Liquid-tight container for storing and transporting afm probes
AssigneeCTR De Investn Coop En Biomater (CIC biomaGune)
InventorsElena Martines, Isabel Garcia Martin, Soledad Penades Ullate
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Abstract
The present invention provides a container and a method that can be used to transport and store AFM probes in a liquid buffer. This container fastens an AFM probe and consists of a plastic lid that secures a probe while keeping it in a controlled environment, thus preventing that the tips are contaminated by air-borne molecules, packaging material, deposited substances or air bubbles. In the case of functionalised probes, the surface molecules are still functional upon arrival. The tips cannot be broken upon transport because they are held by the container, however the probes can be easily removed upon opening of the container.
Claims14
A liquid-tight container, comprising:
- a lid that comprises a flexible material comprising a first portion with at least one protrusion;
- and
- a base comprising a probe receptacle,
- wherein the probe receptacle comprises a substantially flat portion lifted from an inner bottom wall of the base and at least one first retaining portion surrounding the substantially flat portion of the probe receptacle;
- wherein the lid and the base fit and adjust with each other when the lid is inserted in the base and the protrusion of the lid is aligned with the substantially flat portion of the probe receptacle thereby pressing an AFM probe between the substantially flat portion and the protrusion of the lid, and
- wherein the inner part of the lid comprises a second portion having a convex or substantially conical surface thereby allowing air to progressively escape from the liquid-tight container when closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.