U.S. patent application number 10/454456 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for plant-material sampling and grinding apparatus.
Invention is credited to Garland, Stephen Henry.
Application Number | 20040043701 10/454456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27810151 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040043701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garland, Stephen Henry |
March 4, 2004 |
Plant-material sampling and grinding apparatus
Abstract
Currently, no product facilitates the collection of plant
material through to the production of PCR-ready DNA-template. The
Plant-material Sampling and Grinding Apparatus, facilitates the
collection of plant material, through to the production of
PCR-ready DNA-template. The separate components of the invention
include the upper and lower units. A piece of flat plant tissue is
placed between the upper and lower units. Insertion of the upper
unit into the lower unit cuts a disc of tissue. An extraction
buffer can be introduced through the top of the upper unit and is
contained by the well of the lower unit. Repeated cycles of full
insertion of the upper unit into the lower unit followed by
incomplete separation of the two units, facilitates the grinding of
the tissue in the extraction solution. Further solutions, such as
neutralizing solutions, can be added through the top of the upper
unit to produce PCR-ready template.
Inventors: |
Garland, Stephen Henry;
(Bowen, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPHEN HENRY GARLAND
QUEENS BEACH
59 MURROONA STREET
BOWEN
QUEENS LAND
4805
AU
|
Family ID: |
27810151 |
Appl. No.: |
10/454456 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 3/508 20130101;
B01L 2300/06 20130101; G01N 1/04 20130101; G01N 2001/4061 20130101;
B24B 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/005 |
International
Class: |
B24B 049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2002 |
AU |
2002951081 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention;
1) the plant-material sampling and grinding apparatus, consisting
of an upper and lower unit, substantially as herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings; that will facilitate the
cutting of a disc of flat plant material by placing the tissue
between the upper and lower units, while each unit is held by a
tool, followed by the insertion of the upper unit into the lower
unit, facilitated by the action of the tool, thus containing the
sampled tissue in the well of the lower unit; that will permit the
addition of solutions to, and extraction of solutions from, the
area containing the sampled material, through the opening in the
top of the upper unit; that will facilitate the grinding of the
sampled material with added solutions, by repeated cycles of
complete insertion of the upper unit followed by partial extraction
of the upper unit from the lower unit; that will facilitate the
production of Polymerase-Chain-Reaction ready DNA-template: a. The
Plant-Material sampling and Grinding Apparatus from claim 1
designed so that 96 Apparatus (upper section inserted into lower
section) are supported by the wells of one or more, commercially
available, standard 96-well microtiter-plates (apparatus supported
by the insertion of the lower cylindrical base of the lower unit
into a well of the plate), the base of the lower unit should fit
tightly into the wells but not so tight as to impede a smooth
extraction, and individual apparatus in contact or not in contact
with each other when supported in the microtiter plate. b. The
Plant-Material sampling and Grinding Apparatus from claim 1
constructed of a rigid, yet possessing some elastic qualities,
(flexible and returns to original shape after deformation) plastic
(e.g. polypropylene)).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Nil
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] This invention is in the general area of `disposable
laboratory plastic-ware.` The invention is used for the sampling of
a disc of plant material (predominantly leaf tissue) and subsequent
processing for the preparation of DNA template for the Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR). There is currently no product that
facilitates the organized collection of plant material through to
the production of PCR-ready DNA-template. Currently, there are
systems for the efficient production of PCR-ready DNA-extract, but
none incorporate sample collection and involve the purchase of
grinding mills worth thousands of dollars.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] The invention, The Plant-material Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus, facilitates the collection of plant material, through to
the production of PCR-ready DNA-template. The invention facilitates
the sampling and processing of the tissue within the one apparatus.
The separate components of the invention include the upper and
lower units. A piece of flat plant tissue is placed between the
upper and lower units. Insertion of the upper unit into the lower
unit cuts a disc of tissue. An extraction buffer can be introduced
through the top of the upper unit and is contained by the well of
the lower unit. Repeated manipulations involving the full insertion
of the upper unit into the lower unit followed by incomplete
separation of the two units, facilitates the grinding of the tissue
in the extraction solution. Further solutions, such as neutralizing
solutions, can be added through the top of the upper unit for the
preparation of PCR-ready template.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1: Upper (A) and Lower (B) units of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus. Side view. Page 1/2.
[0006] 1) Top of upper unit possessing an opening to a cylindrical
cavity.
[0007] 2) An indentation of variable shape in the top of the upper
unit, for the introduction of a portion of a non-specified tool in
order to secure the upper unit. The non-specified tool will
facilitate insertion of the upper unit into the lower unit and
relative movements between the upper and lower units.
[0008] 3) A rib with a sharp edge to aid in the removal of excess
plant material.
[0009] 4) Lower cylindrical base of the upper unit that inserts
into the upper cylindrical well of the lower unit.
[0010] 5) Holes of unspecified size, number, and location in the
bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit.
[0011] 6) The bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit
shown in conical form. Not all hidden detail is shown in order to
reduce the complexity of drawing.
[0012] 7) A cutting edge on the bottom of the cylindrical base of
the upper unit. Not all hidden detail is shown in order to reduce
the complexity of drawing.
[0013] 8) Direction of insertion of the upper unit into the lower
unit.
[0014] 9) Beveled edge on the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0015] 10) Outer wall of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0016] 11) Inner base of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0017] 12) Indentation to accommodate the cutting edge on the
bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit.
[0018] 13) An indentation of variable shape in the middle section
of the lower unit, for the introduction of a portion of a
non-specified tool in order to secure the lower unit. The
non-specified tool will facilitate insertion of the upper unit into
the lower unit and relative movements between the upper and lower
units.
[0019] 14) Cylindrical base of the lower unit.
[0020] FIG. 2: Plan view of the Upper unit of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus as illustrated in figure IA except
a cutting edge on the bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper
unit is not included in this plan. Page 1/2.
[0021] 2) An indentation of variable shape in the top of the upper
unit, for the introduction of a portion of a non-specified tool in
order to secure the upper unit. The non-specified tool will
facilitate insertion of the upper unit into the lower unit and
relative movements between the upper and lower units.
[0022] 3) A rib with a sharp edge to aid in the removal of excess
plant material.
[0023] 4) Lower cylindrical base of the upper unit that inserts
into the upper cylindrical well of the lower unit.
[0024] 5) Holes of unspecified size, number, and location in the
bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit.
[0025] 6) The bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit
shown in conical form. Not all hidden detail is shown in order to
reduce the complexity of drawing.
[0026] FIG. 3: Plan view of the Lower unit of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus as illustraed in FIG. 1B except an
indentation to accommodate a cutting edge on the bottom of the
cylindrical base of the upper unit, is not included in this plan.
Page 1/2.
[0027] 9) Beveled edge on the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0028] 10) Outer wall of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0029] 11) Inner base of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0030] 13) An indentation of variable shape in the middle section
of the lower unit, for the introduction of a portion of a
non-specified tool in order to secure the lower unit. The
non-specified tool will facilitate insertion of the upper unit into
the lower unit and relative movements between the upper and lower
units.
[0031] 14) Cylindrical base of the lower unit.
[0032] FIG. 4: Upper (A) and Lower (B) units of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Only
basic features are included in this figure. Side view. Page
2/2.
[0033] 1) Top of upper unit possessing an opening to a cylindrical
cavity.
[0034] 2) An indentation of variable shape in the top of the upper
unit, for the introduction of a portion of a non-specified tool in
order to secure the upper unit. The non-specified tool will
facilitate insertion of the upper unit into the lower unit and
relative movements between the upper and lower units.
[0035] 4) Lower cylindrical base of the upper unit that inserts
into the upper cylindrical well of the lower unit.
[0036] 5) Holes of unspecified size, number, and location in the
bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit.
[0037] 6) The flat bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper
unit.
[0038] 8) Direction of insertion of the upper unit into the lower
unit.
[0039] 10) Outer wall of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0040] 11) Inner base of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0041] 13) An indentation of variable shape in the middle section
of the lower unit, for the introduction of a portion of a
non-specified tool in order to secure the lower unit. The
non-specified tool will facilitate insertion of the upper unit into
the lower unit and relative movements between the upper and lower
units.
[0042] 14) Cylindrical base of the lower unit.
[0043] FIG. 5: Plan view of the Upper unit of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus showing basic features only. Page
2/2.
[0044] 2) An indentation of variable shape in the top of the upper
unit, for the introduction of a portion of a non-specified tool in
order to secure the upper unit. The non-specified tool will
facilitate insertion of the upper unit into the lower unit and
relative movements between the upper and lower units.
[0045] 4) Lower cylindrical base of the upper unit that inserts
into the upper cylindrical well of the lower unit.
[0046] 5) Holes of unspecified size, number, and location in the
bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper unit.
[0047] 6) The flat bottom of the cylindrical base of the upper
unit.
[0048] FIG. 6: Plan view of the Lower unit of the Plant Material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus showing basic features only. Page
2/2.
[0049] 10) Outer wail of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0050] 11) Inner base of the upper cylindrical well of the lower
unit.
[0051] 13) An indentation of variable shape in the middle section
of the lower unit, for the introduction of a portion of a
non-specified tool, in order to secure the lower unit, and
facilitate relative movements between the upper and lower units
through the action of the non specified tool.
[0052] 14) Cylindrical base of the lower unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0053] There is currently no product that facilitates the organized
collection of plant material through to the production of
Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (PCR) ready DNA template. Currently,
there are systems for the efficient production of
Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (PCR) ready DNA extract, but none
incorporate sample collection and involve he purchase of grinding
mills worth thousands of dollars. The system described here
facilitates sampling and processing of the tissue within the one
apparatus and does not require the purchase of expensive
equipment.
[0054] The invention is the Plant-material Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus. A description of the invention follows. The components
of the invention include the upper and lower units (FIGS. 1 to 6).
The dimensions and relative dimensions between sections of the
invention are variable, however further comments regarding
dimensions and relative dimensions will occur throughout the
detailed description when important to unction or efficient use.
The construction material is not specified but is likely to be a
plastic that is rigid yet possessing some elastic qualities
(flexible and returns to original shape after deformation) (e.g.
polypropylene).
[0055] The lower unit consists of a lower cylinder (FIGS. 1B, 3,
4B, and 6; point 14), a middle section possessing an indentation
suitable for insertion of a non-specified holding and manipulating
device (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B, and 6; point 13), and an upper portion
that possesses an open cylindrical well (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B, and 6;
point 10).
[0056] The upper section of the Plant-material Sampling and
Grinding Apparatus (FIGS. 1A, 2, 4A, and 5) consists of a partially
closed cylindrical base (FIGS. 1A, 2, A, and 5; point 4) and an
upper section possessing an indentation suitable for insertion of a
non-specified holding and manipulating device (FIGS. 1A, 2, 4A, and
5; point 2).
[0057] The cylindrical base of the upper unit (FIGS. 1A, 2, 4A, and
5; point 4) inserts into the open cylindrical well of the lower
unit (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B, and 6; point 10) as indicated in FIGS. 1 and
4 point 8. The tightness of fit should create a seal but not so
tight as to impede a smooth insertion or extraction of the upper
unit.
[0058] A holding and manipulating device or grinding tool will
facilitate the insertion of the base of the upper section into the
open well of the lower section, and the extraction, or partial
extraction, of the base of the upper section from the open well of
the lower section. The tool is generally unspecified but could
possess upper and lower two pronged forks that will insert into the
indentations of the upper and lower sections of the Plant-material
Sampling and Grinding Apparatus (FIGS. 1 to 6 points 2 and 13). The
indentations could be one sided (semi-circular or possessing
multiple curves); two sided (of equal or unequal sides), three
sided as indicated in FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B, and 6 (point 13) of equal or
unequal size; or have multiple sides and angles. The forks of the
tool should fit tightly enough to firmly hold the two units and
ensure appropriate alignment for insertion, but be loose enough to
also allow smooth removal of the joined units from the tool.
[0059] A disc of plant tissue will be cut by placing the tissue
(e.g. leaf) between the upper and lower units, while each unit is
held by the tool, followed by the insertion of the upper unit into
the lower unit of the Plant-material Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus. The insertion is facilitated by the action of the tool.
Beveled edges could be included on the upper lip of the lower unit
of the Plant-material Sampling and Grinding Apparatus to create a
sharp edge to improve the cutting of the sample disc (FIGS. 1B and
3 point 9). The disc of plant material will be cut by the combined
action of the cutting edges of the lower unit and the downward
force of the base of the upper section (FIGS. 1A, 2, 4A and 5;
point 6) on the tissue sample (e.g. leaf).
[0060] Grinding or extraction solutions will be introduced through
the opening of the upper unit (FIGS. 1A and 4A; point 1), freely
move through the holes in the bottom of the upper unit (FIGS. 1A,
2, 4A and 5; point 5), and be contained within the upper
cylindrical well (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B and 6; point 10) of the lower
unit.
[0061] Complete insertion of the upper section into the lower
section grinds the sample between the base of the upper unit (FIGS.
1A, 2, 4A, and 5, point 6) and the base of the well of the lower
unit (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B, and 6, point 11). Several cycles of partial
extraction and complete insertion would follow to complete the
grinding process.
[0062] The grinding tool could have the general action of secateurs
or forceps. The use of a grinding tool with secateur-like handles
would be less strenuous when many samples are to be processed and
allow more pressure to be applied. Options, for the grinding tool,
could include;
[0063] i) Spring return handles;
[0064] ii) Pronged forks lower and parallel to main shaft to allow
better access to Sampling and Grinding Apparatus when in a
supporting plate;
[0065] iii) Multiple head tool;
[0066] iv) Locking device to ensure upper and lower sections remain
together when grinding;
[0067] v) A tool where the focus of the arc of travel for the upper
and lower components of the apparatus are behind the hand, thus
reducing the curvature of travel.
[0068] The bottom of the upper section of the Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus could be flat (FIGS. 4A, and 5; point 6) or otherwise,
such as angled away from the sides of the cylindrical wall to form
a shallow cone (FIGS. 1A and 2; point 6). When an angled and
flexible bottom of the upper section is lowered onto a disc of leaf
material positioned on the bottom of the upper compartment of the
lower section of the Sampling and Grinding Apparatus (FIGS. 1B, 3,
4B and 6; point 11), the central region of the cone will make
contact with the tissue first. As more pressure is applied the
flexible base will be pushed flat, and (increasingly) more of the
tissue will be squashed by the base of the upper-section. This
process will facilitate more uniform grinding and better mixing
with the grinding solution.
[0069] A sharp protruding lip could be included on the base of the
lower cylinder of the upper unit of the Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus to aid in the cutting of the plant tissue (FIG. 1A point
7). The lip would fit into a corresponding recess in the base of
the well of the lower unit of the Plant-material Sampling and
Grinding Apparatus (FIG. 1B point 12).
[0070] Sharp ribs (FIGS. 1A and 2; point 3) could be included on
the upper section of the Plant-material Sampling and Grinding
Apparatus, to help in the removal of excess plant material.
[0071] The suggested method of use is represented by the following
points;
[0072] i) 96 Plant-material Sampling and Grinding Apparatus (upper
section inserted into lower section) designed to fit into the wells
of one or more commercially available, standard, 96-well
microtiter-plates (apparatus supported by the insertion of the
lower cylindrical base of the lower unit (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B and 6;
point 14) into a well of the plate, the base of the lower unit
should fit tightly into the wells but not so tight as to impede a
smooth extraction, individual apparatus should not be touching, and
most likely constructed of a rigid, yet possessing some elastic
qualities, (flexible and returns to original shape after
deformation) plastic (e.g. polypropylene)).
[0073] ii) 96 Plant-material Sampling and Grinding units (upper
section inserted into the lower section) purchased pre-packaged and
supported in a 96 well sampling plate (not a standard 96 well
microtiter plate) by the insertion of the lower cylindrical base of
the lower unit (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B and 6; point 14) into a well of the
sampling plate. The base of the lower unit should fit tightly into
the wells but not so tight as to impede a smooth extraction. The
wells of the sampling plate could be sufficiently separated to
allow easy access of the grinding tool to the Sampling and Grinding
units. The sampling plate will have a lid. The plate with lid could
slot onto a lower container. The three components would constitute
the Sampling Container. The lower container could be filled with
ice or a cold freezer block thus facilitating reduced sample
deterioration. Alternatively, the Plant-material Sampling and
Grinding units (upper section inserted into the lower section)
could be supplied loose or in cassettes that could be stored in a
holding rack for subsequent loading of the Sampling and Grinding
units into the Sampling Plate and subsequent utilization of the
Sampling Container.
[0074] iii) Take labeled Sampling and Grinding units, contained
within the cooled Sampling Container, to the experimental plants.
Sample leaf discs, and return apparatus to the wells of the
sampling container. Return to the laboratory.
[0075] iv) An adaptor will be used to facilitate the addition, by
multi-channel pipettor, of, for example, 200 micro liters of
extraction solution (e.g. 0.25 N NaOH), into each Sampling and
Grinding Apparatus. The adaptor will be placed on top of the
sampling tray containing 96 apparatus. Tubes or tunnels passing
through the adapter will insert into the opening in the upper unit
(FIGS. 1A and 4A; point 1). The tubes or tunnels will lead from the
openings in the top of the adapter to the apparatus in the sampling
plate, maintaining spatial relationships. The openings will have
the configuration of a standard 96-well microtiter-plate. Remove
adaptor.
[0076] v) Each leaf sample will then be ground, with the aid of the
grinding tool, until the solution has turned to a pale green color.
The number of units ground simultaneously will depend on the number
of holding forks on the head of the grinding tool.
[0077] vi) After grinding, Plant-material Sampling and Grinding
units could then be transferred to a standard, commercially
available, 96-well microtiter-plate, supported by the cylindrical
base of the lower unit (FIGS. 1B, 3, 4B and 6; point 14) within the
wells of the plate.
[0078] vii) 50 micro liters, for example, of extract solution would
then be removed from each unit and placed into the well of a
standard, commercially available, 96 well microtiter plate that
already contains, for example, 200 micro liters of neutralization
buffer (e.g Tris buffer pH 7). Multi channel pipettors should be
used if available.
[0079] viii) 2 micro liters of the neutralized extract could be
used as template for a 20 micro liter PCR amplification.
[0080] ix) Alternatively, continuing from step 5, neutralization
solution could be added individually to the original apparatus,
either directly, or indirectly through the adaptor. It this case,
PCR ready template would be produced in the original sampling
apparatus.
* * * * *