APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SAMPLES FROM SOURCE VESSELS TO TARGET VESSELS
First Claim
1. A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer device comprising:
- a plurality of actuator rods, each of said actuator rods terminating in an actuating element;
said actuating element movably disposed between a first raised position and a second lowered position, wherein movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said actuator rod to be alternately collected and released from said actuator rod;
an actuator plate having a plurality of individually activated electromagnets disposed therein;
wherein activation of any of said electromagnets results in translation and mating of the electromagnetic pin of said electromagnet into a respective depression associated with an individual actuator rod, for selective activation of said actuator rod and its terminal actuating element; and
an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, an actuator plate within the transfer unit, has a plurality of individually activated electromagnets disposed therein; wherein activation of any of said electromagnets results in translation and mating of the electromagnetic pin of said electromagnet into a respective though-hole associated with an individual actuator rod, for selective activation of said actuator rod and its terminal actuating element. The terminal actuating element can be a magnet for attraction of magnetic particles from within a sample, or a piston for pippetting a specific volume of liquid sample.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer device comprising:
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a plurality of actuator rods, each of said actuator rods terminating in an actuating element;
said actuating element movably disposed between a first raised position and a second lowered position, wherein movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said actuator rod to be alternately collected and released from said actuator rod;
an actuator plate having a plurality of individually activated electromagnets disposed therein;
wherein activation of any of said electromagnets results in translation and mating of the electromagnetic pin of said electromagnet into a respective depression associated with an individual actuator rod, for selective activation of said actuator rod and its terminal actuating element; and
an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel comprising:
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a transfer device having a hollow body and an actuating element movably disposed in said hollow body between a first and a second position, said movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said transfer device to be alternately collected and released from said transfer device;
an actuator plate having at least one individually activated electromagnet disposed thereon;
an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate;
an actuator rod having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said actuating element in said hollow body of said transfer device;
a ferromagnetic piston disposed on said second end of said actuator rod, said piston being engageable with said electromagnet when said electromagnet is activated for moving said actuating element from said first position to said second position upon translation of said actuator plate; and
a piston housing spaced from said actuator plate, said piston housing including a magnet for biasing said piston toward said piston housing. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification