High density plate filler

• US 8,277,760 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lehto, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handy, Dwayne K
• Application Number:
  US11/393,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20060233670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,378 Days
• Field of Search: 422100-104, 422/501, 422/502, 422/503, 422/504, 422/507
• US Class Current: 422/507
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/021 Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1805 Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0262 using touch-off at substrate or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50851 : specially adapted for heating or cooling samples laboratory heating apparatus B01L7/00; incubators C12M
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/563 : Joints or fittings in general F16L; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 : with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/50 : Clamping means, tongs in general F16B2/06
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 : for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/274 : Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 : Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 : having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 : arranged in a two-dimensional array

Abstract

A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface and at least one pressure nodule extending from the second surface. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. The output layer can further comprise a capillary plane disposed above the plurality of staging capillaries in fluid communication with the assay input port. The capillary plane can be sized to draw the assay from the assay input port to generally flood fill the plurality of staging capillaries.

Claims

1. A filling apparatus comprising:

a microplate having a first plurality of wells, each of said first plurality of wells being sized to receive a first fluid therein; and

a first sweep loader having a first chamber containing the first fluid, said first chamber having an outlet aperture disposed over more than one of the first plurality of wells and configured to deliver the first fluid along a top surface of said microplate, the outlet aperture configured such that a portion of said first fluid is drawn within at least some of the plurality of wells, said first sweep loader and said microplate being moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position.

2. The filling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first sweep loader comprises:

a second chamber containing a second fluid, said second chamber having an outlet delivering a second fluid bead of the second fluid over said first plurality of wells such that a layer of said second fluid is deposited over said first plurality of wells.

3. The filling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a sealing member disposed over said outlet of said second chamber to selectively seal said second fluid within said second chamber.

4. The filling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sealing member is a foil layer.

5. The filling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a scraper member extending from said first sweep loader generally adjacent said outlet of said second chamber, said scraper member being spaced a predetermined distance from said microplate to obtain a predetermined thickness of said layer of said second fluid.

6. The filling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second fluid is oil.

7. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

said microplate having a second plurality of wells, said second plurality of wells being spaced apart from said first plurality of wells, each of said second plurality of wells being sized to receive a second fluid therein; and

a second sweep loader having a second chamber containing the second fluid, said second chamber having an outlet delivering a second fluid bead of the second fluid along a top surface of said microplate and in fluid communication with each of said second plurality of wells such that a portion of said second fluid bead is drawn within at least some of the plurality of wells in response to capillary force, said second sweep loader and said microplate being moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position to draw said second fluid bead across said microplate.

8. The filling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first sweep loader comprises a third chamber containing a third fluid, said third chamber having an outlet delivering a third fluid bead of the third fluid over said first plurality of wells such that a layer of said third fluid is deposited over said first plurality of wells;

and

said second sweep loader comprises a fourth chamber containing a fourth fluid, said fourth chamber having an outlet delivering a fourth fluid bead of the fourth fluid over said second plurality of wells such that a layer of said fourth fluid is deposited over said second plurality of wells.

9. The filling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first fluid and said second fluid are different.

10. The filling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first fluid is a first assay and said second fluid is a second assay, said first assay being different than said second assay.

11. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a track system operably guiding said first sweep loader relative to said microplate between said first position and said second position.

12. The filling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said track system comprises:

a first feature formed on said first sweep loader; and

a second feature formed on said microplate, said second feature engaging said first feature thereby aligning said first sweep loader relative to said microplate.

13. The filling apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first feature is a flange member downwardly extending from said first sweep loader and said second feature is an upright wall extending along a portion of said microplate, said flange member engaging said upright wall.

14. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an elevator device raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate once said first sweep loader reaches said second position to break contact of said first fluid bead from said top surface of said microplate.

15. The filling apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said elevator device comprises:

a member cammingly coupled to said first sweep loader, said member raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate when said first sweep loader is in said second position.

16. The filling apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said elevator device comprises:

a generally wedge shaped member coupled to said first sweep loader; and

a notch formed in said first sweep loader, said generally wedge shaped member being urged into said notch when said first sweep loader is in said second position thereby raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate to break contact of said first fluid bead from said top surface of said microplate.

17. The filling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first sweep loader is spaced apart from said first plurality of wells when in said first position.

18. The filling apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a pair of support arms extending from said microplate supporting said first sweep loader in said first position.

19. The filling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first plurality of wells is shaped such that an edge of each of said plurality of wells is an ellipse having a long axis inclined relative to said top surface of said microplate.

20. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an overflow reservoir disposed generally adjacent said first plurality of wells, said overflow reservoir being in fluid communication with at least a portion of said top surface of said microplate.

21. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a staging clip selectively coupling said first sweep loader to said microplate.

22. The filling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first fluid is an assay.

42. The filling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sweep loader is configured to slide across the top surface of the microplate.

