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(11) | EP 1 316 360 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Fabrication methods for thin-well microplate |
| (57) A thin-well microplate and methods of manufacturing same are provided, wherein the
thin-well microplate is conducive for use with automated equipment, and in high temperature
procedures. The thin-well microplate is constructed of two components including a
skirt and frame portion (11) and a well and deck portion (12) with a plurality of
sample wells; both portions being joined to form a unitary microplate. The skirt and
frame portion and the well and deck portion are each constructed of the material that
will allow each portion to withstand high temperature conditions and use of automated
equipment, while retaining the physical characteristics each portion requires for
optimal performance of the thin-well microplate. Such physical characteristics include
rigidity of the skirt and frame portion and thin-walled sample wells of the well and
deck portion to permit optimal thermal transfer and biocompatibility. Methods of construction
include forming the thin-well microplate as a unitary plate in a single, two-step
process, wherein the skirt and frame portion is constructed of a suitable first material
in a first step and the deck and frame portion is formed integral with the skirt and
frame portion in a second step of a suitable second material. Another method of construction
includes forming the unitary thin-well microplate in two separate manufacturing processes,
wherein the skirt and frame portion is constructed of the first material in a first
process and the deck and well portion constructed of the second material in a second
process, those portions being thereafter, permanently joined by an adhesive system
to form the unitary plate. |