Container providing a controlled hydrated environment
First Claim
1. A container for shipping and storing a microfluidic chip comprising:
- a base having an upper surface with a reservoir formed therein, wherein the reservoir extends downwardly from an opening in the upper surface of the base;
sealing means for sealing the reservoir;
a cover removably attached to the base;
a conformable gasket disposed between the cover and the base, the conformable gasket including a plug disposed on a surface of the gasket, the plug configured to be sealingly disposed within a well of a microfluidic chip, the conformable gasket further including a force director disposed on a surface of the gasket, wherein a downward closing force applied to the cover is transferred to the sealing means through the force director.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container is provided for shipping and storing a pre-wetted and pre-conditioned microfluidic “sipper” chip. The container contains both dry compartments and wet compartments. A base contains a fluid-filled reservoir configured to house the capillaries. The opening of the reservoir is sealed with an O-ring. The plastic mount of the chip rests on the base in a dry compartment. The upper surface of the chip contains several wells containing fluid. A gasket is provided with plugs configured to be disposed within and seal the wells. Alternatively, the wells are first sealed with a foil film adhered to the well openings with an adhesive and a gasket is disposed between the foil and a cover, which is removably attached to the base. When the cover is closed, the gasket and O-ring seal the wet compartments to prevent leakage and to slow evaporation.
100 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A container for shipping and storing a microfluidic chip comprising:
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a base having an upper surface with a reservoir formed therein, wherein the reservoir extends downwardly from an opening in the upper surface of the base; sealing means for sealing the reservoir; a cover removably attached to the base; a conformable gasket disposed between the cover and the base, the conformable gasket including a plug disposed on a surface of the gasket, the plug configured to be sealingly disposed within a well of a microfluidic chip, the conformable gasket further including a force director disposed on a surface of the gasket, wherein a downward closing force applied to the cover is transferred to the sealing means through the force director. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for shipping and storing comprising:
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a microfluidic chip having at least one well disposed on a surface thereof; and a container including a base having an upper surface with a reservoir formed therein, wherein the reservoir extends downwardly from an opening in the upper surface of the base, sealing means for sealing the reservoir, and a cover removably attached to the base, wherein said microfluidic chip is disposed within said container. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification