Analytical system with accurate positioning of multiwell plates
Inventors
DYSLI, Lukas • Thalmann, Christian
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12325020-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an analytical system with at least three components: a multiwell plate on which the wells are included in an optically transparent area; a frame holding the multiwell plate close to its edge while permitting the plate a certain extent of freedom of movement; a baseplate to which the multiwell plate, but not the frame is firmly fixed via a docking mechanism, such that different expansion of plate and frame can be compensated. A second aspect described herein relates to a method of docking a corresponding multiwell plate held by a frame to a baseplate and subjecting the multiwell plate to a step of a biological or chemical assay within this arrangement.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an analytical system for a biological or chemical assay that positions an optically transparent multiwell plate in an optical detection path. The multiwell plate has a plurality of wells in an optically transparent area and at least one inlet port, and it is held at its rim by a frame.
A key aspect is compensation for differential expansion between the frame and the multiwell plate. The frame provides sufficient lateral clearance to spatially compensate for differential expansion, and the plate is docked to a baseplate using a first docking structure on the rim and a corresponding second docking structure on the baseplate.
The first docking structure comprises at least one half-circle shaped indentation at the rim, while the frame includes at least one gap corresponding to the at least one inlet port. The second docking structure on the baseplate protrudes and firmly laterally positions the multiwell plate relative to the baseplate while not directly fixing the frame and baseplate to each other, thereby maintaining the lateral clearance during transferring between thermal incubation and optical detection.
The system enables optical detection with an optical detection system functionally coupled to the baseplate, including at least one light source and at least one detector. The disclosure emphasizes accuracy benefits for temperature-cycling workflows such as PCR and digital PCR (dPCR), and it describes options for integrating baseplates with light/detector modules and with heating/cooling elements for thermocycling as part of a thermal incubation system.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a method for conducting a biological or chemical assay with an optically transparent multiwell plate aligned for optical detection while maintaining lateral clearance to compensate differential expansion. It includes four inventive features.
Differential expansion compensated rim holding with lateral clearance
Providing a multiwell plate with a plurality of wells in an optically transparent area and an inlet port, wherein the multiwell plate is held at its rim by a frame with sufficient lateral clearance to spatially compensate for differential expansion of frame and multiwell plate.
Rim indentation docking with inlet-port frame gaps
The first docking structure comprises at least one half-circle shaped indentation disposed at the rim of the multiwell plate, and the frame comprises at least one gap corresponding to the at least one inlet port on the multiwell plate that holds the multiwell plate at its rim.
Firm lateral positioning via baseplate protrusion while maintaining clearance
Docking the multiwell plate to a baseplate having a protruding second docking structure corresponding to the at least one half-circle shaped indentation of the first docking structure to firmly laterally position the multiwell plate with its plurality of wells in the optically transparent area relative to the baseplate, while not fixing the frame and the baseplate directly to each other, such that the lateral clearance between frame and multiwell plate is maintained.
Optical detection using an optical detection system coupled to the baseplate
Optically detecting contents of the plurality of wells with an optical detection system functionally coupled to the baseplate, the optical detection system comprising at least one light source and at least one detector.
Overall, the claim set defines a workflow that docks an optically transparent multiwell plate laterally to a baseplate for well positioning in an optical detection path, while explicitly maintaining lateral clearance to spatially compensate differential expansion between the frame and the multiwell plate and preventing direct fixation between the frame and the baseplate.
Stated Advantages
Improved accuracy for temperature-cycling workflows due to compensating differential expansion between the frame and the multiwell plate while maintaining well positioning.
Documented Applications
Conducting a biological or chemical assay including steps of the assay followed by optical detection of well contents in an optical detection system.
Performing temperature-cycling workflows such as PCR and digital PCR (dPCR) with optical detection, using the docked multiwell/frame assembly and baseplate integration in a thermal incubation system.
Interested in licensing this patent?