Tip tray assembly for optical sensors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for packaging of an optical sensing fiber is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate with a plurality of openings, and each opening is configured for holding an optical sensing assembly. The assembly is positioned in the opening with a tip of the assembly extending through the opening to be suspended from the substrate. In addition, openings are arranged so the assembly positioned therein avoids contacting another assembly positioned therein. The apparatus can include a support member for supporting the substrate and positioning the substrate so the tip of the assembly suspended from the opening in the substrate contacts solution in one of a plurality of wells in a container adjacent to the substrate. The assembly can be configured for preparing of the optical assembly for assay. An agitation assembly for agitating the container to create flow of the solution in the container wells over an optical sensing assembly is also disclosed.

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for maintaining flow of the solution, the apparatus comprising an agitation assembly operably coupled to a container with a plurality of wells containing solution, each well being configured for holding a discrete optical sensing assembly therein, the optical sensing assembly being configured for measuring a characteristic of the solution wherein said measuring a characteristic comprises kinetic analysis and wherein the agitation assembly comprises an agitation device that moves the container according to a specified type of motion to agitate the solution relative to the optical assembly to create flow of the solution relative to the optical assembly said flow being sufficient for said kinetic analysis. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the agitation device is driven by an electrical motor. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the specified type of motion is repetitive motion of the solution in the well, relative to the optical assembly. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the repetitive motion is circular motion. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the agitation device is driven by an actuator for creating repetitive motion that is not in orbital trajectory. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the specified type of motion is random motion of the solution in the well, relative to the optical assembly. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the agitation device is operably coupled with the optical assembly to move the assembly relative to the sample. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the apparatus rests on a surface suspended above the agitation device with suspensions, the agitation device providing agitation of the container creating surface flow of the solution relative to the optical assembly. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the agitation assembly further comprises a heater adapter for providing heated flow of solution. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the heater adapter is positioned between the container and the agitation assembly and is operable coupled to the container and the agitation assembly. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the agitation assembly is included in a robotic instrument for assay with the container mounted on the agitation assembly, the container and agitation assembly being mounted in the instrument adjacent to a substrate for holding an optical sensing assembly. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein a robotic arm moves the optical sensing assembly from the substrate to the container to dip the assembly in the solution, the solution being simultaneously agitated by the agitation device. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the kinetic analysis comprises molecular binding kinetic analysis. 
     
     
         48 . A method for measuring a characteristic of a solution, the method comprising:
 providing the apparatus of  claim 35 ;   agitating the solution;   contacting the solution with the optical sensing assembly; and   measuring the characteristic of the solution with the optical assembly wherein the measuring comprises kinetic analysis.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein said measuring comprises biolayer interferometry. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the kinetic analysis comprises molecular binding kinetic analysis. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the characteristic comprises molecular binding.