U.S. patent application number 11/088049 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for cuvette arrays.
Invention is credited to Buttgen, Heinrich, Callenbach, Tilo, Kansy, Manfred, Mazenauer, Karl, Schneider, Werner, Tschirky, Hansjorg.
Application Number | 20050249640 11/088049 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8183747 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050249640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kansy, Manfred ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Cuvette arrays
Abstract
An integrally built, linear array of cuvettes is made of a
plastic material. This array comprises a plurality of cuvettes
arranged along a straight line in an array, each cuvette in the
array having the same shape and dimensions, and neighboring
cuvettes being connected to each other by a single web. Each of the
single webs has a curved shape. The symmetry axis (Y-Y) of every
cuvette forming part of said array of cuvettes lies substantially
in one and the same plane (A-A) which is a symmetry plane of said
cuvette array. The upper part of at least one intermediate cuvette
which is located between a first cuvette located at one end of the
cuvette array and a second cuvette located at the opposite end of
the cuvette array is connected by a first single web to the upper
part of a neighboring cuvette lying on one side of said
intermediate cuvette and is connected by a second single web to the
upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on the opposite side of
said intermediate cuvette.
Inventors: |
Kansy, Manfred; (Freiburg,
DE) ; Tschirky, Hansjorg; (Ettingen, CH) ;
Schneider, Werner; (Pfeffingen, CH) ; Buttgen,
Heinrich; (Rapperswil, CH) ; Callenbach, Tilo;
(Jona, CH) ; Mazenauer, Karl; (Jona, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
PATENT LAW DEPARTMENT
340 KINGSLAND STREET
NUTLEY
NJ
07110
|
Family ID: |
8183747 |
Appl. No.: |
11/088049 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11088049 |
Mar 23, 2005 |
|
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|
10077363 |
Feb 15, 2002 |
|
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6887432 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2300/0829 20130101;
G01N 2021/0357 20130101; B01L 2200/028 20130101; G01N 2021/0321
20130101; B01L 3/50255 20130101; B01L 3/50855 20130101; B01L
2200/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/102 |
International
Class: |
B01L 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 20, 2001 |
EP |
01810178.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An integrally built, linear array of cuvettes made of a plastic
material, comprising: (a) a plurality of cuvettes arranged along a
straight line in an array, each cuvette in the array having the
same shape and dimensions, and neighboring cuvettes being connected
to each other by a single web, said plurality of cuvettes having a
first cuvette located at one end of the cuvette array, a second
cuvette located at the opposite end of the cuvette array and at
least one intermediate cuvette located between said first cuvette
and said second cuvette, wherein each cuvette has an upper part,
(b) each of said single webs having a curved shape, and (c) every
cuvette of said array of cuvettes having a symmetry axis (Y-Y)
which lies substantially in one and the same plane (A-A) which is a
symmetry plane of said cuvette array, said upper part of said at
least one intermediate cuvette is connected by a first single web
to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on one side of
said intermediate cuvette and is connected by a second single web
to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on the opposite
side of said intermediate cuvette.
2. A linear cuvette array according to claim 1, wherein said first
and second single webs optionally lie on opposite sides of said
symmetry plane (A-A).
3. A linear cuvette array according to claim 1, wherein each
cuvette has an upper chamber with a top end having an opening and a
lower chamber with a bottom end having an opening and wherein said
array of cuvettes is made of a selected first plastic material
which is suitable for being used in combination with the same or a
second selected material of which a foil shaped layer is made, said
layer being adapted to be closely attached to each cuvette of said
array of cuvettes for covering at least one of said openings of
each cuvette.
4. A linear cuvette array according to claim 3, wherein said first
or said second material is a cyclic olefin copolymer.
5. A linear cuvette array according to claim 3, wherein said first
and said second material is a cyclic olefin copolymer.
6. A linear cuvette array according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the cuvettes of said cuvette array has means for accurately
positioning said at least one cuvette into a corresponding opening
of a cuvette holder.
7. A linear cuvette array according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the cuvettes of said cuvette array has means forming
integral part thereof and serving for removably connecting said at
least one cuvette to said cuvette holder.
8. A linear cuvette array according to claim 1, wherein (a) each
cuvette has an upper chamber and a lower chamber having a common
symmetry axis (Y-Y) passing through the centers of both chambers,
each of said upper and lower chambers having a substantially
cylindrical shape, and the cross-section of said upper chamber at
the central part thereof being larger than the cross-section of
said lower chamber, (b) said lower chamber has an open lower end,
and (c) said upper chamber has an open top end and an annular
bottom wall having a central circular opening which connects said
upper chamber with said lower chamber, the inner surface of said
bottom wall being part of a conical surface the cross-section of
which forms an angle of about 80 degrees with the symmetry axis
(Y-Y) of said cuvette, so that there is an abrupt change of
cross-section between said upper chamber and said lower
chamber.
9. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes which comprises: (i) at
least one linear cuvette array made of plastic material,
comprising: (a) a plurality of cuvettes arranged along a straight
line in an array, each cuvette in the array having the same shape
and dimensions, and neighboring cuvettes being connected to each
other by a single web, said plurality of cuvettes having a first
cuvette located at one end of the cuvette array, a second cuvette
located at the opposite end of the cuvette array and at least one
intermediate cuvette located between said first cuvette and said
second cuvette, wherein each cuvette has an upper part, and (b)
each of said single webs having a curved shape, and (c) every
cuvette of said array of cuvettes having a symmetry axis (Y-Y)
which lies substantially in one and the same plane (A-A) which is a
symmetry plane of said cuvette array, said upper part of said at
least one intermediate cuvette is connected by a first single web
to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on one side of
said intermediate cuvette and is connected by a second single web
to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on the opposite
side of said intermediate cuvette, and (ii) a cuvette holder having
a matrix array of openings for receiving the cuvettes, wherein each
cuvette of said at least one cuvette array having a shape and
dimension that snugly fits into one of said openings of said
cuvette holder.
10. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 9,
wherein said cuvette holder and the cuvettes of said at least one
linear cuvette array are so configured and dimensioned that two or
more cuvette holders carrying each at least one linear cuvette
array can be stacked in such a way that cuvettes having the same
relative position in their respective holders are accurately
positioned one above the other with coincidence of their symmetry
axis, one of said cuvettes taking the position of an upper cuvette
and the other cuvette taking the position of a lower cuvette, a
portion of said lower end of the upper cuvette lying within the
upper chamber of the lower cuvette and said lower end of the upper
cuvette being at a predetermined distance from said bottom wall of
the upper chamber of the lower cuvette.
11. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 9,
wherein said array of cuvettes further comprises a foil which is
attached to said lower end of each cuvette for covering the opening
of the cuvette at said lower end thereof.
12. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 11,
wherein said foil is a filter.
13. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 11,
wherein said foil is transparent.
14. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to 11, wherein
said foil carries genes or gene fragments deposited on said foil by
microspotting.
15. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 9,
wherein said cuvette holder is of substantially rectangular shape,
has corners and has four centering ribs located each on the outer
surface of one of said corners of said cuvette holder.
16. A two-dimensional array of cuvettes according to claim 9,
wherein said cuvette holder is so configured and dimensioned that
said two-dimensional array of cuvettes is adapted to be used in a
centrifugator.
17. A system for simultaneously performing diffusion or filtration
process steps on a plurality of liquid samples, said system
comprising: (i) one or more two-dimensional arrays of cuvettes,
wherein each two-dimensional array of cuvettes comprises at least
one linear cuvette array made of plastic material comprising: (a) a
plurality of cuvettes arranged along a straight line in an array,
each cuvette in the array having the same shape and dimensions, and
neighboring cuvettes being connected to each other by a single web,
said plurality of cuvettes having a first cuvette located at one
end of the cuvette array, a second cuvette located at the opposite
end of the cuvette array and at least one intermediate cuvette
located between said first cuvette and said second cuvette, wherein
each cuvette has an upper part, and (b) each of said single webs
having a curved shape, and (c) every cuvette of said array of
cuvettes having a symmetry axis (Y-Y) which lies substantially in
one and the same plane (A-A) which is a symmetry plane of said
cuvette array, said upper part of said at least one intermediate
cuvette is connected by a first single web to the upper part of a
neighboring cuvette lying on one side of said intermediate cuvette
and is connected by a second single web to the upper part of a
neighboring cuvette lying on the opposite side of said intermediate
cuvette, and (ii) a cuvette holder having a matrix array of
openings for receiving the cuvettes, wherein each cuvette of said
at least one cuvette array having a shape and dimension that snugly
fits into one of said openings of said cuvette holder.
18. A system according to claim 17 comprising a first
two-dimensional cuvette array and a second two-dimensional cuvette
array wherein said cuvette arrays are stacked on each other, and
wherein the cuvette holders and the cuvettes of said
two-dimensional cuvette arrays are so configured and dimensioned
that said two-dimensional cuvette arrays can be stacked in such a
way that cuvettes having the same relative position in their
respective holders are accurately positioned one above the other
with coincidence of their symmetry axis, one of said cuvettes
taking the position of an upper cuvette and the other cuvette
taking the position of a lower cuvette, a portion of said lower end
of the upper cuvette lying within the upper chamber of the lower
cuvette and said lower end of the upper cuvette being at a
predetermined distance from the bottom wall of the upper chamber of
the lower cuvette.
19. A method of making an integrally built, linear array of
cuvettes, which comprises injection molding a cyclic olefin
copolymer so as to form an array of cuvettes, wherein said array of
cuvettes comprises: (a) a plurality of cuvettes arranged along a
straight line in an array, each cuvette in the array having the
same shape and dimensions, and neighboring cuvettes being connected
to each other by a single web, said plurality of cuvettes having a
first cuvette located at one end of the cuvette array, a second
cuvette located at the opposite end of the cuvette array and at
least one intermediate cuvette located between said first cuvette
and said second cuvette, wherein each cuvette has an upper part,
and (b) each of said single webs having a curved shape, and (c)
every cuvette of said array of cuvettes having a symmetry axis
(Y-Y) which lies substantially in one and the same plane (A-A)
which is a symmetry plane of said cuvette array, said upper part of
said at least one intermediate cuvette is connected by a first
single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on one
side of said intermediate cuvette and is connected by a second
single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying on the
opposite side of said intermediate cuvette.
20. A method of making a foil shaped layer which comprises
injection molding a cyclic olefin copolymer to make a foil for use
in an integrally built, linear array of cuvettes made of a plastic
material, said array of cuvettes comprising: (a) a plurality of
cuvettes arranged along a straight line in an array, each cuvette
in the array having the same shape and dimensions, and neighboring
cuvettes being connected to each other by a single web, said
plurality of cuvettes having a first cuvette located at one end of
the cuvette array, a second cuvette located at the opposite end of
the cuvette array and at least one intermediate cuvette located
between said first cuvette and said second cuvette, wherein each
cuvette has an upper part, (b) each of said single webs having a
curved shape, (c) every cuvette of said array of cuvettes having a
symmetry axis (Y-Y) which lies substantially in one and the same
plane (A-A) which is a symmetry plane of said cuvette array, said
upper part of said at least one intermediate cuvette is connected
by a first single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette
lying on one side of said intermediate cuvette and is connected by
a second single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette
lying on the opposite side of said intermediate cuvette, (d) every
cuvette of said array of cuvettes having an upper chamber with a
top end having an opening and a lower chamber with a bottom end
having an opening, and (e) said array of cuvettes is made of a
selected first plastic material which is suitable for being used in
combination with the same or a second selected material of which a
foil shaped layer is made, said layer being adapted to be closely
attached to each cuvette of said array of cuvettes for covering at
least one of said openings of each cuvette.
Description
PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of Ser. No.
10/077,363, filed Feb. 15, 2002, which is now allowed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The invention relates to linear arrays of cuvettes that are
useful for the chemical analysis of samples and the use of such
arrays in stackable systems.
[0004] The invention also relates to a two-dimensional array of
cuvettes comprising linear cuvette arrays of the above mentioned
kind.
[0005] The invention also relates to a system for simultaneously
performing diffusion or filtration process steps on a plurality of
liquid samples, said system comprising one or more two-dimensional
arrays of the above mentioned kind.
[0006] The invention also relates to a method for making a cuvette
array of the above mentioned kind.
[0007] 2. Description
[0008] In the field of chemical analysis of samples, differential
expression analysis (profiling) of genes and gene fragments and in
particular in the field of screening of pharmaceutical compounds
and in bio-diagnostics of such compounds and samples large numbers
of such compounds should be analyzed as fast as possible. There is
therefore a need for a system of cuvette arrays making it possible
to perform diffusion or filtration process steps as well as
analytical measurements simultaneously or sequentially on a
plurality of liquid samples in order to perform a high throughput
screening of those samples.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The subject invention provides an integrally built, linear
array of cuvettes made of a plastic material. This array comprises
a plurality of cuvettes arranged along a straight line in an array,
each cuvette in the array has the same shape and dimensions, and
neighboring cuvettes are connected to each other by a single web.
Each of the single webs has a curved shape. The symmetry axis (Y-Y)
of every cuvette forming part of the array of cuvettes lies
substantially in one and the same plane (A-A) which is a symmetry
plane of the cuvette array, the upper part of at least one
intermediate cuvette which is located between a first cuvette
located at one end of the cuvette array and a second cuvette
located at the opposite end of the cuvette array is connected by a
first single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying
on one side of the intermediate cuvette and is connected by a
second single web to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette lying
on the opposite side of the intermediate cuvette.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the first single web and the
second single web optionally lie on opposite sides of the symmetry
plane (A-A) of the cuvette array.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment the array of cuvettes is made of a
selected first plastic material which is suitable for being used in
combination with the same or a second selected material of which a
foil shaped layer is made, said layer being adapted to be closely
attached to each cuvette of said array of cuvettes for covering at
least one opening of each cuvette.
[0012] In preferred embodiments said first or second material or
both is/are a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).
[0013] In another preferred embodiment at least one of the cuvettes
of the cuvette array has means for accurately positioning the at
least one cuvette into a corresponding opening of a cuvette
holder.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment at least one of the cuvettes
of the cuvette array has means forming integral part thereof and
serving for removably connecting the at least one cuvette to the
cuvette holder.
[0015] In a further preferred embodiment each cuvette has an upper
chamber and a lower chamber which have a common symmetry axis (Y-Y)
passing through the centers of both chambers, the upper and the
lower chambers has each a substantially cylindrical shape, and the
cross-section of the upper chamber at the central part thereof are
larger than the cross-section of the lower chamber. The lower
chamber has an open lower end, and the upper chamber has an open
top end and an annular bottom wall having a central circular
opening which connects the upper chamber with the lower chamber,
the inner surface of the bottom wall being part of a conical
surface the cross-section of which forms an angle of about 80
degrees with the symmetry axis (Y-Y) of the cuvette, so that there
is an abrupt change of cross-section between the upper chamber and
the lower chamber.
[0016] The subject invention also provides a two-dimensional array
of cuvettes. This array has at least one integrally built, linear
array of cuvettes as described above and a cuvette holder having a
matrix array of openings configured and dimensioned for receiving
the cuvettes, such that each cuvette of the at least one cuvette
array fits snugly into one of the openings of the cuvette
holder.
[0017] It is preferred that this two-dimensional array of cuvettes
is where the cuvette holder and the cuvettes of the at least one
linear cuvette array are so configured and dimensioned that two or
more cuvette holders carrying each at least one linear cuvette
array can be stacked in such a way that cuvettes having the same
relative position in their respective holders are accurately
positioned one above the other with coincidence of their symmetry
axis. In this situation, one of the cuvettes takes the position of
an upper cuvette and the other cuvette takes the position of a
lower cuvette. A portion of the lower part of the upper cuvette
lies within the upper chamber of the lower cuvette and the lower
end of the upper cuvette is at a predetermined distance from the
bottom wall of the upper chamber of the lower cuvette.
[0018] It is further beneficial that the two-dimensional array of
cuvettes further comprising a foil which is attached to the lower
end of each cuvette for covering the opening of the cuvette at that
lower end thereof. This foil is beneficially a filter, or is
transparent, or carries genes or gene fragments deposited on the
foil by microspotting.
[0019] Other inventive two-dimensional array of cuvettes are of
substantially rectangular shape and have four centering ribs
located each on the outer surface of one of the corners of the
cuvette holder. Such holder can be configured and dimensioned that
the two-dimensional array of cuvettes is adapted to be used in a
centrifuge.
[0020] The subject invention also provides a system for
simultaneously performing diffusion or filtration process steps on
a plurality of liquid samples, said system comprising one or more
two-dimensional arrays of cuvettes as described above.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment the latter system comprises a
first two-dimensional cuvette array and a second two-dimensional
cuvette array which are as described above, wherein the cuvette
arrays are stacked on each other, and wherein the cuvette holders
and the cuvettes of the two-dimensional cuvette arrays are so
configured and dimensioned that the two-dimensional cuvette arrays
can be stacked in such a way that cuvettes having the same relative
position in their respective holders are accurately positioned one
above the other with coincidence of their symmetry axis, one of the
cuvettes taking the position of an upper cuvette and the other
cuvette taking the position of a lower cuvette, a portion of the
lower part of the upper cuvette lying within the upper chamber of
the lower cuvette and the lower end of the upper cuvette being at a
predetermined distance from the bottom wall of the upper chamber of
the lower cuvette.
[0022] According to another aspect of the subject invention a
cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is used for making the above
described linear cuvette array or a foil shaped layer which is
adapted for being closely attached to each cuvette of the array of
cuvettes for covering at least one opening of each cuvette, or for
making both the cuvette array and the foil shaped layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIG. 1 Top view of a linear cuvette array 11 according to
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 Cross-section through a plane A-A of linear cuvette
array 11 in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 Cross-sectional view of one of the cuvettes 12 of
linear cuvette array 11 in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 4 Cross-sectional view of one of the cuvettes 12 of
linear cuvette array 11 in FIG. 1, this cuvette including a foil
shaped layer 61 attached to the lower end of the cuvette.
[0027] FIG. 5 Top view of a cuvette holder 32 forming part of a
two-dimensional cuvette array according to the invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 Cross-section through a plane B-B of cuvette holder
32 in FIG. 5.
[0029] FIG. 7 Top view of a two-dimensional cuvette array 31
according to the invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 Cross-section through a plane C-C of two-dimensional
cuvette array 31 in FIG. 7.
[0031] FIG. 9 Cross-sectional representation of stacked
two-dimensional cuvette arrays 31 and 41.
[0032] FIG. 10 Cross-sectional representation of a two-dimensional
cuvette array 31 stacked onto a standard analysis multiwell plate
38.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The invention will now be described in terms of its
preferred embodiments. These embodiments are set forth to aid in
understanding the invention but are not to be construed as
limiting.
[0034] The invention concerns an integrally built, linear array of
cuvettes made of a plastic material, every cuvette of the array
having the same shape and dimensions, and neighboring cuvettes
being connected to each other by a single web.
[0035] The invention also concerns a two-dimensional array of
cuvettes.
[0036] The invention also concerns a system comprising two or more
two-dimensional arrays of cuvettes.
[0037] The invention may be applicable to several aims--(i) to
provide a linear array of cuvettes which is apt to be used as a
basic component of such a system, (ii) to provide a two-dimensional
array of cuvettes which is apt to be used as a component of such a
system, and (iii) to provide a system of cuvette arrays which
allows performance of diffusion or filtration process steps as well
as analytical measurements simultaneously or sequentially on a
plurality of samples and in an optimum way in order to achieve the
desired high throughput screening of those samples in an optimum
way.
[0038] The main advantages of the invention are that it allows the
desired process steps to be performed efficiently and with great
flexibility, at a relatively low cost, and at the same time makes
it possible to overcome problems encountered with prior art
devices.
[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein
[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an integrally built, linear array 11 of
cuvettes 12, 13, 14, etc. made of a plastic material.
[0041] Every cuvette of array 11 has the same shape and dimensions
and neighboring cuvettes are connected to each other by a single
web 15, 16. Each of these single webs 15, 16 has a curved
shape.
[0042] The symmetry axis Y-Y of every cuvette 12 which forms part
of array 11 of cuvettes lies substantially in one and the same
plane A-A which is a symmetry plane of cuvette array 11. As shown
by FIG. 1, the upper part of intermediate cuvettes 12, each of
which is located between a first cuvette located at one end of the
cuvette array and a second cuvette located at the opposite end of
the cuvette array, is connected by a first single web 15 to the
upper part of a neighboring cuvette 13 which lies on one side of
intermediate cuvette 12 and is connected by a second single web 16
to the upper part of a neighboring cuvette 14 which lies on the
opposite side of intermediate cuvette 12. First single web 15 and
second single web 16 optionally lie on opposite sides of the
symmetry plane A-A.
[0043] Webs 15, 16 are flexible and therefore facilitate the
insertion of the cuvettes in a cuvette holder, e.g. cuvette holder
32 described hereinafter, in spite of variations of the length of
cuvette array 11 which are due to different shrinkage coefficients
of the different materials used for manufacture of cuvette arrays
11 by injection molding.
[0044] Each one of cuvettes 2 and 7 (these numbers indicate the
relative position of the cuvettes of the array) of cuvette array 11
has three radially oriented ribs 19, 29 which serve for accurately
positioning the cuvette into an opening of cuvette holder 32
described hereinafter.
[0045] Each one of cuvettes 1, 3, 6, 8 or 1, 3-6, 8 (these numbers
indicate the relative position of the cuvettes of the array) of
cuvette array 11 has e.g. latches 21 and 22 which are an integral
part of the cuvette and which serve for removably connecting the
cuvette to cuvette holder 32 described hereinafter.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of one of the cuvettes, e.g.
cuvette 12, of cuvette array 11. As shown by FIG. 2, the cuvette
has an upper chamber 17 and a lower chamber 18 which have a common
symmetry axis Y-Y which passes through the centers of both
chambers. Upper chamber 17 and lower chamber 18 have each a
substantially cylindrical shape. The cross-section of upper chamber
17 at the central part thereof is larger than the cross-section of
lower chamber 18.
[0047] Lower chamber 18 has an open lower end 23. Upper chamber 17
has an open top end 24 and an annular bottom wall 25. This bottom
wall has a central circular opening 26 which connects upper chamber
17 with lower chamber 18.
[0048] The inner surface 27 of bottom wall 25 is part of a conical
surface the cross-section of which forms an angle of about 80
degrees with the symmetry axis Y-Y of the cuvette, so that there is
an abrupt change of cross-section between upper chamber 17 and
lower chamber 18.
[0049] The cuvette array 11 is made by injection molding of a
selected first plastic material which is particularly suitable for
being used in combination with a second selected material of which
a foil shaped layer is made. This layer is adapted to be closely
attached to each cuvette of the array of cuvettes for covering at
least one opening of each cuvette.
[0050] The attachment of the foil shaped layer to each cuvette can
be effected e.g. by gluing the layer and the cuvette or by a
welding process. The foil attached to each individual cuvette is
attached only to this individual cuvette and has no connection with
any other cuvette or with a foil attached to a different
cuvette.
[0051] The attachment of the layer to the cuvette must ensure a
medium tight connection (liquid and/or gas tight connection) of
these components.
[0052] Possible uses of such a foil shaped layer include e.g. its
use as a filter and/or as a transparent closure (e.g. transparent
to ultraviolet irradiation), which must not necessarily have the
function of a filter.
[0053] When the foil shaped layer is used as a filter, the
filtration process can be effected by use of vacuum or pressure
applied to the medium contained in each cuvette of a cuvette
array.
