Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A multiple-well diagnostic slide comprising: (a) a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the top surface, and a plurality of shallow sample wells disposed in the top surface of said base plate, each sample well being defined by a closed wall extending above the top surface of said base plate and surrounding that sample well, each sample well also being defined by a thin bottom lens, a bottom surface of each bottom lens forming the top of a relatively deep lens recess disposed in the bottom surface of said base plate; (b) a cover plate having a flat top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of lens recesses disposed in the bottom surface of said cover plate and each aligned with respective ones of said sample wells, the top of each of said lens recesses of said cover plate being bounded by a thin cover lens disposed in said cover plate; and (c) means for attaching said cover plate in aligned relationship with said lower plate to cause each of said cover lens to cover and seal a respective one of said sample wells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A multiple-well diagnostic slide comprising: (a) a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the top surface, and a plurality of shallow sample wells disposed in the top surface of said base plate, each sample well being defined by a closed wall extending above the top surface of said base plate and surrounding that sample well, each sample well also being defined by a thin bottom lens, a bottom surface of each bottom lens forming the top of a relatively deep lens recess disposed in the bottom surface of said base plate; (b) a cover plate having a flat top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of lens recesses disposed in the bottom surface of said cover plate and each aligned with respective ones of said sample wells, the top of each of said lens recesses of said cover plate being bounded by a thin cover lens disposed in said cover plate; and (c) means for attaching said cover plate in aligned relationship with said lower plate to cause each of said cover lens to cover and seal a respective one of said sample wells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 1 wherein the bottom lens of each of said sample wells is elevated higher than the top surface of said base plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 2 wherein said bottom surface of said cover plate extends nearly to the top surface of said base plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 3 wherein said closed walls each are generally cylindrical and have a precisely planar upper rim surface, the peripheral portion of the lower surface of each cover lens being precisely planar and being supported on said upper rim surface to effectuate a good seal therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 4 wherein each of said cover lens is integral with said cover plate and each of said bottom lens and each of said closed walls is integral with said base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 5 wherein said cover plate and said base plate are composed of transparent plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 6 wherein the thicknesses of said cover lenses and said bottom lenses are approximately 0.005 centimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 7 wherein the depths of said sample wells are approximately 0.002 centimeters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 8 wherein said base plate and said cover plate are rectangular, and said base plate includes ten sample wells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 8 wherein said base plate and said cover plate each are hexagonal, and said base plate includes six generally trapezoidal regions and containing a plurality of said sample wells, said base plate including means for separating each of said trapezoidal regions from the others.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 10 wherein said base plate and said cover plate each have an aperture therein for receiving a drive element of a slide support mechanism to effectuate rotating said multiple-well diagnostic slide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple-well diagnostic slide of claim 1 wherein said alignment means include pegs on one of said cover plate and said base plate and mating holes in the other thereof.