U.S. patent application number 12/500445 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for slip cover for heated platen assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald R. SANDELL.
Application Number | 20090275117 12/500445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30769549 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090275117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SANDELL; Donald R. |
November 5, 2009 |
SLIP COVER FOR HEATED PLATEN ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A heated platen assembly for use in a biological testing device
is disclosed having a heated platen defining a plurality of optical
openings configured to permit radiation to pass through the heated
platen, a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at
least one of the plurality of optical openings, and means for
retaining the slip cover over the at least one of the plurality of
optical openings.
Inventors: |
SANDELL; Donald R.; (San
Jose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION;C/O INTELLEVATE
P.O. BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
Carlsbad
CA
|
Family ID: |
30769549 |
Appl. No.: |
12/500445 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10200581 |
Jul 23, 2002 |
7560273 |
|
|
12500445 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
435/287.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 435/809 20130101;
B01L 7/52 20130101; G01N 21/0332 20130101; B01L 2300/0829 20130101;
B01L 2300/046 20130101; B01L 2300/0654 20130101; B01L 3/50851
20130101; B01L 3/50853 20130101; G01N 21/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/287.2 |
International
Class: |
C12M 1/00 20060101
C12M001/00 |
Claims
1. A heated platen assembly for use in a biological testing device,
comprising: a heated platen defining a plurality of optical
openings, the optical openings configured to permit radiation to
pass through the heated platen, the heated platen having a first
side configured to face away from a plurality of sample wells and a
second side configured to face toward the plurality of sample
wells; a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at least
one of the plurality of optical openings on the first side of the
heated platen; and a fastening apparatus configured to retain the
slip cover over the at least one of the plurality of optical
openings.
2. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening
apparatus comprises a recessed portion defined by the heated platen
and configured to hold the slip cover in place over at least one of
the plurality of optical openings.
3. The heated platen of claim 2, wherein the fastening apparatus
further comprises a frame member configured to hold the slip cover
within the recessed portion.
4. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening
apparatus comprises a frame member configured to hold the slip
cover in place over at least one of the plurality of optical
openings.
5. The heated platen assembly of claim 3, wherein the frame member
defines a recessed portion configured to surround and retain the
slip cover in place over the at least one of the plurality of
optical openings.
6. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, wherein the frame member
defines a recessed portion configured to surround and retain the
slip cover in place over the at least one of the plurality of
optical openings.
7. The heated platen assembly of claim 5, further comprising a seal
member positioned between a surface of the slip cover facing the
plurality of optical openings and an area of the surface of the
heated platen surrounding the plurality of optical openings.
8. The heated platen assembly of claim 6, further comprising a seal
member positioned between a surface of the slip cover facing the
plurality of optical openings and an area of the surface of the
heated platen surrounding the plurality of optical openings.
9. The heated platen assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastening
apparatus further comprises a seal member configured to provide a
press fit between the slip cover and the heated platen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/200,581, filed Jul. 23, 2002 which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present teachings relate to a heated platen assembly for
use in biological testing devices. More particularly the present
teachings relate to a light transmissive slip cover for covering at
least one optical opening in such a heated platen assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Biological testing has become an important tool in detecting
and monitoring diseases. In the biological field, thermal cycling
is utilized in order to perform polymerase chain reactions (PCR)
and other reactions. To amplify DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) using
the PCR process, a specifically constituted liquid reaction mixture
is cycled through a PCR protocol including several different
temperature incubation periods. An aspect of the PCR process is the
concept of thermal cycling: alternating steps of melting DNA,
annealing short primers to the resulting single strands, and
extending those primers to make new copies of double-stranded DNA.
During thermal cycling, it may be desirable that the temperature of
each of a plurality of sample wells is substantially uniform. In
addition, it may be desirable that condensation be avoided on the
caps or other covering for the sample wells.
[0004] One method of inhibiting condensation on the top of the
sample wells is to provide a heated platen for pressing down on the
tops or caps of the sample well trays. Such a pressing force is
often accomplished by using one or more springs located around a
periphery of the platen. The platen may typically be included as
part of a cover and may typically be metal. The platen may transfer
heat to the caps of the sample wells by utilizing a resistive
element connected to the platen, thereby inhibiting condensation.
