Microplate handling systems and related computer program products and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microplate handling system, comprising:
- at least first and second non-priority microplate storage units that each store two or more microplates;
at least one priority microplate storage unit that stores at least one microplate;
at least one microplate processing area;
at least one non-priority microplate holding area;
at least one microplate transport mechanism configured to transport one or more microplates between the first and second non-priority microplate storage units, the priority microplate storage unit, the microplate processing area, and/or the non-priority microplate holding area; and
,at least one controller operably connected at least to the microplate transport mechanism, which controller is configured to selectively direct the microplate transport mechanism to;
(a) transport a non-priority microplate from the first non-priority microplate storage unit to the microplate processing area;
(b) position the non-priority microplate while in the microplate processing area;
(c) transport the non-priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the non-priority microplate holding area when a priority microplate is stored in the priority microplate storage unit;
(d) transport the priority microplate from the priority microplate storage unit to the microplate processing area;
(e) position the priority microplate while in the microplate processing area;
(f) transport the priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the second non-priority microplate storage unit or to the priority microplate storage unit;
(g) transport the non-priority microplate from the non-priority microplate holding area to the microplate processing area; and
(h) transport the non-priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the second non-priority microplate storage unit.
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Abstract
Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided.
347 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A microplate handling system, comprising:
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at least first and second non-priority microplate storage units that each store two or more microplates; at least one priority microplate storage unit that stores at least one microplate; at least one microplate processing area; at least one non-priority microplate holding area; at least one microplate transport mechanism configured to transport one or more microplates between the first and second non-priority microplate storage units, the priority microplate storage unit, the microplate processing area, and/or the non-priority microplate holding area; and
,at least one controller operably connected at least to the microplate transport mechanism, which controller is configured to selectively direct the microplate transport mechanism to; (a) transport a non-priority microplate from the first non-priority microplate storage unit to the microplate processing area; (b) position the non-priority microplate while in the microplate processing area; (c) transport the non-priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the non-priority microplate holding area when a priority microplate is stored in the priority microplate storage unit; (d) transport the priority microplate from the priority microplate storage unit to the microplate processing area; (e) position the priority microplate while in the microplate processing area; (f) transport the priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the second non-priority microplate storage unit or to the priority microplate storage unit; (g) transport the non-priority microplate from the non-priority microplate holding area to the microplate processing area; and (h) transport the non-priority microplate from the microplate processing area to the second non-priority microplate storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification