High Density Plate Filler

Abstract

A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

1 . A filling apparatus for filling a microplate, the microplate having a plurality of wells, each of the plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein, the filling apparatus comprising:
 a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the substrate further having an assay input port, and a plurality of microfluidic channels;   a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, each of the plurality of staging capillaries having an inlet and an outlet, wherein at least one of the plurality of microfluidic channels is in fluid communication with the assay input port and at least two of the plurality of staging capillaries; and   wherein each of the plurality of staging capillaries is spaced relative to adjacent ones of the plurality of staging capillaries to permit filling of the microplate.   
     
     
         2 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the assay input port comprises a plurality of upstanding walls together defining a fluid well, the fluid well terminating at a throat, the throat having a reduced-cross section relative to the fluid well. 
     
     
         3 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a surface tension relief post extending upward within the throat, the surface tension relief post engagable with the assay in the assay input port.   
     
     
         4 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one fluid overfill reservoir in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of microfluidic channels, the at least one fluid overfill reservoir having a closed bottom to generally inhibit filling of the at least one fluid overfill reservoir with the assay until application of a centripetal force.   
     
     
         5 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the substrate is rectangular in shape having a pair of sides and a pair of ends, the assay input port is disposed along at least one of the pair of ends of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the substrate is rectangular in shape having a pair of sides and a pair of ends, the assay input port is disposed along at least one of the pair of sides of the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of staging capillaries is sized relative to the plurality of microfluidic channels and the assay input port to provide sufficient capillary force to draw a predetermined volume of the assay therein. 
     
     
         8 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the sizing of the each of the plurality of staging capillaries relative to the plurality of microfluidic channels and the assay input port further permits release of the assay from each of the plurality of staging capillaries in response to an applied centripetal force. 
     
     
         9 . The filling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of microfluidic channels is configured in an initial a pre-heatstaked condition permitting flow of the assay therethrough and subsequently in a post-heatstaked condition inhibiting flow of the assay therethrough.