Biological analysis device having improved contamination prevention

• US 5,554,536 A
• Filed: 01/05/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Millipore Investment Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Rising, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/369,212
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 422/101, 422/102, 436/809, 435/809, 435/288.4, 435/305.2, 435/288.5, 435/288.3, 435/305.1
• US Class Current: 435/305.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50255 Multi-well filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/04 Flat or tray type, drawers C12M23/10, C12M23/12, C12M23/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/12 Well or multiwell plates C12M25/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/04 in combination with well or multiwell plates, i.e. culture inserts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/809 Incubators or racks or holders for culture plates or containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays

Abstract

A device for conducting biological analysis, such as cell culture, is disclosed having improved contamination prevention features. In a preferred embodiment, a microwell membrane plate for cell analysis is adapted to be inserted into a shallow rectangular tray with elevated side walls which form a single large reservoir for holding an appropriate liquid used in cell growth and analysis. The side surfaces of the tray include a raised ridge extending about the entire periphery of the tray. A series of uniform-height steps formed on the ridge serve as support for the microwell membrane plate when inserted into the tray and also create a narrow capillary gap between the plate and the tray. A ledge extending laterally from the base of the ridge forms a second, wider gap when the microwell membrane plate is inserted into the tray. The height of the first capillary gap is less than the height of the second gap formed within the zone of space extending to the exterior of the device, thus when the tray and plate are tilted, as when jostled during handling, liquid from the reservoir will preferentially remain in the space formed by the first capillary gap. Liquid which does spill into the second gap will run back into the reservoir when the device is leveled.

Claims

1. A device for conducting biological analyses comprising:

a tray with a bottom surface and contiguous side surfaces defining at least one reservoir for holding a liquid solution;

a ledge extending around the periphery of said reservoir;

means defining a ridge on said ledge between the interior of said reservoir and the exterior of said tray;

sample receptacle support means adapted to cover the opening of said reservoir at least in the vicinity of said ridge and said ledge;

means for spacing said support means from said ridge to create a first capillary space therebetween extending about the periphery of said reservoir to permit the exchange of gas from the exterior of said device to the interior of said reservoir and vice-versa;

said ledge and said support means creating a second space adjacent to said first capillary space, the height of said first capillary space being less than that of said second space, whereby said liquid solution in said reservoir will preferentially remain in said first capillary space in the event said liquid solution spills out of said reservoir.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said support means includes at least one containment means having a permeable membrane sealingly attached thereto such that said membrane is positioned to contact said liquid solution in said reservoir.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said containment means includes living cells for cell culture.

4. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one of the surfaces which define said first capillary space and said second space has surface properties such that said liquid solution will have a contact angle of less than 90°

but greater than 0°

with said at least one surface.

5. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the height of said first capillary space is between 0.01 mm and 1 mm.

6. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the height of said second space is between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

7. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the transition from said first capillary space to said second space is a sharp edge.

8. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the height of said second space increases with distance from said first capillary space.

9. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the height of said second space decreases with distance from said first capillary space.