Multi-slide assembly including slide, frame and strip cap, and methods thereof

Abstract

A multi-slide assembly includes various components that alone or in combination facilitate testing of test samples with minimal manipulation of assay components. Moreover, the various device components permit centrifugation, culturing and analysis of each test sample to be performed in the same assembly. A frame retains a plurality of reaction vessel assemblies between a pair of opposing channels that are configured to slidably receive the opposing ends of each reaction vessel assembly. A strip cap seals the openings in each reaction vessel using cap members having sealing rings circumscribing the external walls thereof to form compression seals with internal walls of the reaction vessels. Furthermore, in a method of making a multi-well slide assembly, an ultrasonic welding process removably bonds a plurality of wells to a slide plate to provide an adequate seal therebetween during centrifugation, yet still enable separation thereof by an operator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 139,550, filed on May 6, 2002 by Bunn et al. (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,239), which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 510,717, filed on Feb. 22, 2000 by Bunn et al. (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,820), which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 08 / 958,521 filed on Oct. 27, 1997 by Bunn et al., (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,562) all entitled “MULTI-SLIDE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SLIDE, FRAME AND STRIP CAP, AND METHODS THEREOF,” which applications are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention is generally directed to cell culturing, immunological and molecular tools for use in biomedical research and diagnostics applications. More specifically, the invention is directed to cell culture, immunological and molecular tools such as slides, wells, vessels and the like for use in research or diagnostic testing of biological t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The invention addresses these and other problems associated with the prior art in providing a multi-slide assembly including various components that alone or in combination facilitate testing of biological, chemical or molecular test samples with minimal manipulation of assay components. Specifically, various operations such as centrifugation, inoculation, culturing and / or analysis of a test sample may be performed in the same reaction vessel to speed up testing and / or to minimize cross-contamination between multiple samples. Batch processing of numerous test samples may therefore be performed expediently and reliably.

Problems solved by technology

Most cell culture vessels are typically not well suited for performing all tasks in a diagnostic process.

For example, a culture tube or Petri dish is often suitable for inoculation and / or incubation; however, many such cell culture vessels are not well suited for centrifugation and / or analysis.

Moreover, with vessels such as dram vials, culture tubes or Petri dishes, each test sample must be handled individually, which can become cumbersome when working with numerous samples.

Often, however, such multi-well plates are restrictive in that it is difficult to culture multiple cell lines in a single plate due to different culture times required for each type of cell line.

Moreover, there is a possibility of cross-contamination between wells.

Also, if one cell culture in a multi-well plate becomes contaminated or otherwise inoperative, typically the entire plate must be discarded.

It has also been found that centrifugation causes a number of concerns with many conventional cell culture vessels.

However, a tight seal on a vessel may induce an aerosol effect when the sealing member for the vessel is removed.

When the vacuum is released after the sealing member is fully removed, viruses or other biological agents or contaminants may be released into the atmosphere due to the sudden pressure change in the vessel.

Such agents may be dangerous to operators, and they may also cause contamination of nearby samples.

However, such assemblies are not designed for centrifugation and include no suitable manner of sealing each well during centrifugation.

The loose-fitting lid provided with such assemblies is insufficient to tightly seal each well.

However, the bond tends to leak during and / or after exposure to centrifugation forces, and thus is not suited for use in a centrifuge.

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