Analytic plates with markable portions and methods of use

Abstract

An analytic plate or other substrate having a permanent etchable, laserable, and/or developable marking surface coating (referred to herein as an “etchable coating” or as a “developable coating”) that is present on at least a portion of any side or surface thereof and is used to deposit a permanent indicium thereon, and a method of using the analytic plate or substrate.

1 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, 
 a transparent or invisible developable first coating which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation and is disposed on the first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip, and 
 an opaque developable second coating which is disposed upon a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating and which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation; and 
   exposing a portion of at least one of the transparent or invisible developable first coating and the opaque developable second coating to a photoactivating wavelength or an activating heat such that an indicium is formed in the exposed portion of the at least one of the transparent or invisible first coating and opaque developable second coating and wherein the exposed portion is distinguishable from unexposed portions.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the analytic plate the transparent or invisible developable first coating extends over substantially the entire first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the analytic plate the transparent or invisible developable first coating extends over only a portion of the first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the exposing step, the indicium is formed in the transparent or invisible developable first coating. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the exposing step, the indicium is formed in the opaque developable second coating. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of disposing a biological sample on the analytic plate over a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein in the exposing step the indicium is formed in a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating which is beneath the biological sample. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the opaque developable second coating is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the analytic plate further comprises a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the exposed portion of the at least one of the transparent or invisible first coating and opaque developable second coating becomes dark, darker, opaque, visually different, a different color, or fluoresces, in comparison to the at least one of the transparent or invisible first coating and opaque developable second coating prior to exposure. 
   
   
       11 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material; and 
 a transparent or invisible developable coating which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation and is disposed on the first surface and wherein when at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating is exposed to a photoactivating wavelength or activating heat, the exposed portion is formed into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable coating; and 
   exposing the analytic plate to the photoactivating wavelength or activating heat such that the indicium is formed in the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the analytic plate further comprises a transparent or invisible second coating disposed upon the portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating in which the indicium is formed, wherein the transparent or invisible second coating is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the transparent or invisible second coating is glass or plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein in the analytic plate the transparent or invisible developable first coating extends over only a portion of the first surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein in the analytic plate the transparent or invisible developable first coating extends over substantially the entire first surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the analytic plate comprises a microscope slide and further comprising the step of disposing a biological sample on the analytic plate. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of placing a coverslip over the biological sample and adhering the coverslip to the microscope slide. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating becomes dark, darker, opaque, visually different, a different color, or fluoresces, in comparison to the transparent or invisible developable first coating prior to exposure. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the analytic plate comprises a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the biological sample is placed in a position over at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising exposing the portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating beneath the biological sample to the photoactivating wavelength to form an indicium in the first transparent or invisible developable first coating beneath the biological sample. 
   
   
       22 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:   a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material; and   a transparent or invisible developable first coating which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation and is disposed over the first surface wherein when at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating is exposed to a photoactivating wavelength or an activating heat, the exposed portion is formed into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable first coating; and   a colored and/or opaque second coating disposed beneath a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating, wherein the colored and/or opaque second coating is for providing contrast against the indicium formed in the transparent or invisible developable first coating; and   exposing the analytic plate to the photoactivating wavelength or activating heat such that the indicium is formed in the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating and the colored and/or opaque second coating provides a contrast against the indicium.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the colored and/or opaque second coating is disposed on the second surface opposite and beneath the transparent or invisible developable first coating. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the colored and/or opaque second coating is developable. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the transparent or invisible developable first coating extends over substantially the entire first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the transparent or invisible developable first coating is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating becomes dark, darker, opaque, visually different, a different color, or fluoresces, in comparison to the transparent or invisible developable first coating prior to exposure. 
   
   
       29 . A method of marking a microscope slide, comprising:
 providing a microscope slide comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and having a transparent or invisible developable coating disposed on at least one of the upper surface and lower surface and wherein the transparent or invisible coating is developable via photoactivation or heat activation;   disposing a biological sample on the upper surface of the microscope slide in a position above at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating; and   exposing a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating beneath the biological sample to a photoactivating wavelength or an activating heat, thereby forming the exposed portion into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable coating.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising disposing a coverslip over the biological sample and adhering the coverslip to the microscope slide. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the indicium is used to identify an area of microdissection of the biological sample. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the transparent or invisible developable coating is disposed on the upper surface of the microscope slide. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the transparent or invisible developable coating is disposed on the lower surface of the microscope slide. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the microscope slide further comprises a colored and/or opaque second coating disposed on the upper surface or lower surface thereof for providing a contrasting effect to enhance visualization of a second indicium in the transparent or invisible developable coating. 
   
