SAMPLING ARRAY DEVICES AND SYSTEM FOR SPECTRAL ANALYSIS
A system for use in spectral analysis procedures can include a slide and a holder for carrying the slide. The slide includes a substrate forming a plurality of wells that are recessed relative to a surface of the substrate. Each of the wells forms a sample region that is recessed by a sample depth from the surface and a trough region that is recessed by a trough depth from the surface, the trough depth being greater than the sample depth. The holder includes a body defining a cavity between a first side and a second side of the body, a port for receiving the slide into the cavity, one or more first fenestrations on the first side, and one or more second fenestrations on the second side.
1 . A slide comprising:
a substrate forming a plurality of wells that are recessed relative to a surface of the substrate, wherein each of the wells forms a sample region that is recessed by a sample depth from the surface and a trough region that is recessed by a trough depth from the surface, the trough depth being greater than the sample depth.
2 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the substrate transmits electromagnetic radiation.
3 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a salt.
4 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises AgBr, AgCl, Al 2 O 3 , AMTIR, BaF 2 , CaF 2 , CdTe, CsI, diamond, Ge, KBr, KCl, KRS-5, LiF, MgF 2 , NaCl, Si, SiO 2 , ZnS, ZnSe, and/or ZrO 2 .
5 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the slide forms a bilaterally asymmetric shape.
6 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the trough region extends entirely about the sample region.
7 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the sample region is concentrically within the trough region.
8 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wells are provided in a plurality of rows, wherein each row comprises at least two of the plurality of wells.
9 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the slide is reusable.
10 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A method comprising:
providing samples to each of a plurality of wells formed in a slide, each of the wells being recessed relative to a surface of the slide;
enclosing the wells by applying a cover to the surface of the slide;
inserting the slide and the cover into a cavity of a holder; and
emitting electromagnetic radiation through one or more first fenestrations of the holder, one or more second fenestrations of the holder, and the sample.
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising inserting the holder into a receptacle of a plate attached to an imaging device.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein inserting the holder comprises positioning the sample at a focal length of the imaging device.
30 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising heating the samples to a target temperature by conducting heat through the holder.
31 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising placing a cap in thermal contact with an outer surface of the holder.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the emitting the electromagnetic radiation comprises emitting the electromagnetic radiation through one or more third fenestrations of the cap.
33 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the inserting the slide and the cover comprises inserting the slide and the cover through a port of the holder.
34 . The method of claim 33 , further comprising, after inserting the slide in the cover, obstructing the port with a block.
35 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation is infrared light.
36 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising, after the emitting the electromagnetic radiation, detecting a characteristic of the electromagnetic radiation not absorbed by the sample.
37 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
after the emitting the electromagnetic radiation, changing the temperature of the sample; and
emitting additional electromagnetic radiation through the one or more first fenestrations and the one or more second fenestrations of the holder and through the sample.