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US 7,118,909 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for biomaterial assay
OwnerMatthew R. Gevaert, Karen J. L. Burginventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus to facilitate precise and efficient evaluation of biomaterials using direct contact cell culture techniques. The apparatus positions the biomaterial and creates the potential to form a fluid-tight seal between the biomaterial and the apparatus, at which point the biomaterial is exposed to cells and/or media. An assay method based on the apparatus is claimed.
Claims3
A bioassay apparatus comprising:
- a) a multi-well plate with at least one well, said well being defined by interior, vertical walls and a flat floor formed in a solid base unit;
- b) a rectangular base having a top surface and a front, a back, and side members defined by edges, said multi-well plate positioned on said top surface;
- c) a well-plate insert comprising a platform with a top surface, a bottom surface, and edges, said well-plate insert having at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder, wherein said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder traverses said platform and is secured to said platform and said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder comprises a first length extending below said bottom surface of said platform, said first length terminating in a distal end, and said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder further comprises a second length extending above a top surface of said platform, and said second length terminating in a proximal end;
- and wherein said platform of said well-plate insert is physically joined to said rectangular base by mechanically adjustable connectors such that said distal end of said first length of said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder can contact a sample of biomaterial positioned on the floor of the at least one well of the said multi-well plate such that a fluid tight seal can be formed between said distal end of said first length of said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder and said floor of said at least one well formed in said multi-well plate;
- and
- d) a means to cover said proximal end of said second length of said at least one, open-ended, hollow cylinder, said means further being adapted to contact said edges of said platform when positioned to cover said proximal end.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.