Abstract: The invention concerns a v-bottomed sample plate, a frame for sample plates and a kit and method for processing biological samples. The kit comprises a tray assembly and a plurality of sample plates designed to fit into the tray assembly. The tray assembly comprises a frame having a central plate receiving portion having a width and length, whereby said tray assembly is capable of accommodating the sample plates side by side in the plate receiving portion. Each of the sample plates contains a plurality of individual sample wells arranged in a grid, the dimension of the plate in a first direction being at maximum the width of the frame and the dimension of the plate in a second direction being at maximum half of the length of the plate receiving portion of the of the frame, and means for enabling automated handling of the plates. The invention enables more efficient biomedical processing of samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing and performing quantitative PCR analyses, a new sealing device and a new use. According to the invention, a sample vessel containing the samples to be analyzed is sealed by placing a planar sealing device on the vessel to cover the samples and applying pressure on the sealing device in order to deform the sealing device so as to form a light-refracting geometry individually for the samples to be analyzed. The invention offers a convenient way of sealing the vessel and forming analysis-improving optical lenses over the samples simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel sample tube and a method of manufacturing a such a sample tube. According to the method an oversized mold cavity is formed with an opposing pair of mold members of an injection molding machine, the mold members being movable relative to each other and between which mold members the sample tube is formed. A volume of resin exceeding the prescribed volume of the sample tube is injected into the cavity and force is applied to said mold members in order to reduce the volume of said mold cavity for displacing molten polymer in the cavity and for compressing the polymer to form said sample tube. By means of the invention, sample tubes and vessels having ultra thin walls can be manufactured.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel sample tube and a method of manufacturing a such a sample tube. According to the method an oversized mould cavity is formed with an opposing pair of mould members of an injection moulding machine, the mould members being movable relative to each other and between which mould members the sample tube is formed. A volume of resin exceeding the prescribed volume of the sample tube is injected into the cavity and force is applied to said mould members in order to reduce the volume of said mould cavity for displacing molten polymer in the cavity and for compressing the polymer to form said sample tube. By means of the invention, sample tubes and vessels having ultra thin walls can be manufactured.

Abstract: Vessels used to contain reaction mixtures and that allow for accurate optical or visual detection are described. Vessels that are an integrated tube- and cap assembly connected via one or more hinge straps or devices to other vessels or caps and/or tubes and caps with different light transmitting properties are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to sealing device for microplates, a method of sealing and a novel use. The sealing device is used for isolating the interior of a biological reaction vessel from the exterior of the reaction vessel and comprises a generally planar sealing layer intimately attachable to the vessel by heating so as to cover an open end of the vessel. According to the invention, the sealing layer is formed of elastomeric material capable of forming a heat-actuated bond to the vessel at an elevated temperature achievable solely by the heated platen of a thermal cycling apparatus operating at normal thermal cycling protocol operating temperatures and placed in contact with the sealing device. The invention provides a simplified device and method for sealing microplates effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing and performing quantitative PCR analyses, a new sealing device and a new use. According to the invention, a sample vessel containing the samples to be analyzed is sealed by placing a planar sealing device on the vessel to cover the samples and applying pressure on the sealing device in order to deform the sealing device so as to form a light-refracting geometry individually for the samples to be analyzed. The invention offers a convenient way of sealing the vessel and forming analysis-improving optical lenses over the samples simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention concerns a v-bottomed sample plate, a frame for sample plates and a kit and method for processing biological samples. The kit comprises a tray assembly and a plurality of sample plates designed to fit into the tray assembly. The tray assembly comprises a frame having a central plate receiving portion having a width and length, whereby said tray assembly is capable of accommodating the sample plates side by side in the plate receiving portion. Each of the sample plates contains a plurality of individual sample wells arranged in a grid, the dimension of the plate in a first direction being at maximum the width of the frame and the dimension of the plate in a second direction being at maximum half of the length of the plate receiving portion of the of the frame, and means for enabling automated handling of the plates. The invention enables more efficient biomedical processing of samples.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette to cast electrophoresis gels and to separate and analyze molecular components by electrophoresis. The electrophoresis cassette comprises a top plate assembly, a spacer and a bottom plate. The top plate assembly is seated to the bottom plate with the spacer there between to define a thickness of the electrophoresis cassette and to seal an outer perimeter of the assembly. The top plate assembly includes a cathode reservoir connected to a first terminal end of a central plate, and an anode reservoir connected to a second terminal end of the central plate. When the electrophoresis cassette is assembled, the cathode and anode reservoirs are in alignment with the first and second terminal ends of the central plate to facilitate formation of leak-proof seals between the reservoirs and the assembly components.

