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US 11,237,377 B2Granted
Apparatus for holding a substrate within a secondary device
AssigneeRareCyte, Inc.
InventorsSteve Quarre, David Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for securely holding a substrate, such as a microscope slide. A holder includes a frame including at least three walls, such as a base, a first arm, and a second arm. Each wall includes a platform or a portion of a platform to support the substrate. The first arm includes at least one securing block and a second arm opposite the first arm includes a secure bar with a securing block. The securing blocks include a ramp to guide the substrate off of the platforms and a stopper to set a maximum lift distance and to constrain the substrate.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm comprising at least one securing block;
- and
- a second arm comprising a secure bar comprising a securing block, and
- wherein the first and second arms extend in the same direction from the base,
- wherein each securing block comprises a ramp and a stopper,
- wherein the ramp is configured to directly contact a substrate and is shaped to translate the substrate at least vertically as the substrate moves against a surface of the ramp until the substrate directly contacts the stopper, and
- wherein the stopper is configured to set the maximum translation distance for the substrate and is further configured to constrain the substrate against the stopper and the ramp.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- inserting a substrate into a holder, the holder comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm comprising at least one securing block;
- and
- a second arm comprising a secure bar comprising a securing block, and
- wherein the first and second arms extend in the same direction from the base,
- wherein each securing block comprises a ramp and a stopper,
- wherein the ramp is configured to directly contact a substrate and is shaped to translate the substrate at least vertically as the substrate moves against a surface of the ramp, and
- wherein the stopper is configured to directly contact the substrate and to set the maximum translation distance for the substrate and is further configured to constrain the substrate against the stopper and the ramp;
- and moving the secure bar from an open position to a closed position, thereby moving the ramp into direct contact with the substrate, and
- moving the substrate against the surface of the ramp and translating the substrate at least vertically until the substrate directly contacts the stopper, thereby constraining the substrate against the stopper and the ramp.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.