Container and method for high volume treatment of samples on solid supports
OwnerRob Neeper, John Lillig +2inventors
InventorsRob Neeper, John Lillig, John Bridwell, Allan Childers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells.
Claims22
A sample/collection container for automated processing of a plurality of samples on solid supports, the container comprising:
- a plurality of sample wells, each sample well dimensioned to receive and retain a solid support and to permit a solution to flow past the solid support;
- and
- a plurality of collection wells disposed to receive and retain solution that flows past the solid support, wherein each collection well of the plurality corresponds to one sample well, and wherein the solution removes at least a portion of the plurality of samples for collection in the collection wells.
A sample/collection container for automated processing of a plurality of samples on solid supports, the container comprising:
- a sample container having an array of sample wells formed therein, each sample well dimensioned to receive a sample on a solid support and having a drain connected thereto, wherein, when centrifugal force is applied to the sample container, a solution in the sample well is forced into the corresponding drain leaving the solid support in the sample well;
- a collection container removably attached to a bottom of the sample container, the collection container having an array of collection wells corresponding to the array of sample wells so that each drain of the sample container is directed to a corresponding collection well so that the solution is transferred from the sample well into the collection well.
A sample/collection container for automated processing of samples on solid supports, the container comprising:
- a plurality of wells, each well having a first inner diameter at an upper portion and a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter at a lower portion, wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than the solid support so that the solid support is retained in the well above the lower portion.
A method of automated treatment of a plurality of biological or chemical samples on solid supports, the method comprising:
- placing a sample and solid support in a sample well within a sample/collection container comprising a plurality of sample wells;
- loading the sample/collection container onto a centrifuge rotor;
- before or after loading the sample/collection container onto the centrifuge rotor, dispensing a solution into each well of the plurality of wells;
- spinning the centrifuge rotor at a first speed, wherein the first speed is selected to minimize creep between the sample wells;
- and
- spinning the centrifuge rotor at a second speed higher than the first speed to concentrate a solution containing the sample in the bottom of a collection well, wherein the second speed is selected to minimize bumping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.