Method for lyophilization and device thereof
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12582984-B1
Publication Date
2026-03-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method of generating lyophilized reagents in a multiwell substrate.
Core Innovation
A method of producing a multiwell substrate having lyophilized reagents includes providing a multiwell substrate having a plurality of wells formed therein, each well having a surface in the well. The method treats the surface in each well with an oxygen plasma treatment to render the surface in each well hydrophilic, and then deposits a liquid reagent in each of the wells.
The method further lyophilizes the liquid reagent in each well, thereby freezing the liquid reagent below its melting point and reducing pressure to form a lyophilized reagent in the form of a disc within each well of the multiwell substrate. This produces a multiwell substrate in which lyophilized reagent is located as a disc inside each well.
The disclosure also encompasses high throughput processing and handling of lyophilized reagents, including simultaneous processing by stacking multiple substrates and downstream automation, manipulation, and transport of lyophilized reagents to assay devices. The resulting substrates are described as containing stable, room-temperature shippable dry reagents for use in assays.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identifies a production workflow comprising oxygen plasma hydrophilization of well surfaces, deposition of liquid reagent into each well, and lyophilization to form lyophilized reagent discs within wells. The claim coverage includes four key inventive features.
Oxygen plasma hydrophilization of well surfaces
Treating the surface in each of the plurality of wells with an oxygen plasma treatment to render the surface in each of the plurality of wells hydrophilic.
Well-by-well liquid reagent deposition
Depositing a liquid reagent in each of the plurality of wells.
Lyophilization freezing below melting point under reduced pressure
Lyophilizing the liquid reagent in each of the plurality of wells, thereby freezing the liquid reagent below its melting point and reducing pressure.
Lyophilized reagent as a disc within each well
Forming a lyophilized reagent in the form of a disc within each of the plurality of wells of the multiwell substrate.
Across the independent claim, the core inventive coverage is the combination of oxygen plasma treatment to render well surfaces hydrophilic, deposition of liquid reagent into each well, and lyophilization under reduced pressure to form lyophilized reagent discs within each well.
Stated Advantages
Stable, room-temperature shippable dry reagents.
Documented Applications
Using the resulting multiwell substrates with lyophilized reagents for assays, including transport and manipulation of lyophilized reagents to assay devices.
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