Apparatus and method for testing and continuously reading low-volume samples
First Claim
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1. A system for automatically analyzing a large number of small-volume samples, comprising:
- a. a microwell tape having a continuous length and containing a plurality of wells, the tape having first and second lateral edges defined by a continuous row of indexing perforations;
b. a drive mechanism adapted to move the microwell tape through the system;
c. a pipetter for transferring samples to the wells of the microwell tape;
d. a dispenser for transferring a reagent to the well of the microwell tape;
e. sealing means for sealing the wells of the microwell tape, wherein the sealing means comprises an indexing drum having cavities dimensioned to resister with the wells of the microwell tape;
f. a thermocycler; and
g. a detector for analyzing the contents of wells of the microwell tape.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a well sampling tape (otherwise known as “microwell tape” or simply “tape”), a dispenser for dispensing small volumes of liquid into the wells formed in the tape and a detector for high-throughput sample reading of the liquid dispensed in the individual wells. The present invention is more specifically directed to a bioassay system incorporating the materials listed above.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for automatically analyzing a large number of small-volume samples, comprising:
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a. a microwell tape having a continuous length and containing a plurality of wells, the tape having first and second lateral edges defined by a continuous row of indexing perforations; b. a drive mechanism adapted to move the microwell tape through the system; c. a pipetter for transferring samples to the wells of the microwell tape; d. a dispenser for transferring a reagent to the well of the microwell tape; e. sealing means for sealing the wells of the microwell tape, wherein the sealing means comprises an indexing drum having cavities dimensioned to resister with the wells of the microwell tape; f. a thermocycler; and g. a detector for analyzing the contents of wells of the microwell tape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for automatically analyzing a large number of small-volume samples comprising:
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a. a microwell tape having a continuous length and containing a plurality of wells, the tape having first and second lateral edges defined by a continuous row of indexing perforations; b. a drive mechanism adapted to move the microwell tape through the system; c. a pipetter for transferring samples to the wells of the microwell tape; d. a dispenser for transferring a reagent to the well of the microwell tape; e. sealing means for sealing the wells of the microwell tape, wherein the sealing means comprises an indexing drum having a plurality of cavities in register and dimensioned and configured to reflect profiles of the wells of the microwell tape; f. a thermocycler; and g. a detector for analyzing the contents of wells of the microwell tape. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A sample characterization system utilizing a microwell tape for analysis of samples comprising:
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a. a microwell tape having a continuous length and containing a plurality of wells, the tape having first and second lateral edges defined by a continuous row of indexing perforations b. a drive mechanism adapted to automatically advance the microwell tape; c. at least one dispenser for dispensing reagents into the wells of the microwell tape; and d. sealing means for sealing the wells of the microwell tape, wherein the sealing means comprises an indexing drum having cavities dimensioned to register with the wells of the microwell tape e. a detector for analyzing the contents of wells of the microwell tape. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification