Biological specimen collection and transfer device and method of use
First Claim
1. A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:
- a vial cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of sample vials;
a filter cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of filter cartridges;
a slide cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of specimen slides;
a specimen slide processor configured to receive a sample vial, a filter cartridge, and a specimen slide;
a transport system including a movable arm having an effecter engagement mechanism; and
a plurality of effecters, each effecter configured for engaging the movable arm, for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the respective vial cassette, filter cassette, or slide cassette and positioning them in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the specimen slide processor.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer system includes a vial cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of sample vials, a filter cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of filter cartridges, a slide cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of specimen slides, a specimen slide processor configured to receive a sample vial, a filter cartridge, and a specimen slide, a transport system including a movable arm having an effecter engagement mechanism; and a plurality of effecters. Each effecter is configured for engaging the movable arm, for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the respective vial cassette, filter cassette, or slide cassette and positioning them in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the specimen slide processor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:
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a vial cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of sample vials;
a filter cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of filter cartridges;
a slide cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of specimen slides;
a specimen slide processor configured to receive a sample vial, a filter cartridge, and a specimen slide;
a transport system including a movable arm having an effecter engagement mechanism; and
a plurality of effecters, each effecter configured for engaging the movable arm, for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the respective vial cassette, filter cassette, or slide cassette and positioning them in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the sample vials, the filter cartridges, or the specimen slides from the specimen slide processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:
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a vial cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of sample vials;
a filter cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of filter cartridges;
a slide cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of specimen slides;
a specimen slide processor configured to receive a sample vial, a filter cartridge, and a specimen slide;
a transport system including a movable arm having an effecter engagement mechanism;
a vial handler configured for retrieving a sample vial from the vial cassette and positioning it in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the sample vial from the specimen slide processor and repositioning it in the vial cassette;
a filter handler configured for retrieving a filter cartridge from the filter cassette and positioning it in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the filter cartridge from the specimen slide processor; and
a slide handler configured for retrieving a specimen slide from the slide cassette and positioning it in the specimen slide processor, and for retrieving the specimen slide from the specimen slide processor.
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14. A method of automatically collecting and transferring a biological specimen, comprising:
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providing a movable arm having an effecter engagement mechanism;
engaging a vial handler with the movable arm;
positioning a sample vial with the vial handler in a specimen slide processor;
engaging a filter handler with the movable arm;
positioning a filter cartridge with the filter handler in the specimen slide processor;
engaging a slide handler with the movable arm; and
positioning a specimen slide with the slide handler in the specimen slide processor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification