Multi-well rotary synthesizer

• US 20010051114A1
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Inventors: McLuen, Gary R., Hugens, Daniel W., Hanney, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,811,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/131
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/00 Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00286 Reactor vessels with top and bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00308 interchangeably mounted in racks or blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00326 Movement by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00353 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00423 using filtration, e.g. through porous frits
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0072 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 : Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system. The controller rotates the cartridge and operates the banks of valves and the waste tube system in response to the required sequence of dispensing various reagent solutions and flushing appropriate vials in order to form the desired polymer chain within each vial.

Claims

1. A synthesizer for forming a polymer chain by sequentially adding monomer units found in one of a plurality of reagent solutions, the synthesizer comprising:

a. a first vial and a second vial, wherein the first vial and the second vial are configured for holding the plurality of reagent solutions;

b. means for dispensing configured for dispensing the plurality of reagent solutions into the first and second vials; and

c. means for selectively expelling material from the first and second vials, configured for coupling to the first and second vials and purging material from a selective one of the first vial and the second vial.

2. The synthesizer according to

claim 1

further comprising a cartridge configured for holding the first vial and the second vial.

3. The synthesizer according to

claim 2

wherein the cartridge holds the first vial and the second vial along a circular perimeter of the cartridge.

4. The synthesizer according to

claim 3

further comprising a motor coupled to the cartridge configured for selectively rotating the cartridge relative to the means for sequentially dispensing.

5. The synthesizer according to

claim 4

further comprising a drain plate coupled to the cartridge for separating the first vial into a first bank of vials and the second vial into a second bank of vials.

6. The synthesizer according to

claim 1

further comprising a chamber bowl coupled to the means for selectively expelling wherein the chamber bowl contains any spilled material.

7. The synthesizer according to

claim 6

further comprising a seal coupled to the chamber bowl to prevent spilled material from escaping outside the chamber bowl.

8. The synthesizer according to

claim 1

wherein the means for selectively expelling further comprises:

a. means for forming a pressure differential between a first opening and a second opening of the selective one of the first vial and the second vial; and

b. a waste tube to collect material expelled from the selective one of the first vial and the second vial.

9. The synthesizer according to

claim 1

wherein the means for dispensing further comprises:

a. a plurality of valves for controlling dispensing of the plurality of reagent solutions; and

b. a plurality of dispense lines wherein each of the plurality of the dispense lines is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of valves for delivering one of the plurality of reagent solutions to a selected vial.

10. The synthesizer according to

claim 1

wherein each of the first vial and the second vial further comprise a precision bored interior configured to hold a frit for retaining a solid material above the frit, and further wherein the first vial and the second vial are configured to maintain a consistent flow through the precision bored interior.

11. A synthesizer for forming a polymer chain by sequentially adding monomer units found in a plurality of reagent solutions, the synthesizer comprising:

a. a first vial configured to hold the plurality of reagent solutions;

b. a second vial configured to hold the plurality of reagent solutions;

c. a cartridge to hold the first vial and the second vial;

d. a dispensing system to dispense the plurality of reagent solutions into the first and second vials; and

e. a purging system to remove material from a selective one of the first vial and the second vial.

12. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

wherein the cartridge holds the first vial and the second vial along a circular perimeter of the cartridge.

13. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

further comprising a chamber bowl coupled to the purging system wherein the chamber bowl contains spilled material.

14. The synthesizer according to

claim 13

further comprising a seal coupled to the chamber bowl to prevent spilled material from escaping outside the chamber bowl.

15. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

wherein the purging system further comprises:

a. means for forming a pressure differential between a first opening and a second opening of the selective one of the first vial and the second vial; and

b. a waste tube to collect material expelled from the selective one of the first vial and the second vial.

16. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

wherein the dispensing system further comprises:

a. a plurality of valves for controlling dispensing of the plurality of reagent solutions; and

b. a plurality of dispense lines each coupled to one of the plurality of valves for delivering a corresponding one of the reagent solutions to a selected vial.

17. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

wherein each of the first vial and the second vial further comprise a precision bored interior configured to hold a frit for retaining a solid material above the frit, and further wherein the first vial and the second vial are configured to maintain a consistent flow through the precision bored interior.

18. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

further comprising a drain plate coupled to the cartridge for separating the first vial into a first bank of vials and the second vial into a second bank of vials.

19. The synthesizer according to

claim 11

further comprising a motor coupled to the cartridge to selectively rotate the cartridge relative to the dispensing system.

20. A synthesizer for creating a polymer chain by sequentially adding monomer units found in one of a plurality of reagent solutions, the synthesizer comprising:

a. a plurality of vials wherein each of the plurality of vials is configured to hold material including the plurality of reagent solutions;

b. a cartridge for holding the plurality of vials and dividing the plurality of vials into a first bank of vials including at least one of the plurality of vials and a second bank of vials including at least one of the plurality of vials;

c. a dispensing system configured to sequentially dispense selective ones of the plurality of reagent solutions into the plurality of vials; and

d. a purging system configured to selectively purge material from the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials.

21. The synthesizer according to

claim 20

further comprising a first drain coupled to the first bank of vials and a second drain coupled to the second bank of vials, the first and second drains each configured for selectively coupling with the purging system for draining the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials.

22. The synthesizer according to

claim 21

wherein the purging system further comprises a waste tube capable of selectively coupling with a selective one of the first drain and the second drain to purge material from the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials.

23. The synthesizer according to

claim 20

wherein the dispensing system further comprises:

a. a plurality of valves for controlling the, dispensing of the plurality of reagent solutions; and

b. a plurality of dispense lines each coupled to one of the plurality of valves for delivering a corresponding one of the plurality of reagent solutions to a selected vial.

24. A purging system configured for use with a synthesizer containing a first bank of vials and a second bank of vials wherein the first bank of vials has a first drain and the second bank of vials has a second drain, the purging system comprising:

a. a pressurizing system for creating a pressure differential within a selective one of the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials; and

b. a first waste tube capable of coupling with a selective one of the first drain to purge material from the first bank of vials and the second drain to purge material from the second bank of vials.

25. The purging system according to

claim 24

further comprising a drain seal coupled to the first waste tube for creating a flexible seal between the first waste tube and the selective one of the first drain and the second drain.

26. The purging system according to

claim 24

further comprising a second waste tube capable of selectively coupling with the first drain to purge the material from the first bank of vials and the second drain to purge the material from the second bank of vials wherein the purging system is capable of selectively and simultaneously purging the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials.

27. A vial comprising a precision bored interior configured to hold a frit for retaining material within the vial above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the precision bored interior during a flushing procedure.

28. The vial according to

claim 27

further comprising an exterior dimension configured to fit within a receiving hole of a cartridge, thereby providing a pressure-tight seal between the vial and the cartridge.

29. A vial comprising an exterior dimension configured to fit within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal between the vial and the cartridge and a precision bored interior to maintain a consistent flow through the precision bored interior during a flushing procedure.

30. The vial according to

claim 29

further comprising a frit positioned within the precision bored interior to retain material within the vial above the frit.

31. A method of selectively and sequentially dispensing a plurality of reagent solutions to a plurality of vials divided into a first bank of vials and a second bank of vials and selectively purging material from the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials, comprising the steps of:

a. dispensing one or more of the plurality of reagent solutions to a selective one or more of the plurality of vials; and

b. purging material from a selective one of the first bank of vials and the second bank of vials.

32. The method according to

claim 31

wherein during the step of dispensing one of the plurality of reagent solutions is dispensed into one or more of the plurality of vials in a parallel fashion.

33. The method according to

claim 31

wherein during the step of dispensing one or more of the plurality of reagent solutions are dispensed into one or more of the plurality of vials in a serial fashion.

34. A method of selectively purging material from a selective one of a first vial and a second vial comprising the steps of:

a. coupling a waste tube to a selective one of a first drain corresponding to the first vial and a second drain corresponding to the second vial; and

b. forming a pressure differential between an interior and an exterior of the selective one of the first vial and the second vial, thereby expelling material from the selective one of the first vial and the second vial through the waste tube.