Vacuum assist for a microplate

Abstract

A vacuum assist apparatus can comprise a microplate. The microplate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells can be formed in the first surface of the microplate. Each of the plurality of wells can be sized to receive an assay therein. A support base can comprise a fluid passage. The microplate can be positioned adjacent and in contact with the support base. A pressure device, in fluid communication with the fluid passage, can exert a vacuum within the fluid passage to actively retain the microplate in the contact with the support base.

1 . A vacuum assist apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein;    a support base having a fluid passage, said microplate being positioned adjacent and in contact with said support base;    a pressure device in fluid communication with said fluid passage, said pressure device operable to exert a vacuum within said fluid passage to actively retain said microplate in said contact with said support base; and    a temperature control system operatively connected with the support base.    
     
     
         2 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sealing cover operably engaging at least one of said microplate and said support base, said sealing cover cooperating with said at least one of said microplate and said support base to define a volume, said volume having said vacuum.    
     
     
         3 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said sealing cover comprises: 
 a transparent window; and    a sealing member operably disposed between said transparent window and said support base to define a fluid seal.    
     
     
         4 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said sealing member is an O-ring seal.  
     
     
         5 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said temperature control system is configured for cycling the support base through a sequence of times and temperatures comprising at least a first temperature maintained for a first period of time and a second temperature maintained for a second period of time, with said second temperature being higher than said first temperature, and said cycling comprising at least two repetitions of said sequence of time and temperatures.  
     
     
         6 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid passage comprises: 
 a channel disposed within said support base, said channel being in fluid communication with said pressure device.    
     
     
         7 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid passage comprises: 
 a porous material portion of said support base, said porous material portion being in fluid communication with said pressure device.    
     
     
         8 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid passage comprises: 
 a permeable material portion of said support base, said permeable material portion being in fluid communication with said pressure device.    
     
     
         9 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than about 96 wells.  
     
     
         10 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 384 wells.  
     
     
         11 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 6144 wells.  
     
     
         12 . A vacuum assist apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and a continuous opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein;    a support base having a porous material section, said microplate being positioned adjacent and in contact with said support base;    a pressure device in fluid communication with said porous material section, said pressure device operable to exert a vacuum within said porous material section to actively retain said microplate in said contact with said support base; and    a temperature control system operatively connected with the support base.    
     
     
         13 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a sealing cover operably engaging at least one of said microplate and said support base, said sealing cover cooperating with said at least one of said microplate and said support base to define a volume, said volume having said vacuum.    
     
     
         14 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said sealing cover comprises: 
 a transparent window; and    a sealing member operably disposed between said transparent window and said support base to define a fluid seal.    
     
     
         15 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said sealing member is an O-ring seal.  
     
     
         16 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said temperature control system is configured for cycling the support base through a sequence of times and temperatures comprising at least a first temperature maintained for a first period of time and a second temperature maintained for a second period of time, with said second temperature being higher than said first temperature, and said cycling comprising at least two repetitions of said sequence of time and temperatures.  
     
     
         17 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than about 96 wells.  
     
     
         18 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 384 wells.  
     
     
         19 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 6144 wells.  
     
     
         20 . A vacuum assist apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein;    a substantially flat and contiguous surface formed on the opposing surface;    a support base having a permeable material section, said microplate being positioned adjacent and in contact with said support base;    a pressure device in fluid communication with said permeable material section, said pressure device operable to exert a vacuum within said permeable material section to actively retain said microplate in said contact with said support base; and    a temperature control system operatively connected with the support base.    
     
     
         21 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 a sealing cover operably engaging at least one of said microplate and said support base, said sealing cover cooperating with said at least one of said microplate and said support base to define a volume, said volume having said vacuum.    
     
     
         22 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said sealing cover comprises: 
 a transparent window; and    a sealing member operably disposed between said transparent window and said support base to define a fluid seal.    
     
     
         23 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein said sealing member is an O-ring seal.  
     
     
         24 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said temperature control system is configured for cycling the support base through a sequence of times and temperatures comprising at least a first temperature maintained for a first period of time and a second temperature maintained for a second period of time, with said second temperature being higher than said first temperature, and said cycling comprising at least two repetitions of said sequence of time and temperatures.  
     
     
         25 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than about 96 wells.  
     
     
         26 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 384 wells.  
     
     
         27 . The vacuum assist apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said plurality of wells is greater than or equal to about 6144 wells.