TOOL FOR HANDLING A SAMPLE

• US 20100313688A1
• Filed: 06/11/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ctc Analytics Ag
• Original Assignee: Ctc Analytics Ag
• Inventors: HILTBRAND, Roland
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864.91
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00346 Heating or cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/24 Automatic injection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1009 Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1072 with provision for selective pipetting of individual channels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1081 characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane G01N35/1011 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/109 with two horizontal degrees of freedom

Abstract

In the case of a tool (140) for handling a sample, which comprises a fastening device (141) for detachably fastening the tool to a tool holder of a sample handling apparatus, and comprises a sample manipulation device, for example realized as a syringe (150), fastened to the fastening device (141), this tool comprises a holding device, for example in the form of a needle guide (160), which, on the one hand, is fastened to the fastening device (141) so as to be movable in a coupling direction (165) and, on the other hand, can be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction (165).

Claims

1. Tool for handling a sample, comprising a fastening device for detachably fastening the tool to a tool holder of a sample handling apparatus, and comprising a sample manipulation device fastened to the fastening device, characterized in that the tool comprises a holding device, which

a) is fastened to the fastening device so as to be movable in a coupling direction and

b) can be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction.

2. Tool according to claim 1, the holding device comprising a guide element for guiding an element of the sample manipulation device that is in the form of a hollow needle, a longitudinal axis of the element in the foam of a hollow needle being aligned in the coupling direction, and the guide element having an opening that is complete all the way round for guiding the element in the form of a hollow needle.

3. Tool according to claim 1, the fastening device being able to be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction, the fastening device preferably comprising a first connecting element of a first, positive-fit connecting device, the tool holder comprising a second connecting element of the first connecting device, and the fastening device being able to be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction through connecting and undoing, respectively, of the first connecting device, and the first connecting device preferably being realized without play.

4. Tool according to claim 1, the holding device comprising a first connecting element and the tool holder comprising a second connecting element of a second positive-fit connecting device, and the holding device being able to be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder through connecting and undoing, respectively, of the connecting device in the coupling direction.

5. Tool according to claim 1, the tool comprising an element that is movable in the coupling direction, the movable element comprising a first connecting element and the tool holder comprising a second connecting element of a third positive-fit connecting device, the moveable element being able to be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction, and the third connecting device preferably being realized without play.

6. Tool according to claim 5, the sample manipulation device comprising a syringe that has a cylindrical hollow body fastened to the fastening device and has a piston that is movable in the hollow body and constitutes the movable element, and comprising a cannula that is fastened to the syringe and constitutes the element in the form of a hollow needle.

7. Tool according to claim 1, the tool comprising a communication interface for establishing a communication connection between the tool and the sample handling apparatus, and this communication connection preferably comprising at least one electrical contact for the purpose of establishing at least one electrically conductive connection between the tool and the sample handling apparatus.

8. Tool according to claim 7, the tool comprising a memory in which there can be stored tool-specific data that can be transmitted directly to the sample handling apparatus via the communication interface.

9. Tool according to claim 7, having an additional interface for establishing at least one communication connection between the tool and a parking station of the sample handling apparatus that is realized for storing a decoupled tool.

10. Tool according to claim 1, having a fluid interface for establishing at least one fluid connection between the tool and the sample handling apparatus.

11. Tool holder that is fastened or fastenable to a sample handling apparatus so as to be movable in a z direction and that comprises first fastening means for detachably fastening a fastening device of a tool, particularly of a tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool holder comprises second fastening means for detachably fastening a holding device of the tool, the first and second fastening means being movable relative to one another in the z direction, and the tool holder preferably having a drive for this purpose, for example an electric motor such as, for instance, a stepping motor.

12. Tool holder according to claim 11, the tool holder comprising third fastening means for detachably fastening a movable element of a sample manipulation device of the tool, the first and third fastening means being movable relative to one another in the z direction.

13. Sample handling apparatus, having a tool holder, according to claim 11, that is fastened or fastenable to the sample handling apparatus so as to be movable in a z direction.

14. Sample handling arrangement, comprising a sample handling apparatus having a tool holder and at least one tool, according to that is fastened or fastenable to the tool holder, the sample handling arrangement preferably comprising two or more such tools, wherein the tool includes a fastening device for detachably fastening the tool to a tool holder of a sample handling apparatus, and comprising a sample manipulation device fastened to the fastening device, characterized in that the tool comprises a holding device, which

a) is fastened to the fastening device so as to be movable in a coupling direction and

b) can be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction,

tool holder includes second fastening means for detachably fastening a holding device of the tool, the first and second fastening means being movable relative to one another in the z direction, and the tool holder preferably having a drive for this purpose, for example an electric motor such as, for instance, a stepping motor, and sample handling apparatus includes the tool holder is fastened or fastenable to the sample handling apparatus so as to be movable in a z direction.

15. Method for coupling and decoupling a tool to and from, respectively, a tool holder of a sample handling apparatus according to, characterized in that, following an appropriate mutual positioning and alignment of the tool and of the tool holder, the tool is coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder exclusively through relative movements of the tool holder, the first and second fastening means, the fastening device and/or the holding device in the z direction, wherein the tool includes a fastening device for detachably fastening the tool to a tool holder of a sample handling apparatus, and comprising a sample manipulation device fastened to the fastening device, characterized in that the tool comprises a holding device, which

a) is fastened to the fastening device so as to be movable in a coupling direction and

b) can be coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder in the coupling direction,

wherein the tool holder is fastened or fastenable to the sample handling apparatus so as to be movable in a z direction.

16. Method according to claim 15, a movable element of a sample manipulation device being coupled to and decoupled from the tool holder substantially simultaneously through the relative movements.