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US 10,330,343 B2Granted
Devices for control of condensation and methods of use thereof
AssigneeT2 Biosystems, Inc.
InventorAdam Suchocki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to devices including a heating element with an opening, which can control condensation of liquid samples during thermal incubation. The opening of the heating element can provide direct access to the samples in a process that may be automated. The invention also provides methods for heating containers.
Claims26
A heating device, said device comprising:
- (a) a frame comprising at least one well for holding a liquid sample,
- (b) a heating element positioned above the frame, wherein the heating element does not contact the frame or the sample and is configured to heat the air above the sample, and
- (c) an opening positioned within the heating element and above the at least one well, wherein the opening has a lateral cross-section sized to permit passage of a gripper or liquid dispenser to the well;
- wherein the heating element is configured to heat the opening to a temperature greater than the temperature of the well;
- and wherein the opening is configured to allow, throughout the device's use, continuous access to the well by the gripper or liquid dispenser.
2 more elements
A method of heating a liquid sample, said method comprising:
- providing a liquid sample in a container, said container comprising a top surface, and
- heating the top surface of said container, wherein the heat is provided by a heating element above said container, wherein the heating element does not contact the container and is configured to heat the air above the sample, wherein said heating element has an opening therewithin, wherein the opening has a lateral cross-section sized to permit passage of a gripper or liquid dispenser to the container, wherein the heating element heats the opening to a temperature greater than the temperature of the liquid sample, and wherein the opening is configured to allow, throughout the heating process, continuous access to the well by the gripper or liquid dispenser.
A device for heating a liquid sample, said device comprising:
- (a) a frame comprising at least one well for holding a liquid sample, wherein said frame is on an agitation device;
- (b) a first heating element positioned above the frame, wherein the first heating element does not contact the frame or the sample and is configured to heat the air above the sample;
- (c) an opening positioned within the heating element and above the at least one well, wherein the opening has a lateral cross-section sized to permit passage of a gripper or liquid dispenser to the well, wherein the opening is configured to allow, throughout the device's use, continuous access to the well by the gripper or liquid dispenser;
- and (d) a second heating element positioned below or about the frame;
- wherein the first heating element is configured to reach a higher temperature than the second heating element.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.