US3773646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophoresis test kits
Assignee: Alfa Wassermann Inc
•
Filing: 1972-05-12
•
Granted: 1973-11-20
•
Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An integral gel bridge and legs and wells test kit unit is provided, the unit being adapted for use with a low voltage electrophoretic testing system. Improvements in the construction of the test kit unit and various specific embodiments thereof for use in specific tests are provided. Also provided are methods of producing such test kit units incorporating means for prevention of syneresis of the gel components and also incorporating means to increase the rate of accuracy of reproducability of test kits and test results. The surfaces of the assembled, preformed components of the test kit units which come in contact with the gel serve the dual functions of (a) providing the sole molding surface means to define the final configurations of the agar or other gel portions, preferably generally U-shaped, of the test kit unit, including the test wells thereof, and (b) providing the sole and substantially rigid supporting and positioning means for the gel portions of the test kit units, including the legs, bridge and wells thereof, in the final assembled test kit units. These preformed components and the gel portions contained therein are produced in a form in which they may be shipped without any substantial alteration to the ultimate user, so that the only steps required by the ultimate user before electrophoresis are the simple removal of the preformed cover portions and the additions of the specimens to be tested. The units are then completely ready for use with the testing system of the above identified copending application by simple placement thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 R Mandle
- 👤 H Bond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the large majority of said low ohmic resistance is formed by said gel bridge layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein about ninety per cent of said low ohmic resistance is caused by said gel bridge layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said gel legs provides about 5 per cent of said low ohmic resistance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel unit provides the only electrically conductive path through said test kit unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel unit has homogenously incorporated therein a reactive test material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer is formed from a gel having higher purity than the gel from which the said gel legs are formed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said wells have a depth substantially equal to but less than the thickness of said gel bridge layer, forming a very thin gel layer having a thickness of between about five and about seven one-thousandths of an inch beneath each of said wells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer has a longitudinal axis and has a thickness which varies in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said varying gel bridge layer thickness is greatest adjacent said gel legs and least at the center of said layer in said direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said thickness varies in a symmetrical curve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer has a longitudinal axis and has a uniform thickness along said axis except where said wells are formed therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer has a longitudinal axis having opposite ends and said layer has a greater thickness at one end than at the opposite end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said thickness increases substantially uniformly along said axis from said one end to said opposite end except where said wells are formed therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of wells comprises a plurality of well pairs spaced along a longitudinal axis of said gel bridge layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein all of said well pairs are spaced equidistantly from each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein all of said wells of all of said well pairs have substantially identical parameters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer has a longitudinal axis and the thickness of said layer varies sinusoidally along said axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 18 wherein said wells are located in the areas of greatest thickness of said sinusoidally varying thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel bridge layer has a longitudinal axis and the thickness of said layer along said axis is alternately thicker or thinner in alternately stepped fashion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said spaced wells have differing diameters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said spaced wells have differing depths.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said spaced wells have different depths, different diameters and different center-to-center spacing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a plate member extending generally horizontally and perpendicular to said gel legs, said plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said plate has openings therein extending therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said plate member is opaque.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said plate member has axis extending above said gel bridge layer and has openings spaced therealong.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 25 wherein a separate one of said openings is positioned above each of said plurality of wells.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein a plurality of spaced, parallel ribs extend upwardly from said upper surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein a peelable cover is supported by and positioned over said plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein said cover is flexible.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein said cover has positioned thereon a handle extension.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein said cover is positioned between said ribs.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein said cover is frictionally supported by said plate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 33 wherein said cover has projections complementary to and frictionally fitting within said openings in hermetically sealing relation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 33 wherein said cover has projections complementary to and frictionally fitting within said openings in hermetically sealing relation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 35 wherein said plate and said projections have substantially equal thickness.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 35 wherein each of said projections has at least one separate nipple extending downwardly therefrom into said gel bridge layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 35 wherein each of said projections has a pair of spaced nipples extending downwardly therefrom into said gel bridge layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 36 wherein each of said projections has a pair of spaced nipples extending downwardly into said gel bridge layer and each of said nipples has substantially equal parameters.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 39 wherein each of said nipples extends downwardly a distance less than the thickness of said gel bridge layer but substantially equal thereto.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein the said plate member is substantially rigid and has edge extensions on each side of said openings.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein at least one of said extensions has a position orientational means formed thereon.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein at least one of said extensions has spaced identifying lines positioned on the upper surface thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said plate member has a separate identifying means molded thereon adjacent each of said openings.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said plate has substantially rigidly connected thereto, and extending vertically downwardly therefrom, a plurality of connected gel leg molding walls.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 46 wherein said walls are joined in fluid proof relation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 46 and including overlapping end walls.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 46 wherein the exterior of said molding walls and said plate are integral.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said gel legs has a convex bottom surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 46 wherein each of said gel legs has convex bottom portions extending beyond the said geL leg molding walls ends.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 51 wherein a cover unit is frictionally positioned over said gel leg bottom portions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 52 wherein said cover unit has a separate trough hermatically sealed over the exterior of the walls of each of said gel leg molding walls.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 53 wherein a plurality of said test kit units are placed in nestedly stacked relationship.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 51 wherein a peelable sealing tape is positioned over said bottom portions in hermetically sealing relation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 55 wherein each of said tapes has a pull tab extension on one end thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 46 wherein a substantially rigid plastic bridge is positioned between said leg molding walls and hermetically sealed thereto.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 57 wherein a separate end wall is positioned vertically extending upwardly from said plastic bridge, each of said end walls functioning as a spacing member between said plastic bridge and the underside of said plate.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 57 wherein said plastic bridge is integrally joined to said gel leg forming walls.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein a transparent plastic bridge is positioned beneath said openings and said plate member is opaque.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 60 wherein end walls are positioned between said plastic bridge and said plate member, said walls bridge and plate forming a substantial enclosure for said gel bridge layer for holding the said layer substantially immobile.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein separate isolating wall means are provided for each of said well pairs to isolate said well pair from its adjacent well pairs.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 62 wherein said isolating wall means are vertically downwardly extending ribs formed on a horizontally extending plate member which forms part of said supporting means, said supporting means further including a plastic bridge positioned beneath said plate in contact with said ribs.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 63 wherein said ribs are vertically divided with the upper portions thereof supported by said plate and the lower meeting portions supported by said plastic bridge.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 64 wherein a sealant is inserted between said upper and lower rib portions.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said gel unit is buffered to a pH in the range of about 8.2 to 8.6.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the rigid molding and supporting means have a composition non-reactive with electrophoretic solvents.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rigid molding and supporting means includes means to hermetically seal said gel unit against syneresis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |