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Integrated robotic sample transfer device

  • US 9,068,953 B2
  • Filed: 09/24/2012
  • Issued: 06/30/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A robotic sample transfer device, comprising:

  • a substantially horizontal work surface including a plurality of functional elements configured for small sample processing;

    a three axis robotic positioning assembly having a fixed mount portion secured in fixed relation with the work surface,a translatable carrier configured to be translatable in three different axes with respect to the fixed mount portion and work surface, which translatable carrier comprises three stepper motors each corresponding to each of the three axes and at least one linear encoder assembly configured to generate position data for at least one axis;

    a pin tool head assembly coupled to the translatable carrier;

    the pin tool head assembly comprising a plurality of pin tools configured for displacement along an axis perpendicular to lateral surfaces of the pin tool head assembly, each of which pin tools comprises (i) a shaft that comprises a sample reservoir at a distal end of the shaft, and (ii) a collar around the shaft positioned between a proximal end and the distal end of the shaft;

    a pin tool displacement block comprising a plurality of slots and one or more relieved channels in a subset of slots, each of the relieved channels is configured to permit a pin tool shaft and a collar to traverse all or part of the relieved channel, each of which slots is configured to permit a pin tool shaft, but not a collar, to traverse all or part of the slot, and which pin tool displacement block is moveably disposed relative to the pin tool head assembly; and

    a controller configured to control (i) the stepper motors, (ii) at least one linear encoder assembly, and (iii) movement of the pin tool displacement block into a position that disposes the relieved channels under a first subset of the pin tools for use in sample transfer and does not dispose the relieved channels under a second subset of the pin tools not for use in sample transfer.

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