Gigamatrix holding tray having through-hole wells

Abstract

A GigaMatrix plate for holding a large number of small-volume fluid samples includes a base for supporting a plurality of substantially parallel, elongated capillary tubes. Each tube defines a lumen that extends through the base, and each lumen has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1. Dimensionally, each lumen has an inner diameter that is less than approximately five hundred microns and it has a length greater than about five millimeters. Further, each tube acts to optically distinguish light that is directed toward it from the sample whenever the sample fluoresces inside the tube lumen. Also, however, light from the sample that is directed axially through the tube is emitted therefrom for optical detection of the tube and the sample therein.

1 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A method of preparing samples for limiting evaporation which comprises the steps of: 
 a) providing a plate comprising a base having a first surface and a second surface, and said plate has a plurality of substantially parallel, elongated capillary tubes supported by said base, wherein each said tube has an interior surface defining a lumen extending through said base between said first surface and said second surface, further wherein each said tube defines a longitudinal axis and has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1 with an inner diameter less than approximately five hundred microns, and wherein each said tube acts to minimize evaporation; and    b) immersing said first surface of said base into a container holding said samples in a liquid solution to wick said samples into said tubes by a capillary action.    
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the effects of evaporation are limited to approximately five percent of said solution sample volume per day.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising a supplemental means for minimizing evaporation from at least one of said first or said second surface from said base, wherein the supplemental means are selected from the group consisting of a cap and a membrane.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said cap and said membrane is positioned on at least one of said first and second surfaces of said base to reduce evaporation of said liquid solution.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein a wax or a high vapor pressure fluid is inserted into the through-hole wells to retard evaporation.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said plate is placed into a humidified environment.  
   
   
       8 . A method for minimizing evaporation from a plate for holding a large number of small volume fluid samples which comprises the steps of: 
 a) providing an elongated optical fiber having a first length, said optical fiber comprising a cylindrical shaped core glass surrounded by concentric layers of a sleeve glass and an interstitial material;    b) drawing down said optical fiber to a second length, said second length being longer than said first length;    c) cutting said drawn optical fiber into a plurality of sections;    d) stacking said sections to create a multi;    e) pressing a plurality of said multis together with said sections thereof substantially parallel to each other;    f) heating said plurality of multis to fuse said interstitial material between adjacent said sections to create an integral unit;    g) cutting said integral unit to establish a substantially same predetermined length for each said section; and    h) immersing said integral unit in acid to etch said core glass therefrom to create said plate with a base having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of substantially parallel elongated capillary tubes supported by said base, wherein each said tube has an interior surface defining a lumen extending through said base between said first surface and said second surface, further wherein each said tube defines a longitudinal axis and has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1 with an inner diameter less than approximately five hundred microns, wherein each said tube acts to minimize the effects of evaporation on the sample.    
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the effects of evaporation are limited to approximately five percent of said solution sample volume per day.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 8 , further comprising a supplemental means for minimizing evaporation, wherein the supplemental means are selected from a cap and a membrane.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein a wax or a high vapor pressure fluid is inserted into at least one of said through-hole wells to retard evaporation.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said plate is placed into a humidified environment.  
   
   
       13 . A method for manufacturing a plate for holding a large number of small volume fluid samples which comprises the steps of: 
 a) providing an elongated optical fiber having a first length, said optical fiber comprising a cylindrical shaped core glass surrounded by a sleeve glass and an interstitial material;    b) drawing down said optical fiber to a second length, said second length being longer than said first length;    c) cutting said drawn optical fiber into a plurality of sections;    d) stacking said sections to create a multi;    e) pressing a plurality of said multis together with said sections thereof substantially parallel to each other;    f) heating said plurality of multis to fuse said interstitial material between adjacent said sections to create an integral unit;    g) cutting said integral unit to establish a substantially same predetermined length for each said section; and    h) immersing said integral unit in acid to etch said core glass therefrom to create said plate with a base having a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of substantially parallel elongated capillary tubes supported by said base, wherein each said tube has an interior surface defining a lumen extending through said base between said first surface and said second surface, further wherein each said tube defines a longitudinal axis and has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1 with an inner diameter less than approximately five hundred microns, whereby evaporation is limited.    
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 13  wherein said predetermined length for each said section is approximately six millimeters.  
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 13  further comprising the step of heat treating said plate to make said sleeve glass substantially opaque.  
   
   
       16 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sleeve glass is opaque.  
   
   
       17 . A method as recited in  claim 13  wherein said optical fiber further comprises a concentric layer of EMA glass positioned between said sleeve glass and said interstitial material.  
   
   
       18 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sleeve glass and said interstitial material are the same.  
   
   
       19 . A plate which comprises: 
 a) a base having a first surface and a second surface; and    b) a plurality of substantially parallel elongated capillary tubes supported by said base, wherein each said tube has an interior surface defining a lumen extending through said base between said first surface and said second surface, further wherein each said tube defines a longitudinal axis and has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1 with an inner diameter less than approximately five hundred microns, whereby evaporation is limited.