Apparatus for holding a substrate within a secondary device
AssigneeRareCyte, Inc.
InventorsSteve Quarre, David Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for securely holding a substrate, such as a microscope slide. A holder includes a frame including at least three walls, such as a base, a first arm, and a second arm. Each wall includes a platform or a portion of a platform to support the substrate. The first arm includes at least one securing block and a second arm opposite the first arm includes a secure bar with a securing block. The securing blocks include a ramp to guide the substrate off of the platforms and a stopper to set a maximum lift distance and to constrain the substrate.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm comprising at least one securing block;
- and
- a second arm comprising a secure bar comprising a securing block, and
- wherein the first and second arms extend in the same direction from the base,
- wherein each securing block comprises a ramp and a stopper,
- wherein the ramp is shaped to translate a substrate at least vertically, and
- wherein the stopper sets the maximum translation distance for the substrate and constrains the substrate.
The device of claim 9, further comprising at least one cutout at the distal end of each of the first and second arms.
A method comprising:
- inserting a substrate into a holder, the holder comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm comprising at least one securing block;
- and
- a second arm comprising a secure bar comprising a securing block, and
- wherein the first and second arms extend in the same direction from the base,
- wherein each securing block comprises a ramp and a stopper,
- wherein the ramp is shaped to translate a substrate at least vertically, and
- wherein the stopper sets the maximum translation distance for the substrate and constrains the substrate;
- and
- moving the secure bar from an open position to a closed position, thereby translating the substrate at least vertically and constraining the substrate against the securing blocks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.