Abstract: A container is provided for shipping and storing a pre-wetted and pre-conditioned microfluidic “sipper” chip. The container contains both dry compartments and wet compartments. A base contains a fluid-filled reservoir configured to house the capillaries. The opening of the reservoir is sealed with an O-ring. The plastic mount of the chip rests on the base in a dry compartment. The upper surface of the chip contains several wells containing fluid. A gasket is provided with plugs configured to be disposed within and seal the wells. Alternatively, the wells are first sealed with a foil film adhered to the well openings with an adhesive and a gasket is disposed between the foil and a cover, which is removably attached to the base. When the cover is closed, the gasket and O-ring seal the wet compartments to prevent leakage and to slow evaporation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2003
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2006
Assignee:
Caliper Life Sciencee, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael Greenstein, Colin B Kennedy, Huan L Phan, Stephan Bianchi, Jonathan R Harris, Daren W Hebold, Robert A Howard, Andrew L Zee