Universal non-contact dispense peripheral apparatus and method for a primary liquid handling device
First Claim
1. A universal liquid handling system to dispense fluids into the test sites of one or more sample carriers comprising:
- a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations for performing lab work;
carrier alignment structure at one or more work stations configured to removably receive and secure one of the sample carrier at a respective discrete position therein;
a frame assembly positioned about the work area;
a movable support system movably coupled to the frame assembly and including a sample carrier positioning mechanism configured to move and position the one or more sample carriers to and from the respective discrete position of the respective work station, and into and out of engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof, and a first liquid dispensing device configured to selectively dispense discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of microliter to milliliter volumes, into the test sites of the one or more sample carriers secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station; and
a removable second liquid dispensing peripheral system adapted to be positioned within said work area at at least one of the discrete work stations, and including a support platform having respective carrier alignment structure to removably receive and secure sample carriers therein by the sample carrier positioning mechanism at the respective discrete position of the work station, said second liquid dispensing peripheral system being operationally independent of the first liquid dispensing device and being adapted to selectively dispense discrete quantities of fluid, in the range nanoliter to microliter volumes, into the test sites of sample carrier positioned therein.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A removable secondary liquid dispensing module for use with an existing, automated liquid handling system that defines a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations. Each of the work stations of the automated liquid handling system includes a lab ware site and alignment structure enabling the removable securing standardized microtiter-plates at respective lab ware site. A plate positioning mechanism is configured to move and position the microtiter plates to and from the lab ware sites of the respective work stations thereof and into engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof. Further, a primary liquid dispensing device is configured for selective contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) microliter to about ten (10) milliliters, into the test sites of the microtiter plates secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station. The removable secondary liquid dispensing module includes a base member dimensioned to fit substantially within a footprint of a work station, and mounting hardware adapted to removably secure the base member in the work station. A support platform is affixed to the base member, and is configured to support a microtiter-plate. An alignment mechanism is configured to removably receive and secure the a microtiter-plate therein by the plate positioning mechanism of the automated liquid handling system. The support platform and alignment mechanism cooperate to form and provide a lab ware site suitable for secured receipt of a microtiter-plate. The secondary liquid dispensing module further includes a secondary liquid dispensing device which is self-contained and operationally independent from the primary liquid dispensing device. The secondary dispensing device is further adapted for selective non-contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) nanoliter to about ten (10) microliters, into the test sites of the microtiter-plate.
106 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A universal liquid handling system to dispense fluids into the test sites of one or more sample carriers comprising:
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a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations for performing lab work;
carrier alignment structure at one or more work stations configured to removably receive and secure one of the sample carrier at a respective discrete position therein;
a frame assembly positioned about the work area;
a movable support system movably coupled to the frame assembly and including a sample carrier positioning mechanism configured to move and position the one or more sample carriers to and from the respective discrete position of the respective work station, and into and out of engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof, and a first liquid dispensing device configured to selectively dispense discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of microliter to milliliter volumes, into the test sites of the one or more sample carriers secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station; and
a removable second liquid dispensing peripheral system adapted to be positioned within said work area at at least one of the discrete work stations, and including a support platform having respective carrier alignment structure to removably receive and secure sample carriers therein by the sample carrier positioning mechanism at the respective discrete position of the work station, said second liquid dispensing peripheral system being operationally independent of the first liquid dispensing device and being adapted to selectively dispense discrete quantities of fluid, in the range nanoliter to microliter volumes, into the test sites of sample carrier positioned therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A removable secondary liquid dispensing module for use with an existing, automated liquid handling system defining a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations, each said work station providing a lab ware site and including alignment structure enabling the removable securing standardized microtiter-plates at respective lab ware site, each said microtiter-plate having a plurality of test sites therein, said automated liquid handling system further including a plate positioning mechanism configured to move and position said microtiter plates to and from the lab ware sites of the respective work stations thereof and into engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof, and a primary liquid dispensing device configured for selective contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) microliter to about ten (10) milliliters into the test sites of the microtiter plates secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station, said removable secondary liquid dispensing module comprising:
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a base member dimensioned to fit substantially within a footprint of a work station;
mounting hardware adapted to removably secure said base member in said work station;
a support platform affixed to said base member, and configured to support a microtiter-plate;
an alignment mechanism configured to removably receive and secure said a microtiter-plate therein by the plate positioning mechanism of the automated liquid handling system, said support platform and alignment mechanism cooperating to provide a lab ware site; and
a secondary liquid dispensing device, independent of the primary liquid dispensing device, adapted for selective non-contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) nanoliter to about ten (10) microliters, into the test sites of said microtiter-plate. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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Specification