Multiple fluid sample processor and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
a pressurized fluid delivery mechanism, said mechanism positioned in contact with said reservoir plate member for selectively applying pressure into a plurality of first orifices in order to convey liquid materials through said apparatus.
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Abstract
Multiple fluid sample processors and systems for high throughput chemical synthesis and biological assays and/or processing. A multi-layered fluidic array having microchannels, reservoirs and reaction wells is subject to robotic and automated handling. A pressure pumping system is utilized for fluid delivery and control through the synthesis process. The sizes of the micro-sized channels, apertures, and valves are adjusted to optimize fluid distribution and channel filling. The fluid sample processors can be grouped together in a microtiter format to increase the speed, quantity and efficiency of the processing.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
a pressurized fluid delivery mechanism, said mechanism positioned in contact with said reservoir plate member for selectively applying pressure into a plurality of first orifices in order to convey liquid materials through said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
at least one fluid sample processing apparatus as set forth in claim 1; and
a robotic mechanism for automatically handling and processing fluid samples in said at least one fluid sample processing apparatus;
said robotic mechanism comprising a rack member for positioning of said at least one fluid sample processing apparatus thereon, a fluid transfer mechanism for injecting fluids into said fluid sample processing apparatus, and a controller for operating said fluid transfer mechanism.
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29. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a pressurized fluid delivery mechanism for selectively applying pressure to said fluid sample processing apparatus and thereby conveying fluids therethrough.
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30. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a vacuum mechanism for selectively applying a vacuum to said fluid sample processing apparatus and thereby conveying fluids therethrough.
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31. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein two fluid processing apparatuses are provided for simultaneously handling and processing by said robotic mechanism.
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32. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said robotic mechanism is a Cartesian robot mechanism with at least one moveable arm member and further comprises a pressure pumping mechanism for distribution of fluid materials into and through said at least one fluid sample processing apparatus.
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33. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said robotic mechanism is a Cartesian robot mechanism with at least one moveable arm member and further comprises a pressure pumping mechanism and a vacuum mechanism for distribution of fluid materials into and through said at least one fluid sample processing apparatus.
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34. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said plurality of first orifices in said reservoir plate member comprises 96 orifices, said orifices arranged in an 8×
- 12 microtiter format.
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35. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said plurality of first orifices in said reservoir plate member comprises 384 orifices, said orifices arranged in a 16×
- 24 row and column format.
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36. The system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said plurality of first orifices in said reservoir plate member comprises 1536 orifices, said orifices arranged in a 32×
- 48 row and column format.
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37. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising means for washing said reservoir, distribution and well plate members by application of pressure followed by evacuation by vacuum.
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38. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising means to partially fill said well members in said well plate member.
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39. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a plurality of collection plate members for attachment to said at least one fluid sample processing apparatus, wherein liquids exhausted from said well plate member can be collected and apportioned.
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40. The system as set forth in claim 28 further comprising means to concentrate materials in said well members.
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41. The system as set forth in claim 40 wherein said means for concentrating materials comprises a flow of a gas material.
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42. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first plurality of orifices being spatially oriented in across said first surface, said second plurality of orifices fluidically coupled to said first orifices, said second plurality of orifices arranged in a rectangular pattern directly adjacent to edges of said reservoir plate member;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of layers and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in a rectilinear pattern in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member, the rectangular pattern having a first pair of opposites sides and a second pair of opposite side, said first pair of opposite sides have corresponding with row inputs of said distribution plate, and said second pair of opposite sides corresponding with column inputs of said distribution plate;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the rectilinear array of orifices on the upper surface of distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices in the lowermost layer of said distribution plate member.
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43. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
a vacuum box mechanism for connected to said fluid sample processing apparatus for vacuum exhaustion of materials from said well plate member.
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44. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
electrical spray means for exhaustion of liquid materials from said well members.
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45. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
micro-sized valve means in said plurality of first openings in said well plate member.
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46. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member wherein said well members have second openings therein for exhaustion of materials from said well members, said second openings in said well members comprise a plurality of micro-sized valves. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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49. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
a first sealing member positioned between said distribution plate member and said well plate member, said sealing member is an elastomeric member having a first plurality of openings positioned in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices on said distribution plate member and a second plurality of openings positioned between said first plurality of openings, wherein when said sealing member is altered in cross-section, said elastomeric material can flow into said second openings.
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50. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member;
wherein said plurality of first orifices in said reservoir plate member comprises 384 orifices and said apparatus further comprises a second reservoir member attached to said reservoir plate member, said second reservoir member having 96 orifices on its upper surface and a plurality of fan-out channels therein communicating said 96 orifices to said 384 orifices on said reservoir plate member.
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51. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member;
wherein said plurality of first orifices in said reservoir plate member comprises 1536 orifices and said apparatus further comprises a second reservoir member attached to said reservoir plate member, said second reservoir member having 96 orifices on its upper surface and a plurality of fan-out channels therein communicating said 96 orifices to said 1536 orifices on said reservoir plate member.
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52. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member;
a plurality of magnets positioned adjacent to said well plate member for attracting magnetic particles in said well members.
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53. A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:
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a reservoir plate member;
a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and
a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member;
said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented;
a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices;
said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member;
a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer;
said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein for conducting chemical and biological events, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and
a non-fluidic plate member having a plurality of light emitting detection elements therein.
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Specification