BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE PROCESSING APPARATUS THAT SELECTS THE PERSONALITY TYPE OF THE APPARATUS

• US 20100191476A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Mezei, Louis, Bjerke, Michael P., Krueger, Steven T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0091 GUI [graphical user interfaces]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00722 Communications; Identification

Abstract

A biological sample processing apparatus having a central processing unit, a display in communication with the central processing unit and a selector for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the selector being in communication with the central processing apparatus. The selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

Claims

1. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit;

a movable member configured for separating a biological constituent from a biological sample, the movable member controlled by the central processing unit;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

means for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit,

wherein selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for selection is a user interface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a nonvolatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.

8. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a frame having a depth dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension;

a central processing unit coupled to the frame;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

means for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit,

wherein selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type, and

wherein when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for selection is a user interface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises an RFID reader, and the means for selection is an RFID tag attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a barcode reader, and the means for selection is a barcode attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a device capable of optical character recognition, and the means for selection is a word or phrase attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with apparatus.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a nonvolatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

16. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode.

17. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.

18. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit;

a movable member configured for separating a biological constituent from a biological sample, the movable member controlled by the central processing unit;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

a personality type selector, the personality type selector being in communication with the central processing unit,

wherein selection of a personality type with the personality type selector prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the personality type selector is a user interface.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus further includes a nonvolatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.