U.S. patent application number 10/989785 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for method of applying a coating to an analytic plate.
Invention is credited to Angros, Lee H..
Application Number | 20050070026 10/989785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26694234 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050070026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Angros, Lee H. |
March 31, 2005 |
Method of applying a coating to an analytic plate
Abstract
A method of using an applicator device for applying a coating to
an analytic plate. The coating is substantially transparent,
translucent or invisible, and is substantially flush with the
surface of the analytic plate. The coating is preferably comprised
of a polysiloxane, siloxane, silicone, a silane, a silicon fluid,
or a combination thereof and optionally an acid.
Inventors: |
Angros, Lee H.; (Bethany,
OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP, CODDING & ROGERS P.C.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73113
US
|
Family ID: |
26694234 |
Appl. No.: |
10/989785 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10989785 |
Nov 16, 2004 |
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10805777 |
Mar 22, 2004 |
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10805777 |
Mar 22, 2004 |
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10225412 |
Aug 20, 2002 |
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6713304 |
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10225412 |
Aug 20, 2002 |
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09373468 |
Aug 12, 1999 |
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6555384 |
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09373468 |
Aug 12, 1999 |
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09021077 |
Feb 10, 1998 |
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5948685 |
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09373468 |
Aug 12, 1999 |
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PCT/US99/02854 |
Feb 9, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
436/180 ;
436/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 436/25 20150115;
B01L 3/508 20130101; B01L 2300/0822 20130101; Y10T 436/2575
20150115; G02B 21/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/180 ;
436/174 |
International
Class: |
G01N 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate comprising:
providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like device or a
device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the applicator
containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a silane, a
silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and applying
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof to a surface of glass, plastic or ceramic
analytic plate by appressing a portion of the applicator to the
surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic plate wherein the
polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the glass,
plastic or ceramic analytic plate to form a coating thereon and
wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
3. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional step of buffing
or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic plate.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the applicator has a reservoir for
containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is colorless.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is transparent,
translucent or invisible.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is transparent and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is translucent and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating can be treated to be
invisible and wherein the invisible coating is highly resistant to
removal or abrasion.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating is invisible and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating leaves the refractive
index of the analytic plate unaltered when viewed through a
microscope when the analytic plate is glass or plastic.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
19. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass or plastic
analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein the
polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the glass or
plastic analytic plate to form a coating thereon and the coating
having a thickness which does not alter the refractive index of the
glass or plastic analytic plate when viewed through a microscope
and wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001
inch.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
24. The method of claim 19 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
26. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating is colorless.
27. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating is transparent or
invisible.
28. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating is transparent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
29. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating can be treated to be
invisible and is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
30. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating is invisible and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
31. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
32. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating is highly resistant
to removal or abrasion.
33. The method of claim 19 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
34. The method of claim 19 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
35. The method of claim 19 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
36. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass or plastic
analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein the
polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating thereon and the coating having a thickness
which does not alter the refractive index of the glass or plastic
analytic plate when viewed through a microscope and wherein the
coating is highly resistant to removal or abrasion and wherein the
coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
37. The method of claim 36 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
38. The method of claim 36 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
39. The method of claim 36 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
40. The method of claim 36 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
41. The method of claim 36 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
42. The method of claim 36 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
43. The method of claim 36 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
45. The method of claim 36 wherein the coating is colorless.
46. The method of claim 36 wherein the coating is transparent,
translucent or invisible.
47. The method of claim 36 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
48. The method of claim 36 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
49. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating having a thickness of less than 0.00001
inch.
50. The method of claim 49 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
51. The method of claim 49 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
52. The method of claim 49 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
53. The method of claim 49 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
54. The method of claim 49 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
55. The method of claim 49 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
56. The method of claim 49 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
57. The method of claim 56 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
58. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating is colorless.
59. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating is transparent,
translucent or invisible.
60. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating is transparent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
61. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating is translucent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
62. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating can be treated to be
invisible and is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
63. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating is invisible and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
64. The method of claim 49 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
65. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating having a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch
and which is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
66. The method of claim 65 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
67. The method of claim 65 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
68. The method of claim 65 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
69. The method of claim 65 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
70. The method of claim 65 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
71. The method of claim 65 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
72. The method of claim 65 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
73. The method of claim 72 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
74. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating is colorless.
75. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating is transparent,
translucent or invisible.
76. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating is transparent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
77. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating is translucent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
78. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating can be treated to be
invisible and is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
79. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating is invisible and is
highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
80. The method of claim 65 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
81. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which can be treated to be invisible and
wherein the coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
82. The method of claim 81 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
83. The method of claim 81 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
84. The method of claim 81 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
85. The method of claim 81 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
86. The method of claim 81 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
87. The method of claim 81 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
88. The method of claim 81 wherein the applicator further comprises
an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof.
89. The method of claim 81 wherein the acid is a mineral acid.
90. The method of claim 81 wherein the coating is colorless.
91. The method of claim 81 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
92. The method of claim 81 wherein the coating is highly resistant
to removal or abrasion.
93. The method of claim 81 wherein the coating has a thickness of a
substantially molecular layer.
94. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which is invisible and wherein the coating
has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
95. The method of claim 94 comprising the additional step of wiping
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or
combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
96. The method of claim 94 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
97. The method of claim 94 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
98. The method of claim 94 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
99. The method of claim 94 wherein the applicator has an applicator
end.
100. The method of claim 94 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
101. The method of claim 94 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
102. The method of claim 101 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
103. The method of claim 94 wherein the coating is colorless.
104. The method of claim 94 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
105. The method of claim 94 wherein the coating is highly resistant
to removal or abrasion.
106. The method of claim 94 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
107. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which is translucent and wherein the
coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
108. The method of claim 107 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
109. The method of claim 107 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
110. The method of claim 107 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
111. The method of claim 107 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
112. The method of claim 107 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
113. The method of claim 107 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
114. The method of claim 107 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
115. The method of claim 114 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
116. The method of claim 107 wherein the coating is colorless.
117. The method of claim 107 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
118. The method of claim 107 wherein the coating is highly
resistant to removal or abrasion.
119. The method of claim 107 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
120. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which is transparent and has a thickness of
less than 0.0001 inch.
121. The method of claim 120 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
122. The method of claim 120 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
123. The method of claim 120 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
124. The method of claim 120 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
125. The method of claim 120 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
126. The method of claim 120 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
127. The method of claim 120 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
128. The method of claim 127 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
129. The method of claim 120 wherein the coating is colorless.
130. The method of claim 120 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
131. The method of claim 120 wherein the coating is highly
resistant to removal or abrasion.
132. The method of claim 120 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
133. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating on the analytic plate which is transparent
and highly resistant to removal or abrasion and wherein the coating
has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
134. The method of claim 133 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
135. The method of claim 133 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
136. The method of claim 133 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
137. The method of claim 133 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
138. The method of claim 133 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
139. The method of claim 133 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
140. The method of claim 133 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
141. The method of claim 140 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
142. The method of claim 133 wherein the coating is colorless.
143. The method of claim 133 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
144. The method of claim 133 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
145. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which is translucent and highly resistant
to removal or abrasion and wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.0001 inch.
146. The method of claim 145 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
147. The method of claim 145 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
148. The method of claim 145 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
149. The method of claim 145 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
150. The method of claim 145 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
151. The method of claim 145 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
152. The method of claim 145 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
153. The method of claim 152 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
154. The method of claim 145 wherein the coating is colorless.
155. The method of claim 145 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
156. The method of claim 145 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
157. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by oppressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating which is invisible and highly resistant to
removal or abrasion and wherein the coating has a thickness of less
than 0.0001 inch.
158. The method of claim 157 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
159. The method of claim 157 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
160. The method of claim 157 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
161. The method of claim 157 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
162. The method of claim 157 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
163. The method of claim 157 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
164. The method of claim 157 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
165. The method of claim 164 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
166. The method of claim 157 wherein the coating is colorless.
167. The method of claim 157 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
168. The method of claim 157 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
169. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of an acid and at least one of a
polysiloxane, a siloxane, a silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or
a combination thereof; and applying the acid and the polysiloxane,
siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof
to a surface of a glass, plastic or ceramic analytic plate by
appressing the applicator thereto wherein the acid and the
polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating on the analytic plate and wherein the
coating has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
170. The method of claim 169 wherein the acid in the liquid
composition is a mineral acid.
171. The method of claim 169 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
172. The method of claim 169 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
173. The method of claim 169 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
174. The method of claim 169 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the acid and the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
175. The method of claim 169 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
176. The method of claim 169 wherein the acid and the polysiloxane,
siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof
is a liquid composition.
177. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is colored.
178. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is colorless.
179. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is transparent,
translucent or invisible.
180. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is transparent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
181. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is translucent and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
182. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating can be treated to
be invisible and is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
183. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating is invisible and
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion.
184. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating when disposed on
the analytic plate leaves the refractive index of the analytic
plate unaltered when viewed through a microscope when the analytic
plate is glass or plastic, and wherein the coating is highly
resistant to removal or abrasion.
185. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
186. The method of claim 169 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
187. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is disposed upon
the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic plate to form
a colored and transparent coating thereon having a thickness which
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion and wherein the coating
has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
188. The method of claim 187 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
189. The method of claim 187 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
190. The method of claim 187 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
191. The method of claim 187 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
192. The method of claim 187 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
193. The method of claim 187 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
194. The method of claim 187 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
195. The method of claim 194 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
196. The method of claim 187 wherein the colored and transparent
coating has a thickness of less than 0.00001 inch.
197. The method of claim 187 wherein the colored and transparent
coating has a thickness of a substantially molecular layer.
198. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is disposed upon
the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic plate to form
a colored and translucent coating thereon having a thickness which
is highly resistant to removal or abrasion and wherein the coating
has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch.
199. The method of claim 198 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
200. The method of claim 198 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
201. The method of claim 198 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
202. The method of claim 198 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
203. The method of claim 198 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
204. The method of claim 198 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
205. The method of claim 198 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
206. The method of claim 205 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
207. The method of claim 198 wherein the colored and translucent
coating has a thickness of less than 0.00001 inch.
208. The method of claim 198 wherein the colored and translucent
coating has a thickness of a substantially molecular layer.
209. A method of applying a coating to an analytic plate,
comprising: providing an applicator comprising a pen or pen-like
device or a device having a reservoir and an applicator end, the
applicator containing a quantity of a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a
silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof; and
applying the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon
fluid, or combination thereof to a surface of a glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate by appressing the applicator thereto wherein
the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or
combination thereof is disposed upon the surface of the analytic
plate to form a coating thereon which is translucent and has a
thickness of less than 0.0001 inch and which is highly resistant to
removal or abrasion.
210. The method of claim 209 wherein the applicator is a pen or
pen-like device.
211. The method of claim 209 wherein the applicator has a reservoir
for containing the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone,
silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
212. The method of claim 209 wherein the applicator has an
applicator end.
213. The method of claim 209 wherein the polysiloxane, siloxane,
silane, silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof is a liquid
composition.
214. The method of claim 209 comprising the additional step of
wiping the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid
or combination thereof upon the surface of the glass, plastic or
ceramic analytic plate after the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid or combination thereof has been disposed
upon the surface of the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
215. The method of claim 209 comprising the additional step of
buffing or treating the glass, plastic or ceramic analytic
plate.
216. The method of claim 209 wherein the applicator further
comprises an acid with the polysiloxane, siloxane, silane,
silicone, silicon fluid, or combination thereof.
217. The method of claim 216 wherein the acid is a mineral
acid.
218. The method of claim 209 wherein the coating is colorless.
219. The method of claim 209 wherein the coating has a thickness of
less than 0.00001 inch.
220. The method of claim 209 wherein the coating is highly
resistant to removal or abrasion.
221. The method of claim 209 wherein the coating has a thickness of
a substantially molecular layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
10/805,777, filed Mar. 22, 2004, which is a divisional application
of U.S. Ser. No. 10/225,412, filed Aug. 20, 2002, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/373,468, filed Aug. 12,
1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,384, which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. Ser. No. 09/021,077, filed Feb. 10, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,948,685, and which is also a continuation-in-part of
International Application No. PCT/US99/02854 filed Feb. 9, 1999.
Each of the patents or applications listed above is hereby
expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
analytic plates such as microscope slides or diagnostic plates and
more particularly to such analytic plates having borders
thereon.
[0003] Standard microscope slides and diagnostic plates are thin,
typically rectangular, sheets of glass, ceramic, or plastic. In
use, a sample comprising an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, liquid
reagent, biological fluid and/or biological tissue section(s) is
placed upon a portion of the slide or diagnostic glass plate.
Before analysis, the sample on the slide or plate may be dried,
placed in a fixative, or remain fresh prior to treatment for
enhanced visualization by light, electron, or fluorescent
microscopy, and/or including gross analysis with the human eye. The
sample may be analyzed in its natural state or may need treatment
with one or more liquid dyes to enhance visualization. Further
treatment with molecular biological techniques may include, for
example, treatment by monoclonal, polyclonal antibodies, in-situ
hybridization by molecular probes, and/or their liquid detection
reagents. During routine analysis or manipulation of a slide or
plate, the sample or liquid reagent may spill from the slide, run
or migrate onto other portions of the slide, and/or "wick off" if
the slide touches another object, thus resulting in a loss of all
or part of the liquid sample or reagent. It is desirous to avoid
such inadvertent or undesired mixing or contamination of different
samples or liquid reagents.
[0004] It is therefore beneficial for the slide or diagnostic plate
to have means to confine the sample or liquid used in treating the
sample to a specific area on the slide or plate. This has been
accomplished previously by creating a slide or plate having one or
more depressions, or "wells" therein. Alternatively, a physical
barrier or hydrophobic material may be applied to the slide surface
in a bordered pattern to confine the liquid applied to the plate
within the area surrounded by the border. Such borders may comprise
a coating of teflon, paint, wax, paraffin, epoxy resin, or other
resinous material, or a paint. Each of these materials results in a
border having a thickness resulting in a raised border extending a
distance above the surface of the glass, for example, a teflon
layer is generally from about 0.001 to about 0.0025 inches high.
These raised areas are generally opaque and the end result is a
loss of the transparent nature of the slide where the border is
applied. In spite of the fact that these raised borders may be
somewhat effective in confining the liquid, there continues to be a
need for a slide or plate which achieves confinement of the liquid
upon a slide while maintaining transparency of the glass or plate.
It is the object of the present invention to provide such a
slide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention contemplates an analytic plate such as
a microscope slide or a diagnostic plate having a containment
border for inhibiting migration of liquids or liquid samples
thereon, wherein the border is substantially transparent and is
substantially flush with the surface of the slide or plate and
which covers only a portion of the surface of the slide or plate,
and a method of making such a plate or slide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a microscope slide constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a side view of the slide of FIG. 1A.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a plan view of another version of a microscope
slide constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a side view of the slide of FIG. 2A.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another version of a microscope
slide constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a plan view of another version of a microscope
slide constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a plan view of another version of a microscope
slide constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a plan view of another version of a microscope
slide constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pen used in accordance
with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention contemplates an analytic plate such as
a microscope slide or a diagnostic plate having a containment
border for inhibiting migration of liquids or liquid samples
thereon, wherein the border is substantially transparent and is
substantially flush with the surface of the slide or plate and
which covers only a portion of the surface of the slide or
plate.
[0016] Where used herein, the term "analytic plate" refers to those
types of plates such as microscope slides and diagnostic plates
which are used, for example, in microscopic analysis or diagnostic
analysis or comparison of samples. Analytic plates are generally
comprised of glass or plastic (translucent, transparent, or opaque)
but may also comprise ceramic materials. The analytic plates
contemplated herein can have any shape suitable for use in analytic
devices wherein the analytic plate can hold or contain a liquid or
sample for analysis. When used herein, the terms, "plate" and
"slide" are intended to be interchangeable.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a glass microscope slide
having the general reference numeral 10 is shown. The slide 10 has
a conventional length, width and thickness as is well known to one
of ordinary skill in the art. The slide 10 has an upper surface 12
and a lower surface 14. Disposed upon a portion of the upper
surface 12 is a liquid containment border 16 which in the version
of FIG. 1A has a rectangular shape. Where used herein the term
"liquid containment border" or "containment border" refers to a
transparent border which prevents passage of an aqueous or
non-aqueous liquid thereacross. The containment border 16 surrounds
a containment area 18 of the upper surface 12 of the slide 10. The
containment border 16 forms a liquid barrier about the containment
area 18. When a liquid or liquid sample (not shown) is placed upon
the containment area 18 of the slide 10 for analysis, the
containment border 16 prevents the spreading, leakage or migration
of the liquid or liquid sample from the containment area 18, thus
causing the sample to be retained in a discrete and confined
location upon the slide 10. Where used herein, the term liquid or
liquid sample is intended to refer to a liquid material, or a
liquid biological sample (e.g., blood, urine, plasma, or
cerebrospinal fluid) which is desired to be localized on the
slide.
[0018] The coating material which is used to form the containment
border 16 comprises a material which when applied to the slide 10
is preferably transparent or clear although it may have a color to
indicate its position on the slide or have printed, by one of
ordinary skill in the art, on the lower surface 14 and/or upper
surface 12 of the slide 10 information (lines or numbers or
symbols) indicating the position of the containment border 16 on
the upper surface 12. The containment border 16 forms a molecular
layer when dry and therefore is substantially flush (level) with
the upper surface 12 of the slide 10. The containment border 16 is
therefore not raised above the upper surface 12 to a degree that is
visible to the naked eye. In fact, the containment border 16
preferably has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inch and more
preferably less than 0.00001 inch. After the coating material is
applied to the slide 10 thereby forming the containment border 16,
the slide 10 is dried. The containment border 16 may be transparent
or translucent after application, wherein it may be desired to buff
or treat the slide 10 chemically (e.g., by xylene, alcohol, or
acetone, or other commonly used laboratory solvents) such that the
containment border 16 is preferably rendered clear (transparent)
and invisible whereby the containment border 16 leaves the
refractive index of the slide 10 unaltered when viewed through a
microscope.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment the coating material which forms
the containment border 16 is a composition comprising a liquid
repellant compound dissolved in a volatile solvent. In a
particularly preferred version, the composition comprises an alkyl
polysiloxane and a mineral acid mixed with a solvent in a manner
well known in the art. Such a mixture is described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,579,540, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety. Other polysiloxanes, siloxanes,
silanes, silicones, silicon fluids, and combinations thereof which
can permanently or at least substantially permanently bond to a
glass surface and function in accordance with the present invention
are also contemplated and are well known in the art, and are
available commercially for use herein. Although a polysiloxane acid
mixture is particularly preferred, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that any material which can adhere to the
surface of at least one of a glass, plastic or ceramic slide or
plate and which forms a substantially non-raised molecular layer as
described and claimed herein and is suitable for use in the present
invention.
[0020] It is generally necessary to apply a coating material
composition comprising at least 1% by weight of the polysiloxane,
siloxane, silane, silicone, silicon fluid or combinations thereof
to provide a containment border 16 having sufficient liquid
repellancy properties for the slide 10 with the containment border
16 thereon to function as contemplated in the present invention
herein. More preferably the composition of the coating material
comprises at least 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% of the
polysiloxane, the siloxane, the silane, the silicone, the silicon
fluid, or combinations thereof.
[0021] The coating material can be applied to the slide 10 in any
manner known in the art for applying a liquid to a surface, for
example, by brushing, wiping, by using a stamping device, by
spraying or by application from a device (such as a pen or pen-like
device) filled with the coating material to be applied to the
slides or plates (described in more detail below).
[0022] In an alternative method of application of the coating
material for the containment border 16, the slide 10 may be
provided with a removable raised layer of a material such as a
silicone rubber which is applied as a raised strip on a portion of
the upper surface 12 of the slide 10 (not shown). Prior to the
application of the liquid or liquid sample for treatment, the
raised silicone strip is peeled away from the upper surface 12 of
the slide 10, leaving a residual coating comprising the containment
border 16 in accordance with the present invention. After the
raised silicone rubber strip has been peeled away leaving the
containment border 16, the slide 10 can be used in accordance with
the present invention.
[0023] It is another distinctive characteristic of the present
invention that, in a preferred embodiment, after the coating
material is applied to the slide 10 to form the containment border
16 and the coating material has dried thereon, the containment
border 16 is highly resistant to abrasion and to chemical removal
and physical removal by washing, scrubbing, wiping, placement in
organic solvents, inorganic solvents, and aqueous solvents. The
slide 10 can therefore be used repeatedly without the containment
border 16 losing its repellant properties.
[0024] The containment border 16 of the present slide 10 is further
distinguished from prior art slides which have teflon borders or
other physical barriers because the surface of such prior art
slides must be treated before the teflon coating can adhere to the
slide (e.g., using an adhesive) thus causing solvents to dissolve
the adhesive and the subsequent loss of the border's efficiency due
to peeling and/or loss of the liquid confinement integrity of the
border. The borders of slides using coatings of teflon, epoxy, or
paint are generally opaque and are raised above the surface of the
slide, unlike the borders on the slides of the present invention.
In the present invention, there is no intervening layer (e.g., an
adhesive) between the glass and the coating comprising the
containment border 16. Further, borders of such prior art slides
also suffer from non-specific binding of reagents along their
raised edges thereby causing interference with the specimen.
[0025] For example, interference may occur when the reagents used
in processing biological samples adhere, are drawn to, or react
with these raised borders causing undesirable background staining
around the specimen. Additionally, these raised borders cause
"pooling" of reagents in the "well" formed by the raised border,
making rinsing of reagents more difficult than the non-raised
borders of the present invention.
[0026] The present invention also enables the user to coverslip the
slides with known manual and automated coversliping methods without
the need to add excess mountant into the space within the raised
wells to fill the gaps of "dead air" space resulting from the
raised borders. These "dead air" spaces, if not filled with
mountant, would have bubbles present under the coverslip, which is
undesirable. The substantially non-raised borders of the present
invention do not interfere with the placement of the coverslip on
the slide nor do they necessitate the addition of mountant beyond
the normal amount of mountant necessary for a normal untreated
slide to be coversliped.
[0027] Another advantage of the slide of the present invention
relates to the transparent nature of the border. Recent
developments in image analysis has advanced specimen scanning to
offer a reproducible analysis of specimens on a slide. These
instruments automatically or semi-automatically scan the slide to
find the specimen and measure variables. The need to maintain the
transparent nature of the slide is critical. The camera scans the
slides and picks up anything that alters the light path, therefore,
it is important that the only object on the slide which alters the
light passing through the camera is the specimen itself, not an
opaque border that would typically block the entire light path.
[0028] Although the microscope slide of the present invention may
consist solely of a slide 10 with the containment border 16
thereon, in some embodiments the slide may further have a distinct
marking surface thereon for writing upon or for attaching a label
thereto. FIGS. 2A and 2B show such a slide, designated therein by
the general reference numeral 10a. The slide 10a has a marking
surface 20 which is a "frosted" portion of the slide 10a (i.e., a
portion of the slide 10a which has been etched off or abraded). In
an alternative version of such a slide, the marking surface 20 may
be an opaque epoxy or painted coating. Other means of forming a
marking surface will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art. FIG. 2A further shows an alternative version of the invention
wherein the containment border, designated by the general reference
numeral 22 comprises a pair of strips extending from one edge of
the slide to another, rather than forming a box pattern as shown in
slide 10a.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a slide 10b which is essentially the same as
slide 10a except the containment border is a border 24 which forms
an entire "box" on the surface 12 of the slide 10b. FIG. 4 shows an
alternative embodiment of the invention, a slide 10c having a
containment border 26 which comprises a pair of separate
containment areas 28. The separate containment areas 28 can
therefore contain separate samples which are prevented from mixing
by the portion 30 of the containment border 26 which separates the
two containment areas 28. Although not specifically shown in the
figure, the slide 10c may be constructed to comprise a plurality of
separate containment areas 28 greater than two for holding a
plurality of samples, as will be understood by a person of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a slide 10d having a pair of circular
containment borders 32 which surround containment areas 34.
Alternative versions of slide 10d may have only a single circular
containment border 32, or may have a plurality of circular
containment borders 32. FIG. 6 shows a slide 10e comprising a
containment border 36 having a diagonal border 38 extending
thereacross forming a pair of triangle shaped containment areas 40.
Alternative versions of the slide 10e may have only a single
triangle shaped containment area 40, or may have a plurality of
areas 40. Further, it will be understood by a person of ordinary
skill in the art that the shapes of the containment areas are not
limited only to those shown in the figures herein. The containment
areas may have other shapes, such as ovals, stars, ellipses,
pentagons, hexagons, trapezoids, or even non-geometric or fanciful
shapes. Further, a single slide may have more than one particular
shape of containment border disposed thereon, for example, a circle
and a box or a pair of circles and a pair of boxes.
[0031] As is evident from the above, each slide contemplated herein
has only a portion of its surface having a coating made from the
coating material, with the specific purpose for retaining a
biological sample upon a discrete and predetermined portion of the
slide.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more
of the microscope slides or plates contemplated herein may be
supplied as a kit along with other components used in microscopic
analysis of samples. Said other components may comprise stains and
reagents commonly used by those of ordinary skill, including but
not limited to, stains, dyes, molecular biological reagents
including monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and molecular
probes and their detection reagents, and other aqueous and
non-aqueous processing reagents. Examples of aqueous and
non-aqueous processing reagents include xylene, toluene, acetone,
and other organic and inorganic solvents, and alcohols, biological
buffers, and aqueous reagents for use with antibodies, and
molecular probes and their detection reagents.
[0033] As noted above, the containment border may be applied via a
pen, or pen-like device, an example of which is shown in FIG. 7.
The pen is designated by reference number 50 and comprises a body
52 having a reservoir therein (not shown) which contains a quantity
of the liquid composition comprising a coating material described
elsewhere herein (e.g., polysiloxane). The pen 50 further comprises
an applicator end 54, and a cap 56 for inhibiting evaporation of
the coating material or drying of the tip 54. The pen 50 or cap 56
may comprise means for clipping, e.g., to a pocket. The applicator
end may be a brush, a swab, a rubber tip, or any other device known
to one of ordinary skill in the art of applicator pens.
[0034] As contemplated herein, a user can use the pen 50 to custom
make his own "bordered slides" having a containment border as
described herein. The border applied in such a manner is resistant
to removal by organic solvents such as xylene, as described above.
In use, the user applies a layer of the coating material, e.g.,
polysiloxane, to a slide, allows it to dry, then applies the
aqueous or non-aqueous liquid or histological material, or other
biological sample, and carries out various processing steps known
in the art for analyzing the specimen (e.g., treating with stains
and organic solvents). Alternatively, the sample may be applied to
the slide before the containment border is applied to the slide,
e.g., a list of any tissue sample or any other biological sample
that requires air drying before processing. Treatment with organic
solvents used in the processing steps has substantially no effect
on the durable containment border as claimed herein. The pen
applicator of the present invention differs from other pen
applicators known in the art (e.g., PAP Pen) because such prior art
pens are used only to apply a greasy or oily layer to the slide
which is neither resistant to abrasion or rubbing nor resistant to
organic solvents, i.e., the layer can be physically wiped or worn
off and is not resistant to most organic solvents such as xylene.
The containment borders provided by using the pen 50 described
herein are resistant to abrasion or to removal by organic solvents.
Further, in an especially preferred version of the present
invention, the coating material used in the pen 50 does not contain
or comprise an oil.
[0035] The examples described herein are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention. Changes may be made in the construction and
the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies
described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the
methods described herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
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