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US 7,026,168 B2Granted
Sample processing devices
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsWilliam Bedingham, James E. Aysta, Barry W. Robole, Kenneth B. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.
Claims72
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side;
- a process array formed between the first and second sides, the process array comprising a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers through the main conduit;
- closing the deformable seal, wherein closing the deformable seal comprises deforming a deformable metallic layer;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
7 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side, wherein die second side comprises a metallic layer;
- and
- a process array formed between the first and second sides, the process array comprising a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers,
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, wherein the deformable seal comprises pressure sensitive adhesive;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers through the main conduit;
- closing the deformable seal by deforming the metallic layer of the second side and adhering the first side and the second side together using the pressure sensitive adhesive;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
7 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side;
- and
- a process array formed between the first and second sides, the process array comprising a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers through the main conduit;
- closing the deformable seal;
- separating the loading structure from the sample processing device after closing the deformable seal;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
9 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side,
- a plurality of process arrays formed between the first and second sides, wherein each process array of the plurality of process arrays comprises:
- a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, and a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers in each process array of the plurality of process arrays through the main conduit in each of the process arrays;
- closing the deformable seal in each process array of the plurality of process arrays, wherein, for each process array of the plurality of process arrays, closing the deformable seal comprises deforming a deformable metallic layer;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
7 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side;
- a process array formed between the first and second sides, the process array comprising a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, and wherein at least a portion of each of the process chambers transmits electromagnetic energy of selected wavelengths;
- and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers through the main conduit;
- closing the deformable seal;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
7 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side,
- a plurality of process arrays formed between the first and second sides, wherein each process array of the plurality of process arrays comprises:
- a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, and a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, and wherein, for each process array of the plurality of process arrays, at least a portion of each of the process chambers transmits electromagnetic energy of selected wavelengths, and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers in each process array of the plurality of process arrays through the main conduit in each of the process arrays;
- closing the deformable seal in each process array of the plurality of process arrays;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block.
7 more elements
A method of processing sample materials, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device that comprises:
- a body comprising a first side attached to a second side,
- a plurality of process arrays formed between the first and second sides, wherein each process array of the plurality of process arrays comprises:
- a loading structure, a main conduit comprising a length, and a plurality of process chambers distributed along the main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers, and
- a deformable seal located between the loading structure and the plurality of process chambers;
- distributing sample material to at least some of the process chambers in each process array of the plurality of process arrays through the main conduit in each of the process arrays;
- closing the deformable seal in each process array of the plurality of process arrays;
- locating the body in contact with a thermal block;
- and
- controlling the temperature of the thermal block while the body is in contact with the thermal block;
- wherein, for each process ray of the plurality of process arrays, the loading structure comprises a U-shaped loading chamber comprising first and second legs, an inlet port located proximate a distal end of the first leg, and a vent port located proximate a distal end of the second leg, and further wherein distributing sample material comprises delivering the sample material to the inlet port and moving the sample material to the main conduit from the loading structure.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.