System to control the local humidity of a sample during manipulation under a microscope and subsequent transfer to an analytical instrument

{
  "publication_number": "US9789486B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "System to control the local humidity of a sample during manipulation under a microscope and subsequent transfer to an analytical instrument",
  "abstract": "An adaptor to help control local humidity of a sample includes a delivery port having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side. The first side includes an opening that is to be connected to a fluid source. The second side includes a sidewall. A platform extends from the sidewall. A vial holder is connected to the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall is absent above the platform to allow manipulation of the sample.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An adaptor device to hold a vial comprising: a body portion comprising: an input port at a first end of the body portion; a platform at a second end of the body portion, opposite the first end; a fluid passageway extending from the input port towards the platform; a lip extending from a first edge of the platform; a first sidewall extending from a second edge of the platform, opposite the first edge, wherein the first sidewall extends at most partially around the fluid passageway; and a slot extending from an edge of the first sidewall towards the input port that receives an upper portion of the vial, wherein the slot comprises a U-shape and each of a first set of edges of the slot and a second set of edges of the slot, opposite the first set of edges, is rounded; and a vial holder portion, coupled to the first sidewall of the body portion, the vial holder portion comprising: a base, facing the slot, and comprising a first side, and a second side, opposite the first side, the first side comprising a first cavity that receives a bottom portion of the vial, and the second side comprising a second cavity that receives a magnet, wherein the magnet imposes a force on the bottom portion of the vial in a direction from the first side to the second side to removably secure the vial against the base; and a second sidewall extending from the base to the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall extends at most partially around the base.",
    "2. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein an angle between the platform and an axis passing through the base and the slot is about 20 degrees.",
    "3. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein a path of a humid airflow is from the input port, through the fluid passageway, past the upper portion of the vial, and above the platform.",
    "4. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein a transition between the platform and the input port is tapered.",
    "5. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein a material of the adaptor comprises a transparent plastic.",
    "6. The adaptor of claim 1 comprising the magnet, wherein the magnet is coupled within the second cavity by an adhesive.",
    "7. A kit comprising: an adaptor device to hold a vial comprising: a body portion comprising: an input port at a first end of the body portion; a platform at a second end of the body portion, opposite the first end; a fluid passageway extending from the input port towards the platform; a lip extending from a first edge of the platform; a first sidewall extending from a second edge of the platform, opposite the first edge, wherein the first sidewall extends at most partially around the fluid passageway; and a slot extending from an edge of the first sidewall towards the input port that receives an upper portion of the vial, wherein the slot comprises a U-shape and each of a first set of edges of the slot and a second set of edges of the slot, opposite the first set of edges, is rounded; and a vial holder portion, coupled to the first sidewall of the body portion, the vial holder portion comprising: a base, facing the slot, and comprising a first side, and a second side, opposite the first side, the first side comprising a first cavity that receives a bottom portion of the vial, and the second side comprising a second cavity that receives a magnet, wherein the magnet imposes a force on the bottom portion of the vial in a direction from the first side to the second side to removably secure the vial against the base; and a second sidewall extending from the base to the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall extends at most partially around the base; and a vial to be received by the vial holder portion comprising: a vial body; at least one of a thermally resistant coating or sleeve around the vial body; a cap coupled to an end of the vial body to hold a sample; and a metal coupled to an opposite end of the vial body to pull the vial towards the magnet.",
    "8. The kit of claim 7 wherein an angle between the platform and an axis passing through the base and the slot is about 20 degrees.",
    "9. The kit of claim 7 wherein a path of a humid airflow is from the input port, through the fluid passageway, past the upper portion of the vial, and above the platform.",
    "10. The kit of claim 7 wherein a transition between the platform and the input port is tapered.",
    "11. The kit of claim 7 wherein a material of the adaptor comprises a transparent plastic."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to systems and techniques for controlling the local humidity of a sample, in particular in the field of macromolecular crystallography for the purpose of manipulating macromolecular crystals and for transferring macromolecular crystals from their growth wells to an X-ray diffractometer.\n\nIt is common for small (i.e. <1 mm) samples to be manipulated under a stereomicroscope (dissection microscope) for a variety of purposes, such as sample conditioning and sample mounting. A specific example concerns the manipulation of macromolecular crystals, which are typically grown in well plates (24 to 384 wells per plate). Each well is prepared with a solution of the macromolecule of interest and is sealed. Upon equilibration, the well may produce a crystal of the macromolecule. For analysis, the wells are usually opened to allow for mounting of the crystal and transfer to an X-ray diffractometer, using a variety of methods. In some cases, crystals must also be pretreated with solutions prior to mounting for cryoprotection or to provide a ligand of interest. These manipulations require exposure of the crystalline sample to the ambient environment. Such exposure of previously isolated samples to the ambient environment is common in many fields. For samples sensitive to ambient conditions (e.g. humidity and temperature), the exposure during manipulation under the microscope can be damaging to the sample.\n\nEnvironmental chambers designed to be placed on a microscope are commercially available (e.g. chambers for live-cell imaging in fluorescent confocal microscopes and chambers for atomic force microscopy).",
  "cpc": [
    "B01L 9/00",
    "A61J 1/16",
    "B01L 2200/026",
    "B01L 2300/042",
    "B01L 2300/0609",
    "B01L 2300/0858",
    "B01L 2300/10",
    "B01L 2300/12",
    "B01L 2300/1883",
    "B01L 3/561",
    "B01L 9/06"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B01L 3/00",
    "B01L 9/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Whitman College"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Douglas H Juers",
    "Christopher A Farley"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-06-19",
  "publication_date": "2017-10-17",
  "grant_date": "2017-10-17",
  "priority_date": "2014-06-20",
  "application_number": "US-201514744901-A",
  "family_id": "60022496",
  "cited_by_count": 4
}