Laboratory instrument and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A method of operating a laboratory instrument, wherein the laboratory instrument is configured to receive a sample rack having one or more sample tubes, the laboratory instrument comprising a robotic head operably connected to a pipettor capable of being brought into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position in the laboratory instrument, wherein the laboratory instrument receives the sample rack along only one direction, an insertion direction, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- (a) receiving the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and
(b) loading, via the robotic head, the sample rack into the operating position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.
9 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of operating a laboratory instrument, wherein the laboratory instrument is configured to receive a sample rack having one or more sample tubes, the laboratory instrument comprising a robotic head operably connected to a pipettor capable of being brought into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position in the laboratory instrument, wherein the laboratory instrument receives the sample rack along only one direction, an insertion direction, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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(a) receiving the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and (b) loading, via the robotic head, the sample rack into the operating position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. A laboratory instrument configured to receive a sample rack with one or more sample tubes, wherein the laboratory instrument comprises an insertion guide configured to receive the sample rack along a only one direction, an insertion direction, and wherein a robotic head operably connected to a pipettor and configured to (a) load the sample rack into an operating position within the laboratory instrument, and (b) bring the pipettor into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position.
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16. A computer program product comprising machine executable code for execution by a controller for a laboratory instrument, wherein the laboratory instrument comprises an insertion guide configured to receive a sample rack along only one direction, an insertion direction, in the laboratory instrument, and wherein the sample comprises one or more sample tubes and the controller is configured to (a) control a robotic head to load the sample rack into an operating position in the laboratory instrument;
- and (b) control a robotic head to bring a pipettor into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in the operating position.
Specification