Column tube holder for improved-accuracy assays
Inventors
Sedlak, Christopher Robert • Sedlak, Joseph Charles • Bortolin, Laura Teresa • Salem, Daniel Parker
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12246325-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A column tube holder includes: a first side rail extending vertically; a second side rail extending vertically; a first shelf extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail; a second shelf extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail, the second shelf disposed below the first shelf; and a third shelf extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail, the third shelf disposed below the second shelf. The column tube holder is composed of a conductive material, an anti-static material, and/or a static dissipative material.
Core Innovation
A column tube holder is disclosed for holding column tubes in an improved-accuracy assay environment. The holder includes first and second side rails extending vertically, and three horizontally extending racks spaced vertically between the rails. Each rack has at least one hole disposed therethrough, and the at least one first hole, the at least one second hole, and the at least one third hole are vertically aligned.
At least two sidewalls extend vertically between the second rack and the third rack, and each sidewall is disposed on opposing sides of the at least one third hole. Each sidewall does not extend above the second rack or below the third rack. The sidewall placement is used to balance electrostatic/electromagnetic forces so droplets fall into receiving containers without lateral movement or adhesion.
The holder is described as being made from conductive, anti-static, and/or static-dissipative materials to mitigate assay inaccuracies caused by localized electrical charge build-up on polymer/insulating holders. The material discussion includes conductive options such as metals and graphene, as well as coatings on insulators, and references surface resistivity and conductivity ranges.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include two independent claims covering a column tube holder structure with vertically aligned holes and sidewalls, and a system for holding column tubes that includes the holder plus a column-tube arrangement. Dependent claims further add receiving-container droplet collection and specific receiving-container types, as well as a multi-section hinging arrangement.
Three-rack column tube holder with vertically aligned holes
A column tube holder comprising a first side rail extending vertically; a second side rail extending vertically; a first rack extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail with at least one first hole; a second rack extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail, disposed below the first rack with at least one second hole; and a third rack extending horizontally between the first side rail and the second side rail, disposed below the second rack with at least one third hole, wherein the at least one first hole, the at least one second hole, and the at least one third hole are vertically aligned.
Sidewalls positioned between second and third racks around third-hole region
At least two sidewalls extending vertically between the second rack and the third rack, each sidewall disposed on opposing sides of the at least one third hole, and each sidewall not extending above the second rack or below the third rack.
Column tube holding system with vertically extending rails, three aligned hole sets, and inserted column tubes
A system for holding column tubes comprising a column tube holder with first and second side rails extending vertically, a first rack with a first plurality of holes, a second rack below the first rack with a second plurality of holes, and a third rack below the second rack with a third plurality of holes; a plurality of sidewalls vertically extending between the second rack and the third rack, each sidewall not extending above the second rack or below the third rack; at least one column tube disposed within at least one hole of the first plurality of holes and at least one hole of the second plurality of holes; wherein the first plurality of holes, the second plurality of holes, and the third plurality of holes are vertically aligned.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a holder/system architecture with vertically extending rails, three horizontally stacked racks carrying vertically aligned holes, and sidewalls located between the second and third racks around the region of the third rack holes.
Stated Advantages
Improved-accuracy assays by mitigating assay inaccuracies caused by localized electrical charge build-up on polymer/insulating holders.
Droplets fall into receiving containers without lateral movement or adhesion.
Documented Applications
Size-exclusion chromatography using the disclosed column tube holder.
Improved-accuracy assays in which localized electrical charge build-up would otherwise cause assay inaccuracies.
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