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

• US 7,891,549 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• 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 A
• Application Number:
  US12/759,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/486, 235/492, 702/19, 702/22, 702/31, 702/121, 702/123, 702/182, 702/183, 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 movable member configured for extracting a biological constituent from a biological sample, the movable member controlled by the 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.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for selection is a user interface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

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

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

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

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

8. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

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

a central processing unit coupled to the frame;

a display in communication with the central processing unit;

at least one plunger movably coupled to the frame; 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 when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger to extract a biological constituent from a biological sample.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for selection is a user interface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, 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.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, 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.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, 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.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a nonvolatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

16. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for selecting between a normal volume elution mode and a low volume elution mode.

17. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.

18. A biological sample processing apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit;

a movable member configured for extracting a biological constituent from a biological sample, the movable member controlled by the central processing unit;

a display in communication with the central processing unit; and

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

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.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the personality type selector is a user interface.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the user interface is a keypad or a touch screen.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus further includes a nonvolatile memory in communication with the central processing unit, and wherein data indicating a selected personality type is stored in the non-volatile memory.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising means for selecting a protocol mode.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the personality type is a research personality, a clinical personality, or a forensic personality.