FLAT CELL CARRIERS WITH CELL TRAPS
First Claim
1. A cell carrier for capturing cells, comprising:
- a planar body member in which is formed an array of cell capturing wells, said cell capturing wells generally comprising an entrance aperture open to one surface of said body member and a plurality of openings at the end of said well distant from said entrance aperture and disposed at least partly in the well wall, such that not all of said openings can be simultaneously blocked by the presence of a captured cell, said entrance aperture having dimensions relative to that of the cells to be captured, such that only a single cell at a time can enter a well;
a fluid collection passage in fluid communication with said plurality of openings of said cell capturing wells; and
a pumping port in fluid communication said fluid collection passage,wherein said openings have cross sectional dimensions significantly smaller than those of said entrance apertures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cell carrier structures using dynamic flow of cell bearing, washing, or nourishing fluid, from an input reservoir region to an output reservoir region. A common feature of the several structures by which this can be achieved is the presence of channels generally having low height or other cross section, such that the cell bearing fluid readily traverses these channels by capillary action. Optional pumping assistance can also be provided. The capture wells or traps are disposed generally along the length of these channels such that the cells have multiple chances of being captured in a trap or well. The traps or wells are structured such that only a single cell can be trapped in each well or trap, and the disposition of the wells or traps as appendages to the fluid flow channels facilitates the washing or nourishing of the cells while their proliferation or development is being observed.
123 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A cell carrier for capturing cells, comprising:
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a planar body member in which is formed an array of cell capturing wells, said cell capturing wells generally comprising an entrance aperture open to one surface of said body member and a plurality of openings at the end of said well distant from said entrance aperture and disposed at least partly in the well wall, such that not all of said openings can be simultaneously blocked by the presence of a captured cell, said entrance aperture having dimensions relative to that of the cells to be captured, such that only a single cell at a time can enter a well; a fluid collection passage in fluid communication with said plurality of openings of said cell capturing wells; and a pumping port in fluid communication said fluid collection passage, wherein said openings have cross sectional dimensions significantly smaller than those of said entrance apertures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15)
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9-13. -13. (canceled)
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16. A cell carrier, comprising:
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a base from which a plurality of rows of walls protrude; a cover disposed in contact with at least some of the ends of said walls distant from said base, such that at least one closed flow channel is formed between an adjacent pair of walls, said base and said cover; and at least one inlet in fluid connection with one end of said at least one flow channel and at least one outlet in fluid connection with a second end of said at least one flow channel, such that a fluid applied at said at least one inlet flows along said at least one flow channel to said at least one outlet, wherein said at least one flow channel has a plurality of protrusions positioned down its length, such that cell capture traps are formed between said protrusions and said walls. - View Dependent Claims (17, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28)
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18-20. -20. (canceled)
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24-26. -26. (canceled)
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29. A cell carrier, comprising:
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a base plate; a cover plate; and a cell trapping structure disposed between said base plate and said cover plate, said cell trapping structure comprising; a plurality of sets of double walls, each set of double walls defining a first channel between them, and the spaces between neighboring sets of double walls defining a second channel, at least some of said double walls having protrusions disposed along their length on those sides of said walls that project into said second channel, such that the regions between adjacent protrusions constitute cell traps; wherein said cover plate and said base plate contact at least some of said walls such that closed flow channels are formed therebetween, said cover plate comprising at least a first port in fluid connection with a reservoir at one end of at least some of said second channels; and
at least a second port in fluid connection with a reservoir at a second end of at least some of said second channels, and at least a third port in fluid connection with one end of at least some of said first channels, the other ends of which are sealed,and wherein at least some of said cell traps have orifices at their wall ends, said orifices providing fluid contact between said cell traps and said first channels. - View Dependent Claims (30, 33, 35, 36, 37)
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31-32. -32. (canceled)
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34. (canceled)
Specification