METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATING SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR MICROFLUIDIC CRYO TEM
First Claim
1. A method of preparing a sample grid for transmission electron microscopy, comprising:
- providing a sample carrier grid;
forming a fluid droplet at the end of a first capillary;
bringing said droplet into contact with a top surface of said carrier grid thereby depositing said droplet onto said top surface; and
bringing a second capillary onto contact with said droplet to withdraw a portion of the fluid from said droplet to form a microfluidic sample on said top surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is provided for automatically preparing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples for examination by depositing extremely small samples onto a grid without need for a blotting step. A sample liquid droplet is formed at the end of a capillary, wherein a portion of the liquid is transferred to the TEM sample grid by contact. The excess volume in the liquid droplet is then retracted by an adjacent capillary. After a predetermined time interval, the retraction capillary is moved toward the drop of the sample to remove the excess volume. As compared to a conventional machine, where the blotting procedure can deform the structure of the molecule of interest, the present invention utilizes a very low shear rate for removal of the excess sample fluid.
31 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of preparing a sample grid for transmission electron microscopy, comprising:
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providing a sample carrier grid; forming a fluid droplet at the end of a first capillary; bringing said droplet into contact with a top surface of said carrier grid thereby depositing said droplet onto said top surface; and bringing a second capillary onto contact with said droplet to withdraw a portion of the fluid from said droplet to form a microfluidic sample on said top surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for preparing a sample grid for transmission electron microscopy, comprising:
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an automatic controller; a first capillary for depositing fluid samples; a second capillary for withdrawing a portion of said fluid samples; an automated XYZ positioning controller in communication with said automatic controller, said XYZ positioning controller controlling the position of said first and second capillaries. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification