US5459300A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microplate heater for providing uniform heating regardless of the geometry of the microplates
Assignee: Barnstead Thermolyne Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-03
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2013-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A heater which accommodates microwell plates having a variety of bottom and peripheral geometries. The heater consists of a thermally conductive compliant material layer disposed on a planar heated platen. The compliant layer is dimensioned such that it contacts the microplate along the bottoms of the wells only, and not along the peripheral portions thereof. A temperature sensor may be disposed within the compliant layer to provide an indication of the well temperature for accurate control.
Inventors
- 👤 David H. Kasman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:49
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5085; B01L3/50851; B01L3/50853; B01L7/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A temperature control apparatus for controlling the temperature of a microplate containing a plurality of microwells, the apparatus comprising: a thermal energy source; and means for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the microplate, said means being adaptable to engage microplates of varying shapes such that thermal energy is transferred substantially only to the bottom surfaces of the microwells and is transferred at substantially the same rate to microwells disposed in the interior of the microplate as it is transferred to microwells disposed on the periphery of the microplate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A temperature control apparatus for controlling the temperature of a microplate containing a plurality of microwells, the apparatus comprising: a thermal energy source; and means for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the microplate, said means being adaptable to engage microplates of varying shapes such that thermal energy is transferred substantially only to the bottom surfaces of the microwells and is transferred at substantially the same rate to microwells disposed in the interior of the microplate as it is transferred to microwells disposed on the periphery of the microplate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the thermal energy source is an aluminum heating platen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for transferring thermal energy comprises a thermally conductive compliant material layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the compliant layer is formed of silicone foam rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the compliant layer comprises a fluid material disposed in a compliant container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 additionally comprising: a cover, dimensioned to contract the upper periphery of the microplate, for pressing the microplate into the compliant layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the cover is weighted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the cover additionally comprises a layer of insulating material, disposed on the bottom of the cover, to prevent conduction of thermal energy to the microplate from the cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said layer is removable from said thermal energy source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said silicone foam rubber is loaded with a thermally conductive medium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for heating a microplate, the microplate containing an array of regularly spaced microwells, the apparatus comprising: a heating platen having a planar surface; and a thermally conductive compliant and resilient layer, disposed on the planar surface of the heating platen, for adaptively receiving microplates whose bottom surfaces have varying geometries, said layer dimensioned such that heat from said platen is transferred substantially only to the bottoms of said microwells.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for heating a microplate, the microplate containing an array of regularly spaced microwells, the apparatus comprising: a heating platen having a planar surface; and a thermally conductive compliant and resilient layer, disposed on the planar surface of the heating platen, for adaptively receiving microplates whose bottom surfaces have varying geometries, said layer dimensioned such that heat from said platen is transferred substantially only to the bottoms of said microwells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the thermally conductive compliant layer consists of two individual material layers positioned adjacent one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 additionally comprising: a temperature sensor, disposed between the two individual material layers; and a temperature control circuit, connected between the temperature sensor and the heating platen, to regulate the heating platen temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the layer is formed of silicone foam rubber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said silicone foam rubber is loaded with a thermally conductive medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the layer comprises a fluid material disposed in a compliant container.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of heating an array of wells for holding samples, the wells being formed in a microplate, the method comprising the steps of: heating a compliant thermally conductive layer; and engaging the microplate with said compliant layer, such that only the bottoms of the wells physically contact said layer and heat is transferred at substantially the same rate to each of said well bottoms.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of heating an array of wells for holding samples, the wells being formed in a microplate, the method comprising the steps of: heating a compliant thermally conductive layer; and engaging the microplate with said compliant layer, such that only the bottoms of the wells physically contact said layer and heat is transferred at substantially the same rate to each of said well bottoms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 additionally comprising the step of: measuring the temperature in the compliant layer adjacent one of the well bottoms.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |