Multi-well rotary synthesizer

• US 8,404,196 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• 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:
  US13/406,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20120171088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 422/547, 422/549, 422/558
• US Class Current: 422/547
• 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 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.

Claims

1. A vial comprising:

a. a top opening;

b. a bored interior to hold a frit for retaining material within the vial above the frit, wherein the bored interior tapers from the top opening to the frit; and

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

2. The vial of claim 1 further comprising 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.

3. The vial of claim 1 wherein the bored interior has a consistent dimension.

4. The vial of claim 1 wherein a consistent flow is maintained through the bored interior during the flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial.

5. The vial of claim 1 wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the top opening to the frit.

6. The vial of claim 1 further comprising a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior.

7. The vial of claim 1 wherein the solid support comprises controlled pore glass beads.

8. A vial comprising:

a. a frit;

b. a solid support; and

c. a body comprising;

i. a bored interior to hold the frit for retaining the solid support above the frit, wherein the solid support and material formed on the solid support is retained above the frit, within the vial, during a flushing procedure;

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

iii. an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge; and

iv. an interior wall which tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

9. The vial of claim 8 wherein the bored interior has a consistent dimension.

10. The vial of claim 8 wherein a consistent flow is maintained through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial.

11. The vial of claim 8 further comprising 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.

12. The vial of claim 8 wherein the vial forms a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge.

13. The vial of claim 8 wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

14. The vial of claim 8 wherein the solid support comprises controlled pore glass beads.

15. The vial of claim 8 wherein the material dispensed into the bored interior comprises a reagent solution.

16. A vial comprising:

a. a top opening;

b. a bottom opening;

c. an interior that holds a frit;

d. a solid support within the vial that is retained above the frit;

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

f. an interior wall which tapers from the support to the frit.

17. The vial of claim 16 wherein the interior has a consistent dimension.

18. The vial of claim 16 wherein a consistent flow is maintained through the interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial.

19. The vial of claim 16 wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the support to the frit.

20. The vial of claim 16 wherein the solid support comprises controlled pore glass beads.

21. The vial of claim 16 wherein material is dispensed through the top opening into the interior.

22. The vial of claim 21 wherein the material dispensed into the bored interior comprises a reagent solution.

23. A cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials each comprising;

i. a top opening;

ii. a bored interior to hold a frit for retaining material within the vial above the frit, wherein the bored interior tapers from the top opening to the frit; and

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

24. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein each vial further comprises 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.

25. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein the bored interior has a consistent dimension.

26. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein a consistent flow is maintained through the bored interior during the flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial.

27. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the top opening to the frit.

28. The cartridge of claim 23 further comprising a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior.

29. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein the solid support comprises controlled pore glass beads.

30. A cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials each comprising;

i. a frit;

ii. a solid support; and

iii. a body comprising;

A. an interior to hold the frit for retaining the solid support above the frit, wherein the solid support and material formed on the solid support is retained above the frit, within the vial, during a flushing procedure;

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

C. an exterior support to fit directly within a receiving hole of a cartridge; and

D. an interior wall which tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

31. The vial of claim 30 wherein the interior has a consistent dimension.

32. The vial of claim 30 wherein a consistent flow is maintained through the interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial.

33. The vial of claim 30 wherein the interior wall linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

34. The vial of claim 30 wherein the solid support comprises controlled pore glass beads.

35. The vial of claim 30 wherein the material dispensed into the interior comprises a reagent solution.