Abstract: A thin-well microplate and methods of manufacturing same are provided, wherein the thin-well microplate is conducive for use with automated equipment, such as robotic handling equipment, and in high temperature procedures, such as thermal cycling. The thin-well microplate is constructed of two components including a skirt and frame portion and a well and deck portion with a plurality of sample wells; both portions being joined to form a unitary microplate. Each of the skirt and frame and well and deck portions is constructed of a suitable material that imparts a specific combination of physical and material properties to the thin-well microplate. The skirt and frame portion and the well and deck portion are each constructed of the material that will allow each portion to withstand high temperature conditions and use of automated equipment, while retaining the physical characteristics each portion requires for optimal performance of the thin-well microplate.

Abstract: A thin-well microplate and methods of manufacturing same are provided, wherein the thin-well microplate is conducive for use with automated equipment, such as robotic handling equipment, and in high temperature procedures, such as thermal cycling. The thin-well microplate is constructed of two components including a skirt and frame portion and a well and deck portion with a plurality of sample wells; both portions being joined to form a unitary microplate. Each of the skirt and frame and well and deck portions is constructed of a suitable material that imparts a specific combination of physical and material properties to the thin-well microplate. The skirt and frame portion and the well and deck portion are each constructed of the material that will allow each portion to withstand high temperature conditions and use of automated equipment, while retaining the physical characteristics each portion requires for optimal performance of the thin-well microplate.

Abstract: A thin-well microplate and methods of manufacturing same are provided, wherein the thin-well microplate is conducive for use with automated equipment, such as robotic handling equipment, and in high temperature procedures, such as thermal cycling. The thin-well microplate is constructed of two components including a skirt and frame portion and a well and deck portion with a plurality of sample wells; both portions being joined to form a unitary microplate. Each of the skirt and frame and well and deck portions is constructed of a suitable material that imparts a specific combination of physical and material properties to the thin-well microplate. The skirt and frame portion and the well and deck portion are each constructed of the material that will allow each portion to withstand high temperature conditions and use of automated equipment, while retaining the physical characteristics each portion requires for optimal performance of the thin-well microplate.

Abstract: A culture slide kit for use in growing or differentiating various cell and tissue cultures, wherein the kit comprises a slide, a compartment and a bonding element. The compartment has sidewalls with an upper extremity and a lower margin, and is adapted to be operatively positioned on the upper surface of the slide. The bonding element is adapted to seal and releasably adhere the lower margin of the compartment sidewalls to the upper surface of the slide. Furthermore, the bonding element exhibits a greater bond strength with the compartment sidewall lower margin than with the upper surface of the slide, so that when the compartment is separated from the slide, substantially all of the adhesive is effectively removed from the slide.

Abstract: Novel vertical electrophoresis cassettes having pull cords for opening the cassettes following electrophoresis runs are disclosed. Uniquely, the electrophoresis cassettes have pull cord assemblies positioned along the opposing vertical side edges of the front and back plates and between the front and back plates. More particularly, the pull cord assembly comprises a pull tab integrally connected to a tear strip. The front and back plates of the electrophoresis cassette are held together by either a soft-curing adhesive or adhesive tape positioned along the opposing vertical side edges of the cassette. The tear strip of the pull tab assembly is positioned between the adhesive or adhesive tape and spacers. To open the cassette, the pull tab is grabbed and the tear strip rips through the adhesive or adhesive tape to open the cassette along one vertical side thereof.