MICROARRAY CARRIER FOR MICROARRAY APPLICATOR
A microarray carrier ( 200 ) for use with a microarray applicator ( 100 ) is provided. The microarray carrier ( 200 ) includes a body ( 202 ) defining a cavity ( 210 ). The microarray carrier ( 200 ) also includes a plurality of tabs ( 220, 222, 224, 226 ) disposed on the body ( 202 ) and extending into the cavity ( 210 ). Each of the plurality of tabs ( 220, 222, 224, 226 ) defines a contour line along a length thereof extending from a proximal end of the tab adjacent the body to a support surface ( 228, 230, 232, 234 ) spaced apart from the body. The support surface ( 228, 230, 232, 234 ) is inclined with respect to the contour line where the contour line intersects the support surface ( 228, 230, 232, 234 ). A projected area of each of the plurality of tabs ( 220, 222, 224, 226 ) onto a horizontal plane (HP) of the cavity ( 210 ) is greater than an area of the support surface ( 228, 230, 232, 234 ). The support surface ( 228, 230, 232, 234 ) is aligned non-perpendicular to the horizontal plane (HP).
1 . A microarray carrier for use with a microarray applicator, the microarray carrier comprising:
a body defining a cavity; and
a plurality of tabs disposed on the body and extending into the cavity, each of the plurality of tabs having a contour line extending along a length thereof from a proximal end of the tab adjacent the body to a support surface spaced apart from the body, the support surface inclined with respect to the contour line where the contour line intersects the support surface, wherein a projected area of each of the plurality of tabs onto a horizontal plane of the cavity is greater than an area of the support surface and wherein the support surface is aligned non-perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
2 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs further includes a first portion extending from the body and a second portion inclined to the first portion, the second portion defining the support surface.
3 . The microarray carrier of claim 2 , wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is from about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees.
4 . The microarray carrier of claim 3 , wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is substantially 90 degrees.
5 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the contour line of each tab is an axis inclined obliquely relative to the horizontal plane of the cavity.
6 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is at least partially curved.
7 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
8 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the contour line at the distal end of the tab is substantially normal to the support surface.
9 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the support surface is disposed at an end of each of the plurality of tabs.
10 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs includes three tabs, the three tabs being equiangularly disposed around the cavity.
11 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs includes four tabs, the four tabs being equiangularly disposed around the cavity.
12 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a substantially annular shape.
13 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from the body.
14 . The microarray carrier of claim 1 , wherein the support surface is aligned essentially parallel to the horizontal plane.
15 . A microarray applicator comprising the microarray carrier of claim 1 and:
a housing; and
a plunger adapted to be movably disposed within the housing,
wherein the microarray carrier is removably and at least partially disposed within the housing.
16 . The microarray applicator of claim 15 , further comprising a microarray patch releasably retained by the microarray carrier, wherein the microarray patch is releasably supported by the support surface of each of the plurality of tabs.
17 . A method of using the microarray applicator of claim 16 , the method comprising:
receiving, releasably, the microarray patch on the microarray carrier;
receiving, removably, the microarray carrier with the microarray patch at least partially within the housing; and
moving the plunger from a first position to a second position in order to release the microarray patch from the microarray carrier and eject the microarray patch from the housing.
18 . The microarray applicator of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs of the microarray carrier further includes a first portion extending from the body and a second portion inclined to the first portion, the second portion defining the support surface.
19 . The microarray applicator of claim 18 , wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is from about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees.
20 . The microarray applicator of claim 15 , wherein the contour line of each tab of the microarray carrier is an axis inclined obliquely relative to the horizontal plane of the cavity.