High density test plate and process of making
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsThierry Luc Alain Dannoux, Gilbert Dominique Pujol, David Martin Root
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support plate and method of making a support plate for biological or chemical testing or cell culture. The plate has a high density network of microwells formed therein. The wells are formed by a contact pressing technique whereby a network of protuberances are pressed into the surface of a thermoformable material.
Claims23
A process for forming a plate having a plurality of seperate and distant wells imprinted therein for use in biological or chemical assays or cultures comprising the steps of
- a) providing a pressing matrix comprising a network of protuberances extending from a surface;
- b) pressing said network into a substantially flat plate of a glass material, said glass material having been heated above its softening temperature;
- c) removing said network;
- and
- d) cooling said flat plate.
A process for forming a plurality of plates having a plurality of seperate and distinct wells imprinted therein for use in biological or chemical assays or cultures comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a plurality of stacked pressing matrixes, each comprising a network of protuberances extending from a surface, each matrix separated by a space;
- b) inserting a plurality of plates of a glass material, each into one said space between said matrixes, said glass material having been heated above its softening temperature;
- c) pressing said pressing matrixes together such that said network from each matrix is pressed into the immediately adjacent plate;
- d) removing said plurality of networks from said plurality of plates;
- and,
- e) cooling said plurality of plates.
A plate for use in biological or chemical assays or cultures comprising:
- a glass plate having a surface having a network of seperate and distinct microwells formed therein,
- said microwells each having a bottom surface and an axial section in the form of a flared funnel starting from said bottom surface,
- whereby any portion of said surface separating two adjacent bottom surfaces is convex at any point and free of any discontinuity of curvature.
A plate for use in biological or chemical assays or cultures comprising:
- a glass plate having opposing surfaces, each surface having a network of seperate and distinct microwells formed therein,
- said microwells each having a bottom surface and an axial section in the form of a flared funnel starting from said bottom surface,
- whereby any portion of said surface separating two adjacent bottom surfaces is convex at any point and free of any discontinuity of curvature
- each microwell from one of said networks being coaxial with a corresponding microwell from the network formed in the opposing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.