Method for making a multiwell plate having transparent well bottoms

Abstract

A method is described herein for making a multiwell plate that is used for assaying samples and is made from a plastic upper plate which forms the sidewalls of one or more wells and a glass lower plate which forms the bottom walls of the wells. The plastic upper plate and glass lower plate are attached and bound to one another by an enhanced adhesive. The enhanced adhesive includes an adhesive mixed with an additive that interacts with the adhesive, the plastic upper plate and the glass bottom plate in a manner that strengthens a bond between the plastic upper plate and the glass lower plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for making a multiwell plate, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an upper plate that forms sidewalls of at least one well, said upper plate made from a polymeric material;    providing a lower plate that forms a bottom wall of the at least one well, said lower plate made from an inorganic material;    joining said upper plate to said lower plate using an adhesive that contains a silane monomer which interacts with said adhesive, said upper plate and said lower plate to strengthen a bond between said upper plate and said lower plate;    wherein said polymeric material was subjected to a process to create reactive groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said upper plate.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material was subjected to a plasma treatment process.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material is polystyrene.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic material was subjected to a process to free silanol groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said lower plate.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said inorganic material was subjected to a pyrolysis process.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic material is glass.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of joining further includes the steps of: 
 applying a substantially thin film of said adhesive/silane mononer onto one of said plates;    placing said other plate onto the said adhesive/silane monomer; and    applying a vacuum to bring said upper plate and said lower plate into close proximity while said silane monomer polymerizes to form a compatible network with said adhesive and also interacts with said upper plate and said lower plate to strengthen the bond between said upper plate and said lower plate.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive is a non-cytotoxic adhesive.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said silane monomer is one of the following: 
 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate;    3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane; or    tris2-(methoxyethoxy)vinyl silane.    
     
     
         10 . A method for making a multiwell plate, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an upper plate that forms sidewalls of at least one well, said upper plate made from a polymeric material;    providing a lower plate that forms a bottom wall of the at least one well, said lower plate made from an inorganic material;    joining said upper plate to said lower plate using an adhesive that contains a silane monomer which interacts with said adhesive, said upper plate and said lower plate to strengthen a bond between said upper plate and said lower plate; and    wherein said inorganic material was subjected to a process to free silanol groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said lower plate.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said inorganic material was subjected to a pyrolysis process.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said inorganic material is glass.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said polymeric material was subjected to a process to create reactive groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said upper plate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said polymeric material was subjected to a plasma treatment process.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said polymeric material is polystyrene.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of joining further includes the steps of: 
 applying a substantially thin film of said adhesive/silane mononer onto one of said plates;    placing said other plate onto the said adhesive/silane monomer; and    applying a vacuum to bring said upper plate and said lower plate into close proximity while said silane monomer polymerizes to form a compatible network with said adhesive and also interacts with said upper plate and said lower plate to strengthen the bond between said upper plate and said lower plate.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive is a non-cytotoxic adhesive.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said silane monomer is one of the following: 
 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate;    3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane; or    tris2-(methoxyethoxy)vinyl silane.    
     
     
         19 . A method for making a multiwell plate, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a frame that forms sidewalls of at least one well, said frame made from a polymeric material;    providing a layer that forms a bottom wall of the at least one well, said layer made from an inorganic material;    joining said frame to said layer using an adhesive that contains a silane monomer which interacts with said adhesive, said frame and said layer to strengthen a bond between said frame and said layer;    wherein said polymeric material was subjected to a process to create reactive groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said frame; and    wherein said inorganic material was subjected to a process to free silanol groups that interact with said silane monomer in said adhesive to further strengthen the bond between said adhesive and said layer.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said polymeric material is polystyrene that was subjected to a plasma treatment process.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said inorganic material is glass that was subjected to a pyrolysis process.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of joining further includes the steps of: 
 applying a substantially thin film of said adhesive/silane mononer onto said frame or said layer;    placing said layer or said frame onto the said adhesive/silane monomer; and    applying a vacuum to bring said frame and said layer into close proximity while said silane monomer polymerizes to form a compatible network with said adhesive and also interacts with said frame and said layer to strengthen the bond between said frame and said layer.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said adhesive is a non-cytotoxic adhesive.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said silane monomer is one of the following: 
 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate;    3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane; or    tris2-(methoxyethoxy)vinyl silane.