In addition, the platen may press down on the sample well(s) so
that the sample well outer conical surfaces are pressed firmly
against the mating surfaces on the sample block. This may increase
heat transfer to the sample well(s) and facilitate a uniform
distribution of sample well temperatures. The platen may also
prevent thermal leakage from the interior of the device. Examples
of a system with a heated platen are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,475,610, 5,602,756, and 5,710,381, all of which are assigned to
the assignee of the present invention, and the contents of which
are all hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0005] It may also be desirable for the heated platen to allow
optical access to the sample wells. To achieve this, the heated
platen may have a plurality of optical openings passing through the
heated platen to allow light to pass from a light source to the
samples and then to a detection device. These holes, while
providing the benefit of allowing optical access, also may
facilitate heat loss through the holes and/or radiated from the
upper surface of the platen. In addition to heat loss, as the
thermal cycling device is used over time, dust or other foreign
particles may accumulate in the optical openings, thus reducing the
amount of light that may transmit through the heated platen.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, the present teachings include a heated platen
defining a plurality of optical openings. The optical openings may
be configured to permit radiation to pass through the heated platen
and the heated platen may have a first side configured to face away
from a plurality of sample wells and a second side configured to
face toward the plurality of sample wells. The heated platen may
also include a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at
least one of the plurality of optical openings on the first side of
the heated platen. Means for retaining the slip cover over the at
least one of the plurality of optical openings may also be
included.
[0007] According to another aspect, the means for retaining may
comprise a recessed portion defined by the heated platen configured
to surround and retain the slip cover.
[0008] In another aspect, a top surface of the slip cover may be
substantially flush with a top surface of the heated platen when
the slip cover is positioned in the recessed portion of the heated
platen.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the means for retaining may comprise
a frame member configured to retain the slip cover over the at
least one of the plurality of optical openings.
[0010] According to another aspect, the frame member may be
removably attachable to the heated platen.
[0011] In one aspect, the frame member may further comprise a
recessed portion configured to retain the slip cover in a desired
relation to the heated platen.
[0012] According to another aspect, the frame member may define a
plurality of holes for attaching the frame member to the heated
platen.
[0013] According to another aspect, the assembly may further
comprise a gasket between the slip cover and the heated platen.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the gasket may be positioned between
an outer edge of the slip cover and the heated platen.
[0015] According to another aspect, the assembly may further
comprise a gasket positioned between a surface of the slip cover
facing the plurality of optical openings and an area of the surface
of the heated platen surrounding the plurality of optical
openings.
[0016] In one aspect, a heated platen assembly for use in a
biological testing device is provided comprising a heated platen
defining a plurality of optical openings to allow radiation to pass
from a first side of the heated platen to a second side of the
heated platen, and means for covering at least one of the plurality
of optical openings on a side facing away from a sample to be
tested. Further, the means for covering at least one of the
plurality of optical openings may be transmissive to light.
[0017] According to another aspect, retaining means configured to
retain the means for covering over at least one of the plurality of
optical openings may be provided.
[0018] In another aspect, the retaining means may comprise a
recessed portion defined by the heated platen.
[0019] In yet another aspect, the retaining means may further
comprises a frame member configured to retain the slip cover within
the recessed portion.
[0020] According to another aspect, the retaining means may
comprise a frame member configured to retain the slip cover in
place over the at least one of the plurality of optical
openings.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the frame member may include a
recessed portion configured to surround and retain the slip cover
in place over the at least one of the plurality of optical
openings.
[0022] In another aspect, a heated platen assembly for use in a
biological testing device may be provided comprising a heated
platen defining a plurality of optical openings configured to
permit radiation to pass from a first side of the heated platen to
a second side of the heated platen, a light transmissive slip cover
configured to cover at least one of the plurality of optical
openings, and a fastening apparatus configured to retain the slip
cover over the at least one of the plurality of optical
openings.
[0023] According to another aspect, the assembly may further
comprise a seal member positioned between a surface of the slip
cover facing the plurality of optical openings and an area of the
surface of the heated platen surrounding the plurality of optical
openings.
[0024] According to yet another aspect, the fastening apparatus may
further comprise a seal member configured to provide a press fit
between the slip cover and the heated platen.
[0025] According to another aspect, a heated platen assembly for
use in a biological testing device may be provided comprising a
heated platen defining a plurality of optical openings configured
to permit radiation to pass from a first side of the heated platen
to a second side of the heated platen, a light transmissive slip
cover configured to cover at least one of the plurality of optical
openings, and a fastening apparatus configured to retain the slip
cover over at least one of the plurality of optical openings. The
fastening apparatus may comprise a recessed portion defined by the
heated platen configured to surround and retain the slip cover in
place over the at least one of the plurality of optical openings,
and the fastening apparatus may further comprise a frame member
configured to retain the slip cover within the recessed
portion.
[0026] Other aspects still will become apparent from the
description that follows. It should be understood that the
invention, in its broadest sense, could be practiced without
accomplishing one or more of the aspects described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate at least one
exemplary embodiment. In the drawings,
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a heated platen
assembly including a frame for securing a slip cover;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled heated platen
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of a heated platen assembly including a slip cover;
[0031] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the assembled heated platen
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a top side of the heated platen
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an underside of the heated platen
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembly depicted in FIG. 2;
and
[0035] FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the heated platen of
FIG. 1 in conjunction with an exemplary biological testing
device.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Reference will now be made to non-limiting, exemplary
embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts, and the same reference numbers
with alphabetical suffixes or numerical prefixes are used to refer
to similar parts.
[0037] In accordance with various embodiments, a heated platen
assembly is provided. In one aspect, the heated platen assembly may
be used in a biological testing device for performing nucleic acid
amplification. In various embodiments, the heated platen assembly
includes a heated platen, a light transmissive slip cover, and
means for retaining the slip cover in a substantially fixed
relationship relative to the heated platen. The heated platen
assembly may further include additional securing means associated
with the slip cover, among other components.
[0038] In FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view is shown of a heated
platen assembly 5 that includes a heated platen 10 and a slip cover
40. Slip cover 40, as shown, is rectangular in shape and has four
edges 42 as well as four corners 44. Slip cover 40 may, however,
also be of any suitable shape to fit on a heated platen of choice.
Heated platen 10 may be any type of device configured to operate
with nucleic acid amplification devices. One common method of
performing nucleic acid amplification of biological samples is
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Various PCR methods are known in
the art, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,928,907 and
6,015,674 to Woudenberg et al., the complete disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose. Other methods
of nucleic acid amplification include, for example, ligase chain
reaction, oligonucleotide ligations assay, and hybridization assay.
These and other methods are described in greater detail in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,928,907 and 6,015,674, which are also incorporated
herein by reference.
[0039] In one embodiment, the thermal cycling device performs
real-time detection of the nucleic acid amplification of the
samples during thermal cycling. Real-time detection systems are
known in the art, as also described in greater detail in, for
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,928,907 and 6,015,674 to Woudenberg et
al., incorporated herein above. During real-time detection, various
characteristics of the samples are detected during the thermal
cycling. Real-time detection permits accurate and efficient
detection and monitoring of the samples during the nucleic acid
amplification.
[0040] Heated platen 10 may be configured for use with any type of
sample well tray, including, for example, 96-well sample well
trays, 384-well sample trays, and microcard sample trays. Other
configurations include 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 1,536 sample wells,
among others. The size and shape of these sample well trays are
well known in the art. Examples of 96-well sample well trays
suitable for use in the present invention are described in WO
00/25922 to Moring et al., the complete disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose. Examples of
sample well trays of the microcard type suitable for use in the
present invention are described in WO 01/28684 to Frye et al., the
complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
for any purpose, WO97/36681 to Woudenberg et al., the complete
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for any
purpose, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/897,500, filed Jul. 3, 2001,
assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the complete
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for any
purpose, and U.S. Application Serial No. 09/977,225, filed Oct. 16,
2001, assigned to the assignee of the present application, the
complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
for any purpose. Sample well trays having any number of sample
wells and sample well sizes may also be used with the thermal
cycling device of the present invention. The volume of the sample
wells may vary anywhere from about 0.01 .mu.l to thousands of
microliters (.mu.l), with a volume between 10 to 500 .mu.l being
typical.
[0041] As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 1, heated platen 10 of
the heated platen assembly 5 defines a plurality of optical
openings 12. Optical openings 12 pass entirely through heated
platen 10 so as to allow optical access from the top surface 14
(see FIG. 4) through to the underside 16 (see FIG. 5). In this
fashion, radiation, (e.g. light, such as that emitted from a laser
or a light bulb, such as a quartz bulb), may pass through heated
platen 10 to a plurality of biological samples located on one side
of the heated platen. As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, heated platen 10
defines 384 optical openings 12 to correspond with a sample card or
tray having 384 sample wells contained therein. It is common for
heated platen 10 to contain a number of optical openings 12 equal
to a number of sample wells contained in the card or tray being
used for testing, but the heated platen could instead have a number
of openings different than the number of sample wells, if
desired.
[0042] In certain embodiments, heated platen 10 also includes a
recessed area 18 substantially surrounding the plurality of optical
openings 12 for receiving slip cover 40. As depicted in FIG. 1,
recessed area 18 is of a depth approximately equal to a thickness
of slip cover 40 so as to allow slip cover 40 to be flush with the
portion of heated platen 10 surrounding recessed area 18 when slip
cover 40 is positioned in recessed area 18 of heated platen 10.
Recessed area 18 may instead, however, be of a depth greater than
or less than a thickness of slip cover 40. Recessed area 18 defines
a substantially flat surface for contacting a surface of the slip
cover facing optical openings 12. Although heated platen 10, slip
cover 40 and recessed area 18 are depicted as being rectangular in
shape, these components may be of any shape suitable for operating
in conjunction with a sample well tray.
[0043] Also depicted in FIG. 1 is frame member 50 used as a
fastening apparatus to hold slip cover 40 in place. As used herein,
the fastening apparatus may include, but is not limited to a frame
member, a recessed area, a gasket, an adhesive, or a clip device or
devices positioned on heated platen 10. Other fastening apparatus
known in the art are also contemplated that can perform the
function of retaining slip cover 40, or other covering apparatus in
place over at least one of the plurality of optical openings 12.
Frame member 50 may be made of any suitable material, for example
sheet metal or any other material suitable for withstanding
operating temperatures of approximately 80.degree. C. or higher. In
addition, other temperature ranges suitable for biological or other
testing using a heated platen may be desirable and it is
contemplated that a material for frame member 50 would be
appropriately suited for the desired temperature range.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, frame member 50 is
configured to assist in holding slip cover 40 in a substantially
stationary position relative to heated platen 10. As seen in FIG.
2, frame member 50 and slip cover 40 are in place on heated platen
10. Frame member 50 defines a plurality of holes 52 that correspond
to a plurality of holes 20 located in platen 10 (see FIG. 1). A
fastening device (not shown), for example a screw or any other
suitable device, may then be inserted through hole 52 into hole 20
to hold frame member 50 in place. An outer periphery of slip cover
40 is thereby sandwiched between frame member 50 and recess 18 of
heated platen 10. Frame member 50 may be dimensioned so that it
does not obscure any of optical openings 12 when it is in place on
heated platen 10. In the example shown in FIG. 6, frame member 50
overlaps slip cover 40 by a small amount, for example 0.3 mm. This
overlap may be varied from small to quite large.
[0045] Other variations also exist for maintaining slip cover 40 in
place on heated platen 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3
and 3a, it is possible that recess 18 alone may be sufficient to
hold slip cover 40 in place simply by utilizing a border or wall
portion 18a of recess 18 to confine/surround and restrict movement
of slip cover 40. In such an embodiment, frame member 50 could be
omitted and recessed area 18 could be sufficient, along with
gravity, to keep slip cover 40 in a desired position relative to
heated platen 10.
[0046] In addition to providing essentially a drop-in configuration
whereby gravity holds slip cover 40 in place, it may also be
desirable to place a gasket (not shown) or other suitable device
around the perimeter of recessed area 18 to allow for a press fit
of the slip cover. Such a press fit could retain slip cover 40
regardless of orientation. It may also be possible to utilize tight
tolerance manufacturing to provide such a press fit without the use
of any additional gasket or other device whereby slip cover 40 may
be retained in recessed portion 18 through a contact fit between
heated platen 10 and slip cover 40 alone.
[0047] In certain embodiments, an adhesive or other suitable
material is utilized to fasten slip cover 40 permanently or
semi-permanently in place onto heated platen 10. This adhesive may
be applied around the perimeter of recess 18 and/or on the area of
recess 18 between the plurality of holes 12.
[0048] Frame member 50 may also be provided with a recessed portion
configured to accommodate slip cover 40. If slip cover 40 is of a
thickness greater than recess 18, then the recessed portion of
frame member 50 may be used to assist in holding slip cover 40 in
place. In addition, it is contemplated that heated platen 10 may
not have a recessed portion 18, in which case the recessed portion
of frame member 50 may be utilized to restrict movement of the slip
cover. In either of these embodiments, frame member 50 and slip
cover 40 may be fixed together to form a single frame member/slip
cover assembly that may then be affixed to the heated platen 10 as
described herein or by any other means suitable for affixing to the
heated platen 10.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of heated platen 10 looking down
onto top surface 14. As can be seen in FIG. 4, heated platen 10 may
include one or more relief areas 24 around the perimeter of recess
18. Relief areas 24 may be provided to allow easier access to an
edge 42 or corner 44 of slip cover 40 so that slip cover 40 may be
more easily removed from recessed area 18. Although relief areas 24
are depicted as semicircular in shape, these relief areas may be of
any shape suitable for allowing access to edge 42 or corner 44 of
slip cover 40.
[0050] Slip cover 40 may be made of any suitable material that will
allow for the transmission of radiation, such as light, through to
optical openings 12 and into the biological samples (not depicted).
For example, slip cover 40 may be made of glass or plastic. Slip
cover 40 may also be made of a light transmissive film material
that may be cut to a proper size to fit over the optical openings
as desired. Because vertical or "head" space in PCR devices is
often limited, it may be desirable to have a slip cover of a
relatively small thickness. In certain embodiments, the slip cover
thickness may be in the range of 0.5 mm or less. In such an
instance, recess 18 may be deep enough to allow slip cover 40 to
rest entirely below upper surface 14 of heated platen 10 or be
flush with surface 14.
[0051] It may also, however, be desirable to utilize a thicker slip
cover that may allow for rounding, chamfering, or otherwise
blunting of any potentially sharp edges of slip cover 40. In
addition, a thicker slip cover may be more durable than a thinner
one.
[0052] Other suitable materials for slip cover 40 include clear,
non-fluorescing polycarbonates, such as LEXAN. It may be desirable
to provide a slightly thicker cover if it is made out of a
polycarbonate or other similar material because of its tendency to
fluoresce at low thicknesses. For example, it may be desirable to
have a LEXAN slip cover with a thickness in the range of
approximately 0.6 to 3.2 mm. Other materials may also be
contemplated for use as slip cover 40 that are capable of
withstanding the operating temperatures achieved with the heated
platen.
[0053] To further enhance the dust accumulation prevention of slip
cover 40, a gasket or other type of seal member (not shown) may be
provided between heated platen 10 and slip cover 40. Such a gasket
may be similar to the gasket described above where it may be
situated around the edges 42 of slip cover 40 for providing a
press-fit or the gasket may be provided sandwiched between the
surface of slip cover 40 facing toward optical openings 12 and the
surface of heated platen 10 in the area surrounding the matrix of
optical openings 12. This gasket, or o-ring, may be made of any
suitable material used for such gaskets. The seal could also
include a heat resistant material suitable for the operating
temperature range of the heated platen that could be applied in
viscous form around the perimeter of the plurality of openings,
which would harden into a seal that would then be affixed to heated
platen 10. The seal/gasket could be made, for example, from
Neoprene, Buma-N, Viton, Teflon, Kalrez, silicone or other similar
material suitable for use in a PCR environment. This seal could
also be applied in the alternative to slip cover 40. This gasket or
seal member located between heated platen 10 and slip cover 40 may
thus provide an additional barrier to foreign matter that may clog
optical openings 12. This barrier may also be provided as a
substantially air-tight seal.
[0054] As mentioned above, heat loss through the optical openings
in the heated platen can be a problem with conventional devices. As
an additional advantage, a slip cover as described herein may also
reduce the warm-up time required to raise the heated platen
temperature from ambient to a desired operating temperature. In one
non-limiting example, the slip cover described herein may reduce
warm-up time to an operating temperature of 103.degree. C. by, for
example, nearly 50%.
[0055] As depicted in FIG. 7, heated platen assembly 5 is depicted
in place in an exemplary embodiment of a biological testing device
100. Testing device 100, in this exemplary embodiment, includes a
optical detection device 110, for example a CCD camera, a light
source 112, a lens 114, heated platen assembly 5, sample block 116,
and sample well tray 118. Sample well tray 118 comprises a
plurality of sample wells 120 for containing samples 122. In
operation, light emitted from light source 112 interacts with the
samples 122. Light emitted and/or reflected from samples 122 then
travels through optical openings 12 and passes through slip cover
40. The light may then be focused and or collimated, for example,
by lens 114 before being received by detection device 110. Further
examples of biological testing apparatus usable in conjunction with
heated platen 5 are described in one or more of the documents
incorporated by reference herein. Heated platen 5 may also be
suitable for other testing devices than the one depicted in FIG.
7.
[0056] It is intended that the specification and examples be
considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *