Compressible transparent sealing for open microplates

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing a microplate, wherein the apparatus comprises a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells is formed in the first surface of the microplate, wherein each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sealing cover is disposed over the microplate adjacent the plurality of wells and is compliant to accommodate variations between the sealing cover and the microplate and/or distribute loads evenly therebetween.

1 . An apparatus for sealing a microplate, said apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein; and    a sealing cover disposed over said microplate adjacent said plurality of wells, said sealing cover being compliant to accommodate variations between said sealing cover and said microplate.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a rim portion formed about each of said plurality of wells, each of said rim portions extending upward above said first surface and engagable with said sealing cover to define a sealing interface.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said rim portions are made of a first material and said microplate is made of a second material, said first material being different than said second material.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said rim portions are made of polystyrene.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said rim portions are co-molded with said microplate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each of said rim portions is plastically deformable and thermally fusible with said sealing cover.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for sealing a microplate, said apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein; and    a sealing cover disposed over said microplate adjacent said plurality of wells, said sealing cover being compliant and distributing loads generally evenly between said sealing cover and said microplate.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a rim portion formed about each of said plurality of wells, each of said rim portions extending upward above said first surface and engagable with said sealing cover to define a sealing interface.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said rim portions are made of a first material and said microplate is made of a second material, said first material being different than said second material.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said rim portions are made of polystyrene.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said rim portions are co-molded with said microplate.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein each of said rim portions is plastically deformable and thermally fusible with said sealing cover.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for sealing a microplate, said apparatus comprising: 
 a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;    a plurality of wells formed in said first surface of said microplate, each of said plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein;    a rim portion formed about each of said plurality of wells, each of said rim portions extending upward above said first surface; and    a sealing cover disposed over said microplate adjacent said plurality of wells, said sealing cover being engagable with said rim portions to define a sealing interface about each of said plurality of wells.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said sealing cover is compliant to accommodate variations between said sealing cover and said microplate.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said rim portions are made of a first material and said microplate is made of a second material, said first material being different than said second material.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said rim portions are made of polystyrene.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said rim portions are co-molded with said microplate.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein each of said rim portions is plastically deformable and thermally fusible with said sealing cover.