EP0998977A2 - Multi-well support for analysis samples - Google Patents

Multi-well support for analysis samples Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0998977A2
EP0998977A2 EP99500200A EP99500200A EP0998977A2 EP 0998977 A2 EP0998977 A2 EP 0998977A2 EP 99500200 A EP99500200 A EP 99500200A EP 99500200 A EP99500200 A EP 99500200A EP 0998977 A2 EP0998977 A2 EP 0998977A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
well
micro
analysis samples
flat surfaces
well support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99500200A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0998977A3 (en
Inventor
Enrique Martinell Gisper-Sauch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Grifols SA
Original Assignee
Grifols SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Grifols SA filed Critical Grifols SA
Publication of EP0998977A2 publication Critical patent/EP0998977A2/en
Publication of EP0998977A3 publication Critical patent/EP0998977A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B01L3/5085—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/54—Labware with identification means
    • B01L3/545—Labware with identification means for laboratory containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-well support for analysis samples, which has features of novelty and inventive step over the prior art.
  • Multi-well supports for analysis samples or "micro-well strips” are used in clinical analysis techniques in order to carry out analysis with automated reading and evaluation and have a structure based on a large number of wells or small cups in which are deposited the samples which will later be processed in an apparatus for the automatic handling thereof.
  • Micro-well strips are already known in various forms, and are essentially formed by a moulded element of synthetic material, generally produced by injection-moulding, which has an elongate structure having a substantially flat upper face in which the large number of wells or small cups that are to receive the samples open out.
  • the general dimensions of the micro-well strips are usually constant, enabling the strips to be handled in different analysis instruments and apparatus.
  • the object of the currently known micro-well strips is to hold a large number of samples in a single support, permitting the performance of the usual operations of mixing reagents and the like in the various wells or cups until the stage of evaluating the analysis results is reached.
  • mechanised identification of the micro-well strips in the analysis machines is difficult because, owing to their structural characteristics, it is not possible to arrange identification inscriptions on the external regions of the micro-well strip.
  • the present invention is intended to overcome precisely that disadvantage by providing means that enable inscriptions of the desired type to be arranged on the micro-well strip, particularly allowing the micro-well strip to be readily identified by automated reading methods. In particular, it enables bar code identification systems to be used.
  • the present invention provides for the production, on the micro-well strip, of flat lamellar surfaces arranged parallel with the axes of the wells or cups thereof, being in the form of one or more flat surfaces, arranged on one side on the micro-well strip or on both sides, and being in the form of preferably rectangular surfaces, the dimensions of which are not larger than the respective projections of the micro-well strip, that is to say, the length does not exceed the overall length of the micro-well strip and the width does not exceed the lateral projection of the micro-well strip, generally being arranged inside a notional parallelepiped limited by the maximum external dimensions of the micro-well strip.
  • the flat surfaces forming the subject-matter of the present invention preferably extend from the longitudinal edges of the micro-well strip, although they could extend directly from the lateral surfaces of the wells or from other parts.
  • drawings representing an embodiment of the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention are appended by way of non-limiting example.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the multi-well support of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section on the indicated plane of the multi-well support.
  • Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the multi-well support from the position opposite that of Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 is an elevation view from one end of the multi-well support.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view.
  • the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprises a micro-well strip 1 provided with a flat upper plate 2 and a number of cavities or small cups 3 which open out perpendicularly to the plate 2, with their axes parallel with one another.
  • the cavities normally have a cylindrical structure with lower bases 4 in the form of a spherical cap.
  • the support has flat surfaces such as 5 and 6 which are arranged laterally on the micro-well strip and have dimensions and an arrangement which do not exceed those of the notional parallelepiped defined by the maximum dimensions of the micro-well strip 1, that is to say, its length, width and height.
  • the flat surfaces 5 and 6 start from the edge 7 of the plate 2 of the micro-well strip and are directed downwards but do not pass beyond the lower portions of the caps 4.
  • the embodiment could comprise a larger number of surfaces or only one surface, if desired.
  • the arrangement of the flat plates on one of the sides of the strip 1 could be complemented by the arrangement of similar plates on the other side, that is to say, the side corresponding to the other longitudinal edge 8 of the micro-well strip.
  • identification inscriptions such as bar codes, colour codes, descriptions in the form of letters or numbers, etc.
  • the surfaces 5 and 6 may have regions for the manual inscription of information by the analysis operators or other personnel.

Abstract

Multi-well support which comprises a unitary moulded piece formed by a flat upper plate in which open out a large number of cavities that are to receive the analysis samples, and which support has, laterally, flat surfaces capable of receiving identification inscriptions contained within a notional parallelepiped defined by the maximum external length, width and height dimensions of the micro-well strip.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a multi-well support for analysis samples, which has features of novelty and inventive step over the prior art.
  • Multi-well supports for analysis samples or "micro-well strips" are used in clinical analysis techniques in order to carry out analysis with automated reading and evaluation and have a structure based on a large number of wells or small cups in which are deposited the samples which will later be processed in an apparatus for the automatic handling thereof. Micro-well strips are already known in various forms, and are essentially formed by a moulded element of synthetic material, generally produced by injection-moulding, which has an elongate structure having a substantially flat upper face in which the large number of wells or small cups that are to receive the samples open out. The general dimensions of the micro-well strips are usually constant, enabling the strips to be handled in different analysis instruments and apparatus.
  • The object of the currently known micro-well strips is to hold a large number of samples in a single support, permitting the performance of the usual operations of mixing reagents and the like in the various wells or cups until the stage of evaluating the analysis results is reached. However, mechanised identification of the micro-well strips in the analysis machines is difficult because, owing to their structural characteristics, it is not possible to arrange identification inscriptions on the external regions of the micro-well strip. The present invention is intended to overcome precisely that disadvantage by providing means that enable inscriptions of the desired type to be arranged on the micro-well strip, particularly allowing the micro-well strip to be readily identified by automated reading methods. In particular, it enables bar code identification systems to be used.
  • In order to achieve its aims, the present invention provides for the production, on the micro-well strip, of flat lamellar surfaces arranged parallel with the axes of the wells or cups thereof, being in the form of one or more flat surfaces, arranged on one side on the micro-well strip or on both sides, and being in the form of preferably rectangular surfaces, the dimensions of which are not larger than the respective projections of the micro-well strip, that is to say, the length does not exceed the overall length of the micro-well strip and the width does not exceed the lateral projection of the micro-well strip, generally being arranged inside a notional parallelepiped limited by the maximum external dimensions of the micro-well strip.
  • In order to achieve greater overall rigidity in the micro-well strip, the flat surfaces forming the subject-matter of the present invention preferably extend from the longitudinal edges of the micro-well strip, although they could extend directly from the lateral surfaces of the wells or from other parts.
  • For a better understanding of the invention, drawings representing an embodiment of the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention are appended by way of non-limiting example.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the multi-well support of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section on the indicated plane of the multi-well support.
  • Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the multi-well support from the position opposite that of Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 is an elevation view from one end of the multi-well support.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view.
  • As shown in the drawings, the multi-well support forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprises a micro-well strip 1 provided with a flat upper plate 2 and a number of cavities or small cups 3 which open out perpendicularly to the plate 2, with their axes parallel with one another. The cavities normally have a cylindrical structure with lower bases 4 in the form of a spherical cap. In accordance with the present invention, the support has flat surfaces such as 5 and 6 which are arranged laterally on the micro-well strip and have dimensions and an arrangement which do not exceed those of the notional parallelepiped defined by the maximum dimensions of the micro-well strip 1, that is to say, its length, width and height. Thus, for example, the flat surfaces 5 and 6 start from the edge 7 of the plate 2 of the micro-well strip and are directed downwards but do not pass beyond the lower portions of the caps 4.
  • Although the example shows two flat surfaces 5 and 6, the embodiment could comprise a larger number of surfaces or only one surface, if desired. Thus, the arrangement of the flat plates on one of the sides of the strip 1 could be complemented by the arrangement of similar plates on the other side, that is to say, the side corresponding to the other longitudinal edge 8 of the micro-well strip.
  • Different types of identification inscriptions, such as bar codes, colour codes, descriptions in the form of letters or numbers, etc., may be produced on the surfaces 5 and 6, or the said surfaces may have regions for the manual inscription of information by the analysis operators or other personnel.
  • Concerning the production of indelible or erasable marks on the flat surfaces 5, 6, they may be used for the positioning of laminar elements carrying the actual marks, which elements can be joined to the surfaces 5 and 6 by adhesive bonding, by clipping by means of small appendages (not shown) of the flat surfaces 5 and 6 or other similar means.

Claims (3)

  1. Multi-well support for analysis samples, of the type comprising a unitary moulded piece constituted by a flat upper plate in which open out a number of cavities that are to receive the analysis samples, characterised in that it has, laterally, flat surfaces which are capable of receiving identification inscriptions being said flat surfaces inscribed within a notional parallelepiped defined by the maximum external length, width and height dimensions of the micro-well strip.
  2. Multi-well support for analysis samples according to claim 1, characterised in that the flat surfaces are defined by extensions of the moulded micro-well strip.
  3. Multi-well support for analysis samples according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the flat surfaces extend from the longitudinal edges of the multi-well support.
EP99500200A 1998-11-03 1999-10-29 Multi-well support for analysis samples Withdrawn EP0998977A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES9802754U ES1042388Y (en) 1998-11-03 1998-11-03 ALVEOLAR SUPPORT FOR ANALYSIS SAMPLES.
ES9802754U 1998-11-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0998977A2 true EP0998977A2 (en) 2000-05-10
EP0998977A3 EP0998977A3 (en) 2001-06-27

Family

ID=8306302

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99500200A Withdrawn EP0998977A3 (en) 1998-11-03 1999-10-29 Multi-well support for analysis samples

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP0998977A3 (en)
ES (1) ES1042388Y (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20101080U1 (en) * 2001-01-20 2002-06-06 Evotec Biosystems Ag inspection device
WO2002052264A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-07-04 Orgenium Laboratories Oy Microwell strip series or plate series for screening tests
DE102004026240A1 (en) * 2004-05-25 2006-02-09 Eppendorf Ag Plastic microtitration plate for PCR use and breeding of micro-organisms is characterized by markings on film or embossing foil attached to plastic frame
EP1666583A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-07 Eppendorf Ag Microtiter plate
WO2007069222A2 (en) 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Analysis device with an array of focusing microstructures

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1539674A (en) * 1967-05-12 1968-09-20 Centre Nat Rech Scient Apparatus intended more particularly for the automatic determination of blood groups
US3680967A (en) * 1970-09-14 1972-08-01 Technicon Instr Self-locating sample receptacle having integral identification label
US3713771A (en) * 1971-05-13 1973-01-30 B Taylor Method for organized assay and bendable test tube rack therefor
US3785773A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-01-15 Beckman Instruments Inc Chemical analysis tube module
US3897216A (en) * 1971-11-03 1975-07-29 Coulter Chemistry Inc Sample cup holder
US4472357A (en) * 1981-11-18 1984-09-18 Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc. Blood bank cuvette cassette and label therefor
WO1987003218A1 (en) * 1985-11-27 1987-06-04 Alerchek Associates, Dba Alerchek A disposable microtiter stick
EP0325101A1 (en) * 1988-01-22 1989-07-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Automatic chemical analytical apparatus
US5128105A (en) * 1988-10-24 1992-07-07 Fritz Berthold Rack system for a plurality of specimen containers for performing assays
WO1994029024A1 (en) * 1993-06-03 1994-12-22 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Sample segment
US5427743A (en) * 1993-05-14 1995-06-27 Board Of Regents - Univ. Of Nebraska Specimen carrier

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1539674A (en) * 1967-05-12 1968-09-20 Centre Nat Rech Scient Apparatus intended more particularly for the automatic determination of blood groups
US3680967A (en) * 1970-09-14 1972-08-01 Technicon Instr Self-locating sample receptacle having integral identification label
US3713771A (en) * 1971-05-13 1973-01-30 B Taylor Method for organized assay and bendable test tube rack therefor
US3897216A (en) * 1971-11-03 1975-07-29 Coulter Chemistry Inc Sample cup holder
US3785773A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-01-15 Beckman Instruments Inc Chemical analysis tube module
US4472357A (en) * 1981-11-18 1984-09-18 Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc. Blood bank cuvette cassette and label therefor
WO1987003218A1 (en) * 1985-11-27 1987-06-04 Alerchek Associates, Dba Alerchek A disposable microtiter stick
EP0325101A1 (en) * 1988-01-22 1989-07-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Automatic chemical analytical apparatus
US5128105A (en) * 1988-10-24 1992-07-07 Fritz Berthold Rack system for a plurality of specimen containers for performing assays
US5427743A (en) * 1993-05-14 1995-06-27 Board Of Regents - Univ. Of Nebraska Specimen carrier
WO1994029024A1 (en) * 1993-06-03 1994-12-22 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Sample segment

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002052264A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-07-04 Orgenium Laboratories Oy Microwell strip series or plate series for screening tests
DE20101080U1 (en) * 2001-01-20 2002-06-06 Evotec Biosystems Ag inspection device
DE102004026240A1 (en) * 2004-05-25 2006-02-09 Eppendorf Ag Plastic microtitration plate for PCR use and breeding of micro-organisms is characterized by markings on film or embossing foil attached to plastic frame
DE102004026240B4 (en) * 2004-05-25 2007-10-04 Eppendorf Ag Microtiter plate and method of making a microtiter plate
EP1666583A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-07 Eppendorf Ag Microtiter plate
WO2007069222A2 (en) 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Analysis device with an array of focusing microstructures
WO2007069222A3 (en) * 2005-12-15 2008-05-29 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Analysis device with an array of focusing microstructures
US8343424B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2013-01-01 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Analysis device with an array of focusing microstructures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0998977A3 (en) 2001-06-27
ES1042388Y (en) 2000-02-01
ES1042388U (en) 1999-09-01

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