Method of sampling, amplifying and quantifying segment of nucleic acid, polymerase chain reaction assembly having nanoliter-sized sample chambers, and method of filling assembly
AssigneesCytonix Corporation, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
InventorJames F. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.
Claims23
A miniaturized assembly comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of portion retaining means in or on the substrate and each including an open end having a dimension of 2 millimeters (mm) or less;
- means for loading a chemical or biological fluid sample into said plurality of portion retaining means;
- means for displacing said fluid sample away from the open ends of said plurality of portion retaining means;
- and
- means for sealing at least the open end of each of said plurality of portion retaining means while simultaneously displacing sample fluid away from said open end.
A method for dividing a chemical or biological fluid sample into a plurality of sample portions and simultaneously sealing said plurality of sample portions against contamination and evaporation, said method comprising:
- introducing a chemical or biological fluid sample into an assembly having a substrate and a plurality of portion retaining means formed in or on the substrate, each portion retaining means having a dimension 2 millimeters (mm) or less and including an open end;
- displacing said fluid sample away from the open end of each of said plurality of portion retaining means and simultaneously sealing the open end of each of said plurality of portion retaining means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.