# US 12,216,331 B2 · Assay apparatuses, methods and reagents > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,331 B2 - Document ID: US12216331B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/596,909 - Filed: 2024-03-06 - Published: 2024-08-22 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC. - Applicants: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC. - Inventors: Ian D. Chamberlin; Charles M. Clinton; Eli N. Glezer; Bandele Jeffrey-Coker; Manish Kochar; Sandor Kovacs; D. T. Le; Aaron Leimkuehler; George Sigal; Leo Tabakin; Jon Willoughby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216331B2 ## CPC - G02B 7/36: using image sharpness techniques {, e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals (image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67)} - G01N 21/253: {for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus (analytical automats G01N35/00)} - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 35/028: {having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation are described. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An instrument for conducting luminescence assays in a multi-well plate, the instrument comprising a light detection subsystem and a plate handling subsystem, wherein the plate handling subsystem comprises: (a) a light-tight enclosure comprising a housing and a removable drawer, wherein (x) the housing comprises a housing top, a housing front, one or more plate introduction apertures, a detection aperture, a sliding light-tight door for sealing the one or more plate introduction apertures, and a plurality of alignment features, wherein the housing is adapted to receive the removable drawer, and (y) the removable drawer comprises: (i) an x-y subframe comprising a plurality of companion alignment features configured to mate and engage with the plurality of alignment features to align the removable drawer within the housing relative to the light detection subsystem, wherein a weight of the removable drawer is supported by the housing top; (ii) one or more plate elevators with a plate lifting platform that can be raised and lowered, wherein the one or more plate elevators are positioned below the one or more plate introduction apertures; (iii) a plate translation stage for translating a plate in one or more horizontal directions, wherein the plate translation stage comprises a plate carriage for supporting the plate, the plate carriage has an opening to allow the one or more plate elevators positioned below the plate carriage to access and lift the plate, and the plate translation stage is configured to position plates below the detection aperture and to position the plates above the one or more plate elevators; and (b) one or more plate stackers mounted on the housing top, above the one or more plate introduction apertures, wherein the one or more plate stackers are configured to receive or deliver plates to the one or more plate elevators; and wherein the light detection subsystem comprises a light detector mounted on the housing top and coupled to the detection aperture with a light-tight seal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the x-y subframe is mounted to the housing top. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the plurality of alignment features comprise a set of alignment pins distributed throughout the housing and the plurality of companion alignment features comprises a set of holes configured to engage with the set of alignment pins. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a plurality of electrical connectors and the removable drawer comprises a plurality of companion electrical connectors configured to contact and engage with the plurality of electrical connectors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the one or more plate stackers are removable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a plate stacker extension element configured to house a plurality of plates, wherein the plate stacker extension element is positioned on top of the one or more plate stackers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The instrument of claim 6 wherein a height of the plate stacker extension element is adjustable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The instrument of claim 7 wherein the plate stacker extension element is configured to accommodate up to 20 plates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The instrument of claim 7 wherein the plate stacker extension element is configured to accommodate up to 10 plates. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The instrument of claim 7 wherein the plate stacker extension element is configured to accommodate up to 5 plates. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the plate handling subsystem further comprises a plate sensor configured to detect a plate in the plate handling subsystem. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11 where the plate sensor comprises a capacitive sensor, contact switch, ultrasonic sensor, weight sensor, or an optical sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the removable drawer further comprises a plurality of spill containment mechanisms proximate to the one or more plate elevators and/or the plate translation stage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The instrument of claim 13 wherein spill containment mechanisms comprise drip shields. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the plate lifting platform comprises a non-skid surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the one or more plate elevators comprise two adjacent lifting platforms connected via a scissor mechanism configured to raise and lower the two adjacent lifting platforms. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the plate translation stage comprises a locking mechanism configured to disable movement of the plate translation stage. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the plate handling subsystem further comprises one or more plate orientation sensors. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18 wherein the one or more plate orientation sensors are positioned on or in connection with the plate carriage, the one or more plate stackers, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1 wherein the light detection subsystem comprises a camera and a camera focusing mechanism configured to focus the camera in the x, y, z, and theta directions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the camera focusing mechanism comprises a manually adjustable element. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The instrument of claim 21 wherein the manually adjustable element comprises a knob. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the light detection subsystem further comprises a motor configured to drive the camera focusing mechanism. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the light detection subsystem comprises a light detection subsystem housing mounted to the plate handling subsystem. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The instrument of claim 24 wherein the light detection subsystem housing comprises a buckle affixed to the light-tight enclosure housing top. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The instrument of claim 25 wherein the buckle further comprises one or more light-blocking materials configured to prevent light leakage from the light-tight enclosure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the light detection subsystem comprises a light detection subsystem housing, the light detection subsystem housing comprising a light shield surrounding the camera. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the camera comprises a lens including an F number in the range of 1.3-1.8. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The instrument of claim 20 wherein the housing comprises an internal cooling fan, an intake vent on a first side of the housing and an exhaust vent positioned on an opposing side of the housing relative to the first side.