Apparatus and methods for reformatting liquid samples
First Claim
1. A sample transfer apparatus for transferring samples from source wells to destination sample locations, comprisinga plurality of separate capillary tubes each comprising an inlet and outlet orifice;
- a support member orienting said inlet orifices as a matrix of inlet orifices and said plurality of outlet orifices as a matrix of outlet orifices; and
a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of source wells,wherein said support member comprises a first contact surface for a supporting said multi-well plate,wherein said inlet orifices are directed to said wells and said outlet orifices are directed to destination sample locations,wherein said inlet orifices extend beyond said first contact surface into contact with the interiors of said wells,wherein said support member comprises a second contact surface spaced from and parallel to said first contact surface for holding a substrate having said destination sample locations,wherein said second contact surface is positioned to allow for a substrate placed thereon to be within 250 μ
m of said outlet orifices, andwherein the area of said matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said matrix of outlet orifices.
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Abstract
The invention provides an apparatus and method for transferring a plurality of samples from an array of source sample locations to an array of destination sample locations. An apparatus or method of the invention are useful for reformatting samples in cases where the array of source sample locations differs in shape or orientation from the array of destination sample locations. The invention can be used to transfer fluid samples in the absence of an externally applied force. Because active automation is not required for transferring samples, the invention provides the advantage of a compact and efficient format for liquid handling.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sample transfer apparatus for transferring samples from source wells to destination sample locations, comprising
a plurality of separate capillary tubes each comprising an inlet and outlet orifice; -
a support member orienting said inlet orifices as a matrix of inlet orifices and said plurality of outlet orifices as a matrix of outlet orifices; and a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of source wells, wherein said support member comprises a first contact surface for a supporting said multi-well plate, wherein said inlet orifices are directed to said wells and said outlet orifices are directed to destination sample locations, wherein said inlet orifices extend beyond said first contact surface into contact with the interiors of said wells, wherein said support member comprises a second contact surface spaced from and parallel to said first contact surface for holding a substrate having said destination sample locations, wherein said second contact surface is positioned to allow for a substrate placed thereon to be within 250 μ
m of said outlet orifices, andwherein the area of said matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said matrix of outlet orifices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A sample transfer apparatus for transferring samples from source wells to destination sample locations, comprising
a plurality of separate capillary tubes each comprising an inlet and outlet orifice; - and
a support member orienting said inlet orifices as a planar matrix of inlet orifices and said plurality of outlet orifices as a planar matrix of outlet orifices, wherein said planar matrix of inlet orifices is substantially parallel to said planar matrix of outlet orifices, a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of source wells, wherein said support member comprises a first contact surface for supporting said multi-well plate, wherein said inlet orifices extend beyond said first contact surface into contact with the interiors of a plurality of said wells, wherein said inlet orifices and said outlet orifices are pointed in opposite directions, wherein said support member comprises a second contact surface spaced from and parallel to said first contact surface for holding a substrate having said destination sample locations, wherein said second contact surface is positioned to allow for a substrate placed thereon to be within 250 μ
m of said outlet orifices, and wherein the area of said matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said matrix of outlet orifices.
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Specification