US 12,226,777 B2
Apparatus for resolving imaging problems caused by the meniscus
Graham F. Milne, Ventura, CA (US); and Tony Y. Wang, League City, TX (US)
Assigned to AMGEN INC., Thousand Oaks, CA (US)
Appl. No. 17/415,442
Filed by AMGEN INC., Thousand Oaks, CA (US)
PCT Filed Dec. 16, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/066454
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 17, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/131662, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 25, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/781,797, filed on Dec. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0040689 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01F 23/00 (2022.01); B01F 23/41 (2022.01); B01F 101/23 (2022.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); B23Q 17/24 (2006.01); C07K 14/705 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12Q 1/04 (2006.01); C12Q 1/18 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01); G01N 21/3577 (2014.01); G01N 21/359 (2014.01); G01N 21/39 (2006.01); G01N 21/45 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); G01N 21/77 (2006.01); G01N 21/78 (2006.01); G01N 27/414 (2006.01); G01N 30/12 (2006.01); G01N 30/68 (2006.01); G01N 30/70 (2006.01); G01N 30/72 (2006.01); G01N 30/88 (2006.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); G01N 33/18 (2006.01); G01N 33/50 (2006.01); G01N 33/53 (2006.01); G01N 33/543 (2006.01); G01N 33/68 (2006.01); G01N 33/74 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01); G06T 7/90 (2017.01); H10K 10/46 (2023.01); H10K 85/00 (2023.01); H10K 85/20 (2023.01)
CPC B01L 3/50853 (2013.01) [B01L 9/523 (2013.01); G01N 21/17 (2013.01); B01L 2300/046 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1765 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0639 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
3. A method for imaging a fluid sample in a vessel, the method comprising:
inserting at least a distal end surface of an insertion element into the fluid sample in the vessel,
wherein at least a portion of the insertion element is transparent,
wherein the distal end surface includes an apex that extends further into the vessel than any other portion of the distal end surface, and
wherein the apex is an apex plane having a diameter that is less than one half of a maximum diameter of the distal end surface; wherein:
the apex plane forms a circle;
the insertion element includes a proximal end opposite the distal end surface;
the distal end surface includes a plurality of planar tiers that (i) form concentric rings around the apex plane and (ii) are sized to extend into the well; and
each successive planar tier, when progressing outwardly from the apex plane towards a perimeter of the distal end surface, is closer to the proximal end of the insertion element than is the previous planar tier;
positioning the vessel in an optical path of an imager;
illuminating the vessel while the insertion element is inserted into the fluid sample in the vessel; and
capturing, by the imager, an image of the illuminated vessel while the insertion element is inserted into the fluid sample in the vessel.