Sample distribution system and process
First Claim
1. A sample distribution system comprisinga hand-held, programmable, electronic pipettor for hand held distribution of fluid samples, comprising a user interface, a data carrier and a first electronic data communication interface, anda positioning device comprising a first holder adapted to removably hold the hand-held, electronic pipettor, a second holder adapted to removably hold a target container, at least two electronically controlled motors for effecting a relative movement of the first and the second holders, and a second electronic data communication interface,wherein the data carrier on the hand-held, electronic pipettor contains information determining some or all of the operation of the electronically controlled motors on the positioning device and the user interface is configured for manual entry, alteration, or selection of the information, part thereof, or a precursor thereof,the first and the second electronic data communication interfaces are configured for transmission of said information from the hand-held, electronic pipettor to the positioning device, andthe positioning device is configured to receive the information from the electronic pipettor and to control operation of the motors as determined by information received from the electronic pipettor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
On the one hand the invention relates to a distribution apparatus 41 for hand held distribution of fluid samples with a data carrier and a first communication interface. On the other hand it concerns a positioning device 21 comprising a first holder 23 adapted for holding the distribution apparatus 41, a second holder 25 adapted for holding a target container 63, an actuator for effecting a relative movement of the first and the second holder 23, 25, and a second communication interface. These two components are part of a sample distribution system 11 which is also subject matter of the invention, including its use in a process for sample distribution. A relevant aspect of the invention is that the data carrier of the distribution apparatus contains information determining the operation of the actuator. The first and the second communication interfaces are configured for the transmission of said information from the distribution apparatus 41 to the positioning device 21, and the positioning device 21 is configured for effecting operation of the actuator as determined by the information.
9 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sample distribution system comprising
a hand-held, programmable, electronic pipettor for hand held distribution of fluid samples, comprising a user interface, a data carrier and a first electronic data communication interface, and a positioning device comprising a first holder adapted to removably hold the hand-held, electronic pipettor, a second holder adapted to removably hold a target container, at least two electronically controlled motors for effecting a relative movement of the first and the second holders, and a second electronic data communication interface, wherein the data carrier on the hand-held, electronic pipettor contains information determining some or all of the operation of the electronically controlled motors on the positioning device and the user interface is configured for manual entry, alteration, or selection of the information, part thereof, or a precursor thereof, the first and the second electronic data communication interfaces are configured for transmission of said information from the hand-held, electronic pipettor to the positioning device, and the positioning device is configured to receive the information from the electronic pipettor and to control operation of the motors as determined by information received from the electronic pipettor.
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2. A positioning device comprising
a first holder adapted to removeably hold a hand-held electronic pipettor for hand held distribution of fluid samples, a second holder adapted to removeably hold a target container, an electronic data communication interface, at least two electronically controlled motors for effecting a relative movement of the first holder and the second holder, and a slave microcontroller; wherein the positioning device is configured for receiving via the electronic data communication interface information from the hand-held electronic pipettor, said information being used by the slave microcontroller to control operation of the motors and to move and position the first holder relative to the second holder. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 16, 17)
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3. A sample distribution process comprising the steps of:
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providing a hand-held, programmable electronic pipettor comprising a data carrier, providing a positioning device comprising a first holder for holding the electronic pipettor, a second holder for holding a target container, and at least two electronically controlled motors for effecting a relative movement of the first and the second holder, storing information on a data carrier of a hand-held programmable electronic pipettor, said information coordinating the relative movement of the first and second holders on the positioning device and the pipetting action of the electronic pipettor, placing the hand-held programmable electronic pipettor in a first holder on a positioning device; transmitting the information electronically from the hand-held, programmable electronic pipettor to the positioning device, using the transmitted information to control the operation of at least two motors, thereby effecting the relative movement of the first holder holding the electronic pipettor and the second holder holding the target container and using the information on the data carrier to control operation of the electronic pipettor and transfer fluid samples from the electronic pipettor to the target container. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification