Sample wash station assembly

• US 6,416,718 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ontogen Corporation (Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ontogen Corporation (Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Inventors: Maiefski, Romaine, Wendell, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, PATRICIA KATHRYN
• Application Number:
  US09/334,750
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/68, 422/68.1, 422/81, 422/100-104, 436/43, 436/49, 436/174, 436/179, 436/180, 222/144.5, 222/137, 222/330, 222/485
• US Class Current: 422/539
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00313 the reactor vessels being formed by arrays of wells in blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00373 Hollow needles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00376 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00389 Feeding through valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00391 Rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00416 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00418 using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00484 by shaking, vibrating or oscillating of the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1067 for transfer to or from containers having different spacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A wash station assembly and method for washing selected samples in a sample containing assembly. The wash station assembly includes a wash station having a frame and a fluid dispensing assembly connected to the frame. The fluid dispensing assembly has a selector valve that is connectable to a plurality of fluid lines and is adjustable to allow only one of the fluids to pass through the selector valve at a time. An array of syringes is coupled to the selector valve and positioned to receive the fluid passing through the selector valve. Each syringe includes a check valve that prevents backflow of fluid or air into the syringe through the pipetting needles. A distribution manifold is connected to the selector valve and receives the fluid passing through the selector valve. The manifold has a plurality of distribution channels coupled to the syringes, to direct the fluid into the syringes. Each distribution channel has a manifold valve therein that prevents backflow of fluid into the manifold from the syringes. An array of pipetting needles is connected to the syringes and is positioned to direct the fluid into the sample containing assembly for washing the samples. The pipetting needles have a radially directed opening in the distal end to direct the fluid radially away from the needle during the dispensing process. A waste management system is connected to the wash station to automatically separate halogenated waste fluids from non-halogenated waste fluids.

Claims

1. A wash station for washing a selected sample in a sample containing assembly, the wash station being connectable to a fluid line connected to a fluid source, comprising:

a frame;

a distribution manifold connected to the fame, the distribution manifold having a manifold inlet positioned to receive fluid from the fluid line, the distribution manifold having a plurality of distribution channels in fluid connection to the manifold inlet, the distribution channels each having a flow control valve therein to allow fluid to flow in only one direction in the respective distribution channel, and each distribution channel having a separate channel outlet; and

an array of fluid dispensers connected to the distribution manifold, each fluid dispenser being connected to the channel outlet of a respective distribution channel to receive the fluid passing through the distribution channel, the fluid dispenser being adapted to dispense the fluid therefrom, and each flow control valve in the respective distribution channel is movable between an open position to allow the fluid to flow into the respective fluid dispenser and a closed position to block flow of the fluid in the distribution channel away from the respective fluid dispenser.

2. The wash station of claim 1 further including a gate valve connected to the distribution manifold and positioned to control fluid flow from the fluid source to the distribution source.

3. The wash station of claim 1 having a plurality of fluid lines and a plurality of fluid sources with fluids therein, the assembly further comprising a selector valve connectable to the fluid lines, the selector valve being adjustable to one of a plurality of positions to allow a selected one of the fluids to pass therethrough to the distribution manifold.

4. The wash station of claim 3 wherein the selector valve includes a body with a plurality of fluid inlets connectable to the fluid lines, a plurality of fluid passageways in the body communicating with the fluid inlets, a valve member connected to the body, and an outlet channel communicating with the valve member and the manifold inlet, the valve member having a valve channel therethrough that communicates with the outlet passageway, the valve member being adjustable to position the valve channel in communication with one of the fluid passageways to direct fluid from the one of the fluid passageways into the outlet passageway and into the manifold inlet and the valve member blocks the other fluid passageways to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough.

5. The wash station of claim 3 wherein the selector valve assembly has a gate valve in the outlet passageway, the gate valve being adjustable between open and closed positions to control the flow of fluid through the outlet passageway.

6. The wash station of claim 5 wherein the selector valve includes a valve control assembly that is connected to the valve member and that is adjustable to move the valve member to align the valve channel with the selected one of the fluid passageways.

7. The wash station of claim 3, further comprising a programmable controller coupled to the selector valve for controlling which fluid flows through the selector valve to the fluid passageways.

8. The wash station of claim 1 wherein the fluid dispensers are syringes.

9. The wash station of claim 1 wherein the distribution manifold and the fluid dispensers are movable as a unit vertically and laterally relative to the frame.

10. The wash station of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of distributor members connect to the fluid dispense, each distributor member having an interior passageway, and a radially directed aperture in a distal end portion, the aperture communicating with the interior passageway to direct a flow of fluid radially away from the distal end portion.

11. The wash station of claim 1, further including a distributor support connected to the frame and the distribution manifold, and a drive mechanism connected to the distributor support, the distributor support and distribution manifold being movable as a unit by the drive mechanism relative to the frame.

12. The wash station of claim 11 further including an upper support member spaced apart from the distribution manifold, and a second drive mechanism interconnecting distribution manifold and the upper support member, the fluid dispensers extending between the distribution manifold and the upper support member, and the upper support member being movable by a second drive mechanism relative to the distribution manifold between first and second positions, the fluid dispensers being compressed and moved along a discharge stroke as the upper support member moves from the second position toward the first position, and the fluid dispensers are extended and moved along an aspirating stroke as the upper support member moves from the second position toward the first position.

13. The wash station of claim 1, further including an upper support member spaced apart from the distribution manifold with the fluid dispensers movably extending between the distribution manifold and the upper support member, and a drive mechanism interconnecting the distnbution manifold and the upper support member, the upper support member being movable by the drive mechanism relative to the distribution manifold between first and second positions, and the fluid dispensers each include a connector connected to the distribution manifold, a barrel attached to the connector and sized to receive the fluid from the distribution manifold, and a plunger with one end slidably positioned in the barrel and another end attached to the upper support member, the plunger moving axially within the barrel as the upper support member moves between the first and second positions.

14. The wash station of claim 13 wherein the connector has an outlet port and an inlet port, the inlet port connecting the barrel with the respective distribution channel of the distribution manifold, the plunger moves within the barrel away from the distribution manifold along an aspirating stroke to draw the fluid through the inlet port and into the barrel as the upper support member moves from the first position to the second position, and the plunger moves toward the distribution manifold along a dispensing stroke to dispense fluid through the outlet port into the distributor member.

15. The wash station of claim 14 wherein the connector has a valve in communication with the outlet port and positioned to prevent fluid or air from entering the barrel through the outlet port.