Apparatus and methods for reformatting liquid samples
AssigneeIllumina, Inc.
InventorsAaron C. Jones, Brett M. Ellman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides an apparatus and method for transferring a plurality of samples from an array of source sample locations to an array of destination sample locations. An apparatus or method of the invention are useful for reformatting samples in cases where the array of source sample locations differs in shape or orientation from the array of destination sample locations. The invention can be used to transfer fluid samples in the absence of an externally applied force. Because active automation is not required for transferring samples, the invention provides the advantage of a compact and efficient format for liquid handling.
Claims32
A sample transfer apparatus, comprising
- a plurality of separate capillary tubes each comprising an inlet and outlet orifice;
- and
- a support member orienting said inlet orifices as a matrix of inlet orifices and said plurality of outlet orifices as a matrix of outlet orifices,
- wherein said inlet orifices are directed to source sample locations and said outlet orifices are directed to destination sample locations, and
- wherein the transfer area of said matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said matrix of outlet orifices.
A sample transfer apparatus, comprising
- a plurality of separate capillary tubes each comprising an inlet and outlet orifice;
- and
- a support member orienting said inlet orifices as a planar matrix of inlet orifices and said plurality of outlet orifices as a planar matrix of outlet orifices,
- wherein said planar matrix of inlet orifices is substantially parallel to said planar matrix of outlet orifices,
- wherein said inlet orifices and said outlet orifices are pointed in opposite directions, and
- wherein the transfer area of said planar matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said planar matrix of outlet orifices.
A method for transferring a plurality of samples from a microplate to a substrate, comprising
- providing a microplate having a plurality of samples;
- contacting simultaneously said plurality of samples with a matrix of inlet orifices of a plurality of separate capillary tubes, whereby said samples are passively drawn through said capillary tubes to a matrix of outlet orifices;
- contacting sample at said outlet orifices with a substrate, whereby said sample is transferred to said substrate,
- wherein the transfer area of said matrix of inlet orifices is larger than the transfer area of said matrix of outlet orifices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.