Biological sample processing apparatus that selects the personality type of the apparatus

• US 7,721,947 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Original Assignee: Promega Corporation
• Inventors: Mezei, Louis, Bjerke, Michael P., Krueger, Steven T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, APRIL ALICIA
• Application Number:
  US11/763,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20080010520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/486, 235/492, 702/31, 702/182, 702/183, 702/19, 702/22, 702/121, 702/123, 340/286.01
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0091 GUI [graphical user interfaces]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00722 Communications; Identification

Abstract

A biological sample processing apparatus having a central processing unit, a display in communication with the central processing unit and a selector for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the selector being in communication with the central processing apparatus. The selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

Claims

1. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

means for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit,

wherein selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type, and

wherein the apparatus comprises one of;

(a) an RFID reader, and the means for selection is an RFID tag attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus;

(b) a barcode reader, and the means for selection is a barcode attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus;

or

(c) a device capable of optical character recognition, and the means for selection is a word or phrase attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.

6. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a frame having a depth dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension;

at least one plunger slidably mounted to the frame;

a platform slidably mounted to the frame, the platform being positioned below the at least one plunger;

a central processing unit connected to the frame;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

means for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit,

wherein the plunger is slidable in the height dimension,

wherein the platform is slidable in the depth dimension,

wherein selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type, and

wherein when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger and the platform.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for selection is a user interface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises an RFID reader, and the means for selection is an RFID tag attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further includes a barcode reader, and the means for selection is a barcode attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further includes a device capable of optical character recognition, and the means for selection is a word or phrase attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

13. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

14. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode.

15. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.

16. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit;

a display in communication with the central processing unit;

a personality type selector, the personality type selector being in communication with the central processing unit; and

means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode,

wherein selection of a personality type with the personality type selector prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the personality type selector is a user interface.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises an RFID reader, and the personality type selector is an RFID tag attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus further includes a barcode reader, and the personality type selector is a barcode attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with the apparatus.

21. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus further includes a device capable of optical character recognition, and the personality type selector is a word or phrase attached to a cartridge of wells configured for operable cooperation with apparatus.

22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

23. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

24. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.