwell impedance measurment device of claim 44 wherein said plastic is any injection moldable plastic.

47. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said plate is transparent.

48. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said planar array consists of 24 wells.

49. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said planar array consists of 96 wells.

50. The multwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said planar array consists of 384 wells.

51. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said planar array consists of 864 wells.

52. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said planar array consists of 1536 wells.

53. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes consist of two identical electrodes.

54. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 36 wherein said electrodes are formed by the deposition of a conductive material onto a frame via sputtering, evaporating, screenprinting, or pad printing.

55. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 54 wherein said plate is molded onto said frame.

56. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 36 wherein said conductive material contains gold, silver, indium tin oxide, or carbon fibers.

57. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 36 wherein said electrodes are formed of a single layer of a conductive material.

58. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 36 wherein said electrodes are formed from multiple layers of a conductive material.

59. The multiwell impedance device of claim 36 wherein the connection means for making electrical contact with each of said electrodes from said bottom surface of said plate comprises electric contact pads situated on said bottom surface of said plate and electrically conductive vias connecting said contact pads to the electrodes on said top surface of said plate.

60. The electrical contact pads of claim 59 wherein said pads are formed from conductive material deposited onto said bottom surface of said bottom plate via electroplating, sputtering, evaporating, screenprinting, or pad printing.

61. The electrical contact pads of claim 60 wherein said conductive material is gold, silver indium tin oxide, copper, or carbon fibers.

62. The electrical contact pads of claim 59 wherein said contact pads are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

63. The electrical contact pads of claim 62 wherein said conductive particles are made from gold, silver, platinum, or carbon.

64. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said electrodes are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

65. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 64 where said conductive ink is made from gold, silver, platinum, indium tin oxide, polymers, or carbon.

66. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 wherein said electrodes are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

67. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 59 wherein said conductive vias are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

68. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 59 wherein said electrical contact pads are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

69. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 36 additionally comprising a means for instrument readable plate identification.

70. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 69 wherein said means for instrument readable plate identification comprises optically readable features, electrically readable features, mechanical features, RFID tags, or a memory chip.

71. A multiwell impedance measurement device comprising:

A. a plurality of chambers for containing separated samples in a planar array configuration,

Said chambers having a bottom surface and said chambers being formed from an upper plate containing a plurality of through holes and a bottom plate,

Said bottom plate having a top surface and a bottom surface,

Said upper plate having a top surface and a bottom surface

Said top surface of said bottom plate being sealingly affixed to said bottom surface of said upper plate.

B. A plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes lying flat on said bottom of each of said plurality of chambers and on said top surface of said bottom plate, said electrodes exposed to said samples, wherein each of said electrodes is electrically insulated from each of the other electrodes in the device, said electrodes having a top surface and a bottom surface.

C. Connection means for making electrical contact with each of said electrodes from said bottom surface of said bottom plate.

D. A means for instrument readable plate identification.

72. The multiwell impedance device of claim 71 wherein said samples are liquid.

73. The multiwell impedance device of claim 71 wherein said samples are solid.

74. The multiwell impedance device of claim 71 wherein said samples are biological compounds.

75. The multiwell impedance device of claim 71 wherein said samples are molecular.

76. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said through holes are cylindrical.

77. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said through holes are square.

78. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said through holes are conical.

79. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said upper and bottom plates are made from plastics, elastomers, ceramics, composites, glass, carbon materials, or a combination of any of these materials.

80. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 79 wherein said plastic may be polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclo-olefinpolymer, or polyester.

81. The multiwell impedance measurment device of claim 79 wherein said plastic is any injection moldable plastic.

82. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said bottom plate is transparent.

83. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said planar array consists of 24 wells.

84. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said planar array consists of 96 wells.

85. The multwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said planar array consists of 384 wells.

86. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said planar array consists of 864 wells.

87. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said planar array consists of 1536 wells.

88. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said plurality of functionally equivalent impedance measuring electrodes consist of two identical electrodes.

89. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 71 wherein said electrodes are formed by the deposition of a conductive material onto the surface of said bottom plate via sputtering, evaporating, screenprinting, or pad printing.

90. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 71 wherein said conductive material is gold, silver, indium tin oxide, or carbon fibers.

91. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 71 wherein said electrodes are formed of a single layer of a conductive material.

92. The functionally equivalent electrodes of claim 71 wherein said electrodes are formed from multiple layers of a conductive material.

93. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said process of sealingly affixing the upper plate to the bottom plate is achieved with an adhesive layer, thermal bonding, or ultrasonic bonding.

94. The multiwell impedance device of claim 71 wherein the connection means for making electrical contact with each of said electrodes from said bottom surface of said bottom plate comprises electric contact pads situated on said bottom surface of said bottom plate and electrically conductive vias connecting said contact pads to the electrodes on said top surface of said bottom plate.

95. The electrical contact pads of claim 94 wherein said pads are formed from conductive material deposited onto said bottom surface of said bottom plate via electroplating, sputtering, screenprinting, or pad printing.

96. The electrical contact pads of claim 95 wherein said conductive material is gold, silver, indium tin oxide, copper, or carbon fibers.

97. The electrical contact pads of claim 94 wherein said contact pads are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

98. The electrical contact pads of claim 97 wherein said conductive particles are made from gold, silver, platinum, or carbon.

99. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said electrodes are formed from conductive particles applied as a conductive ink.

100. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 99 where said conductive ink is made from gold, silver, platinum, indium tin oxide, polymers, or carbon.

101. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said electrodes are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

102. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 94 wherein said conductive vias are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

103. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 94 wherein said electrical contact pads are formed from metal layers and conductive ink.

104. The multiwell impedance measurement device of claim 71 wherein said means for plate identification comprises optically readable features, electrically readable features, mechanical features, RFID tags, or a memory chip.