Multi-well rotary synthesizer

• US 8,158,085 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2000
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Inventors: McLuen, Gary R., Hanney, Richard J., Hugens, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handy, Dwayne K
• Application Number:
  US09/742,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007644A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,137 Days
• Field of Search: 422/101, 422/102, 422129-131, 422/99, 422/547, 422/549, 422/558, 436176-178, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/558
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/00 Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
• 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 2219/00286 Reactor vessels with top and bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00308 interchangeably mounted in racks or blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00326 Movement by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00353 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00423 using filtration, e.g. through porous frits
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0072 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 : Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system. The controller rotates the cartridge and operates the banks of valves and the waste tube system in response to the required sequence of dispensing various reagent solutions and flushing appropriate vials in order to form the desired polymer chain within each vial.

Claims

1. A vial comprising an exterior support and a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material within the vial directly above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure, wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

2. The vial according to claim 1 further comprising an exterior dimension to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge, thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge.

9. The vial as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

3. A vial comprising an interior wall and an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above a frit after flushing procedures, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

4. The vial according to claim 3 consisting essentially of a single frit positioned within the bored interior to retain material within the vial above the frit.

10. The vial as claimed in claim 3 wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

5. A vial comprising:

a. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial;

b. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

c. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure;

d. an outer wall to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge, wherein the outer wall continuously tapers from the top opening to the bottom opening; and

e. a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure.

11. The vial as claimed in claim 5 wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

6. A vial comprising:

a. a frit;

b. a solid support; and

c. a body comprising;

ii. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold the frit for retaining the solid support above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial, wherein the solid support and material formed on the solid support is retained above the frit, within the vial, during a flushing procedure;

iii. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

iv. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure; and

v. an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and a cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge; and

vi. an interior wall;

wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

7. The vial as claimed in claim 6 wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

8. The vial as claimed in claim 6 wherein the material dispensed into the bored interior is a reagent solution.

12. A vial including an interior wall and a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit, the vial consisting essentially of a single frit for retaining material within the vial directly above the single frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above the single frit after the flushing procedure, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from an exterior support to the frit.

13. A vial including an interior wall and an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial directly above a frit, the vial consisting essentially of a single frit, after flushing procedures, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

14. A vial comprising:

an interior wall;

a bored interior having a consistent dimension;

a material for growing a polymer chain; and

a frit for retaining the material within the vial directly above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure, the vial consisting essentially of a single frit, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from an exterior support to the frit.

15. A vial comprising an interior wall and a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit, the vial consisting essentially of a single frit for retaining material within the vial directly above the single frit without any additional fits and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above the single frit after the flushing procedure, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from an exterior support to the frit.

16. A plurality of vials each comprising an interior wall and a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit, wherein the consistent dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials, each of the vials consisting essentially of a single frit for retaining material within the vial directly above the single frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above the single frit after the flushing procedure, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from an exterior support to the frit.

17. A plurality of vials each comprising an interior wall and an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, wherein the exterior dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials such that any of the vials will consistently fit within the receiving hole of the cartridge, each of the plurality of vials further comprising a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial directly above a frit, the vial consisting essentially of a single frit, after flushing procedures, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

18. A plurality of vials, each of the plurality of vials comprising:

a. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material above the fit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial, wherein the consistent dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials;

b. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

c. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure;

d. an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge, wherein the exterior dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials such that any of the vials will consistently fit within the receiving hole of the cartridge;

e. a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure; and

f. an interior wall, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

19. A plastic vial comprising an interior wall and an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above a frit after flushing procedures, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

20. The plastic vial according to claim 19 wherein the plastic vial is constructed of a polymer.

21. The plastic vial according to claim 20 wherein the polymer comprises polyethylene.

22. A plastic vial comprising:

a. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material above the fit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial;

b. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

c. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure;

d. an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge;

e. a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure; and

f. an interior wall, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

23. The plastic vial according to claim 22 wherein the plastic vial is constructed of a polymer.

24. The plastic vial according to claim 23 wherein the polymer comprises polyethylene.

25. A molded polyethylene compressible vial comprising an interior wall and an exterior compressible dimension to compressibly fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above a frit after flushing procedures, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior compressible dimension to the frit.

26. A molded polyethylene compressible vial comprising:

a. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a fit for retaining material above the fit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial;

b. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

c. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure;

d. an exterior compressible dimension to compressibly fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge;

e. a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure; and

f. an interior wall, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior compressible dimension to the frit.

27. A vial comprising:

a. a top opening;

b. a bottom opening;

c. a precision bored interior that holds a frit, providing a consistent compression and seal with the frit and provides a consistent flow of a reagent solution through the vial during a dispensing and a purging process;

d. a solid support within the vial that is retained above the frit after the purging process; and

e. a support that has a precise dimension that provides a pressure tight seal around the vial when the vial is placed in a cartridge;

f. an interior wall, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the support to the frit.

28. A vial comprising:

a. a top opening having a circumference;

b. a bottom opening;

c. a precision bored interior that holds a frit, providing a consistent compression and seal with the frit and provides a consistent flow of a reagent solution through the vial during a dispensing and a purging process;

d. a solid support within the vial that is retained above the frit after the purging process; and

e. a protruding support that extends along the entire circumference of the top opening of the vial and is configured to form a pressure tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is placed in a cartridge;

f. an interior wall, wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the support to the frit such that the interior wall provides a sole support for the frit.