Method and apparatus for tissue transfer

• US 8,409,860 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corteva Agriscience LLC (Corteva, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dow Agrosciences LLC (Corteva, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moynahan, Tonya Lynne Strange
• Primary Examiner(s): PARA, ANNETTE H
• Application Number:
  US13/616,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20130006424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 200 Days
• Field of Search: 435/430
• US Class Current: 435/430
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0275 Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0616 with vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/04 Viewing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1697 Vision controlled systems
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/04 by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles pipettes in general B01L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/48 Automatic or computerized control automatic analysis G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/28 Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Qmounting specimens on microscopic slides G02B21/34; means for supporting the objects or the materials to be analysed in electron microscopes H01J37/20 ; laboratory gas handling apparatus B01L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/09 Closed loop, sensor feedback controls arm movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/40 Vacuum or mangetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/47 Optical

Abstract

A handheld tool is disclosed which may be used to transfer a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container. The handheld tool may include a disposable tip member which couples the plurality of plant tissue explants through use of negative pressure. An automated system which transfers a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container is also disclosed. The automated system may include a first presentment system which moves the first container to a region, a second presentment system which moves the second container to the region, and a robot system that transfers the plurality of plant tissue explants from the first container to the second container.

Claims

1. A method of transferring plant tissue explants, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring a region with at least one camera;

(b) providing a first container with a plurality of plant tissue explants supported on a first nutrient substrate for transfer in the monitored region;

(c) providing a second container for receiving the plurality of plant tissue explants and supporting the plurality of plant tissue explants on a second nutrient substrate; and

(d) automatically transferring the plant tissue explants from the first container to the second container through negative pressure applied by a robot system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot system includes a fluid conduit in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure and the step of automatically transferring the plant tissue explants from the first container to the second container through negative pressure applied by a robot system includes the steps of:

selecting a tip member from a queue of tip members;

coupling the tip member to the robot system such that a first end of the tip member is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit;

for each plant tissue explant in the first container;

locating the respective plant tissue explant in the first container;

positioning the first end of the tip member proximate the respective plant tissue explant;

coupling the respective plant tissue explant to the first end of the tip member due to the first end of the tip member being in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure through a fluid conduit of the tip member;

moving the tip member and the respective plant tissue explant to a predefined location relative to the second container;

uncoupling the respective plant tissue explant from the tip member by changing the pressure in the fluid conduit of the tip member; and

uncoupling the tip member from the robot system and discarding the tip member.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a first container with a plurality of plant tissue explants supported on a first nutrient substrate for transfer in the monitored region includes the steps of:

identifying the first container;

selecting the first container from a first queue of containers;

removing a lid of the first container; and

moving the first container to the region being monitored.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing a second container in the monitored region for receiving the plurality of plant tissue explants and supporting the plurality of plant tissue explants on a second nutrient substrate includes the steps of:

selecting the second container from a second queue of containers;

identifying the second container;

removing a lid of the second container; and

moving the second container to the region being monitored.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of reading an identification attached to the first container;

and marking an identifying indicia on the second container.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the robot system positions each plant tissue explants in the second container in the same relative position as it was located in the first container.