Patent Publication Number: US-2019193076-A1

Title: Microplate lid

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The ability to accurately measure and manipulate small fluid volumes is an important function in clinical and research laboratories. Drug discovery, immunoassays, molecular diagnostics, cancer research, cell and tissue engineering, and other life science-related work often involves the use of precious fluids and experiments in microtiter/microwell plates (these, and similar vessels, will be hereafter collectively referenced as “microplates”). Microplates provide an array of equal-sized microliter scale reaction vessels (hereafter, “wells”) which enable the user to conduct and compare the results of multiple small volume experiments simultaneously. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an exploded top view of an example of a microplate and microplate lid assembly. 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an exploded partial cross section of a configuration of the example assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a partial cross section of a configuration of the example assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  schematically illustrates the example view of  FIG. 3  in an example use environment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic detail view of area “5” in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a top view of the example assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a bottom view of the example assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic detail view of area “5” in  FIG. 3  in a different configuration than that of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting an example sequence of use of the example assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While a powerful tool, microplate experiments are often time-, labor-, and skill-intensive and may be susceptible to cross-contamination and loading errors (e.g. double-dosing, missed wells, and the like), potentially leading to inaccurate experiment results.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded top view of an example assembly  100  including a microplate lid  102  and a microplate  104 . The microplate  104  includes a plurality of wells  106  and may be of any suitable type. The microplate lid  102  includes a plurality of directing lumens  108 . A plurality of directing lumens  108  (though not necessarily all of them on the microplate lid  102 ) each corresponds in position in the lateral plane (“LP”, in  FIG. 1 ) to a selected one of the plurality of wells  106 . It is contemplated that microplate lids  102  will be available in various configurations, each corresponding to a particular type (e.g., number of wells  106 ) of microplate  104 . 
     The assembly  100  is shown in a side view exploded depiction in  FIG. 2 . The dotted lines  108  representing the directing lumens in  FIG. 2  illustrate the vertical or longitudinal alignment of the various features of the components of the assembly  100  to cooperatively provide fluid communication between the wells  106  and an ambient space  210 . (The longitudinal direction “L” is perpendicular to the lateral plane “LP”.) 
     The microplate lid  102  includes an electronics board  212  including a plurality of board throughholes  214 , with each board throughhole  214  corresponding to locations of the wells  106  of the microplate  104 . That is, the board throughholes  214  are arranged in a predetermined array layout corresponding to well  106  locations of the microplate  104 . The electronics board  212  may be parallel to the lateral plane LP. The electronics board  212  may be a wiring board, printed circuit board (“PCB”), or any other desired type of structure which supports electrical and/or electronic components, circuitry, or the like. 
     A cover plate  216  of the microplate lid  102  includes a plurality of plate throughholes  218 , with each plate throughhole  218  corresponding to a respective board throughholes  214 . Each set of corresponding plate and board throughholes  214  and  218  defines one of a plurality of plate-board throughhole pairs  220  (shown schematically via the encircling dashed line in  FIG. 2 ) of the microplate lid  102 . The plate-board throughhole pairs  220  are arranged in the predetermined array layout, previously mentioned, which corresponds to well  106  locations of the microplate  104 . That is, the plate-board throughhole pairs  220  are aligned, and in fluid communication, with respective wells  106  of the microplate  104  when the microplate lid  102  is located atop the microplate  104 . The cover plate  216  is located atop (i.e., longitudinally above), and can extend parallel to, the electronics board  212  as shown in  FIG. 2 . User-perceptible row and column labels (e.g., lettered rows and numbered columns) and/or individual well  106  labels, can be provided to the cover plate  216  and/or to any other structure of the microplate lid  102  to assist the user with accurately and repeatably identifying a particular well  106  from the array of wells  106  of the microplate  104 . 
     A base plate  222  may be provided to the microplate lid  102 . When present, the base plate  222  includes a plurality of base throughholes  224 , with each base throughhole  224  corresponding to a respective plate-board throughhole pair  220  to define one of a plurality of plate-board-base throughhole stacks  226  (shown schematically via the encircling dashed line in  FIG. 2 , noted as being interrupted for implementations where the intermediate plate discussed below is absent). The plate-board-base throughhole stacks  226  are arranged in the predetermined array layout, previously mentioned, which corresponds to well  106  locations of the microplate  104 . Each of the plurality of plate-board-base throughhole stacks  226  at least partially surrounds a respective directing lumen  108 . The base plate  222  is located directly longitudinally beneath, and can extend parallel to, the electronics board  212 . 
     An intermediate plate  228  may be provided to the microplate lid  102 . When present, the intermediate plate  228  may include a plurality of intermediate throughholes  230 , with each intermediate throughhole  230  corresponding to a respective plate-board-base throughhole stack  226  to at least partially define a plurality of lid throughholes  232  (shown schematically via the encircling dashed line in  FIG. 2 ). The lid throughholes  232  are arranged in the predetermined array layout, previously mentioned, which corresponds to well  106  locations of the microplate  104 . Each lid throughhole  232  at least partially defines a corresponding directing lumen  108 . The intermediate plate  228  is interposed, or located, directly longitudinally between, and can extend parallel to, both the cover plate  216  and the electronics board  212 . 
     A board cavity (shown schematically at  234  in  FIG. 2 ) may be cooperatively defined by the intermediate plate  228  and the base plate  222 . The board cavity  234 , when present, houses the electronics board  212  therein and is sealed against an amount of fluidic entry from the ambient space  210  which is likely to damage the electronics board  212  (e.g., may be completely sealed or may instead permit a de minimis amount of fluid entry which the electronics board  212  can tolerate without harm). Accordingly, the electronics board  212  can be protected from damage due to fluid contact (intentional or unintentional), which may assist with decontamination of the microplate lid  102 . 
     The plurality of directing lumens  108 , as previously mentioned, is at least partially defined by the cover plate  216 . That is, some nonzero portion of each of the plurality of directing lumens  108  is defined by being encircled by a respective plate throughhole  214 . Each directing lumen  108  corresponds to a respective plate throughhole  214 . Since the term “lumen” refers only to a cavity or bore (i.e., a void, not a structure), it should be noted that each directing lumen  108  is defined herein by its surrounding/defining structures such as the board throughhole  214 , plate throughhole  218 , plate-board throughhole pair  220 , base throughhole  224 , plate-board-base throughhole stack  226 , intermediate throughhole  230 , lid throughhole  232 , or some combination thereof. Each directing lumen  108  cancan also or instead be bounded laterally by a directing wall  236  carried by, and extending downward from, the cover plate  216 . When present, the directing walls  108  can extend through the board throughholes  214  to entirely laterally separate the directing lumens  108  from the board throughholes  214 , the plate throughholes  218 , the plate-board throughhole pairs  220 , the base throughholes  224 , the plate-board-base throughhole stacks  226 , the intermediate throughholes  230 , the lid throughholes  232 , or some combination thereof. Through use of the directing walls  108 , the pipette tip can be positioned as desired with respect to the wells  106 , as will be discussed below. 
     Whether or not directing walls  108  are present, the microplate lid  102  can include a bottom plate  238  which includes a plurality of bottom throughholes  240 , with each bottom throughhole  240  corresponding to a respective lid throughhole  232  The bottom plate  238 , when present, may be located directly beneath, and can extend parallel to, the base plate  222 . Some feature of the bottom throughholes  240 , such as the small upward-extending walls shown, can be configured for cooperative engagement with the directing walls  108  to form a “tunnel” through the microplate lid  102 . 
     The microplate lid  102 , and components thereof, may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, plastics (rigid, flexible, or film), glass, epoxy, printed circuit boards (“PCBs”, such as FR-4 or any other composite material composed of woven fiberglass cloth with an epoxy resin binder), and metal (e.g. stainless steel). The microplate lid  102  can be disposable, sterilizable or otherwise reusable, or can include some combination of components each having one of these disposable/reusable abilities. For example, and particularly when the electronics board  212  is housed within a board cavity  234  provided by the base plate  222  and the intermediate plate  228  to form a subassembly, a separate cover plate  216  can be provided. The cover plate  216  (and directing walls  236 , when present) thus can insulate the electronics board  212  subassembly from physical contact with the pipette tip. A bottom plate  238  can also be provided, to separate the electronics board  212  subassembly from physical contact with the microplate  104 . The cover plate  216 , bottom plate  238 , and electronics board  212  subassembly can be sterilizable in any desired manner, such as, but not limited to, autoclaving and wipedowns with decontaminating fluids. For example, the cover plate  216 , bottom plate  238 , base plate  222 , and/or intermediate plate  228  can be made from a material that does not deteriorate from, and may be decontaminated by, contact with bleach, alcohol, ethanol, similar cleaning fluids, solutions thereof, or combinations thereof. Particularly if the electronics board  212  subassembly is sterilizable for reuse, the cover plate  216  and any bottom plate  238  can be disposable, for ease in efficiently and economically presenting a “clean” surface to the pipette and/or microplate  104  for each use of the microplate lid  102 . In another example, the entire microplate lid  102  can be provided as a single unit, which may be completely sealed to protect the electronics board  212  from fluid damage, for reuse or discarding as a single item. 
     The microplate lid  102 , or components thereof, may be designed to include some feature to aid with firm attachment onto the microplate  104  or onto other components of the assembly  100 . The cover plate  216  can be configured to attach to the electronics board  212  subassembly to be easily handled together in a unitary manner. These attachments can be permanent or reversible, and can be accomplished in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, a “snap-on” type frictional or interference fit. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an assembled view of the assembly  100  shown exploded in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , the microplate lid  102  is situated atop the microplate  104 .  FIG. 4  then depicts a pipette tip  442  associated with the assembly  100  which is sequentially dispensing a fluid  444  into the wells  106 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fluid  444  has already been dispensed into the first and second wells  106  from the right, and is in the process of being dispensed into the third well  106  from the right.  FIG. 5  is an enlarged view similar to the indicated area “5” in  FIG. 4 . 
     The microplate lid  102  may be helpful when dealing with very small quantities or volumes of fluid  444 . For example, the microplate lid  102  can be used in conjunction with dispensing nanoliter- and/or picoliter-scale amounts of material. While current commercially-available microplates  104  and accessories (such as pipettors/pipettes) allege accuracy down to approximately half-microliter scale, it has been found that dispensing of fluids from known pipettors/pipettes is only accurate up to about two microliters. At these very small scales, static forces and angled pipette tip  442  insertions can result in significant quantities of the fluid  444  being “wasted” by coating the sidewalls  546  of the wells  106 . This “wasted” fluid is not available for use in the wells  106 , and may result in unwanted or misleading test results, for example, particularly when combined with known small-scale accuracy issues of pipette tips  442 . Accordingly, the directing lumens  108  (one shown in dash-dot line in  FIG. 5 ) and surrounding structures of the microplate lid  102  can be configured to direct the pipette tip  442  longitudinally and/or laterally to assist with dispensing of a desired quantity of fluid  444  directly toward a bottom surface  548  of each well  106 , while avoiding contact between the fluid  444  and the sidewalls  546  of the wells  106 . The microplate lid  102  can direct the pipette tip  442  longitudinally by admitting the pipette tip  442  into the volume of the well  106 , such as into the “negative pen-to-paper spacing” shown in  FIG. 5 , where the pipette tip  442  extends entirely through the lid throughhole  232 . The lateral dimensions of the directing lumen  108  can be designed to prevent insertion of a tapering pipette tip  442  beyond a predetermined amount. Lateral direction of the pipette tip  442  can be provided by contact between the directing wall  236  and the pipette tip  442 , and/or simply through location of the directing lumen  108  in lateral relation to the sidewalls  546  of the microplate  104 . 
     It is contemplated that a single microplate lid  102  can be “adjustable” for different microplate  104  use situations. For example, a plurality of cover plates  216 , each having differently configured plate throughholes  218 , can be provided—perhaps a “dry” cover plate  216  can have larger plate throughholes  218  and thus a larger directing lumen  108  effective size, thus permitting deeper penetration by a tapered pipette tip  442 , than a “wet” cover plate  216  (with the shallower penetration in the “wet” version helping to keep a pipette tip  442  from contacting fluid  444  already present within the wells  106 ). In another example, a single microplate lid  102  can include a plurality of directing lumen  108  effective sizes, either in different lateral locations along the microplate lid  102  or even in a “multi-use” microplate lid  102  which admits a pipette tip  442  to one depth when “face up” and to a different depth when reversed to a “face down” orientation. 
     Turning to the top view of  FIG. 6 , the microplate lid  102  can include a plurality of user-perceptible array indicators  650  provided to the electronics board  212 . Each array indicator  650  is associated with a different directing lumen  108  (i.e., a different board throughhole  214 , plate throughhole  218 , plate-board throughhole pair  220 , base throughhole  224 , plate-board-base throughhole stack  226 , intermediate throughhole  230 , lid throughhole  232 , or some combination thereof, depending upon microplate lid  102  configuration) than is every other array indicator  650 . For most use environments, each directing lumen  108  will have its own array indicator  650 . 
     The array indicators  650  may be configured to provide a signal or other indication which is perceptible to a user, with or without a perception aid (such as special glasses)—this type of output of the array indicators  650  will be characterized herein as a “user-perceptible indication”. For example, a user-perceptible indication can include at least one of visible light (of at least one color), non-visible light (e.g., infrared and/or ultraviolet), an audible tone, or any other indication which allows a user to perceive a difference between an “actuated” and a “non-actuated” array indicator  650 . For many use environments, the array indicators  650  will include at least one light-emitting diode (“LEDs”), but can also or instead include liquid crystal display technology and/or fiber optics or other light guide structures. Non-visible spectrum light, such as infrared and/or ultraviolet, can be particularly useful if the fluid  444  or another substance used in the microplate  104  work is light-sensitive, or if the pipette tip  442  is slightly fluorescent. The array indicators  650  can be actuated in any desired manner. For example, when the array indicators  650  are LEDs arranged in rows and columns, the row can be powered and the column grounded for a particular LED at the intersection of that row/column to turn on. 
     The array indicators  650  may be used in any desired manner to selectively indicate at least one directing lumen  108 . (A “selective” indication, as used herein, is one which is actuated as desired to convey particular information.) For example, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , a particular directing lumen  108 A is of interest. The specific array indicator  650 A associated with that directing lumen  108 A can be actuated to guide the user&#39;s attention to that subject directing lumen  108 A, in any manner and for any reason, such as to let the user know that fluid  444  should be dispensed into that directing lumen  108 A next. At least one other of the plurality of array indicators  650  can also or instead be actuated, along with or instead of the specific array indicator  650 A, to assist with conveying information to the user about the particular directing lumen  108 A. For example, the array indicators  650  along the “row” and/or “column” of that directing lumen  108 A can be actuated, either steadily or in an “airport runway” type sequential manner, to draw the user&#39;s attention to the subject directing lumen  108 A. 
     A relatively simple implementation of the microplate lid  102  can include one-at-a-time actuation of the array indicators  650  to provide a “binary” type on/off signal or indication of a single color for a single directing lumen  108 . A more complex implementation can involve simultaneous actuation of a plurality of the array indicators  650  to convey additional information, such as letting a user know which of the wells  106  have received fluid  444  (e.g., via red LED illumination), which have not (e.g., via green LED illumination), and which directing lumen  108  should be the next one accessed with the pipette tip  442  (e.g., via blinking and/or white LED illumination). One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to provide a suitable indication scheme for a particular use environment which apprises a user of desired information regarding the microplate  104 , with the assistance of the available types of user-perceptible indications provided by the array indicators  650 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the microplate lid  102 , showing an underside of the base plate  222 . Each base throughhole  224  has an associated array indicator  650 , as previously mentioned. The array indicators  224  may be located on the electronics board  212 , the base plate  222 , the cover plate  216 , or any other structure of the microplate lid  102 . However, for some use environments, it will be desirable for the array indicators  650  to be protected from contact with fluid  444  in the ambient space  210  and/or the wells  106 , such as by being sealed inside the board cavity  234 . 
     In some examples, it is also desirable for the array indicators  650  to be configured (e.g., positioned, shielded, and/or masked) to clearly indicate, as shown in  FIG. 8 , only a single desired directing lumen  108 A. If light from one array indicator  650  were to “bleed over” into directing lumens  108  adjacent to the particular subject directing lumen  108 A, confusion and potential adverse effects can result. To that end, the cover plate  216 , the base plate  222 , the electronics board  212 , or any other structure of the microplate lid  102  can include transparent portions, translucent portions, opaque portions, apertures, and/or any other desired features to assist with affecting user perception of the actuation/non-actuation state of the array indicators  650  to reduce the likelihood of a mistaken “indication” of a directing lumen  108  that is not the desired subject directing lumen  108 A. For example, if the array indicators  650  are LEDs, the LEDs can be masked via transparent and opaque portions of remaining microplate lid  102  structures to specifically direct light energy toward each associated directing lumen  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of aperture sensors  852  can be provided to the electronics board  212  or to any other portion of the microplate lid  102 . For example, an aperture sensor  852  could include one or more of a distance sensor, a sensor equipped to detect matter within a corresponding directing lumen  108 , a light sensor, or any other desired type of sensor. When present, each aperture sensor  852  may be associated with a corresponding directing lumen  108  (i.e., a different board throughhole  214 , plate throughhole  218 , plate-board throughhole pair  220 , base throughhole  224 , plate-board-base throughhole stack  226 , intermediate throughhole  230 , lid throughhole  232 , or some combination thereof, depending upon microplate lid  102  configuration) for indicating at least one of the presence and absence of a structure, such as a pipette tip  442 , extending at least partially through the directing lumen  108 . To that end, the aperture sensors  852  can include photoelectric, conduction, or any other sensing capacity. Additional sensors (not shown), of any suitable type, can be provided to indicate other conditions of the assembly  100  or portions thereof, such as, but not limited to, sensors for detecting the presence of fluid  444  in the wells  106 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , the electronics board  212  can include an input/output device (shown schematically at  654 ) for transmitting electronic signals between different components of the apparatus  100  and a remotely located control device  656 . The term “electronic signals” encompasses, but is not limited to, power transfer, control signals from the control device  656 , and reporting signals from the microplate lid  102  or components thereof. This signal transmission is represented schematically by the “lightning bolt” icon in  FIG. 6 , and can be done in any suitable wired and/or wireless manner. For example, a USB interface or other suitable component can be an input/output device  654 , allowing electronic signals to be transmitted via wire between the control device  656  and the microplate lid  102 . 
     It should be noted that when the connection is wired, such as via a USB connector, sealing of the board cavity  234  may be complicated by the need for the wire to extend between the electronics board  212  and the ambient space  210 . Thus, particularly when the electronics board  212  subassembly is intended for sterilization and reuse, a wireless connection may be desirable, such as via induction and/or Bluetooth signaling. 
     Regardless of type, the input/output device  654 , when present, may assist with transmitting electronic signals between at least a chosen two items from some combination of at least one of the plurality of array indicators  650 , at least one of the plurality of aperture sensors  852 , an onboard battery (not shown) associated with the electronics board  212 , and a remotely located control device  656 , for any reason and in any desired configuration. The electronic signals can include real-time or pre-programmed instructions for actuating or changing configuration/type of at least one array indicator  650 , readings from the aperture sensors  852  relating to sensed presence of a structure (such as the pipette tip  442 ) in the directing lumen  108 , fluid  444  presence, fluid  444  dispensed, time fluid  444  in well  106 , local fluid  444  temperature, general error, specific error, pipette tip  442  insertion depth, any type of warning, correct pipette alignment with directing lumen  108 , and/or any other desired signals. 
     The microplate lid  102  will be useful in helping to direct a pipette tip  442  relative to a microplate  104 . Thus, the assembly  100  can be used as follows. A microplate lid  102 , such as one configured at least partially as described above, can be placed atop the microplate  104  with at least one directing lumen  108  aligned, and in fluid communication, with a respective well  106  of the microplate  104 . With a chosen array indicator  108 A, a user-perceptible signal can be provided to indicate at least a portion of a selected directing lumen  108  (i.e., a different board throughhole  214 , plate throughhole  218 , plate-board throughhole pair  220 , base throughhole  224 , plate-board-base throughhole stack  226 , intermediate throughhole  230 , lid throughhole  232 , or some combination thereof, depending upon microplate lid  102  configuration) to a user. As an example, an area of the microplate lid  102  corresponding to the selected directing lumen  108  may be illuminated. 
     The pipette tip  442  is initially accepted into the selected directing lumen  108 , or portion thereof. The initially accepted pipette tip  442  is then inserted entirely through the plate-board throughhole pair  220  associated with that directing lumen  108 . The microplate lid  102 , or at least one structure thereof, is used to urge the pipette tip  442  into a desired lateral position with respect to a corresponding well  106 . 
     At any time relative to the insertion and lateral positioning of the pipette tip  442  with respect to the selected directing lumen  108 , a plurality of array indicators  650  can be actuated to each exhibit different user-perceptible signals. For example, red or green LEDs can be used to indicate empty or full wells  106 , respectively. Regardless of the signal scheme, the different user-perceptible signals can be employed according to a predetermined “code” to indicate a corresponding plurality of microplate conditions to the user. 
     The presence of a pipette tip  442  at least partially through the selected directing lumen  108  can be detected, such as via the aforementioned aperture sensors  852 . Actuation of the pipette tip  442  can then be authorized (such as by some combination of the input/output device  654  and the control device  656 ) responsive to the detected presence of the pipette tip  42  through the selected directing lumen  108 . 
     The microplate lid  102  can form a portion of a “smart” system that prompts the user to insert the pipette tip  442  into a selected directing lumen  108 A, detects whether the pipette tip  442  is inserted into the proper directing lumen  108 A, and then reacts accordingly. If the pipette tip  442  is inserted into a different directing lumen  108  than that desired, the system can alert the user of the error in any desired manner. When the pipette tip  442  is inserted into the desired directing lumen  108 A, the system can actuate the pipette tip  442  to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid  444  into the well  106  corresponding to that directing lumen  108 A. (This may be helpful in avoiding user inconvenience related to repeated pipette actuation.) The system can then deactivate or change the array indicator  650  to communicate to the user that the dispensation for that directing lumen  108 A is complete and/or that the pipette tip  442  can be removed from the directing lumen  108 A. The system may sense that the pipette tip  442  has been removed from the directing lumen  108 A, and may then start the cycle again with a different desired directing lumen  108 . 
     It is contemplated that the microplate lid  102  can include onboard processing capabilities and act at least partially autonomously in controlling the array indicators  650 . In another example, at least a portion of the control of the features and capabilities of the microplate lid  102  can be done remotely, via a control device  656  which may also include some passive or active connections to other tools or devices for that particular use environment. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting an example method of directing a pipette tip  442  relative to a microplate  104 . In first action block  958 , a microplate lid  102  is placed atop the microplate  104  with at least one directing lumen  108  of the microplate lid  102  being aligned, and in fluid communication, with a respective well  106  of the microplate  104 . Each directing lumen  108  may be at least partially defined by a cover plate  216  of the microplate lid  102 . In second action block  960 , a user-perceptible signal is provided with a chosen array indicator  108 A of a plurality of array indicators  108  provided to an electronics board  212  of the microplate lid  102 , to indicate a selected plate-board throughhole pair  220  of the microplate lid  102  to a user. Each array indicator  108  is associated with a different plate-board throughhole pair  220  than every other array indicator  108 . In third action block  962 , the pipette tip  442  is initially accepted into the selected plate-board throughhole pair  220 . In fourth action block  964 , insertion of the initially accepted pipette tip  442  entirely through the selected plate-board throughhole pair  220  is guided. In fifth action block  966 , the pipette tip  442  is urged with the microplate lid  102  into a desired lateral position with respect to a corresponding well  106  of the microplate  104 . 
     Relative terms used to describe the structural features of the figures illustrated herein, such as above and below, up and down, first and second, near and far, etc., are in no way limiting to conceivable implementations. For instance, where examples of the structure described herein are described in terms consistent with the figures being described, and actual structures can be viewed from a different perspective, such that above and below may be inverted, e.g., below and above, or placed on a side, e.g., left and right, etc. Such other interpretations are fully embraced and explained by the figures and description provided herein. When a plurality of elements pictured in a Figure are at least substantially the same, only a subset of them may be labeled with element numbers for clarity, but no significance should be attached to the presence or absence of an element number on specific ones of that plurality of elements. While the fluid  444  is described herein as being “dispensed”, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to interpret the described structures and actions for use with any other action (e.g., collection of fluid) by a pipette during microplate  104  use. 
     What have been described above are examples. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methods, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of this application, including the appended claims. Additionally, where the disclosure or claims recite “a,” “an,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include at least one such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, and the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at least in part on.