Nucleic acid extraction plate

Abstract

The invention relates to a breakable nucleic acid extraction plate (1) comprising a sheet (10) having on its surface (101) a plurality of through-holes (102) regularly distributed over the sheet (10), each through-hole (102) being provided with a well (11) configured to contain a solution, the extraction plate (1) comprising a plurality of score lines (13) in a first direction that form plate segments (12), the plate segments (12) comprising a row L or a column C of wells (11), the extraction plate (1) being characterized in that the sheet (10) is devoid of a parting line, and in that the extraction plate (1) further comprises a second plurality of score lines (14) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the first plurality of score lines (13) extend, such that each well (11) is isolated.

Description

[0001] Title: Nucleic Acid Extraction Plate

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to the technical field of extraction plates and more particularly to a method of manufacturing said plates.

[0004] Technological background of the invention

[0005] Nucleic acid extraction plates are devices used to isolate and purify DNA and RNA from biological samples. An extraction plate consists of wells, each resembling a small open tube, designed to hold various components of a solution, such as reagents, a sample, lysis agents, or a mixture of several components. All the wells are connected at their open ends by a sheet or plate that extends in thickness only at the end of each well, thus forming a single unit. The sheet includes numbering around part of its perimeter, with numbers on the vertical axis and letters on the horizontal axis, allowing the wells to be identified based on the number / letter combination.

[0006] There are several sizes of extraction plates, such as 96-well or 48-well plates. There are also various configurations: one-piece plates or plates that can be cut in one direction to form detachable well tabs for greater versatility.

[0007] Generally, to manufacture these extraction plates, plastic injection is used for the web, possibly with a punching or partial machining operation in the thickness at the material joining joints, also called part line, for the breakability function, then overmolding or assembly of the wells in the openings formed in the web.

[0008] The disadvantage of single-piece extraction plates without breakability is in particular their lack of flexibility regarding the number of tests performed per well compared to the number of wells of the plate itself: extraction plates will only be partially used for some biological tests, which considerably increases the amount of waste without the possibility of adjustment.

[0009] This drawback is partially overcome by extraction plates that can be broken in one direction, as it is possible to use plate segments for testing. A single segment can represent either a column or a row of wells on the plate. However, this feature, particularly because the break line is aligned with the joint or material reattachment line during the injection of the sheet, can lead to premature breakage. There is also a modularity issue, as the smallest format remains a segment, and the identification markings on the plate's edges (x and y axes) are no longer present once the plate is cut into segments. This results in traceability problems and difficulties in interpreting the results.Finally, at the point of breakage, the edges are sharp and irregular, which can injure the technician handling these plates.

[0010] Object of the invention

[0011] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to provide a breakable extraction plate, exhibiting a higher level of breakability, i.e. in two directions, the smallest unit being a single well with individual identification and without a material re-gluing zone to avoid unexpected breakages.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a breakable nucleic acid extraction plate comprising a sheet having on its surface a plurality of through holes regularly distributed on said sheet, each through hole being equipped with a well configured to contain a solution, each well extending from the surface of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet extends, the extraction plate comprising a plurality of break lines in a first direction forming plate segments comprising a line L or a column C of wells, the extraction plate is characterized in that the sheet is devoid of a joint line, and in that the extraction plate further comprises a second plurality of break lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the first plurality of break lines extend,such that each well is isolated by a portion of a break line originating from the first plurality and / or the second plurality of break lines, and in that each well exhibits at least one individual identifying element.

[0013] This breakable extraction plate offers numerous advantages, notably that the smallest breakable unit is a single well identifiable by an individual identification element, significantly reducing waste and allowing for adaptability to closely match testing needs. Furthermore, the absence of a seam line prevents unexpected weakening of certain areas of the plate and results in a much more homogeneous surface with a clean, precise cut.

[0014] Finally, the individual identification element is individual and allows traceability of wells, therefore testing even with a single unit of wells, because they are all individually identifiable.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, each well is overmolded or added or made of material with the aquifer.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, each individual identification element is printed or injected or overmolded onto the mat at the well it identifies.

[0017] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the wells are thermoformed with the sheet to form the extraction plate according to the invention.

[0018] According to a feature of the first embodiment of the invention, a printing step is carried out upstream or downstream of the thermoforming step, the printing step being a printing of an identification element for each well.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, when the sheet is not thermoformed, the sheet is injected with a specific heat / cooling system.

[0020] According to a third embodiment, when the sheet is not thermoformed, it is injected using a specific compression mold to avoid any injection stress. The wells are then overmolded onto the sheet thus formed.

[0021] According to a fourth embodiment, when the tablecloth is not thermoformed, it is 3D printed to avoid the stresses of injection molding and to use a specific material that is easier to break. The tear zones are designed during the 3D printing process.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, the identification element is produced by injection molding with the sheet or overmolded onto the sheet. According to another feature of the invention, when the sheet is thermoformed, the sheet is perforated to create one or more tear zones.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, when the sheet is not thermoformed, the tear area(s) are provided directly in the injection mold by forming the sheet.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the sheet and the wells are made of a different or identical plastic material. Advantageously, the material of the injected sheet can be polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the plastic material of the wells is a polyolefin plastic, preferably polypropylene. Indeed, with this type of material, which is as inert as possible, a barrier effect is desired.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, each through hole of the first plurality has a circumferential recess relative to the surface of the sheet so that when the well is formed or when the well is brought onto the sheet, an upper collar of the well rests in the recess and not directly on the surface of the sheet 10.

[0027] Advantageously, the upper collar of the well is not configured to secure the well in the through hole.

[0028] According to one feature of the invention, at least one well, and preferably each well, is equipped with an individual indexing element formed by a recess, groove, rib, or protrusion, each individual indexing element being configured to indicate the orientation of the well. Preferably, the individual indexing element is a circumferential ring formed on the open end of the well.

[0029] According to one feature of the invention, each individual indexing element may have a visual indicator, for example a color, a mark, or a symbol, different or similar depending on the microorganism to be detected in said well. According to another feature of the invention, at at least one intersection between a line of the first plurality of breakable lines and a line of the second plurality of breakable lines, a breakable through hole is formed.

[0030] Preferably, at each intersection between a line from the first plurality of breakable lines and a line from the second plurality of breakable lines, a breakable through hole is formed. These breakable through holes improve breaking strength and, in some cases, reduce raw material usage. Furthermore, in the event of broken parts, they eliminate sharp edges, protecting the user from tearing gloves or packaging when reinserting unused plate segments.

[0031] According to one feature of the invention, in which each breakable through hole has a quadrilateral shape, which facilitates the detachment of the well units and avoids glove cuts.

[0032] Brief description of the figures

[0033] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to an embodiment of the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic figures. The accompanying schematic figures are listed below:

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extraction plate according to the invention,

[0035] Figure 2 is a top view of the plate shown in Figure 1 according to the invention, Figure 3 is a detail view of the extraction plate sheet according to the invention, Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 1.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the extraction plate 1 according to the invention is breakable along a first plurality of breakability lines 13 extending in a first direction forming plate segments 12 comprising at least partially a line L and / or a column C of wells 11. Furthermore, the extraction plate 1 according to the invention is breakable along a second plurality of breakability lines 14 extending in a second direction forming plate segments 12 comprising respectively a column C or a line L of wells 11 with respect to the first plurality of breakability lines 13.

[0037] Advantageously, each break line 13 of the first plurality is perpendicular to a break line 14 of the second plurality. Each break line 14 of the second plurality is perpendicular to a break line 13 of the first plurality. Thus, each well 11 of the extraction plate is isolated and can be detached independently of the other wells 11. Indeed, this configuration allows a single well or a plurality of wells to be detached depending on the chosen break lines 13, 14.

[0038] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3 in particular, the extraction plate 1 comprises a layer 10 having on its surface 101 a first plurality of through holes 102. The through holes 102 of the first plurality are regularly distributed over the layer 10 of the plate, as shown in Figure 3, for example. Each through hole 102 is equipped with a well 11 configured to contain a solution or a liquid. As can be seen in particular in Figures 1 and 4, each well 11 extends from the surface 101 of the layer 10 of the extraction plate 1, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the layer 10 extends.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, each through hole 102 of the first plurality has a circumferential recess 104 forming a shoulder with respect to the surface 101 of the sheet 10 so that when the well 11 is formed or when the well 11 is brought onto the sheet 10, an upper collar 112 of the well rests in the recess and not directly on the surface 101 of the sheet 10.

[0040] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the extraction plate 1 comprises a second plurality of through holes 103, called breakable holes 103, arranged at the intersection of a breakable line 13 of the first plurality and a breakable line 14 of the second plurality. Preferably, a breakable through hole 103 is arranged at each intersection of a breakable line 13 of the first plurality and a breakable line 14 of the second plurality.

[0041] Advantageously, the extraction plate 1 is characterized by the fact that the web 10 is devoid of a parting line. Indeed, the web 10 can be thermoformed with the wells 11 or, when the web 10 is not thermoformed, the web 10 can be injected with a specific heating / cooling system (Roctool® type) to avoid any injection stress (parting line / internal tension) or injected with a specific compression mold to avoid any injection stress (parting line / internal tension) or 3D printed to avoid injection stresses (parting line / internal tension) and use a specific material that is easier to break or even punched to create a tear zone (like the one made in a yogurt pot).

[0042] In addition, the extraction plate 1 may include an orientation indicator for each well 11 or well line 11 or well column 11 (letters, numbers or drawing) produced by printing or molding.

[0043] In addition, extraction plate 1 can be stained or labeled for PCR parameters (e.g. name of bacterium sought) before and after use.

[0044] Each well 11 has an individual indexing element 111 which can take the form of a recess, a groove, a rib, or a protrusion indicating an orientation. In the example illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4, it is a protrusion.

[0045] Each well 11 has an individual identification element 112 which may take the form of printed or engraved lettered, ciphered or abstract inscription(s), as illustrated in figure 3.

[0046] Advantageously, the wells 11 are made of polypropylene. According to a first embodiment, the wells 11 are thermoformed directly with the sheet 10. According to a second embodiment, the wells are overmolded onto the sheet 10.

[0047] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying figures. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A breakable nucleic acid extraction plate (1) comprising a plate (10) having on its surface (101) a plurality of through holes (102) regularly distributed over said plate (10), each through hole (102) being equipped with a well (11) configured to contain a solution, each well extending from the surface (101) of the plate (10) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plate (10) extends, the extraction plate (1) comprising a plurality of break lines (13) in a first direction forming plate segments (12) comprising a row L or a column C of wells (11), the extraction plate (1) is characterized in that the plate (10) is devoid of a joint line,and in that the extraction plate (1) further comprises a second plurality of break lines (14) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the first plurality of break lines (13) extend, such that each well (11) is isolated by a portion of a break line originating from the first plurality (13) and / or the second plurality (14) of break lines, and in that each well (11) has an individual identification element (112).

2. Extraction plate according to claim 1, wherein at least one well (11) and preferably each well (11) is equipped with an individual indexing element (111) formed of a recess, groove or rib or protrusion, each individual indexing element (111) being configured to indicate the orientation of the well (11).

3. Extraction plate according to claim 2, wherein the individual indexing element (111) is a circumferential ring formed on the open end of the well (11).

4. Extraction plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which each well (11) is overmolded or attached or made of material with the layer (10).

5. Extraction plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the layer (10) and the wells (11) are made of a different or identical plastic material.

6. Extraction plate according to claim 5, wherein the plastic material of the wells (11) is a polyolefin plastic and preferably polypropylene.

7. Extraction plate according to claim 2 in combination with any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each individual indexing element (111) has a different or similar visual indicator depending on the microorganism to be detected in said well (11).

8. Extraction plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at at least one intersection between a line of the first plurality (13) of breakability lines and a line of the second plurality (14) of breakability lines, a through breakability hole (103) is formed.

9. Extraction plate according to claim 8, in which each breakable through hole (103) has a quadrilateral shape.

10. Extraction plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each individual identification element (112) is printed or injected or overmolded onto the mat at the well it identifies.

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