SAMPLING PROBES, SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, AND METHODS

• US 20120227471A1
• Filed: 03/02/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: KADUCHAK, Gregory, SMITH, Wesley, DAVIS, Glen, JACKSON, John, WARD, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,529,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/61.59
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1011 Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device

Abstract

A sampling system is provided. The sampling system includes a housing. Mounted to the housing is a Hall effect sensor. A probe configured to contact a sample is inserted into the housing. The probe includes an elongated portion and a restorative spring inserted onto the elongated portion of the probe. The restorative spring provides sufficient restorative force to return the probe to a relaxed position. The Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a field strength generated by the proximity of the restorative spring of the probe in the extended position.

Claims

1. A sampling probe comprising:

a fitting;

an elongated portion extending from the fitting; and

a restorative spring including a magnet inserted onto the elongated portion.

2. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the fitting includes a substantially cylindrical portion having an external teethed surface.

3. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the elongated portion includes an interior channel.

4. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the restorative spring includes at least one magnet.

5. The sampling probe of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnet is a rare earth magnet.

6. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the sampling probe does not comprise an optical sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sampling probe does not comprise a non-magnetic metal spring.

8. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the sampling probe does not comprise a strain gage.

9. The sampling probe of claim 1, wherein the sampling probe does not comprise electrical contacts.

10. The sampling probe of claim 4, wherein properties of the Hall effect sensor and the at least magnet are selected to allow the restorative spring to provide a restorative force allowing sensing of an obstacle and stopping without damaging a tip of the sampling probe.

11. A sampling system, comprising:

a housing;

a Hall effect sensor mounted onto the housing; and

a probe inserted into the housing, wherein the probe is configured to contact samples, the sampling probe including an elongated portion and a plurality of magnets inserted onto the elongated portion.

12. The sampling system of claim 11, wherein the housing is selected from one of a non-ferrous housing and an anodized aluminum housing.

13. The sampling system of claim 11, wherein the sampling probe further includes a fitting including a substantially cylindrical portion having an external teethed surface.

14. The sampling system of claim 11, wherein the elongated portion includes an interior channel.

15. The sampling system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of magnets includes one magnet.

16. The sampling system of claim 11, further comprising an analog sensor configured to allow probe drift compensation via calibration of an axis of the probe.

17. The sampling system of claim 11, further comprising a controller configured to control a movement of the probe using a stroke of between about 2.5 mm and about 4.5 mm, the stroke including between about 0.75 mm and about 1.25 mm for sensing and between about 0.75 mm and about 1.25 mm for stopping.

18. The sampling system of claim 17, wherein the stroke further includes between about 0.75 mm and about 1.25 mm for movement noise.

19. The sampling system of claim 17, wherein the stroke further includes between about 0.25 mm and about 0.75 mm for overstroke.

20. A hi-throughput cytometry system, comprising:

a flow cytometer; and

a plate sampler in fluidic communication with the flow cytometer, the plate sampler including;

a sample probe and a tray, the tray being configured to receive a sample plate configured to include a plurality of samples;

a fluidic compartment configured to receive one or more fluid containers;

a first access door configured to allow access to the loading compartment; and

a second access door configured to allow access to the fluidic compartment.