[0054] Suitable materials for a foil shaped layer usable as a
filter and having a thickness in a range of 10 to 200 micrometer
are for instance:
[0055] a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyvinylidenfluoride
(PVDF), polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone (PSU), regenerated
cellulose, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), PET, and filter
paper.
[0056] As shown by FIG. 4 such a foil shaped layer is adapted to be
closely attached to the lower end of the cuvette. FIG. 4 shows a
cuvette 12 and a foil shaped layer 61 which is closely attached to
cuvette 12 for covering the opening of this cuvette at the lower
end 23 thereof.
[0057] The injection molding apparatus for manufacturing the
cuvette array is preferably so configured and dimensioned that
injection molding of different materials having different shrinkage
coefficients can be carried out with one and the same
apparatus.
[0058] In order to obtain a high stability of the assembly formed
by a cuvette array 11 and the above mentioned foil shaped layer,
the material of which this layer is made is so selected that
properties of the layer are suitable for use with the material of
which the cuvettes are made.
[0059] On the other hand the materials of the cuvette array and of
the foil shaped layer are so selected that they are particularly
well adapted for and thereby enable optimization of a particular
process carried out with the assembly of cuvette array and foil
shaped layer. Such processes are e.g. filtration, diffusion,
concentration determination, "microspotting".
[0060] For instance, cuvettes made of an hydrophilic material, e.g.
celluloseacetate, are suitably combined with ultrafiltration
membranes for carrying out ultrafiltrations in an optimal way.
Diffusion processes through artificial membranes are preferably
carried out with hydrophobic filtration membranes, which are
suitable for being combined by a melting process with cuvette
material having similar hydrophobic properties. Filtration
processes require hydrophilic or lipophilic properties of the
cuvettes and of the filtration membrane attached thereto, and the
selection of the materials of these components depends from the
properties of the substance to be filtered.
[0061] For processes involving genes or genes fragments are
deposited by microspotting on the foil which is attached to the
lower end of the cuvettes of cuvette array 11.
[0062] Following materials are examples of materials which can be
used to manufacture cuvette array 11: a cyclic olefin copolymer
(COC), celluloseacetate, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF), polysulfones, polystyrene, polypropylene (PP). Materials
with similar shrinkage coefficient (in connection with injection
molding) and melting properties may also be used for manufacturing
cuvette array 11.
[0063] In a preferred embodiment the cuvette array 11 or the above
mentioned foil 61 or both are advantageously made of a cyclic
olefin copolymer (COC). COC is particularly suitable for making a
foil layer 61 that is UV transparent and the welding process for
welding foil 61 and the cuvette array 11 is optimal if they are
both made of the same material.
[0064] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a cuvette holder 32 which can be
used to hold a plurality of the above described cuvette arrays 11
to form a two-dimensional cuvette array 31. FIG. 6 shows a
cross-section through a plane B-B of cuvette holder 32 in FIG.
5.
[0065] In a preferred embodiment, cuvette holder 32 is of
substantially rectangular shape and has four centering ribs located
each on the outer surface of one of the corners of cuvette holder
32.
[0066] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a two-dimensional cuvette array
31 according to the invention. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through
a plane C-C of two-dimensional cuvette array 31 in FIG. 7.
[0067] As can be appreciated from FIGS. 7 and 8, a two-dimensional
array 31 of cuvettes according to the invention comprises a cuvette
holder 32 having a matrix array 33 of openings 34 for receiving
cuvettes 12 of at least one linear cuvette array 11 having the
above described features. Each of the cuvettes 12 of cuvette array
11 has a shape and dimensions that snugly fits into one of openings
34 of cuvette holder 32.
[0068] Cuvette holder 32 is so configured and dimensioned that
two-dimensional array 31 is adapted to be used in a centrifugator.
As shown by FIG. 8, cuvette holder 32 snugly fits into a holder
plate 39 of a centrifuge.
[0069] As shown by FIG. 9, two or more two-dimensional cuvette
arrays e.g. arrays 31 and 41 each of which has the structure
described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 and their
respective cuvette holders 32, 43 can be stacked on each other to
form a three-dimensional cuvette array. Cuvette holder 42 is
positioned on a holder plate 43. According to the invention, the
components of such an array are so configured and dimensioned that
cuvettes having the same relative position in their respective
holders are accurately positioned one above the other with
coincidence of their symmetry axis, one of the cuvettes taking the
position of an upper cuvette 51 and the other cuvette taking the
position of a lower cuvette 52. In a preferred embodiment a portion
of the lower part of each upper cuvette 51 lies within the upper
chamber of the corresponding lower cuvette 52 and the lower end of
the upper cuvette 51 is at a predetermined distance from the bottom
wall of the upper chamber of the lower cuvette 52.
[0070] In FIG. 9 the following volumes available in the cuvettes
are represented by corresponding shaded parts:
[0071] a volume 62 available for receiving a sample in a lower
cuvette, a volume 63 displaced by the lower part of an upper
cuvette in the upper part of the corresponding lower cuvette, a
volume 64 available for receiving overflow liquid in the upper part
of an upper cuvette, and a volume 65 available for receiving excess
liquid in the upper part of a lower cuvette.
[0072] As shown by FIG. 10, a two-dimensional cuvette array 31
which has the structure described above with reference to FIGS. 7
and 8 can be stacked also on a standard holder plate 38 for a
standard multiwell plate.
[0073] According to the invention a system comprising one or more
two-dimensional arrays 31, 41, etc. of cuvettes having the
above-described structure are used to perform simultaneously
diffusion, filtration or detection process steps on a plurality of
liquid samples, wherein the samples are e.g. genes, gene fragments,
drug substance or precursors of drugs.
[0074] In a preferred embodiment such a system comprises a first
two-dimensional cuvette array 31 and a second two-dimensional
cuvette array 41, the cuvette arrays 31, 41 are stacked on each
other, and the cuvette holders 32, 42 and the cuvettes 12 of the
two-dimensional cuvette arrays 31, 41 are so configured and
dimensioned that cuvettes having the same relative position in
their respective holders are accurately positioned one above the
other with coincidence of their symmetry axis, one of the cuvettes
taking the position of an upper cuvette 51 and the other cuvette
taking the position of a lower cuvette 52. In a preferred
embodiment a portion of the lower part of the upper cuvette 51 lies
within the upper chamber of the lower cuvette 52 and the lower end
of the upper cuvette 51 is at a predetermined distance from the
bottom wall of the upper chamber of the lower cuvette 52. With this
arrangement there is no capillary gap between liquid contained in
the lower part of the upper cuvette 51 and liquid contained in the
upper chamber of the lower cuvette 52.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0075] 11 linear cuvette array
[0076] 12 cuvette
[0077] 13 cuvette
[0078] 14 cuvette
[0079] 15 web
[0080] 16 web
[0081] 17 upper chamber
[0082] 18 lower chamber
[0083] 19 rib
[0084] 21 latch
[0085] 22 latch
[0086] 23 open low end
[0087] 24 open top end
[0088] 25 bottom wall
[0089] 26 opening
[0090] 27 inner surface of bottom wall 25
[0091] 28 [not used in text or figures]
[0092] 29 rib
[0093] 31 two-dimensional cuvette array
[0094] 32 cuvette holder
[0095] 33 matrix array of openings
[0096] 34 opening (for receiving cuvettes)
[0097] 35 [not used in text or figures]
[0098] 36 [not used in text or figures]
[0099] 37 [not used in text or figures]
[0100] 38 standard holder plate for a standard multiwell plate
[0101] 39 holder plate of a centrifugator
[0102] 41 two-dimensional cuvette array
[0103] 42 cuvette holder
[0104] 43 holder plate
[0105] 51 upper cuvette
[0106] 52 lower cuvette
[0107] 61 foil shaped layer
[0108] 62 volume available for receiving a sample
[0109] 63 displaced volume
[0110] 64 volume available for receiving overflow liquid
[0111] 65 volume available for receiving excess liquid
[0112] Modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the
foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be
construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching
those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the
invention. Details of the apparatus and of the system described may
be varied without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention and the exclusive use of all modifications which come
within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.
* * * * *