Assay apparatuses, methods and reagents
AssigneeMeso Scale Technologies, LLC.
InventorsCharles M. Clinton, Eli N. Glezer, Bandele Jeffrey-Coker, Sandor L. Kovacs, Sudeep M. Kumar, George Sigal, Carl Stevens, Michael Vock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.
Claims20
An apparatus for measuring signals from wells of sealed multi-well assay plates, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a sealed multi-well assay plate;
- (b) a seal removal tool for removing seals from wells of said multi-well plates, wherein said seal removal tool comprises:
- (1) a piercing probe with a seal piercing tip and configured to move along an axis in a piercing direction to pierce a seal of the sealed multi-well assay plate, (2) a piercing probe guide having an opening formed therein along which the piercing probe slides in said piercing direction, and (3) a through-hole provided in said piercing probe and parallel to said axis and off-set from said piercing tip;
- (c) a pipetting probe that is attached to the piercing probe guide and movably located in said through-hole such that it can be withdrawn into said piercing probe during seal removal operations and extended from said piercing probe during pipetting operations;
- and
- (d) a spring disposed in the opening in the piercing probe guide and arranged to couple said piercing probe guide to said piercing probe, wherein said spring urges the piercing probe away from the piercing probe guide along said piercing direction.
A method of detecting a signal from wells of a multi-well plate using a seal removal tool for removing seals from said wells, a pipetting probe, and a spring;
- wherein said seal removal tool comprises (1) a piercing probe with a seal piercing tip and configured to move along an axis in a piercing direction to pierce a seal of the sealed multi-well assay plate, (2) a piercing probe guide having an opening formed therein along which the piercing probe slides in said piercing direction, and (3) a through-hole provided in said piercing probe and parallel to said piercing direction and off-set from said piercing tip, and wherein said piercing probe guide is coupled to said piercing probe by said spring;
- wherein said piercing probe guide has an opening formed therein along which the piercing probe slides in said piercing direction;
- wherein said pipetting probe is attached to the piercing probe guide and movably located in said through-hole such that it can be withdrawn into said piercing probe during seal removal operations and extended from said piercing probe during pipetting operations;
- and
- wherein said spring is disposed in the opening in the piercing guide probe, said spring urging the piercing probe away from the piercing probe guide along said piercing direction;
- the method comprising:
- (a) providing said seal removal tool;
- (b) piercing, with said piercing probe, a seal on a well of said multi-well plate;
- (c) extending said pipetting probe from said piercing probe;
- (d) pipetting, from said pipetting probe, sample and/or assay reagent into said well;
- (e) pipetting, from said pipetting probe, assay reagent into said well;
- and
- (f) detecting said signal from said well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.