Optically readable microplate

• US 20070154356A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Modavis
• Original Assignee: Robert Modavis
• Inventors: Modavis, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/774 the reagent being on a grating or periodic structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

A microplate for use within an interrogation system and a method of using the microplate are disclosed. The microplate contains within the bottom of each well, an optical waveguide grating based sensor. Approximate to each sensor is a mask having an aperture of predetermined size. The aperture regulates the light that enters and exits the sensor upon successive scans and ensures repeatable readings from the sensor. In an extended embodiment, a method of detection is disclosed that utilizes a launch and receive system while employing the aforementioned microplate.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an interrogation system; and

a waveguide grating based biosensor, wherein said interrogation system emits an optical beam to said biosensor and receives an optical beam from said biosensor through an aperture formed by a mask located within the biosensor, whereby said mask regulates an amount of electromagnetic radiation that enters or leaves the biosensor.

2. A microplate comprising:

a frame that forms sidewalls of a plurality of wells, the frame having a bottom surface that interconnects said wells;

a layer that forms a bottom wall of the at least one well, the layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said frame and said layer are attached such that said top surface of said layer contacts and bonds to said frame;

a mask having at least one aperture;

said aperture being smaller in area than the area of the bottom of the well.

3. The microplate of claim 2 wherein said mask is attached to said bottom surface of said layer.

4. The microplate of claim 2 wherein said aperture is circular.

5. The microplate of claim 2 wherein said aperture is oval.

6. The microplate of claim 2 wherein a waveguide grating based biosensor is located within the bottom of each well.

7. The microplate of claim 2 further comprising an array of 96 wells.

8. A method of interrogation comprising:

providing the microplate of claim 6;

using a launch system to direct a light beam toward the biosensor; and

using a receive system to receive and interrogate the light beam that is reflected from the biosensor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the width of said beam is larger than the diameter of said aperture.