SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED SAMPLE PREPARATION
First Claim
1. A method for automated sample preparation comprising:
- providing a plurality of trays, the trays carrying;
at least one sample containers containing a sample and having a respective cap engaged therewith; and
at least one centrifuge tube rack carrying a plurality of centrifuge tubes;
automatically transporting the trays to a processing deck;
automatically reading an identifier on the at least one sample container;
automatically removing the cap from the respective sample container;
automatically removing a portion of the sample the at least one de-capped sample container;
automatically dispensing the removed portion of the sample into one of the plurality of centrifuge tubes;
automatically transporting the at least one centrifuge tube rack to a centrifuge device; and
automatically centrifuging the centrifuge tube containing the sample with the centrifuge device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for automatically processing a biological specimen is provided that includes an elevator comprising a plurality of shelves configured to receive a plurality of sample trays. The trays may comprise a plurality of sample containers containing a sample and having a plurality of respective caps engaged therewith. The trays may further include a plurality of centrifuge tube racks each containing a plurality of centrifuge tubes. The system may include a first transport mechanism, a second transport mechanism and a third transport mechanism. The system may include a chain-of-custody device configured to read identifiers on each of the containers. The system may also include a pipetting device configured to remove a portion from the sample containers and dispense the sample into the centrifuge tubes.
0 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for automated sample preparation comprising:
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providing a plurality of trays, the trays carrying; at least one sample containers containing a sample and having a respective cap engaged therewith; and at least one centrifuge tube rack carrying a plurality of centrifuge tubes; automatically transporting the trays to a processing deck; automatically reading an identifier on the at least one sample container; automatically removing the cap from the respective sample container; automatically removing a portion of the sample the at least one de-capped sample container; automatically dispensing the removed portion of the sample into one of the plurality of centrifuge tubes; automatically transporting the at least one centrifuge tube rack to a centrifuge device; and automatically centrifuging the centrifuge tube containing the sample with the centrifuge device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for automated processing comprising:
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providing a plurality of trays, the plurality of trays carrying at least one molecular tube having a respective cap engaged therewith and at least one sample container having a respective cap engaged therewith; transporting the plurality of trays to a processing deck using an elevator; automatically removing the cap from the respective molecular tube while the molecular tube is disposed within a tray disposed on the processing deck; automatically removing the cap from the respective sample container while the container is disposed within the tray disposed on the processing deck; and automatically removing a portion of a sample from the de-capped sample container and automatically dispensing the removed portion into the de-capped molecular tube.
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24. A method for automated sample preparation comprising:
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automatically transporting a tray to a processing deck using a first transport mechanism configured to engage a bottom surface of the tray and move the tray in both an X-direction and a Z-direction, the tray carrying at least one syringe, at least one sample container, at least one molecular tube and at least one centrifuge rack, the at least one centrifuge rack carrying a plurality of centrifuge tubes; automatically transporting the processing deck with the tray coupled thereto to a first processing location using a second transport mechanism, the second transport mechanism configured to move the tray between the first transport mechanism, the first processing location and a second processing location in both the X-direction and a Y-direction; automatically removing a cap from the at least one sample container on the tray; automatically removing a cap from the at least one molecular tube on the tray; automatically engaging the at least one syringe disposed in the tray with the pipetting device; automatically removing a portion of a sample from the de-capped sample container with the syringe, wherein the portion of the sample includes a first part and a second part; dispensing the first part of the removed portion into the at least one de-capped molecular tube with the syringe; dispensing the second part of the removed portion into one of the plurality of centrifuge tubes with the syringe; disengaging the syringe from the pipetting device and disposing of the syringe; automatically transporting the processing deck with the tray coupled thereto to the second processing location; and automatically transporting the at least one centrifuge tube rack on the tray to the centrifuge device with a third transport mechanism.
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Specification