Microwell array articles and methods of use
The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
1. An article, comprising
a microstructured layer with upper and lower major surfaces, comprising a plurality of optically-isolated microwells extending below the upper major surface; and
an optically-transmissive flexible layer coupled to the lower major surface of the microstructured layer;
wherein each microwell in the microstructured layer comprises an opening, an optically-transmissive bottom wall, and at least one side wall extending between the opening and the bottom wall;
wherein a first thickness (t) is defined by a thickness of the bottom wall plus a thickness of the optically-transmissive flexible layer;
wherein t is about 2 μm to about 55 μm;
wherein a second thickness (T) is defined by a thickness of the microstructured layer plus the thickness of the optical transmissive layer, wherein T is less than or equal to about 156 μm;
wherein the optically-transmissive flexible layer comprises a film comprising polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, or linear low density polyethylene;
wherein the optically-transmissive flexible layer further comprises an adhesive.
2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the microstructured layer comprises a colorant.
3. The article of claim 2 , wherein the colorant is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, fuchsin, carbazole violet, and Foron Brilliant Blue.
4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the optically-transmissive flexible layer is transmissive to a selected wavelength of light.
5. The article of claim 4 , wherein the bottom wall is substantially transmissive to the selected wavelength of light.
6. The article of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sidewall is substantially nontransmissive to the selected wavelength of light.
7. The article of claim 6 , wherein the at least one sidewall is at least 50% less transmissive of a selected wavelength of light than the bottom wall.
8. The article of claim 6 , wherein a sidewall is at least 90% less transmissive of a selected wavelength of light than the bottom wall.
9. The article of claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall and/or the at least one sidewall of a microwell further comprise a coating.
10. The article of claim 9 , wherein the bottom wall and/or the at least one side wall of a microwell further comprises a plurality of coatings.
11. The article of claim 9 , wherein at least one coating comprises SiO 2 .
12. The article of claim 9 , wherein at least one coating comprises a reflective coating.
13. The article of claim 1 , wherein the microstructured layer is a cured polymer derived from a resin.
14. The article of claim 13 , wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of acrylic-based resins derived from epoxies, polyesters, polyethers, and urethanes; ethylenically unsaturated compounds; aminoplast derivatives having at least one pendant acrylate group; polyurethanes (polyureas) derived from an isocyanate and a polyol (or polyamine); isocyanate derivatives having at least one pendant acrylate group; epoxy resins other than acrylated epoxies; and mixtures and combinations thereof.
15. The article of claim 14 , wherein the film comprises a multi-layer film.
16. The article of claim 1 , wherein the microstructured layer further comprises a tab region that is substantially free of microwells.
17. The article of claim 16 , wherein the tab region comprises a detachable portion.
18. The article of claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer coupled to the upper major surface of the microstructured layer.
19. The article of claim 18 , wherein the cover layer is removably coupled to the microstructured layer.
20. The article of claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer coupled to the optically-transmissive flexible layer on a surface opposite the microstructured layer.
21. The article of claim 20 , wherein the cover layer is removably coupled to the optically-transmissive flexible layer.
22. The article of claim 1 , further comprising an optical detection system comprising an optical device, wherein the optical device is optically coupled to a substrate.
23. The article of claim 22 , wherein the optical device comprises a fiber optic face plate.
24. The article of claim 22 , wherein the optical device comprises a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or a photomultiplier tube.
25. The article of claim 22 , wherein the optical system further comprises a processor.
26. The article of claim 1 , wherein at least one microwell further comprises a polynucleotide.
27. The article of claim 26 , wherein the polynucleotide is coupled to a particle.
28. The article of claim 1 , wherein the optically-transmissive flexible layer is disposed between at least one bottom wall and the adhesive.
29. An assay system, comprising:
an article according to claim 1 ;
an imaging device optically coupled thereto; and
a processor.
30. The assay system of claim 29 , wherein optically coupled comprises adhesively coupling the microwell array article to a solid interface.