# US 12,761,446 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 12,761,446 B2 - Document ID: US12761446B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/971,592 - Filed: 2024-12-06 - Published: 2025-06-05 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - 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/US12761446B2 ## 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 A method for interrogating samples contained in a multi-well plate having a M×N matrix of wells, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a contact platform having a plurality of interrogation zones, (b) providing at least a pair of electrical contacts for each interrogation zone, wherein each interrogation zone is adapted to interrogate a single well, (c) applying, selectively, a voltage potential to: (i) one interrogation zone to interrogate one or more wells simultaneously or (ii) the plurality of interrogation zones to interrogate a plurality of wells, and (d) moving the multi-well plate relative to the contact platform to interrogate additional wells. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interrogation zones are arranged in a P×Q matrix and wherein the M×N matrix is larger than the P×Q matrix. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein in step (c) (ii) a M×N number of wells are interrogated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein in step (c) (i) a single well is interrogated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising step (e) controlling the application of the voltage potential in step (c) by selecting at least one positive contact of the at least a pair of the electrical contacts on the contact platform to connect to the voltage potential. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein step (e) further include the step of electrically isolating at least one positive contact not connected to the voltage potential. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising a step (f) of providing bottom electrical contacts on a bottom surface of the multi-well plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising a step (g) of electrically isolating at least one ground contact from the bottom electrical contacts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein in step (g) all ground contacts from the bottom electrical contacts are isolated from each other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising a step (h) of providing an optical sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising a step (i) of focusing the optical sensor to the contact platform. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising a step (j) of aligning the optical sensor to the contact platform. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising a step (k) of aligning a tray carriage frame adapted to carry the multi-well plate to the contact platform. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising a step (l) of aligning the at least a pair of electrical contacts of the contact platform to a bottom surface of the multi-well plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein step (1) further comprises providing an electrically conductive surface of a tray carriage frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising a step (m) of latching the multi-well plate to a tray carriage frame. ### Claim 17 An instrument configured to interrogate samples contained in a multi-well plate having a M×N matrix of wells, comprising: a contact platform having a plurality of interrogation zones; at least a pair of electrical contacts for each of the plurality of interrogation zones, wherein each of the plurality of interrogation zones is adapted to interrogate a single well; and a voltage source configured for selectively applying a voltage potential to: (i) one interrogation zone to interrogate one or more wells simultaneously, or (ii) the plurality of interrogation zones to interrogate a plurality of wells. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The instrument of claim 17, further including a carriage frame configured to support the multi-well plate, the carriage frame configured to be movable relative to the contact platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The instrument of claim 17, wherein the multi-well plate comprises bottom electrical contacts for each well on a bottom surface of the multi-well plate, wherein the bottom electrical contacts are adapted to contact the at least a pair of electrical contacts. ### Claim 20 An instrument configured to interrogate samples contained in a multi-well plate, comprising: a contact platform having a plurality of interrogation zones; at least a pair of electrical contacts for each of the plurality of interrogation zones, wherein each of the plurality of interrogation zones is adapted to interrogate a single well; and a voltage source configured for selectively applying a voltage potential to: at least one interrogation zone to interrogate one or more wells.