Gel spot picker

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gel sheet ( 1 ) for use in a spot picker device wherein said gel sheet is provide with reference marks (5′-5′″) which can be used to determine if the gel sheet ( 1 ) has been deformed between the stages of scanning the gel sheet and picking spots out of the gel sheet ( 1 ). The present invention also relates to a method of picking spots using such a gel sheet ( 1 ) and reference marks for use with the method.

1 : In a deformable gel sheet for use in an analysis device for the analysis of a sample, the improvement comprising including at least two reference marks ( 5 ′- 5 ′″) on or in the gel sheet ( 1 ), wherein said reference marks ( 5 ′- 5 ′″) are labels which are printed or painted or stuck onto or into the gel sheet.  
   
   
       2 : The gel sheet of  claim 1 , wherein said gel sheet ( 1 ) has at least three reference marks ( 5 ′- 5 ′″).  
   
   
       3 : The gel sheet of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said reference marks ( 5 ′″) is situated to one side of a straight line joining the other two of said reference marks ( 5 ′,  5 ″).  
   
   
       4 : The gel sheet of  claim 1 , wherein said reference marks ( 5 ′- 5 ′″) are visible after said gel sheet ( 1 ) has been treated with a destaining process.  
   
   
       5 - 10 . (canceled)