Divisible multi-well plates
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024204918
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-03-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
Smart Images
Figure 2025022959000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates broadly, but not exclusively, to multi-well plates that can be manually divided into strips. The manually divided tube strips of the present disclosure have smooth edges that prevent user injury or glove tearing. [Background technology]
[0002] Reagents for biological and chemical methods are often supplied to users pre-aliquoted into multi-well plates, such as 96-well plates. Often these reagents are supplied as lyophilized and / or frozen formulations. In a typical multi-well plate configuration, for frozen reagents, the user either thaws the entire multi-well plate and uses all the reagents at once or discards the unused sections of the plate. Reagents can alternatively be supplied pre-aliquoted into strips of tubes (such as 8-tube strips), but this is not suitable for a manufacturing environment, as it requires manual loading of the strip tubes into an automated filling instrument and manual sealing with cap strips. On the other hand, multi-well plates are standardized to automatically dispense and seal the reagents.
[0003] Some existing multi-well plates can be divided into tube strips or segmented plates. However, the plates are manufactured entirely from polypropylene or similar soft materials, which are suitable for reactions that require temperature changes, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but are not suitable for automated systems and manufacturing processes. Due to the characteristics of the material, these tube strips or segmented plates are difficult to handle by humans or automated systems in a manufacturing environment. For example, the soft nature of polypropylene makes the plates difficult to grip by automated handlers and robotic devices. Grippers used by automated systems may warp, deform, or crush the plates due to the flexible and semi-rigid nature of the polypropylene material.
[0004] Some existing polypropylene splittable plates require scissors, a cutter, or other cutting tools to split into sections.
[0005] In addition, some existing divisible multi-well plates can only be divisible into segmented plates, i.e., into 24-well or 32-well segments, but not into single 8-tube strips, which also results in the waste of unused reagents.
[0006] There are some splittable multi-well plates with frames made of rigid materials and wells made of soft materials that are suitable for automated handling. However, in some cases, such multi-well plates require tools such as scissors or cutters to break the multi-well plates into tube strips. In other cases, such multi-well plates are manually splittable, but the plates can only be split into segments (such as a block of 32 wells) and are not suitable for splitting into single strips (such as any tube strips). In still other cases, for existing manually splittable multi-well plates that can be split into single strips, the splitting process leaves sharp edges that can cause injury to the user or tear gloves.
[0007] Therefore, a need exists for a multi-well plate that is manually divisible into single tube strips without the use of any cutting tools that addresses at least some of the problems discussed above. Summary of the Invention
[0008] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-well plate that is manually separable by a human or automated system in a manufacturing environment into strips of wells or tubes that are compatible with reagent dispensing. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-well plate that is manually separable into tube or well strips (including but not limited to 8-well or 8-tube strips) or into segments comprising at least one or more tube strips (segments of 8-tube or 8-well strips, such as segments having 16, 24, 32, 40, etc. tubes). The terms well or tube are used alternatively in this application.
[0009] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multi-well plate comprising a frame portion made of a first material, the frame having a flat top surface with an array of holes arranged in a row pattern (forming a row pattern of holes), the frame further comprising an array of break features arranged in a row pattern (forming a row pattern of break features) alternating with the row pattern of holes, and a plurality of tubes or wells disposed in the plurality of holes in the top surface of the frame, the tubes or wells being made of a second material, the multi-well plate being manually separable into one or more rows of multi-well strips along a central section of the break features. In some embodiments, the break features are segmented break features.
[0010] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are manually divisible into a plurality of single rows of multi-well strips along the center of a segmented break feature. The multi-well strips can also be divided into segments comprising at least two rows of multi-well strips.
[0011] In some embodiments, the segmented break feature of a multi-well plate of the present disclosure comprises an array of petal-shaped cuts extending from the top surface of the frame through the bottom surface of the frame, and a series of undercuts in the bottom surface of the frame arranged to alternate with the petal-shaped cuts, hi some embodiments, the undercuts are V-shaped undercuts.
[0012] In some embodiments of the multi-well plates of the present disclosure, the petal-shaped cuts in the top surface of the frame combined with the undercuts in the bottom surface of the frame create eight small break sections or break features on either side of the rows of the multi-well plate. The length and thickness of each break section is the same across the entire frame. This pattern of break sections results in a segmented break pattern.
[0013] Advantageously, the segmented break pattern / feature, as opposed to the continuous break lines present in some existing multi-well plates, provides one or more of the following improvements: eliminating the need for tools to divide the multi-well plate, and / or allowing manual separation of the multi-well plate into strips / segments, and / or the petal-shaped radius and localized break minimizes sharp edges after break, and / or reduces sharp jagged edges after break, and / or provides smooth edges, and / or reduces the likelihood of tearing gloves or injuring the user's hands and fingers.
[0014] The breakable feature design of the present disclosure prevents the end user's glove from tearing and / or prevents injuries such as cuts and scratches to the user's fingers and hands.
[0015] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure, when manually divided into strips or tubes or well segments, provide or result in smooth edges and / or minimize or reduce sharp edges and / or reduce sharp or jagged edges. In some embodiments, manually dividing a multi-well plate of the present disclosure results in one or more rows of multi-well strips that do not have sharp edges. Thus, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure can be divided into strips or segments with reduced and / or no injury to the user. The multi-well plates of the present disclosure can be divided into strips or segments with reduced or no occurrence of glove tears.
[0016] In some embodiments, the multi-well plate of the present disclosure comprises a frame made of a first rigid material, and the wells are made of a second softer material. In some embodiments, the first rigid material of the frame is polycarbonate, or amorphous plastic, and partially crystalline highly filled plastic, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the second softer material of the wells is polypropylene, silicone, LSR (liquid silicone rubber), or made of soft plastic and partially crystalline plastic, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first rigid material of the frame is polycarbonate, and the second softer material of the wells is polypropylene.
[0017] In some embodiments, the wells or tubes of the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are molded directly into the frame utilizing form-locking connections. In an exemplary embodiment, molding and mechanical interlocking of the lower portion of the frame forms the locking connection to join the wells or tubes to the frame.
[0018] In some embodiments, the multi-well plate comprises 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 or more wells. In some embodiments, the multi-well plate comprises 96 wells. In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure can be manually divided into one or more rows of 8-tube strips or into segments comprising at least one row of 8-tube strips.
[0019] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are compatible with one or more of, including but not limited to, automation, manufacturing processes, lyophilization procedures, reagent loading, reagent freezing, use in thermal cycling instruments, use in microbiological processes, and the like.
[0020] The multi-well plates and corresponding 8-tube strips and / or segments comprising at least two or more 8-tube strips of the present disclosure are compatible with several commercially available thermal cycler instruments.
[0021] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure can be sealed to enclose the reagents. The seals can include, but are not limited to, one or more of peelable foils, clear seals, clear caps, optical seals, optical caps, dome-shaped caps, flat caps, etc. The frames, skirts, and wells of the multi-well plates of the present disclosure can additionally include features to mate and interface with various automated devices and can have features to allow for robotic gripping.
[0022] In some embodiments, the skirt feature is located along the frame of the multi-well plate from the edge, extending either a portion of the frame or the entire length of the frame. In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are of a standard profile design with a standard height skirt, which allows standard height tubes / wells to fit into the frame. In such embodiments, the skirt has an extended lip (sometimes referred to in the art as an SBS (Society for Biomolecular Screening) lip) that surrounds the entire perimeter of the skirt and plate. In some embodiments, such plates allow standard height multi-well tubes to be associated with the frame.
[0023] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are of a low profile design, where the skirt height is lower than the standard height, which allows low profile tubes / wells to fit into the frame. In such embodiments, skirt lips (referred to as SBS lips) are provided only at the four corners of the skirt of the multi-well plate.
[0024] Both the standard and low profile multi-well plates of the present disclosure, as well as their divisible strips and segments, are useful in commercially available thermocycler instruments, such as those used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Thus, another advantage of the multi-well plates of the present disclosure is that they provide consumable multi-well plates with either pre-aliquoted frozen or lyophilized reagents that can be used with common thermocycler instruments available on the market. A strip or segment with more than one strip can be used in a variety of ways with different thermal cyclers.
[0025] These and other features of the present teachings will become more apparent from the detailed description in the following sections.
[0026] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to one or more of the following drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings described below are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0027] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a frame portion of a multi-well plate according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a front view of the frame of FIG. 1 with the dotted circle area representing the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Diagram 3] 3 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 2 with a close-up of the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 4] 2 shows a top perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1, with the dotted circle portions representing the edges of the frame. [Diagram 5] 5 shows an exploded view of the circle portion of FIG. 4 illustrating the edges of the frame. [Figure 6] 2 shows a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 1 with the dotted circle areas representing the break features of the frame. [Figure 7] 2 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-well plate showing the frame portion shown in FIG. 1 and tubes or wells inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 shows a front view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 7, where the dotted circle areas represent undercuts on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 8 illustrating the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 10A] 1 shows a cross-section of a tube / well interlocking with a frame, depicting a portion of the frame interlocking with a portion of the tube / well. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tube / well without the frame, illustrating the frame interlocking portion including the chimney and lugs. [Figure 10C] 1 shows a cross-section of the tube / well without the frame, showing the frame interlocking portion including the chimney and lug. [Figure 11] 8 shows a top perspective view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 7, with the circular portions representing the edges of the frame portions. [Figure 12] 12 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 11 illustrating the edges of that frame portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 7 depicting an array of segmented break features arranged in rows thereon. [Figure 14] 8 shows a perspective view of the multi-well plate shown in FIG. 7 with one tube or well strip separated therefrom, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 15] 15 depicts a perspective view of one tube or well strip cut or separated from a multi-well plate as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16A] 16A-16D depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 16B]16A-16D depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 17A] 16A-16D depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 17B] 16A-16D depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 18] 1 shows a perspective view of a frame portion of a multi-well plate according to another exemplary embodiment. [Figure 19] 19 shows a front view of the frame of FIG. 18, with the dotted circle area representing the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 19 illustrating the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 21] 19 shows a top perspective view of the frame of FIG. 18, with the circular portions representing edges on the frame. [Figure 22] 22 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 21 illustrating the edges of the frame. [Figure 23] 19 shows a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 18 with the circled portion representing one break feature of the frame. [Figure 24] 19 shows a perspective view of a multi-well plate showing the frame portion shown in FIG. 18 and tubes or wells inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 25] 25 shows a front view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 24, where the circular areas represent the undercuts on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 25 illustrating the undercut on the bottom surface of the frame. [Figure 27A] 1 shows a cross-section of a tube / well interlocking with a frame, depicting a portion of the tube / well and the interlocking portion. [Figure 27B] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tube / well, shown without the frame, showing the frame interlocking portion including the chimney and lugs. [Figure 27C] 1 shows a cross-section of the tube / well, shown without the frame, showing the frame interlocking portion including the chimney and lugs. [Figure 28] 25 shows a top perspective view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 24, with dotted circles representing edges of portions of the frame. [Figure 29] 29 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 28, depicting the edge of that frame portion. [Diagram 30] FIG. 25 shows a bottom view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 24 depicting an array of segmented break features arranged in rows thereon. [Diagram 31] 25 shows a perspective view of the multi-well plate shown in FIG. 24 with one tube or well strip separated therefrom, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 33 depicts a perspective view of one tube strip or well strip cut or separated from the multi-well plate shown in FIG. 24 or FIG. 31 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 33A] 33A-33D depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 33B] 33A-33D depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 34A] 33A-33D depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 34B] 33A-33D depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] It should be understood that both the general description above and the detailed description below are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. In this application, unless specifically stated otherwise, the use of the singular includes the plural. Also, the use of "comprise", "contain" and "include" or modifications of their roots, such as but not limited to "comprises", "contained" and "including", are not intended to be limiting. The use of "or" means "and / or" unless otherwise stated. The term "and / or" means that the terms before and after it may be used together or separately. For purposes of illustration, but not limitation, "X and / or Y" may mean "X" or "Y", or "X and Y".
[0029] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a multi-well plate that is manually divisible by a human or automated system in a manufacturing environment into strips of wells or tubes that are compatible with reagent dispensing. In some embodiments, the present multi-well plates are useful for producing kits for various biological or chemical processes, and the kit reagents included in the disclosed multi-well plates can be produced in a high-throughput environment and sold to low-throughput consumers / users. Thus, the disclosed multi-well plates advantageously allow for the prevention of waste of expensive reagents.
[0030] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are compatible with one or more of, including but not limited to, automation, manufacturing processes, lyophilization procedures, reagent loading, reagent freezing, use in thermal cycling instruments, use in microbiological processes, and the like.
[0031] The multi-well plates of the present disclosure can be used for storing reagents and / or downstream processing of reactants, such as, but not limited to, nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid sequencing, sample preparation for extraction of biomolecules of interest including nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids among others, and cultivation and culturing of microorganisms.
