Apparatus and method for the precise location of reaction plates

• US 20050152810A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applera Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applera Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cox, David M., Kowallis, Reid Burton
• Application Number:
  US11/069,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20050152810A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• 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 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Generally, the present invention provides a device and method for accurately locating a multi-well plate at a plate-support location, e.g., a work surface, of an automated laboratory machine, such that one or more acting members of the machine, such as an array of pipette tips, optical sensors, or the like, can accurately address and operate on the individual wells. Interior and/or exterior surface regions of one or more wells of a multi-well plate are used as the primary plate features engaged by locating structure of the machine. In one particular embodiment one or more upwardly tapered projections extend from a plate-support surface of a plate-handling machine for mating engagement with the exterior surface regions of one or more wells. In another embodiment, the exterior surface regions along one or more well bottoms are engagingly received within bores, or other receiving structure, formed on the plate-support surface of a machine. In a further embodiment, one or more downwardly extending projections depend from an acting-member support, along with the acting members of a machine. Introduction of the projections into some of the wells of a multi-well plate serves to align the acting members with the plate'"'"'s other wells. A biasing assembly can be used to press together the engaging surface regions of the wells and the locating structures of the machine.

Claims

1. A microplate apparatus comprising:

a microplate defining an array of at least 1536 wells;

a plate-handling machine having a plate-support surface and a liquid-handling device;

wherein said liquid-handling device includes at least 96 acting members, with said acting members being disposed in an array that is alignable with at least a portion of the well array;

a control unit for controlling the position of said liquid-handling device with respect to defined coordinates on said plate-support surface;

a locator structure adapted to engage at least a portion of an exterior surface of said microplate when the plate is positioned on said plate-support surface, to fix the position of each well at a known location with respect to said defined coordinates; and

a biasing assembly operable, with said microplate positioned on the plate-support surface, to urge the locator structure against said exterior wall surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid-handling device includes at least 384 acting members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biasing assembly includes a vacuum source and a flow line for communicating the vacuum source with a lower side of said plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate is a 3″

×

5″

plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said acting members comprise reagent-transfer pins.