Vacuum assist for a microplate
AssigneeApplied Biosystems, LLC
InventorsMark F. OLDHAM, Adrian FAWCETT
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vacuum assist apparatus can comprise a microplate. The microplate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells can be formed in the first surface of the microplate. Each of the plurality of wells can be sized to receive an assay therein. A support base can comprise a fluid passage. The microplate can be positioned adjacent and in contact with the support base. A pressure device, in fluid communication with the fluid passage, can exert a vacuum within the fluid passage to actively retain the microplate in the contact with the support base.
Claims20
An apparatus to aid in genomic analysis, the apparatus comprising:
- a substrate comprising one or more material retention regions, for retaining a material;
- a marking indicia located on or within the substrate;
- and
- a reader for reading the marking indicia.
A thermal system, the system comprising:
- at least one sample block comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is capable of supporting a substrate;
- at least one channel in the first surface of the sample block, wherein the at least one channel is located between the sample block and the substrate;
- a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the at least one channel;
- a thermal source configured to transfer heat between the sample block and the substrate;
- and
- a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block.
A liquid handling device, the device comprising:
- a substrate comprising a main body;
- at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for carrying an assay, wherein the microfluidic channel comprises a first end and a second end;
- at least one input port fluidly connected to the first end of the microfluidic channel for introducing the assay to the microfluidic channel;
- at least one outlet fluidly connected to the second end of the microfluidic channel for removing the assay from the microfluidic channel;
- and
- at least one thermally isolated region disposed along at least one edge of the main body.
A sequence detection system, comprising:
- a liquid handling device comprising a substrate, the substrate further comprising a main body and at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for retaining an assay;
- a thermal system comprising,
- at least one sample block, the sample block further comprising a first surface and a second surface,
- a vacuum source fluidly coupled to at least one channel in the first surface of the block and capable of evacuating the channel;
- and
- a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block.
- an excitation system comprising at least one optical emission device, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to illuminate the liquid handling device;
- and
- a detection system comprising a segmented detector, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to gather emission from the liquid handling device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.