Expandable sequencing tray

• US 6,277,630 B1
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sorenson Bioscience Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sorenson Bioscience Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mackert, Stephen C., Price, West L., Brophy, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US09/701,672
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 204/616, 204/618, 422/102, 435/287.2, 435/288.4, 435/305.2, 435/809
• US Class Current: 435/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1069 by adjusting the spacing between multiple probes of a single transferring head
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1067 for transfer to or from containers having different spacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/809 Incubators or racks or holders for culture plates or containers

Abstract

A DNA sequencing tray (92) holds an array of sample wells (82) in a rank and file pattern by means of rigid file members (85) connected by flexible mechanisms (87) permitting the pattern to be expanded to change the center-to-center spacing between adjacent wells (82) form 9 mm to 10.8 mm.

Claims

1. An adjustable sample well tray comprising:

a plurality of file members arranged in spaced, parallel relation, each carrying a plurality of target locations spaced along a line;

adjacent said file members being connected by linkage structure adapted selectively to assume;

a first, relaxed, condition in which the spacing between adjacent target sites in adjacent said file members are separated by a first, relatively small distance and

a second, expanded, condition in which said spacings between adjacent target sites of adjacent said file members are separated by a second, relatively large distance.

2. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 1, wherein said linkage structure comprises a living hinge arrangement.

3. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 1, wherein said linkage structure comprises tether strands with memory bias to said relaxed condition.

4. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 1, wherein said target locations comprise the centers of respective sample wells, and said linkage structures function such that the center-to-center distance between said sample wells in adjacent said file members is approximately 9 mm with said tray in said relaxed condition.

5. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 4, wherein said linkage structure comprises a living hinge arrangement.

6. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 4, wherein said linkage structure comprises tether strands with memory bias to said relaxed condition.

7. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 4, wherein said linkage structures function such that the center-to-center distance between said sample wells in adjacent said file members is approximately 10.8 mm with said tray in said expanded condition.

8. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 7, wherein said linkage structure comprises a living hinge arrangement.

9. An adjustable sample well tray according to claim 7, wherein said linkage structure comprises tether strands with memory bias to said relaxed condition.

10. An adjustable DNA sequencing tray comprising:

a plurality of relatively rigid structural members arranged in spaced, parallel relation, each said structural member carrying a plurality of sample wells in spaced file arrangement such that the sample wells carried by said tray are arranged in a rank and file pattern;

linkage mechanism connecting adjacent said rigid structural members and being structured and arranged selectively to hold said sample wells in said pattern in adjustable fashion between;

a first condition in which the center-to-center spacing between sample wells in adjacent said rigid structural members is a relatively small distance, and

a second condition in which said center-to-center spacing is a relatively larger distance.

11. A sequencing tray according to claim 10, wherein said linkage mechanism functions to establish said center-to-center spacing at approximately 9 mm when said pattern is set at said first condition and at approximately 10.8 mm when said pattern is set at said second condition.

12. A sequencing tray according to claim 11, wherein said linkage structure comprises a living hinge arrangement.

13. A sequencing tray according to claim 11, wherein said linkage structure comprises tether strands with memory biasing said pattern to said first condition.

14. A sequencing tray according to claim 11 wherein said pattern includes 96 said sample wells, arranged in eight files of 12 ranks.