Multi-well rotary synthesizer

• US 8,147,776 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2008
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Inventors: McLuen, Gary R., Hanney, Richard J., Hugens, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handy, Dwayne K
• Application Number:
  US12/154,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20090263289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/100, 422/102, 422/129, 422/130, 422/131, 422/547, 422/549, 422/558, 422/560, 436/34, 436/37, 436/174, 436/179
• US Class Current: 422/547
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/00 Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00286 Reactor vessels with top and bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00308 interchangeably mounted in racks or blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00326 Movement by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00353 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00423 using filtration, e.g. through porous frits
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0072 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 : Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system. The controller rotates the cartridge and operates the banks of valves and the waste tube system in response to the required sequence of dispensing various reagent solutions and flushing appropriate vials in order to form the desired polymer chain within each vial.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising:

a. a plurality of receiving holes;

b. a plurality of individually removable vials configured to fit within a corresponding one of the receiving holes, each of the vials comprising a protruding support and a bored interior having a consistent dimension configured to hold a frit for retaining material within the vial above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial;

wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the protruding support to the frit.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein each vial further comprises an exterior dimension configured to fit within the corresponding one of the receiving holes, thereby providing a pressure-tight seal between the vial and the cartridge.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each vial further comprises a frit held within the bored interior.

4. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein each vial further comprises a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the material is a reagent solution dispensed into the bored interior.

7. A cartridge for holding one or more vials, the cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials, each vial comprising an exterior dimension to fit directly within a corresponding receiving hole thereby providing a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge, a bored interior having a consistent dimension to maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during flushing procedures by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial and a solid support retained within the vial above a frit after flushing procedures;

wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the exterior dimension to the frit.

8. The cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a frit held within the bored interior.

9. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

10. A cartridge for holding one or more vials, the cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials, each vial comprising;

i. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial;

ii. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

iii. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure; and

iv. an exterior dimension to fit directly within a receiving hold of a cartridge to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge;

wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the exterior dimension to the frit.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein each vial further comprises a frit held within the bored interior.

12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein each vial further comprises a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure.

13. The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

14. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the material dispensed into the bored interior is a reagent solution.

15. A cartridge for holding one or more vials, the cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials, each vial comprising;

i. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold a frit for retaining material above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial, wherein the consistent dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials;

ii. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

iii. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure;

iv. an exterior dimension configured to fit directly within a the receiving holes to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into a receiving hole of the cartridge, wherein the exterior dimension is consistent for each of the plurality of vials such that any of the vials will consistently fit within the receiving hole of the cartridge; and

v. a solid support retained within the vial above the frit after the flushing procedure;

wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the exterior dimension to the frit.

16. The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein each vial further comprises a frit held within the bored interior.

17. The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

18. The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the material is a reagent solution dispensed into the bored interior.

19. A cartridge for holding one or more vials, the cartridge comprising:

a. one or more receiving holes; and

b. one or more vials, each vial comprising;

i. a frit;

ii. a solid support;

iii. a bored interior having a consistent dimension to hold the frit for retaining the solid support above the frit and maintain a consistent flow through the bored interior during a flushing procedure by only forming a pressure differential to expel material from the vial, wherein the solid support and material formed on the solid support is retained above the frit, within the vial, during a flushing procedure;

iv. a top opening through which material is dispensed into the bored interior;

v. a bottom opening of a diameter to retain material within the bored interior when no pressure differential is applied and through which material is flushed during the flushing procedure; and

vi. a protruding support that extends along the entire circumference of the top opening and is configured to form a pressure-tight seal directly between the vial and the cartridge when the vial is inserted into the one or more receiving holes of the cartridge;

wherein the bored interior linearly tapers from the exterior support to the frit.

20. The cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the solid support is controlled pore glass beads.

21. The cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the material is a reagent solution dispensed into the bored interior.