DropPlate16/96

The Trinean DropPlate16/96 chip has been designed for use with the DropSense96. A single DropPlate chip contains 16 input reservoirs for sample storage and fixed dual pathlength measurement structures. For high throughput testing or testing in an automated workflow, assembly of 6 DropPlates on a frame will generate a 96well microfluidic plate with identical dimensions as a standard 96well plate (SBS standard), assuring compatibility with liquid handling robots. For manual use, 1 to 6 DropPlates can be used on the frame creating a flexible set-up measuring 1 to 96 sample simultaneously. Moreover, the DropPlates can be reused until all input reservoirs have been filled.

After inserting a DropPlate16/96 chip into the DropSense96, a dual pathlength measurement is performed (0.2mm and 1.0mm), generating a large concentration measurement range. The microfluidic chip provides steady measuring conditions due to fixed pathlengths and elimination of solvent evaporation, leading to enhanced reproducibility.

• 0,5-2,5 µl samples

• 16 to 96 sample disposabletechnology

• Compatible with liquid handling robots

• No sample evaporation

• Dynamic range: 2-3.500 ng/µl dsDNA

• No sample dilution needed

Microfluidics
Microfluidic chips are planar structures with input and output vessels, small channels and more complex structures for mixing, filtering or incubation, used for handling and characterizing of small fluidic samples. Microfluidic chips are used in various domains, including life sciences and chemistry. However, there was no good approach for light absorption measurements in microfluidic chips.

Trinean developed a novel patent protected plastic chip with 16 or 96 reservoirs. This DropPlate® is specifically designed for precise UV/VIS absorption measurements of very small samples with a large measurement range. The measurement range of a standard 10mm cuvette in an UV/vis spectrophotometer is typically OD=0.005 to OD=3. When using a Trinean DropPlate, the measurement range is increased to OD=0.05 to OD=90, and the sample volume is reduced to 2-uL. This is a 6-fold increase of the measurement range, with a 500-fold reduction of the sample size.

Step 1
Fluid is dispensed into the input well. Dispensing is done manually or via a liquid dispensing robot. The chip is not in the DropSense system during dispensing.

Step 2
Fluid is drawn into the capillary channel due to capillary action (hydrophillized COC material). The chip is now ready to be loaded into the system. A first optical measurment will be performed to verify the absorption of the chip material. No sample is yet in the optical pathway.

Step3
The first chamber is filled by applying a small vacuum pressure at the evacuation hole above the spill chamber. This pressure is supplied by an external source, integrated into the DropSense system. Another optical measurement is performed.

Step 4
The second chamber is also filled (first chamber remains filled too) by applying a higher vacuum pressure. Another optical measurement is performed.