[0032] Some exemplary embodiments described herein provide a splittable multi-well plate that may be splittable into 8-tube strips or into segments of one, two, three or more 8-tube strips depending on the needs of the end user. The multi-well plates of the present disclosure and corresponding 8-tube strips and / or segments comprising at least two or more 8-tube strips are compatible and therefore mechanically mate and interface with several commercially available thermal cycler instruments, nucleic acid sequencing devices, sample preparation devices, microbial incubators, and other bioprocessing devices.
[0033] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multi-well plate comprising a frame portion made of a first material, the frame portion having a flat top surface having an array of holes arranged in a row pattern, the frame portion further comprising an array of segmented break features arranged in a row pattern alternating with the row pattern of holes, and a plurality of wells made of a second material, the wells being disposed in the holes in the top surface of the frame, the multi-well plate being manually divisible into one or more rows of multi-well strips along the centers of the segmented break features.
[0034] The multi-well plates of the present disclosure are manually divisible into a plurality of single rows of multi-well strips along the center of the segmented break features. The multi-well strips can also be divided into segments comprising at least two rows of multi-well strips.
[0035] In some embodiments, the segmented break feature of the multi-well plate of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of petal-shaped breaks extending from the top surface of the frame portion through the bottom surface of the frame, and a plurality of undercuts in the bottom surface of the frame portion arranged to alternate with the petal-shaped breaks, hi some embodiments, the undercuts are V-shaped undercuts.
[0036] In some embodiments of the multi-well plates of the present disclosure, the petal-shaped cuts in the top deck of the frame combined with the undercuts in the bottom of the frame create eight small break sections or break features on either side of the rows of the multi-well plate. The length and thickness of each break section is the same across the entire frame. This pattern of break sections results in a segmented break pattern.
[0037] Advantageously, the segmented break pattern / feature, as opposed to the continuous break lines present in some existing multi-well plates, provides one or more of the following improvements: eliminating the need for tools to divide the multi-well plate, and / or allowing manual separation of the multi-well plate into strips / segments, and / or minimizing sharp edges after break due to petal-shaped cut radius and localized breakage, and / or reducing sharp jagged edges after break, and / or providing smooth edges, and / or reducing the occurrence of glove tears and injuries to the user.
[0038] In some embodiments, the skirt feature is located along the frame of the multi-well plate from the edge, extending either a portion of the frame or the entire length of the frame. In some embodiments, the skirt further has an extended lip that surrounds the entire perimeter of the skirt and the frame of the plate. This lip is also described in the art as an SBS (Society for Biomolecular Screening) lip according to ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or as a SLAS (Laboratory Automation and Screening Society) lip for microwell plates.
[0039] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are low profile plates and the skirt is shorter to accommodate smaller volume tubes / wells. In some embodiments, the low profile tubes or wells have a maximum volume of 0.2 mL when fully filled. The typical height of a low profile tube is about 15.50±0.25 mm. In some embodiments, the low profile multi-well plates of the present disclosure have skirt lips, which are extensions of the skirt and are located at the four corners of the frame of the multi-well plate.
[0040] In other embodiments, the multi-well plates of the present disclosure are standard profile plates and the skirt height is standard height, which allows standard height tubes / wells to fit into the frame. In such embodiments, the skirt has an extended lip (SBS or SLAS lip) that surrounds the entire perimeter of the skirt and the plate. In some embodiments, such plates allow standard height multi-well tubes to be associated with the frame. Standard height or standard profile wells or tubes have a maximum well volume of 0.3 mL when used with adhesive and heat seal. The typical height of a standard profile tube or well is about 20.70±0.25 mm.
[0041] Both the standard and low profile multi-well plates of the present disclosure, as well as their divisible strips and segments, are useful in commercially available thermocycler instruments, such as those used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). In a non-limiting example, the present semi-skirted multi-well plates, as well as strips and segments divisible therefrom, mechanically mate and interface with exemplary thermocycler instruments, such as Applied Biosystems 7500, QuantStudio3, QuantStudio5, QuantStudio6, QuantStudio7, Applied Biosystems ProFlex, Veriti, SimpliAmp, among others. The multi-well plates of the present disclosure also mate and interface with heat sealers and aluminum support racks.
[0042] In some embodiments, the multi-well plates and strips of the present disclosure can mate and interface with other instruments, such as sequencing instruments and platforms, sample preparation instruments and robotic platforms.
