Method and apparatus for parallel dispensing of defined volumes of solid particles
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computer-controlled process line that dispenses particle material into locations of a solid support having multiple locations, the method comprising:
- positioning an array of hollow tubes above a reservoir containing a bed of particle material;
engaging the tube array with the reservoir such that the lower ends of the tubes are pressed into the particle bed and a volume of particle material is forced into the tubes;
disengaging the tube array from the reservoir such that the volume of particle material is retained within each of the tubes, wherein the retained volume is defined by the tube from the lower end of each tube to a plunger within each tube;
positioning the array above the solid support such that the lower ends of the tubes are located above corresponding locations of the solid support;
using the plungers to push the particle material retained within each tube out into the corresponding locations of the solid support; and
packing the solid material within the reservoir by engaging the bed of particle material with a compacting cover.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample preparation system provides an automated process that dispenses appropriate amounts of solid material into wells of a microtiter plate for mixing into a suspension. The system utilizes an array of hollow tubes that are lowered into a particle reservoir such that particle material is forced up into the tubes. During loading, solid plungers in the tubes are positioned a known distance from the open end of the tubes. When the particle material is to be dispensed, the plungers are lowered to push the particle material out of the tubes and into receiving wells of the microtiter plate. The plunger stroke and internal diameter of the tubes defines the dispensed volume of particle material.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer-controlled process line that dispenses particle material into locations of a solid support having multiple locations, the method comprising:
- positioning an array of hollow tubes above a reservoir containing a bed of particle material;
engaging the tube array with the reservoir such that the lower ends of the tubes are pressed into the particle bed and a volume of particle material is forced into the tubes;
disengaging the tube array from the reservoir such that the volume of particle material is retained within each of the tubes, wherein the retained volume is defined by the tube from the lower end of each tube to a plunger within each tube;
positioning the array above the solid support such that the lower ends of the tubes are located above corresponding locations of the solid support;
using the plungers to push the particle material retained within each tube out into the corresponding locations of the solid support; and
packing the solid material within the reservoir by engaging the bed of particle material with a compacting cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- positioning an array of hollow tubes above a reservoir containing a bed of particle material;
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17. A solid reagent dispensing station for filling locations of one or more solid supports with particles of solid reagent, said dispensing station comprising:
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a dispenser assembly comprising;
a first plate;
a second plate;
an array of hollow tubes coupled to the first plate; and
an array of plungers coupled to the second plate, each of said plungers slideably inserted into the hollow tubes, wherein the second plate is configured to slide the plungers simultaneously up and down within the hollow tubes;a reservoir configured to contain a bed of solid reagent particles, said reservoir sized to receive the array of hollow tubes, said reservoir including a collar with an open proximal end, an open distal end, and an inner surface;
a base comprising an outer surface, said base shaped to sealably slide through the distal end of the collar, its outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the collar; and
a compacting lid removably engaged to the collar;a conveyor for transporting said one or more solid supports through the dispensing station; and a transport mechanism connected to the dispenser assembly, the transport mechanism configured to transport the dispenser assembly between the reservoir and the one or more solid supports. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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29. A solid reagent dispensing station for filling locations of one or more solid supports with particles of solid reagent, said dispensing station comprising:
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a dispenser assembly comprising;
a first plate;
a second plate, an array of hollow tubes coupled to the first plate; and
an array of plungers coupled to the second plate, each of said plungers slideably inserted into the hollow tubes, wherein the second plate is configured to slide the plungers simultaneously up and down within the hollow tubes;a reservoir configured to contain a bed of solid reagent particles, said reservoir sized to receive the array of hollow tubes; a conveyor for transporting said one or more solid supports through the dispensing station; a transport mechanism connected to the dispenser assembly, the transport mechanism configured to transport the dispenser assembly between the reservoir and the one or more solid supports; and a compacting lid having a flat lower surface, said compacting lid configured for lowering onto the reservoir and exerting pressure on the particles of reagent. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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35. An apparatus for dispensing particle material into locations of a solid support having multiple locations, the apparatus comprising:
- a first plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having an array of holes leading into a corresponding array of hollow chambers;
an array of hollow tubes attached to the bottom surface of said first plate, said array of hollow tubes aligned with the holes and the hollow chambers;
a second plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;
an array of plungers attached to the bottom surface of said second plate, wherein the array of plungers and array of holes is aligned and the plungers of the array are inserted into the holes and extend into the hollow tubes;
one or more springs mounted in between the top surface of the first plate and the bottom surface of the second plate, forcing the two plates apart; and
one or more stop posts connecting the first plate to the second plate; and
a computer controlled pneumatic pump in communication with the top surface of the second plate, said pump configured to apply a downward force on the second plate. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
- a first plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having an array of holes leading into a corresponding array of hollow chambers;
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41. A solid reagent dispensing station for filling locations of one or more solid supports with particles of solid reagent, said dispensing station comprising:
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a reservoir configured to contain a bed of solid reagent particles, the reservoir including a collar with an open proximal end, an open distal end, and an inner surface;
a base comprising an outer surface, said base shaped to sealably slide through the distal end of the collar, its outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the collar; and
a compacting lid removably engaged to the collar;a skimming plate having an array of holes, said skimming plate positioned above the reservoir; and dispenser means for withdrawing a plurality of predetermined volumes of the solid reagent particles through the holes of the skimming plate and dispensing them in the locations of the one or more solid supports. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification