Apparatus for process automation using a pin and bushing array

• US 8,554,362 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boone, Charles, Sasan Raghibizadeh
• Original Assignee: Boone, Charles, Sasan Raghibizadeh
• Inventors: Raghibizadeh, Sasan, Boone, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Ramya
• Application Number:
  US13/409,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20120161377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/228, 414/2, 414/222.12, 414/222.02, 422/63
• US Class Current: 700/230
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/543 for disposable pipette tips, e.g. racks or cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/547 for dispensing pins
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00326 Analysers with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/042 moved independently, e.g. by fork manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1011 Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 arranged in a two-dimensional array

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a plurality of bushings arranged and held together in an array; and a plurality of pins residing in the plurality of bushings, wherein the plurality of pins are for transferring samples. Manufacturing tolerances for inside diameters of the bushings and outside diameters of the pins substantially match to allowing the pins to slide freely within the bushings. The plurality of bushings can reside in one or more plates, each of which having plurality of holes, with the plurality of bushings being held together in the array.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of bushings arranged and held together in an array; and

a plurality of pins residing in the plurality of bushings, the plurality of pins for transferring samples;

wherein each bushing has opposing open ends, and the pin residing in the bushing has a length such that a first pin end of the pin can extend through and beyond one of the open ends of the bushing so that the first pin end can contact a sample for transfer,

and further wherein manufacturing tolerances for inside diameters of the bushings and outside diameters of the pins substantially match, thereby allowing the pins to slide freely within the bushings.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more plates comprising a plurality of holes in which the plurality of bushings reside and whereby the plurality of bushings are held together in the array.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each pin is sized so that when the first pin end extends through and beyond on of the open ends, a second free end of the pin opposite the first pin end is within the bushing and spaced from the other open end of the bushing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each bushing has a bore terminating in the open end that the pin extends from for sample contact and transfer, and manufacturing tolerance for an inside diameter of each bore that the pin moves in and a manufacturing tolerance for the outside diameter of each pin along a length of the pin that moves in the bore of the bushing substantially match, thereby allowing the pins to slide freely within the bushings.