Universal non-contact dispense peripheral apparatus and method for a primary liquid handling device

• US 20070053798A1
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, David, Johnson, James, Picha, Neil, McComb, Joel
• Application Number:
  US11/594,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20070053798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• 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 2219/00274 Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00315 Microtiter plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00394 in multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00412 In multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0666 Solenoid valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0203 Burettes, i.e. for withdrawing and redistributing liquids through different conduits
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/021 Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0234 Repeating pipettes, i.e. for dispensing multiple doses from a single charge
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0265 using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0743 with both the supply and the discharge passages being on one side of the closure plates
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0084 Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0001 : Microvalves microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0013 : Rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0028 : Valves having multiple inlets or outlets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 : Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00326 : Analysers with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1041 : Ink-jet like dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 : having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 : arranged in a two-dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 : characterised by the valves valves in general F16K

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.

Claims

1. 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:

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.

2. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 1, further including:

a fluid control component adapted to aspirate fluids therein from a fluid reservoir, and to dispense fluids therefrom, and a motion control component having a plurality of non-contact dispense nozzles fluidly coupled to said fluid control component to selectively dispense the aspirated fluids into selected the targeted test sites of the microtiter-plate.

3. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 2, further including:

an operation interface component coupled between the fluid control component and the motion control component for stand-alone or remote control operation of the fluid control component and the motion control component.

4. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 2, wherein

said fluid control component includes a hybrid valve apparatus that enables fluid aspiration, fluid dispensing and fluid switching to transfer fluid from one or more fluid reservoirs, and through selected non-contact dispense nozzles to the targeted test sites.

5. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 4, wherein

said fluid control component includes an aspiration source in fluid communication with a first aspiration port of the hybrid valve apparatus, and a dispensing source in fluid communication with a first dispensing port of the hybrid valve apparatus, and

said hybrid valve apparatus including

a valve assembly movable between an aspiration condition and a dispensing condition, and

a manifold device providing a fluid aspiration conduit having in fluid communication with the aspiration source through said first aspiration port thereof, and a second aspiration port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively aspirate a liquid sample slug from the reservoir into a discrete sample path when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition, said manifold device further providing a fluid dispensing conduit in fluid communication with the dispensing source through said first dispensing port thereof, and a second dispensing port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively dispense at least one droplet of the liquid sample slug from the sample path when the valve assembly is in the dispensing condition,

wherein, in the aspiration condition, said sample path is out of fluid communication with the dispensing source and, in the dispensing condition, said sample path is out of fluid communication with the aspiration source.

6. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 5, wherein

said manifold device includes a stator face containing the second aspiration port and the second dispensing port, and said valve assembly includes a valve body having a contact face slideably contacting the stator face at a stator-contact interface for sliding sealed contact between

the aspiration condition, fluidly coupling the second aspiration port to the sample path, and

the dispensing condition, fluidly coupling the second dispensing port to the sample path.

7. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 6, wherein

said contact face of the valve body includes

an aspiration channel, fluidly coupling the second aspiration port to the sample path through the aspiration channel, in the aspiration condition, and

a dispensing channel, fluidly coupling the second dispensing port to the sample path through the dispensing channel, in the dispensing condition.

8. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 7, wherein

at least one of said valve body and said manifold device is rotatable about a rotation axis extending substantially perpendicular to the stator-contact interface to rotate said contact face, said aspiration channel and said dispensing channel relative to the stator face between the aspiration condition and the dispensing condition.

9. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 8, wherein

said dispensing channel and said aspiration channel extend in a direction substantially radially about said rotational axis.

10. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 6, wherein

said manifold device includes

a primary passage having an upper communication port terminating at the stator face, and an opposite end in fluid communication with a respective nozzle having a dispensing orifice configured to dispense said droplet, and

a source conduit having an upper communication opening terminating at the stator face, and an opposite end in fluid communication with the reservoir.

11. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 10, wherein

said contact face of the valve body includes a sample channel forming at least a portion of the sample path, said sample channel fluidly coupling the second aspiration port of the aspiration conduit to the upper communication opening of the source conduit, in the aspiration condition, and fluidly coupling the second dispensing port of the dispensing conduit to the upper communication port of the primary passage, in the dispensing condition.

12. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 11, wherein

said manifold device includes a flush passage having an upper flush port terminating at the stator face, and an opposite end in fluid communication with a flush source, and

said contact face of the valve body includes a flush channel fluidly coupling the flush port of the flush passage to the upper communication port of the primary passage, in the aspiration condition, to flush said respective nozzle, and fluidly coupling the flush port to the upper communication opening of the source conduit, in the dispensing condition.

13. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 2, wherein

said motion control component includes a base member supporting said support platform thereon such that when said base member is strategically positioned at the discrete work station, said alignment mechanism removably receives and secures the microtiter-plate therein at the respective discrete position.

14. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 13, wherein

said motion control component further includes a motion controller device movably mounted to said base member for movement of the plurality of non-contact dispense nozzles above the mounted microtiter-plate for said selective dispense of the discrete quantities of fluid into the targeted test sites.

15. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 14, wherein

said motion controller device includes a control post configured for movement along a three-axis X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system.

16. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 15, wherein

said motion controller device includes a rail system and stepper motor device which cooperate with the control post to move the plurality of dispense nozzles independently along the X, Y and X axis.

17. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 15, wherein

said motion controller device is one of linear motion control based, servo control based and pneumatic control based.

18. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 15, wherein

each non-contact dispense nozzle includes one end fluidly coupled to the fluid control component and an opposite end terminating at a dispensing orifice configured to dispense said droplet.

19. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 18, wherein

said fluid control component includes a hybrid valve apparatus fluidly coupled between one or more fluid reservoirs and the one ends the non-contact dispense nozzles to enable fluid aspiration, fluid dispensing and fluid switching to transfer fluid from selected fluid reservoir and through selected dispense nozzles to the targeted test sites.

20. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 5, wherein

said dispensing source includes drop-on demand ink-jet printing valving.

21. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 20, further including

said ink-jet printing valving is one of a thermal ink-jet valve, a solenoid ink-jet valve, a piezoelectric ink-jet valve, and a pneumatic pilot valve.

22. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 5, wherein

said dispensing source includes one of a syringe-type metering device, a piezoelectric-type metering device, a thermoelectric-type metering device and a positive displacement-type metering device.

23. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 22, wherein

said syringe-type metering device includes a multiple selector valve connecting a single syringe-type metering device to multiple fluid paths.

24. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 5, wherein

said aspiration source includes one of a diaphragm pump-type metering device, an electromechanical piston-type metering device actuated by a motor with sub microliter resolution, a vacuum source-type metering device and a peristaltic pump-type metering device.

25. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 5, wherein

said aspiration source includes a plurality of aspiration actuators, and

said dispensing source includes a plurality of dispensing actuators to transfer fluid from a plurality of fluid reservoirs to a plurality of test sites on a substrate surface, and

said manifold device including a plurality of fluid aspiration conduits each having a first aspiration port in fluid communication with a corresponding aspiration actuator, and a second aspiration port terminating at the stator face for selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively aspirate a respective liquid sample slug from a corresponding reservoir of sample fluid into discrete sample paths when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition, said manifold body further defining a plurality of fluid dispensing conduits each having a respective first dispensing port in fluid communication with a corresponding dispensing actuator, and a second dispensing port terminating at the stator face for selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively dispense at least one droplet of the corresponding liquid sample slug from the corresponding sample path when the valve assembly is in the dispensing condition wherein, in the aspiration condition, each respective sample path is out of fluid communication with the respective dispensing actuator and, in the dispensing condition, each respective sample path is out of fluid communication with the respective aspiration actuator.

26. The secondary liquid dispensing module according to claim 1, wherein

the alignment mechanism and the support platform cooperate to provide a Society of Bimolecular Screening (SBS) standard microtiter-plate lab ware site.