Closure element for a microplate well having vents and a slot, and method for the use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12337323-B2
Application number	US-202017594620-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 29, 2020
Priority date	May 3, 2019
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

An obturation element ( 1 ) for a well receiving a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed, including for each well, a plug ( 4 ) including an insertion sleeve ( 5 ) in the form of a cylinder provided with two truncated areas ( 15 ) arranged in a symmetrically opposite manner on the outside of the sleeve to form vents, this insertion sleeve ( 5 ) being provided with a bottom wall ( 9 ) in which a through-cutout ( 18 ) is arranged, oriented radially in the direction of the two truncated areas ( 15 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An obturation element for a well receiving a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed, comprising:
a plug having an elastically deformable sleeve that is insertable into the well,
wherein the sleeve delimits, from a free end of the sleeve, at least one vent when the plug is in a partially depressed position in the well,
wherein the plug comprises a sealing portion positioned such that, in a more depressed position of the plug, relative to the partially depressed position, the sealing portion cooperates with the well to ensure a sealed closing,
wherein the sleeve is in the form of a cylinder provided with two truncated areas arranged in a symmetrically opposite manner on the outside of the sleeve to form vents,
wherein the sleeve comprises a bottom wall having a cutout that extends radially between the two truncated areas,
wherein the cutout extends between two passage faces of the bottom wall, in contact against each other.

2. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein the cutout is made without removal of material.

3. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein each truncated area extends over an angular range of the sleeve, with the cutout extending along a direction intersecting each of the two truncated areas.

4. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein each of the two truncated areas extends over an angular range of the sleeve of between 40° and 160°.

5. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein the two truncated areas serving as vents are flat sections arranged from the free end of the sleeve, and in a diametrically opposite manner in an extension of the cutout.

6. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a sealing portion that overhangs the truncated areas.

7. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises a system for fastening to a support sheet, from which sleeves of a series of plugs protrude.

8. The obturation element according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion is a cylindrical head connected to the sleeve by a shoulder cooperating in a sealed manner with an edge of the well.

9. The obturation element according to claim 8 , wherein the plug has an inner cavity delimited by the inside of the sleeve and opening at the cylindrical head by a guide chamfer for the tip of the pipette.

10. A kit for a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed, comprising:
a container comprising at least one well for receiving a reagent, and
the plug of an the obturation element according to claim 1 .

11. The kit according to claim 10 , wherein the truncated areas of the plug leave therebetween an area of the sleeve having an outer diameter greater a diameter of the well to ensure, when the plug occupies its closed position of the well, a deformation of the sleeve orienting the mechanical stresses along a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutout, tending to bear the two passage faces against each other.

12. A method for using a kit according to claim 10 for a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed the method comprising:
pre-filling the well with an aqueous reagent;
prior to a treatment step, inserting the plug of the obturation element into the well, until the plug is in a partially depressed position;
carrying out the treatment step during which a gaseous medium is discharged from the well through the vents; and
lowering the plug into the well after the treatment step, to ensure a sealed closing of the well.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the treatment step is a lyophilization step.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein, after the lowering step, the method further comprises:
introducing the tip of an aqueous solution injection pipette into the cutout of the plug;
delivering the aqueous solution into the well using the pipette;
withdrawing the tip of the pipette from the plug; and
carrying out an amplification operation before a detection operation.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the amplification operation is preceded by a centrifugation operation.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises a chemical or biological sample to be analyzed.

Assignees

• Biomerieux Sa

Inventors

• Guy Michel

Classifications

• B01L2300/0832

  cylindrical, tube shaped · CPC title

• B01L2300/042

  Caps; Plugs · CPC title

• B01L2200/16

  Reagents, handling or storing thereof · CPC title

• B01L2200/0689

  Sealing · CPC title

• B65D51/002

  Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means · CPC title