Sample plate systems and methods

• US 9,857,367 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2013
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynex Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynex Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Bunce, Adrian, Fusellier, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, ANN Y
• Application Number:
  US14/025,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20140171344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00459 Beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00468 by manipulation of individual beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00574 Means for distributing beads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1086 Cylindrical, e.g. variable angle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5304 Reaction vessels, e.g. agglutination plates for solid-phase systems G01N33/543
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54393 Improving reaction conditions or stability, e.g. by coating or irradiation of surface, by reduction of non-specific binding, by promotion of specific binding
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1083 with one horizontal degree of freedom

Abstract

A sample plate comprising a sample well is disclosed. The sample well can comprise one or more bead retaining chambers. Also provided herein is a method of using the sample plate and kits comprising the sample plate.

Claims

1. An Immunoassay sample plate comprising a plurality of circular sample wells, each sample well comprising a circular arrangement of probes, wherein the probes are provided by reagent beads.

2. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probes comprise a nucleic acid, antibody, antibody fragment, protein, peptide, aptamer, chemical compound or oligonucleotide.

3. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said probe is attached to a respective one of said beads.

4. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bead comprises a microparticle, particle or microsphere.

5. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 3, wherein each bead has a diameter in the range 0.5-1.0 mm.

6. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe is used to detect an analyte in a biological sample.

7. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe is used to detect an antibody or biomarker in a sample indicative or a disease or condition.

8. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sample well comprises a central fluid receiving area.

9. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sample plate comprises multiple probes, each detecting a different analyte.

10. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sample plate comprises multiple probes and different concentrations of a reagent.

11. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein a central portion of said sample well does not comprise a recess.

12. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probes are arranged in one or more concentric circles.

13. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the probes is located radially outward of and fluidly exposed to the central fluid receiving area.

14. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of radial wall members establishing a plurality of reagent receiving chambers, with each of the plurality of radial wall members extending radially between an adjacent pair of the circular arrangement of probes and each said bead being located in a respective one of said plurality of reagent receiving chambers.

15. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sample well comprises a base portion, wherein said base portion comprises a plurality of recesses, wherein a bead is located in each recess, each recess having a circular cross-section and comprising a tapered section.

16. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein each bead is retained or secured within a respective said recess by an interference or friction fit with the tapered section.

17. An Immunoassay sample plate comprising a plurality of circular sample wells, each sample well including a circular arrangement of probes, wherein the probes are provided by reagent beads, wherein each sample well includes a circular arrangement of probes and a central fluid receiving area, wherein each of said probes is located radially outward of and fluidly exposed to the central fluid receiving area, and wherein each said sample well also includes a base portion, wherein said base portion comprises a plurality of recesses, wherein a bead is located in each recess, each recess having a circular cross-section and comprising:

(a) a tapered section or

(b) a diameter less than a diameter of the bead located in said recess.

18. An Immunoassay sample plate comprising a plurality of circular sample wells, each sample well comprising a side wall and a solid, bottom base portion, said base portion including a circular arrangement of probes and a central fluid receiving area, wherein each of said probes is located radially outward of and fluidly exposed to the central fluid receiving area within the base portion.

19. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 18, wherein the central fluid receiving area contains no analysis features.

20. An Immunoassay sample plate as claimed in claim 18, wherein said sample plate comprises multiple probes, each detecting a different analyte.