IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,213,042
Granted Patent B2
US 9,213,042 · App. 14/326,243 · Granted Dec 15, 2015

Vacuum assist for a microplate

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,213,042
App. No.
14/326,243
Granted
Dec 15, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vacuum assist apparatus can comprise a microplate. The microplate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells can be formed in the first surface of the microplate. Each of the plurality of wells can be sized to receive an assay therein. A support base can comprise a fluid passage. The microplate can be positioned adjacent and in contact with the support base. A pressure device, in fluid communication with the fluid passage, can exert a vacuum within the fluid passage to actively retain the microplate in the contact with the support base.

Claims (12)

1. A sequence detection system, comprising:

a liquid handling device comprising a substrate, the substrate further comprising a main body and at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for retaining an assay;

a thermal system comprising,

at least one sample block, the sample block further comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface comprises at least one channel;

a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the at least one channel in the first surface of the sample block capable of evacuating the channel;

at least one thermoelectric device coupled to the second surface of the sample block;

a control system electrically connected to the at least one thermoelectric device and at least one temperature sensor and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block;

an excitation system comprising at least one optical emission device, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to illuminate the liquid handling device; and

a detection system comprising a segmented detector, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to gather emission from the liquid handling device.

2. The sequence detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical emission device comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

3. The sequence detection system of claim 1 , wherein the segmented detector comprises a CCD.

4. The sequence detection system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to gather fluorescence emission from the liquid handling device.