   
       35 . A method of marking a microscope slide, comprising:
 providing a microscope slide comprising having an upper surface and a lower surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material;   disposing a biological sample on the first surface of the microscope slide;   providing a coverslip having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the coverslip has a transparent or invisible developable coating thereon which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation and which is disposed on at least one of the upper surface and lower surface of the coverslip;   disposing the coverslip over the biological sample and adhering the coverslip to the microscope slide; and   exposing a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating of the coverslip above the biological sample to a photoactivating wavelength or an activating heat, thereby forming the exposed portion into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable coating on the coverslip.   
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  comprising a step of microdissecting a portion of the biological sample before the coverslip is disposed over the biological sample and adhered to the microscope slide wherein the indicium in the exposed portion represents an area of microdissection of the biological sample. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the coverslip has a dry film adhesive on a portion thereof for adhering to the microscope slide. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the transparent or invisible developable coating is disposed on the upper surface of the coverslip. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the transparent or invisible developable coating is disposed on the lower surface of the coverslip. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the microscope slide comprises a colored and/or opaque second coating disposed on the upper surface or lower surface thereof for providing a contrasting effect to enhance visualization of the indicium in the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating of the coverslip. 
   
   
       41 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope slide or coverslip having an upper surface and a lower surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and having a transparent or invisible developable first coating which is developable by photoactivation or by heat activation and which is disposed on the lower surface of the microscope slide or coverslip and having an opaque second coating disposed over a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating to form a covered portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating, wherein the covered portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating is positioned between the lower surface of the microscope slide or coverslip and the opaque second coating; and 
   exposing at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating to a photoactivating wavelength or to an activating heat which is passed through the microscope slide or coverslip forming the exposed portion into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable first coating and wherein the opaque second coating provides a contrasting effect against the indicium in the transparent or invisible developable first coating.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable first coating becomes darker or a different color as compared to the transparent or invisible developable first coating prior to exposure, or becomes fluorescent. 
   
   
       44 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a first microscope slide having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and a transparent or invisible developable coating which is developable by photoactivation or by heat activation and is disposed on the first surface of the first microscope slide, and 
 a coverslip or second microscope slide disposed upon at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating on the first microscope slide, wherein the transparent or invisible developable coating is sandwiched between the first microscope slide and the coverslip or second microscope slide; and 
   exposing a portion of the transparent or invisible developable coating to a photoactivating wavelength or an activating heat, wherein the exposed portion is formed into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the transparent or invisible developable coating.   
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the exposed portion becomes darker or a different color as compared to the transparent or invisible developable coating prior to exposure, or becomes fluorescent. 
   
   
       46 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and having an opaque developable coating which is developable by photoactivation or heat activation and is disposed on at least one of the first surface and second surface of the microscope slide or coverslip; and   exposing a portion of the opaque developable coating to a photoactivating wavelength or activating heat, thereby forming the exposed portion into an indicium which is distinguishable from unexposed portions of the opaque developable coating, and wherein the indicium is formed without etching or ablation of the opaque developable coating.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the opaque developable coating is disposed on the first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the opaque developable coating is disposed on the second surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the opaque developable coating is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the analytic plate has a dry film adhesive thereon when the analytic plate is a coverslip. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the exposed portion of the opaque developable coating becomes dark, darker, visually different, a different color, or fluoresces, in comparison to the opaque developable coating prior to exposure. 
   
   
       52 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic, and having an opaque first coating disposed on the first surface, wherein the opaque first coating is etchable or ablatable to form an indicium therein, and a transparent or invisible developable second coating which is developable by photoactivation or by heat activation and is disposed on the second surface under at least a portion of the opaque first coating; and 
   etching or ablating a portion of the opaque first coating to form the indicium therein, wherein during the etching or ablation of the opaque first coating, at least a portion of the transparent or invisible developable second coating is photoactivated or heat activated thereby causing development of said exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable second coating.   
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the transparent or invisible developable second coating extends over substantially the entire second surface of the microscope slide or coverslip. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52  further comprising a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the exposed portion of the transparent or invisible developable second coating becomes dark, darker, opaque, visually different, a different color, or fluoresces, in comparison to the transparent or invisible developable second coating prior to exposure. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the opaque first coating is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       57 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and having an opaque coating on a portion of the first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip which is ablatable or etchable for forming an indicium therein and which is hydrophobic for inhibiting movement of an aqueous liquid over the coating; and 
   etching or ablating a portion of the opaque coating to form the indicium therein.   
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the exposed portion of the opaque coating becomes darker or a different color as compared to the opaque coating prior to exposure, or becomes fluorescent. 
   
   
       60 . A method of marking an analytic plate, comprising:
 providing an analytic plate comprising:
 a microscope slide or coverslip having a first surface and a second surface and constructed from a glass or plastic material, and having an opaque first coating on a portion of the first surface of the microscope slide or coverslip which is ablatable or etchable for forming an indicium therein, and which is hydrophobic for inhibiting movement of an aqueous liquid thereover, and having an opaque, or colored transparent, or colored translucent second coating disposed upon the second surface below the opaque first coating; and 
   etching or ablating a portion of the opaque first coating to form the indicium therein wherein the second coating provides a contrasting visual effect against the indicium in the opaque first coating.   
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60  further comprising a dry film adhesive disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface when the analytic plate comprises a coverslip. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the exposed portion of the opaque first coating becomes darker or a different color as compared to the opaque first coating prior to exposure, or becomes fluorescent.