[0043] Thus, another advantage of the multi-well plate of the present disclosure is that it provides a consumable multi-well plate with or without one or more pre-aliquoted frozen or lyophilized reagents that can be used with common thermocycler instruments available in the market, as well as other commonly used instruments and devices. A single strip or a segment containing more than one strip can be variously used with different thermal cyclers.
[0044] The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary embodiments. The same reference numbers and symbols in the drawings refer to similar elements or equivalents. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the drawings and specific embodiments, which are merely conceptual examples. For example, most of the drawings depict a 96-well plate with 8×12=96 tubes / wells arranged in rows and columns, but those skilled in the art will recognize in light of the teachings of the present disclosure that these teachings extend to multi-well plates with more or fewer wells / tubes, such as, but not limited to, multi-well plates with 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 or more wells / tubes.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a frame portion 10 of a multi-well plate, according to an exemplary embodiment. Frame 10 comprises a flat top surface 12 having an array of holes 14 arranged in a row pattern. Holes 14 are configured to receive tubes or wells 34 therein (tubes / wells 34 are depicted, e.g., in FIG. 7 below). Frame portion 10 further comprises an array of petal-shaped features 16 arranged in a row pattern alternating with the row pattern of holes 14. Petal-shaped features 16 are part of break features 30, which are described in more detail in the following section, see, e.g., FIG. 6.
[0046] 1 also shows two edges 18 located to the left and right of the array of holes 14 and petal-shaped features 16. The edges 18 can have alphanumeric characters that label the mark or label holes 14, which are configured to receive tubes or wells 34 therein (tubes 34 are depicted in FIG. 7). In one non-limiting example, the right edge 18 can have alphabetical numbering, such as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, etc. Alternatively, numeric labeling is also possible. Labeling can also be done on the left edge 18.
[0047] 1 also shows top and bottom sides 17, 19 of top planar surface 12 with a plurality of skirts 20 extending therefrom. A plurality of cuts 22 divide each row of holes 14 on top and bottom sides 17, 19. The cuts 22 are aligned with the linear petal shaped features 16. Two cuts 22, which may also be labeled alphanumeric on top side 17 of FIG. 1, additionally define a row of holes 14 at either end of the row.
[0048] In a non-limiting example, the rows formed between the cuts 22 can be labeled or marked on the top side 17 of the frame 10 with numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, etc. These rows comprise a number of holes 14 arranged linearly. Alternatively, the rows can be alphabetically labeled. The labeling can also be a dome on the bottom side 19. Such labeling aids in identifying the tubes / wells and the reactions therein. For example, in the non-limiting labeling example above, the first tube 34 inserted into the top right side of the frame 1 can be identified by the label A1.
[0049] 1 also depicts a skirt lip 42, which, according to this embodiment, wraps around the entire perimeter of the frame (except for the break 22). As can be seen, the skirt lip 42 extends from the skirt 20. In this embodiment, the skirt 20 is taller (compared to another embodiment described below) to accommodate standard size tubes / wells. Therefore, a frame having a standard height skirt portion is described as a standard profile multi-well plate frame. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is referred to as a skirted frame, in that the skirt lip 42 wraps around the entire perimeter of the plate frame (except for the break 22).
[0050] 2 shows a front view of a frame portion 10 of a multi-well plate of the present disclosure, with the circular portion representing an undercut 26 located on the bottom surface 24 of the frame 10. Both the undercut 26 and the petal-shaped features 16 are contained within a break feature 30 (shown in FIG. 6). The break feature 30 is arranged as a segmented break feature.
[0051] Figure 3 illustrates the undercut 26 located on the bottom surface 24 of the frame 10 and shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of Figure 2. In some embodiments, the undercut 26 is V-shaped.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of frame portion 10 of a multi-well plate, with the dotted circle portion representing edge 28 of frame 10.
[0053] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of Figure 4 illustrating edge 28 of frame 10. Edge 28 of frame 10 can be used to orient the plate in instruments in which multi-well plates are used, including automated loading instruments, PCR instruments, etc.
[0054] 6 shows a bottom view of the frame portion 10 of FIG. 1 depicting a single break feature 30 formed in the dotted circle portion frame. As described above, the single break feature 30 comprises the petal shaped feature 16 and the undercut 26. The multiple break features 30 are formed starting from one cut 22 located at one end of the frame 10 (e.g., top side 17) and extending along a linear path to another cut 22 located at the opposite side of the frame 10 (e.g., bottom side 19). This pattern forms multiple segmented break features 30. The segmented break features 30 allow for manual separation with smooth edges without any rough edges or with greatly reduced rough or jagged edges.
[0055] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the top surface 12 of a multi-well plate 32, showing frame portion 10 (of the standard profile shown in FIG. 1) and tubes or wells 34 inserted into holes 14 thereon, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 7 where the dotted circle areas represent the undercuts 26 in the bottom surface 24 of the frame.
[0057] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 8 illustrating the undercut 26 in the bottom surface 24 of the frame 10.
[0058] 10A shows a cross-sectional view of a well or tube 34 interlocking with a frame 10, showing the chimney 37 of the frame 10 interlocking with a lug 39 located on the side of the tube / well 34. Also shown in this view are the skirt 20 and lip 42.
[0059] FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the tube 34 without the frame 10, showing the chimney 37 and lugs 39.
[0060] FIG. 10C shows a cross-sectional view of the tube / well 34 shown without the frame 10 , illustrating the frame interlocking portion including the chimney 37 and lug 39 .
[0061] FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of the multi-well plate of FIG. 7, with the dotted circle portion representing edge 28 of frame portion 10 thereof.
[0062] FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 11 illustrating the representational edge 28 of the frame portion 10 thereof.
[0063] FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 7 having tubes 34 inserted into the holes 14 and representing an array of segmented break features 30 arranged in a linear row on the bottom surface 24 and extending between two breaks 22, each break 22 located on opposite sides of the frame 10.
[0064] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the multi-well plate 32 shown in FIG. 7 with one tube or well strip 44 separated therefrom, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0065] FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of one tube strip 44 (alternatively referred to herein as a well strip 44) that has been cut or separated from a multi-well plate 32 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14 according to an exemplary embodiment. The tube strip 44 depicts an exemplary top portion or rim 36 of a tube 34. 38 depicts a bottom portion of a tube 34 and a number of cut-off edges 40. In some embodiments, the cut-off edges 40 are smooth edges. In some embodiments, the cut-off edges 40 are not jagged. In some embodiments, the cut-off edges 40 are not rough. In some embodiments, the cut-off edges 40 have significantly reduced sharp edges or significantly reduced jagged edges as compared to other commercially available divisible or separable plates. A skirt 20 and skirt lip 42 are found on the side edges of the tube strip 44.
[0066] 16A and 16B depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube strip 44 of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the tear-off edge 40, skirt lip 42, and skirt 20, among other features.
[0067] 17A and 17B depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip of FIG. 15 according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0068] FIG 18 shows a perspective view of a frame portion 10 of a multi-well plate 32 according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG 18 is very similar to FIG 1, except that the skirt portion 20 is shorter and the skirt lip portions 42 are located only at the four corners of the plate 32. The embodiments where the skirt 20 is shorter and the lips 42 are located only at the corners are described as low profile plates because they have a shorter skirt 20 compared to the standard profile plate skirt 20 shown in, for example, FIGS 1 and 7. Low profile plates accommodate smaller volume tubes compared to standard profile plates.
[0069] FIG. 19 shows a front view of frame portion 10 of low profile multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 18, where the circular portion represents undercut 26 in bottom surface 24 of frame 10.
[0070] FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG.
[0071] Figure 21 shows a top perspective view of frame portion 10 of multi-well plate 32 of Figure 18, where the dotted circled portions represent frame edges 28. Edges 28 are useful for orienting the plate within the instrument.
[0072] FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 21 illustrating the representational edge 28 of the frame 10.
[0073] FIG. 23 shows a bottom view of frame portion 10 of multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 18, with the dotted circle portion representing one break feature 30 of frame 10.
[0074] FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a multi-well plate showing frame portion 10 with low profile skirt 20 as shown in FIG. 18 and tubes or wells 34 inserted into holes 14 located on the top surface 12 of the plate, according to one exemplary embodiment.
[0075] FIG. 25 shows a front view of the multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 24 where the dotted circle areas represent the undercuts 26 in the bottom surface 24 of the frame 10.
[0076] FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 25 illustrating the undercut 26 in the bottom surface 24 of the frame 10.
[0077] FIG. 27A shows a cross-sectional view of a low profile multi-well plate showing the tubes / wells 34 interlocking with the frame 10, and further depicts a portion of the frame referred to as the chimney 37, which interlocks with a portion of the tubes / wells referred to as the lug 39.
[0078] FIG. 27B shows a perspective view of the tube 34 without the frame 10, showing the chimney 37 and lugs 39.
[0079] FIG. 27C shows a cross-sectional view of the tube / well 34 shown without the frame 10 , illustrating the frame interlocking portion including the chimney 37 and lug 39 .
[0080] FIG. 28 shows a top perspective view of the multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 24 with the dotted circle portions representing the edges 28 on the frame portion 10 thereof.
[0081] FIG. 29 shows an exploded view of the dotted circle portion of FIG. 28 illustrating the edge 28 on the frame portion 10 thereof.
[0082] FIG. 30 shows a bottom view of the multi-well plate 32 of FIG. 24 depicting an array of segmented breaking features 30 arranged in linear rows thereon.
[0083] FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of the multi-well plate 32 shown in FIG. 24 with one tube strip 44 separated therefrom, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0084] Figure 32 depicts a perspective view of one tube strip 44 that has been cut or separated from the multi-well plate 32 shown in Figures 24 and 31 according to an exemplary embodiment. This tube strip 44 is a low profile tube strip that has a shorter skirt 20 and does not include a skirt lip portion since it comes from a low profile multi-well plate that only has skirt lips 42 located at the four corners of the plate frame.
[0085] 33A and 33B depict right and left side views, respectively, of the tube or well strip 44 of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment, and depict the tear-off edge 40. In some embodiments, the tear-off edge 40 is a smooth edge. In some embodiments, the tear-off edge 40 is not jagged. In some embodiments, the tear-off edge 40 is not rough. In some embodiments, the tear-off edge 40 has significantly reduced sharp edges or significantly reduced jagged edges as compared to other commercially available splittable or detachable plates.
[0086] 34A and 34B depict top and bottom views, respectively, of the tube or well strip 44 of FIG. 32 according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0087] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous changes and / or modifications may be made to the present invention as illustrated in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, the size and number of the openings in the lid plate may be varied according to need. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other embodiments of the invention are described below. [Embodiment 1] A multi-well plate, comprising: a frame made of a first material, the frame having a flat top surface having an array of holes arranged in a row pattern on the top surface, the frame further comprising an array of segmented break features arranged in a row pattern alternating with the row pattern of the holes; a plurality of wells made of a second material, the wells being disposed in a plurality of holes in the top surface of the frame; A multi-well plate, wherein the multi-well plate is manually separable along the center of the segmented break feature into one or more rows of multi-well strips. [Embodiment 2] 2. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 1, wherein said multi-well plate is manually divisible into a plurality of single rows of multi-well strips along said center of said segmented break features. [Embodiment 3] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein manually dividing said multi-well plate results in one or more rows of multi-well strips having reduced sharp edges. [Embodiment 4] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein manually dividing said multi-well plate results in one or more rows of multi-well strips that do not have sharp edges. [Embodiment 5] 2. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 1, wherein the segmented break feature comprises an array of petal-shaped cuts extending from the top surface of the frame through a bottom surface of the frame, and a series of undercuts in a bottom surface of the frame portion, the series of undercuts being arranged to alternate with the petal-shaped cuts. [Embodiment 6] 6. The multi-well plate of embodiment 5, wherein said undercut is a V-shaped undercut. [Embodiment 7] 2. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 1, wherein a chimney located on the frame interlocks with a lug located on a side of the well. [Embodiment 8] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein the first material comprises polycarbonate and the second material comprises polypropylene. [Embodiment 9] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein said wells are molded directly into said frame utilizing form-locking connections. [Embodiment 10] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein said frame further comprises a skirt surrounding the entire periphery of said plate. [Embodiment 11] 2. The multi-well plate of embodiment 1, wherein said frame further comprises skirts located at the four corners of said plate. [Embodiment 12] 2. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 1, comprising 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 wells. [Embodiment 13] 12. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 11, comprising 96 wells. [Embodiment 14] 12. A multi-well plate as described in embodiment 11, wherein the plate can be manually divided into one or more rows of 8-tube strips or into segments comprising at least one row of 8-tube strips.
Claims
[Claim 1] A multi-well plate comprising: a frame made of a first material, the frame having a flat top surface having an array of holes arranged in a row pattern on the top surface, the frame further comprising an array of segmented break features arranged in a row pattern alternating with the row pattern of the holes; a plurality of wells fabricated from a second material, the wells being disposed in a plurality of holes in the top surface of the frame; A multi-well plate, wherein the multi-well plate is manually separable along the center of the segmented break feature into one or more rows of multi-well strips.