Sample substrate for use in biological testing and method for filling a sample substrate
A sample substrate for use in biological testing is provided having a first member defining at least one sample well and a second member including at least one sample well closure element. The at least one sample well closure element may be configured to substantially seal a corresponding sample well. Methods of filling the sample substrate are also provided.
1. A sample substrate for use in biological testing, comprising:
a first member defining a plurality of sample wells for containing a sample to be tested; and
a second member including a plurality of sample well closure elements, each sample well closure element being movable with respect to a remainder of the second member,
the second member being movable with respect to the first member from an uncovered position, wherein the plurality of sample wells is uncovered, to a covered position, wherein the plurality of sample wells is substantially covered by the second member,
at least one of the plurality of sample well closure elements configured to substantially seal a corresponding sample well when the second member is in the covered position, by moving the at least one of the plurality of closure elements from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position, and
at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one of the plurality of sample wells.
2. The sample substrate of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one of the plurality of sample wells via a fluid channel.
3. The sample substrate of claim 2 , wherein the sample substrate further comprises a branch fluid channel between the fluid channel and the at least one of the plurality of sample wells.
4. The sample substrate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of closure elements permits fluid communication between its corresponding sample well and the reservoir when in the first predetermined position and prevents fluid communication between the reservoir and the sample well when in the second predetermined position.
5. The sample substrate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one reservoir is capable of being filled with the sample to be tested when the second member is in the covered position.
6. The sample substrate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one reservoir comprises a plurality of reservoirs.
7. The sample substrate of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of reservoirs is in fluid communication with a separate portion of the plurality of sample wells.
8. A sample substrate for use in biological testing, comprising:
a first member defining at least one sample well; and
a second member including means for substantially sealing the at least one sample well,
the means for substantially sealing being movable with respect to a remainder of the second member from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position so that at least a portion of the means for substantially sealing lies within the sample well,
wherein the means for substantially sealing comprises a movable cap surrounded by a flexible annular rim, the flexible annular rim configured to allow the movable cap to move with respect to the sample well and substantially seal the sample well.
9. The sample substrate of claim 8 , wherein the movable cap includes a cylindrical portion configured to engage an inner surface of its corresponding sample well.
10. A sample substrate for use in biological testing, comprising:
a first member defining a plurality of sample wells for containing sample to be tested; and
a second member including a plurality of sample well closure elements and a surface connecting the sample well closure elements, each sample well closure element including:
a cap with a projecting member dimensioned to fit into a corresponding sample well; and
a flexible annular hinge member connecting the cap and the surface of the second member, the flexible annular hinge member configured to snap between a first discrete position in which the cap substantially covers the corresponding sample well, and a second discrete position in which the cap substantially seals the corresponding sample well.
11. The sample substrate of claim 10 , wherein the flexible annular hinge member is initially flexed to the first discrete position, and then snaps to the second discrete position upon a predetermined force being imparted on the cap.
12. The sample substrate of claim 10 , wherein the projecting member is cylindrical and the corresponding sample well is cylindrical.
13. The sample substrate of claim 10 , wherein the first member further comprises at least one reservoir in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of sample wells.
14. The sample substrate of claim 13 , wherein the first member further comprises a fluid channel so that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one of the plurality of sample wells when the cap is in the first discrete position.
15. The sample substrate of claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of closure elements permits fluid communication between its corresponding sample well and the reservoir when the cap is in the first discrete position and prevents fluid communication between the reservoir and the sample well when the cap is in the second discrete position.
16. The sample substrate of claim 15 , wherein in the second discrete position, the bottom portion of the cap blocks the fluid channel from communicating with the at least one of the plurality of sample wells.
17. A sample substrate for use in biological testing, comprising:
a first plate-like member defining an array of sample wells for containing sample to be tested; and
a second plate-like member including an array of sample well closure elements and a surface connecting the sample well closure elements, the sample well closure elements being positioned to correspond with the array of sample wells, each sample well closure element including:
a cap with a cylindrical member dimensioned to fit into a corresponding sample well, and a bottom portion; and
a flexible annular hinge member connecting the cap and the surface of the second plate-like member, the flexible annular hinge member including an over-center hinge so that the hinge member snaps between a first discrete position in which the cap is spaced from the sample well, and a second discrete position in which the bottom portion of the cap is positioned within the sample well to substantially seal the corresponding sample well.