WO2026019489A1 - Lid for sealing polymerase chain reaction (pcr) plate - Google Patents

Abstract

In some examples, a lid may include a seal disposed on a bottom surface of the lid. The lid may include a top surface and the bottom surface. The lid may further include a plurality of springs formed on the seal, where at least one spring of the plurality of springs includes a cylindrical configuration.

Description

20240104-02 LID FOR SEALING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) PLATE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63/673,034, filed July 18, 2024, titled “LID FOR SEALING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) PLATE”, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] In a workstation, such as a liquid handling workstation, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate may be utilized to hold tubes that include liquid material. The PCR plate may be closed by a lid during movement thereof, as well as to prevent evaporation and contamination during thermal cycling.

20240104-02 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0003] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limited in the following figure(s), in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which: [0004] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a lid for sealing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate (hereinafter “PCR lid”), illustrating the PCR lid in an inverted configuration to illustrate a seal and springs, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; [0005] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the PCR plate without the PCR lid of Figure 1, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; [0006] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the PCR lid of Figure 1 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate, and a sectional view to illustrate location of springs, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; [0007] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the PCR lid of Figure 1 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; and [0008] Figure 5 illustrates sectional and associated enlarged views to illustrate the PCR lid of Figure 1 in not compressed and compressed configurations, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 20240104-02 DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. [0010] Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "a" and "an" are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to, the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on. [0011] A lid for sealing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate (hereinafter “PCR lid”) is disclosed herein. The PCR lid may be a disposable and stackable lid designed to seal, for example, PCR plates on liquid handling workstations. The PCR lid may apply gentle pressure to prevent evaporation and contamination during thermal cycling. The PCR lid may be made from an amorphous or semi-crystalline material such as high impact polystyrene, and a seal thereof may be formed of types of Thermoplastic Elastomers. [0012] According to examples disclosed herein, during thermocycling when there is a pressure build up and a seal may stick to top of a PCR plate, springs as disclosed herein help release this suction to allow a robot arm to grab the PCR lid without taking the PCR plate with it. [0013] According to examples disclosed herein, the PCR lid prevents evaporation of a sample during temperature cycling. Further, the PCR lid prevents contamination from 20240104-02 external sources, while maintaining integrity of a reaction. [0014] According to examples disclosed herein, a lid may include a seal disposed on a bottom surface of the lid. The lid may include a top surface and the bottom surface. The lid may further include a plurality of springs formed on the seal, where at least one spring of the plurality of springs includes a cylindrical configuration. [0015] According to examples disclosed herein, the seal and the plurality of springs formed on the seal are formed of types of Thermoplastic Elastomers. [0016] According to examples disclosed herein, the plurality of springs may be symmetrical formed on the seal. Alternatively, the plurality of springs may be asymmetrical formed on the seal. [0017] According to examples disclosed herein, the plurality of springs may be arranged to contact a surface of a PCR plate. [0018] According to examples disclosed herein, the top surface of the lid may include a solid configuration without openings. [0019] According to examples disclosed herein, the top surface of the lid may include a solid configuration without openings in vicinity of the springs. [0020] According to examples disclosed herein, the lid may be a PCR lid configured to seal a PCR plate. [0021] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a lid for sealing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate (hereinafter “PCR lid 100”), illustrating the PCR lid 100 in an inverted configuration to illustrate a seal and springs, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 20240104-02 [0022] Referring to Figure 1, the PCR lid 100 is illustrated as including a seal 102 and springs 104 (e.g., 104-1, 104-2, …, 104-n). The PCR lid 100 may include the seal 102 disposed on a bottom surface 106 of the PCR lid 100. In this regard, the PCR lid 100 may include a top surface 108 (e.g., see also Figure 3) and the bottom surface 106. [0023] In the example of Figure 1, the PCR lid 100 may include fourteen springs that are symmetrically disposed. Alternatively, the springs may be asymmetrically disposed. The PCR lid 100 may be formed of materials such as high impact polyurethane. The seal 102 and springs 104 may be formed of types of Thermoplastic Elastomers. In this regard, the springs 104 may be formed on the seal 102 (e.g., the springs 104 may be formed with the seal 102). [0024] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a PCR plate 200 without the PCR lid 100, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. [0025] Referring to Figure 2, the PCR plate 200 may include a frame 202. In the example shown, the frame 202 may be formed of polycarbonate. Further, the PCR plate 200 may include tubes 204. In the example shown, the tubes 204 may be formed of polypropylene. Further, in the example shown, the PCR plate 200 may include 96 tubes 204. [0026] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the PCR lid 100 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate 200, and a sectional view to illustrate location of the springs 104, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. [0027] Referring to Figure 3, an isometric view of the PCR lid 100 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate 200 is shown at 300. Further, a sectional view A-A to 20240104-02 illustrate location of the springs 104 is shown at 302. In this regard, the sectional view A- A shows the fourteen springs that are symmetrically disposed. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, top surface 304 of the lid is solid (e.g., without openings), particularly in the vicinity of the springs 104. While other areas of the lid may have openings, the area directly above the springs 104 is solid. [0028] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the PCR lid 100 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. [0029] Referring to Figure 4, a top view of the PCR lid 100 in an assembled configuration on the PCR plate 200 is shown primarily to illustrate location of section B-B to illustrate the sectional and associated enlarged views of Figure 5. [0030] Figure 5 illustrates sectional and associated enlarged views to illustrate the PCR lid 100 in not compressed and compressed configurations, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. [0031] Referring to Figure 5, sectional views B-B are shown at 500 and 502 to illustrate the PCR lid 100, respectively, in not compressed and compressed configurations. Further, associated enlarged views from the sectional views 500 and 502 are shown, respectively, at 504 and 506. The not compressed views at 500 and 504 show the springs 104 (e.g., one spring shown) in an expanded configuration. The compressed views at 502 and 506 show the springs 104 (e.g., one spring shown) in a compressed configuration. [0032] As can be seen by the views at 504 and 506, the springs 104 may be formed as cylindrical structures with a wall 508 surrounding a hollow area 510. When the springs 20240104-02 104 of the PCR lid 100 are positioned against the PCR plate 200, the springs 104 contact intermediate areas 512 between the tubes 204 (see also Figure 3, Section A-A). As the PCR lid 100 is pushed towards the PCR plate 200, the wall 508 of the springs 104 compress as shown at 514. [0033] Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 5, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, top surface 304 of the lid is solid (e.g., without openings), particularly in the vicinity of the springs 104. While other areas of the lid may have openings, the area directly above the springs 104 is solid. In this regard, the solid areas (e.g., as shown at 516) of the PCR lid 100 above the springs 104 (e.g., in the vicinity of the springs) provide a surface against which the springs 104 may push against so as to compress against the PCR plate 200 as shown at 514. [0034] What has been described and illustrated herein is an example along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims -- and their equivalents -- in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

20240104-02 What is claimed is: 1. A lid comprising: a seal disposed on a bottom surface of the lid, wherein the lid includes a top surface and the bottom surface; and a plurality of springs formed on the seal, at least one spring of the plurality of springs including a cylindrical configuration. 2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the seal and the plurality of springs formed on the seal are formed of types of Thermoplastic Elastomers. 3. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs are symmetrical formed on the seal. 4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs are asymmetrical formed on the seal. 5. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged to contact a surface of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate. 20240104-02 6. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the lid includes a solid configuration without openings. 7. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the lid includes a solid configuration without openings in vicinity of the springs. 8. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lid configured to seal a PCR plate. 9. A lid comprising: a plurality of springs formed on a seal, wherein a top surface of the lid includes a solid configuration without openings in vicinity of the springs. 10. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the seal and the plurality of springs formed on the seal are formed of types of Thermoplastic Elastomers. 11. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of springs are symmetrical formed on the seal. 20240104-02 12. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of springs are asymmetrical formed on the seal. 13. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged to contact a surface of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate. 14. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the top surface of the lid includes the solid configuration without openings anywhere on the top surface. 15. The lid according to claim 9, wherein at least one spring of the plurality of springs includes a cylindrical configuration.. 16. The lid according to claim 9, wherein the lid is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lid configured to seal a PCR plate. 17. A lid comprising: a seal disposed on a bottom surface of the lid, wherein the lid includes a top surface and the bottom surface; and a plurality of springs formed on the seal and including a cylindrical configuration.. 20240104-02 18. The lid according to claim 17, wherein the top surface of the lid includes a solid configuration without openings. 19. The lid according to claim 18, wherein the top surface of the lid includes a solid configuration without openings in vicinity of the springs. 20. The lid according to claim 17, wherein the lid is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lid configured to seal a PCR plate.