Headspace eliminating microtiter plate lid and method of optically measuring well oxygen concentration through the lid
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsIan M. Hayes, James N. Hynes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implement for eliminating headspace in the testing space(s) (T9 or MPWell) of a test tube (T) or microtiter plate (MP), and methods of using such implements to measure oxygen concentration in a test sample. The implement projects into a test chamber (T9 or MPWell) to displace a portion of a fluid sample within the test chamber (T9 or MPWell) and has longitudinally extending grooves (109 and 229) through which the displaced fluidic content can be discharged from the test chamber (T9 or MPWell).
Claims14
A lid for a microtiter plate having any array of wells, the lid formed from an oxygen barrier material and comprising:
- (a) a cover plate for engaging the microtiter plate, and
- (b) projections extending longitudinally from the cover plate in an array conforming with the array of wells, with each projection (i) configured and arranged to longitudinally and sealingly project into a corresponding well in the microtiter plate, (ii) having an outwardly projecting convex distal end, and (iii) having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves operable for providing peripheral outlet channels between the projection and the well through which fluidic content within the well, displaced by insertion of the projection into the well, can be discharged from the well.
A method of measuring oxygen concentration within a test tube, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent material and a fluid test sample within a cavity of a test tube,
- (b) inserting an implement into frictional engagement within the cavity of the tube to form an enclosed chamber, wherein the implement comprises a stopper formed from an oxygen barrier material configured and arranged to longitudinally and sealingly project into a cavity of the test tube, the stopper having an outwardly projecting convex distal end and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves operable for providing peripheral outlet channels between the stopper and the test tube, forming the peripheral outlet channels between the implement and the test tube through which fluidic content within the cavity of the test tube, displaced by insertion of the implement into the cavity of the test tube, can be discharged from the cavity, and
- (c) ascertaining oxygen concentration within the enclosed chamber by (i) exposing the oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent material within the enclosed chamber to excitation radiation passed through the implement to create excited oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent material, (ii) measuring radiation emitted by the excited oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent material through the implement, and (iii) converting the measured emission to a target-analyte concentration based upon a known conversion algorithm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.