43. The filling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sweep loader is configured to slide across the top surface of the microplate such that the outlet is moved along the top surface of the microplate such that the outlet communicates with at least one of the first plurality of wells and then communicates with at least another of the first plurality of wells.

23. A filling apparatus comprising:

a microplate comprising a top surface and having a first plurality of wells and a second plurality of wells, each of said first plurality of wells being sized to receive a first fluid therein, each of said second plurality of wells being sized to receive a second fluid therein, said second plurality of wells being discretely spaced apart along the top surface from said first plurality of wells; and

a first sweep loader having a first outlet for delivering the first fluid along a top surface of said microplate and configured such that a portion of said first fluid from said first outlet is simultaneously deposited within at least some of the first plurality of wells, said first sweep loader and said microplate being moveable relative to each other; and

a second sweep loader having a second chamber containing the second fluid for delivering the second fluid along the top surface of said microplate and configured such that a portion of said second fluid from said second chamber is simultaneously deposited within at least some of the second plurality of wells, said second sweep loader and said microplate being moveable relative to each.

24. The filling apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said first sweep loader contains a third fluid, said first sweep loader delivering a third fluid bead of said third fluid over said first plurality of wells such that a layer of said third fluid is deposited over said first plurality of wells.

25. The filling apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said second sweep loader contains a fourth fluid, said second sweep loader delivering a fourth fluid bead of said fourth fluid over said second plurality of wells such that a layer of said fourth fluid is deposited over said second plurality of wells.

26. The filling apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising:

a sealing member disposed over said first sweep loader to selectively seal said second third fluid within said first sweep loader.

27. The filling apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said sealing member is a foil layer.

28. The filling apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising:

a scraper member extending from said first sweep loader and being spaced a predetermined distance from said microplate to obtain a predetermined thickness of said layer of said third fluid.

29. The filling apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said third fluid is oil.

30. The filling apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:

a track system operably guiding said first sweep loader relative to said microplate between a first position and a second position.

31. The filling apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said track system comprises:

a first feature formed on said first sweep loader; and

a second feature formed on said microplate, said second feature engaging said first feature thereby aligning said first sweep loader relative to said microplate.

32. The filling apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said first feature is a flange member downwardly extending from said first sweep loader and said second feature is an upright wall extending along a portion of said microplate, said flange member engaging said upright wall.

33. The filling apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising:

an elevator device raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate once said first sweep loader reaches said second position to break contact of said first fluid bead from said top surface of said microplate.

34. The filling apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said elevator device comprises:

a member cammingly coupled to said first sweep loader, said member raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate when said first sweep loader is in said second position.

35. The filling apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said elevator device comprises:

a generally wedge shaped member coupled to said first sweep loader; and

a notch formed in said first sweep loader, said generally wedge shaped member being urged into said notch when said first sweep loader is in said second position thereby raising said first sweep loader relative to said microplate to break contact of said first fluid bead from said top surface of said microplate.

36. The filling apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said first sweep loader is spaced apart from said first plurality of wells when in a first position.

37. The filling apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a pair of support arms extending from said microplate supporting said first sweep loader in said first position.

38. The filling apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each of said first plurality of wells is shaped such that an edge of each of said plurality of wells is an ellipse having a long axis inclined relative to said top surface of said microplate.

39. The filling apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:

an overflow reservoir disposed generally adjacent said first plurality of wells, said overflow reservoir being in fluid communication with at least a portion of said top surface of said microplate.

40. The filling apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:

a staging clip selectively coupling said first sweep loader to said microplate.

41. The filling apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said first fluid is a first assay and said second fluid is a second assay, said first assay being different from said second assay.

44. The filling apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first sweep loader and the second sweep loader are configured to slide across the top surface of the microplate.

45. The filling apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first sweep loader is configured to slide across the top surface of the microplate such that the first sweep loader communicates with at least one of the first plurality of wells and then communicates with at least another of the first plurality of wells, and wherein the second sweep loader is configured to slide across the top surface of the microplate such that the second sweep loader communicates with at least one of the second plurality of wells and then communicates with at least another of the second plurality of wells.

46. A filling apparatus comprising:

a microplate comprising a top surface, a first array of wells disposed along the top surface, and a distinct second array of wells separated from the first array along the top surface; and

a sweep loader having a first chamber containing a first fluid and a second chamber containing a second fluid, said first chamber having an outlet aperture disposed over more than one of said first array of wells and configured to deliver the first fluid along said top surface of said microplate such that a portion of the first fluid is drawn within at least some of the first array of wells, said second chamber having an outlet uniquely associated with said second array of wells and configured to deliver the second fluid along said top surface of said microplate.

47. The filling apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first array of wells has an average spacing between wells and the second array of wells is separated from the first array by a distance greater than the average spacing of the first array of wells.