PIPETTOR SYSTEM

• US 20160256866A1
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Highres Biosolutions Incorporated (BJA Croonen BV)
• Original Assignee: Highres Biosolutions Incorporated (BJA Croonen BV)
• Inventors: Nichols, Michael, Guarracina, Louis J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,623,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0227 Details of motor drive means B01L3/0231, B01L3/0234 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0237 Details of electronic control, e.g. relating to user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1076 plurality or independently movable heads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1011 Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1072 with provision for selective pipetting of individual channels

Abstract

Various embodiments include a system having: a pipetting chamber; a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber; a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including: at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a pipetting chamber;

a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber;

a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including;

at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and

a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and

a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tray dock within the pipetting chamber, the tray dock for holding a pipetting tray at the pipetting location.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an arm coupled to the tray dock for moving the tray dock in each of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a storage chamber coupled to the pipetting chamber, the storage chamber for storing pipetting trays.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a set of fluid reservoirs coupled with an exterior of at least one of the storage chamber or the pipetting chamber; and

a set of fluid conduits fluidly connected with the set of fluid reservoirs and the set of pipettor cartridges through the pipetting chamber.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a pump within the pipetting chamber, the pump fluidly connected with the set of fluid conduits, the pump for pumping fluid from the set of fluid reservoirs to the set of pipettor cartridges.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the storage chamber is located below the pipetting chamber.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a first set of doors on a side of the pipetting chamber for accessing the pipetting chamber; and

a second set of doors on a side of the storage chamber shared with the side of the pipetting chamber, the second set of doors for accessing the stored pipetting trays.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the set of pipettor cartridges includes:

a casing;

a mount on a top side of the casing;

a set of pipettes extending from a bottom side of the casing; and

an access door on a side of the casing between the top side and the bottom side.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the set of pipettor cartridges further includes:

at least one handle on the casing for gripping the casing; and

a display indicating at least one of power to the pipettor cartridge or a status of a pipetting procedure.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is further configured to rotate about its own axis to at least one of engage a pipettor cartridge, disengage a pipettor cartridge or facilitate pipetting via a pipettor cartridge, wherein the axis of the carrier is parallel to the third direction.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one stationary track includes two distinct stationary tracks aligned in parallel, the two distinct stationary tracks aligned perpendicular to the movable track.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of pipetting cartridges are docked to the ceiling of the pipetting chamber.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of pipetting cartridges are docked in a docking station within the pipetting chamber.

21. The system of claim 4, wherein the storage chamber includes a storage carousel for storing the pipetting trays.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the storage chamber includes a robotic arm configured to move the pipetting trays between the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the robotic arm is configured to move the pipetting trays between the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber in the Z direction, and is configured to move the pipetting trays in the X and Y directions within each of the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber.

15. A system comprising:

a pipetting chamber having a ceiling within the pipetting chamber;

a set of pipettor cartridges docked on the ceiling within the pipetting chamber;

a gantry system mounted on the ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including;

at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and

a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and

a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions; and

a control system coupled with the pipetting chamber, the control system for controlling movement of the carrier along the first direction, the second direction and the third direction.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the set of pipettor cartridges includes:

a casing;

a mount on a top side of the casing;

a set of pipettes extending from a bottom side of the casing; and

an access door on a side of the casing between the top side and the bottom side.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the carrier is further configured to rotate about its own axis to at least one of engage a pipettor cartridge, disengage a pipettor cartridge or facilitate pipetting via a pipettor cartridge, wherein the axis of the carrier is parallel to the third direction.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a storage chamber coupled to the pipetting chamber, the storage system for storing pipetting trays.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a set of fluid reservoirs coupled with an exterior of at least one of the storage chamber or the pipetting chamber; and

a set of fluid conduits fluidly connected with the set of fluid reservoirs and the set of pipettor cartridges through the pipetting chamber.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage chamber includes a storage carousel for storing the pipetting trays, wherein the storage chamber includes a robotic arm configured to move the pipetting trays between the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the robotic arm is configured to move the pipetting trays between the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber in the Z direction, and is configured to move the pipetting trays in the X and Y directions within each of the pipetting chamber and the storage chamber.

20. A system comprising:

a pipetting chamber having a ceiling within the pipetting chamber;

a set of pipettor cartridges docked on the ceiling within the pipetting chamber;

a gantry system mounted on the ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including;

at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and

a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and

a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions,

wherein the carrier is further configured to move completely circumferentially about the set of pipettor cartridges docked on the ceiling; and

a control system coupled with the pipetting chamber, the control system for controlling movement of the carrier along the first direction, the second direction and the third direction.