US 11,933,746 B2
Device for hosting a probe solution of molecules in a plurality of independent cells
Soichiro Tsujino, Endingen (CH); Takashi Tomizaki, Baden (CH); and Michal Kepa, Basel (CH)
Assigned to Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI (CH)
Appl. No. 17/781,098
Filed by Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI (CH)
PCT Filed Nov. 16, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/082185
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 31, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/104906, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 19212142 (EP), filed on Nov. 28, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0404296 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 23/20 (2018.01); G01N 23/20016 (2018.01); G01N 23/20025 (2018.01); G01N 23/205 (2018.01)
CPC G01N 23/20025 (2013.01) [G01N 23/20016 (2013.01); G01N 23/205 (2013.01); G01N 2223/0561 (2013.01); G01N 2223/307 (2013.01); G01N 2223/309 (2013.01); G01N 2223/321 (2013.01); G01N 2223/3306 (2013.01); G01N 2223/40 (2013.01); G01N 2223/501 (2013.01); G01N 2223/602 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for growing crystals of molecules from a crystallization medium containing the molecules in droplets held by a plurality of sample holders, the device comprising:
a) a plurality of independent cells provided by an array of wells and a top plate and a bottom plate thereby forming volumes for the plurality of sample holders; each of said wells being formed to host a sample holder of the plurality of sample holders between said top plate and said bottom plate and at least one of said top plate or bottom plate is formed with openings equipped with removable caps;
b) said plurality of independent cells made up of stacks of independent cells formed by said top plate, at least one sample holder frame, said bottom plate, and spacer layers;
c) spacer bars around said sample holder that are connected to said at least one sample holder frame, wherein each of said wells is adapted to be in equilibrium with a vapor of a solution in a space above and below said sample holder through the openings between said sample holder and said at least one sample holder frame;
d) wherein a volume of each well is adjustable by a thickness of said caps selected for a respective said well;
e) said top plate, said bottom plate, said caps, and said spacer layers being formed of waterproof material and said sample holder being formed as a thin plate configured to reduce X-ray scattering.