Robotic handling system and method with independently operable detachable tools
First Claim
1. An analytical system comprising one or more movable devices for use in performing one or more operations, a plurality of stations each having associated therewith one or more receivers for receiving one or more of the movable devices so that a prescribed operation can be commenced at the respective station, at least one transport mechanism for transporting the movable devices from station to station, and a controller for directing the transport mechanism to leave at least one of the movable devices with the receiver(s) in a first one of the stations thereby to free the transport mechanism for transport of at least one other movable device between stations while the movable device or devices left at the first station are used to perform a prescribed operation at the first station, wherein the movable devices include one or more sampling probes for aspirating and/or dispensing an agent, wherein at least one of the sampling probes is not tethered to any stationary component of the system, and wherein the at least one sampling probe includes a plunger and a motive device for moving the plunger in response to a command signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An analytical system and method that enables more efficient transport of movable devices (22) among stations (24, 25, 26). According to one aspect of the invention, the system and method permit operational timesharing of a transport mechanism (34) for the movable devices. According to another aspect of the invention, control of the transport mechanism is effected on an event-driven basis. The invention has particular application to an adaptive, motion and fluids system for automating the sample handling/management process associated with analytical processes and especially bioanalytical processes such as introducing samples into LC and HPLC systems.
-
Citations
24 Claims
- 1. An analytical system comprising one or more movable devices for use in performing one or more operations, a plurality of stations each having associated therewith one or more receivers for receiving one or more of the movable devices so that a prescribed operation can be commenced at the respective station, at least one transport mechanism for transporting the movable devices from station to station, and a controller for directing the transport mechanism to leave at least one of the movable devices with the receiver(s) in a first one of the stations thereby to free the transport mechanism for transport of at least one other movable device between stations while the movable device or devices left at the first station are used to perform a prescribed operation at the first station, wherein the movable devices include one or more sampling probes for aspirating and/or dispensing an agent, wherein at least one of the sampling probes is not tethered to any stationary component of the system, and wherein the at least one sampling probe includes a plunger and a motive device for moving the plunger in response to a command signal.
-
18. An analytical system comprising a plurality of movable devices for use in performing one or more operations in an analytical procedure, a plurality of stations at which an analytical procedure is performed, a transport mechanism for transporting the movable devices from station to station, and a controller for directing the transport mechanism to retrieve one or more of the movable devices from a station in response to a request corresponding to completion of the prescribed operation by a movable device or devices at such station, wherein the movable devices include one or more sampling probes for aspirating and/or dispensing an agent, wherein at least one of the sampling probes is not tethered to any stationary component of the system, and wherein the at least one sampling probe includes a plunger and a motive device for moving the plunger in response to a command signal.
- 19. A method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of movable devices for performing one or more operations at respective stations each having associated therewith a receiver for receiving one or more of the movable devices so that a prescribed operation can be commenced at the respective station, and transporting the movable devices from station to station, wherein the transporting step includes directing the transport mechanism to leave at least one of the movable devices with the receiver in a first one of the stations thereby to free the transport mechanism for transport of at least one other movable device between stations while the movable device or devices left at the first station are used to perform a prescribed operation at the first station, wherein the movable devices include one or more sampling probes for aspirating and/or dispensing an agent, wherein at least some of the sampling probes are not tethered to any stationary component of the system, and wherein at least one of the sampling probes includes a plunger and a motive device for moving the plunger in response to a command signal.
Specification