公开(公告)号：US06843962B2

公开(公告)日：2005-01-18

申请号：US09946958

申请日：2001-09-06

Applicant: James Keith Haslam ,  Paul Noble

Inventor： James Keith Haslam ,  Paul Noble

IPC: G01N35/00 ,  G01N35/02 ,  G01N35/04 ,  C12M1/26

CPC classification number: G01N35/04 ,  G01N35/0099 ,  G01N35/028 ,  G01N2035/0405 ,  G01N2035/042 ,  Y10T436/113332 ,  Y10T436/114165

Abstract: Apparatus for handling biological sample containers comprises a conveyor assembly for conveying containers and a lid handing assembly operable to remove lids from and replace lids onto containers while the containers are in motion on the conveyor assembly. The lid handling assembly comprises a pair of ramps onto which a lid is lifted by a lifting mechanism configured to handle overhanging lids or non-overhanging lids as required. The lid handling assembly may be configured to handle lids of containers of various sizes by altering the ramp spacing. A conveyor assembly comprises a pair of converging rails which carry a pair of jaws operable to carry a container. The convergence of the rails rakes the jaws clamp the container so that it is held tightly in position for micro-arraying to be cared out. The conveyor assembly may be adapted to handle different sizes of container by the provision of holders to hold various container types.

Abstract translation: 用于处理生物样品容器的装置包括用于输送容器的输送机组件和可操作以在容器在输送机组件上运动的同时移除盖子并将盖子更换到容器上的盖子处理组件。 盖处理组件包括一对斜面，盖子通过提升机构提升到所述提升机构上，所述提升机构被配置为根据需要处理悬垂盖或非悬垂盖。 盖处理组件可以被配置为通过改变斜坡间距来处理各种尺寸的容器的盖子。 传送器组件包括一对会聚轨道，其携带可操作以携带容器的一对夹爪。 轨道的收敛使颚钳夹紧容器，使其紧紧地保持在适当的位置，以便排除微阵列。 输送机组件可以适于通过设置用于容纳各种容器类型的保持器来处理不同尺寸的容器。

公开(公告)号：US06998094B2

公开(公告)日：2006-02-14

申请号：US10133904

申请日：2002-04-29

Applicant: James Keith Haslam ,  Paul Noble ,  Keith Melvin Ebel

Inventor： James Keith Haslam ,  Paul Noble ,  Keith Melvin Ebel

IPC: G01N35/04 ,  C12M1/26

CPC classification number: G01N35/028 ,  G01N35/0099 ,  G01N35/04 ,  G01N2035/0405 ,  G01N2035/042 ,  Y10T436/11 ,  Y10T436/113332 ,  Y10T436/114165

Abstract: Apparatus for handling biological sample containers comprises a conveyor assembly for conveying containers and a lid handling assembly operable to remove lids from and replace lids onto containers while the containers are in motion on the conveyor assembly. The lid handling assembly comprises a pair of ramps onto which a lid is lifted by a lifting mechanism configured to handle overhanging lids or non-overhanging lids as required. The lid handling assembly may be configured to handle lids of containers of various sizes by altering the ramp spacing. A conveyor assembly comprises a pair of converging rails which carry a pair of jaws operable to carry a container. The convergence of the rails makes the jaws clamp the container so that it is held tightly in position for micro-arraying to be carried out. The conveyor assembly may be adapted to handle different sizes of container by the provision of holders to hold various container types.

公开(公告)号：US06752182B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-22

申请号：US09892614

申请日：2001-06-28

Applicant: George Robert Atkinson ,  James Keith Haslam

Inventor： George Robert Atkinson ,  James Keith Haslam

IPC: B65B104

CPC classification number: B82Y30/00 ,  B01J19/0046 ,  B01J2219/00387 ,  B01J2219/00527 ,  B01J2219/00585 ,  B01J2219/0059 ,  B01J2219/00596 ,  B01J2219/00605 ,  B01J2219/00659 ,  B01J2219/00677 ,  B01J2219/00689 ,  B01J2219/00691 ,  B01L3/0244 ,  B01L9/547 ,  B01L2200/025 ,  B01L2200/143 ,  B01L2400/025 ,  C40B60/14 ,  G01N35/1011

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.

Abstract translation: 本发明基于这样一种认识，即如果一个针对喷头表面和井板的相对高度预先对准，使得销头中的销降低到相同的绝对高度，则针头的垂直驱动的反馈控制变得不必要 两者用于从井板拾取液体并将其沉积在点样表面上。 通过对准井板和点样表面的高度，针头的垂直驱动仅需要能够再现和准确地到达单个降低的位置。 针头可以通过具有机械限定的底点来提供该功能，从而避免需要用于销的高度确定的复杂且昂贵的反馈控制系统。 因此可以提供简单，低成本的微阵列器。

公开(公告)号：US06943035B1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-13

申请号：US09573998

申请日：2000-05-19

Applicant: Douglas Davies ,  James Keith Haslam ,  Sarah Katharine Stephens

Inventor： Douglas Davies ,  James Keith Haslam ,  Sarah Katharine Stephens

IPC: B01J19/00 ,  B01L3/02 ,  C40B60/14 ,  G01N35/10 ,  G01N1/10

CPC classification number: B01L3/0244 ,  B01J19/0046 ,  B01J2219/00387 ,  B01J2219/00527 ,  B01J2219/00585 ,  B01J2219/00596 ,  B01J2219/00605 ,  B01J2219/00612 ,  B01J2219/00659 ,  C40B60/14 ,  G01N35/1065 ,  G01N2035/1037 ,  Y10T436/25 ,  Y10T436/25375 ,  Y10T436/25625 ,  Y10T436/2575

Abstract: A multiwell plate for microarraying comprising a self-sealing lower membrane and optionally also a self-sealing upper membrane. Spotting is performed by pushing a pin down through the liquid and then on to pierce the self-sealing lower membrane. A slide having an upper spotting surface is arranged under the well plate. The liquid sample forced through the lower membrane by the pin tip can thus be deposited directly onto the spotting surface. The pin is then withdrawn upwards through the lower membrane, which automatically reseals preventing further loss of liquid. The optional resealable upper membrane also prevents loss of sample liquid by evaporation and spillage. By contrast to the prior art, there is the major advantage that the pin head does not have to traverse between the well plate and slide to collect sample liquid, thus dramatically increasing operational speed for an automated microarraying apparatus employing the multiwell plate. Excellent spot reproducibility is also observed.

Abstract translation: 一种用于微阵列的多孔板，其包括自密封下膜和任选地还包括自密封上膜。 通过将针向下推动穿过液体然后打开以刺穿自密封下膜来进行点样。 具有上部点样表面的滑块布置在孔板的下方。 因此，通过针尖强制通过下膜的液体样品可以直接沉积到点样表面上。 然后通过下膜将销向上拉出，自动防止液体进一步损失。 可选择的可重复密封的上膜还可防止样品液体通过蒸发和溢出而损失。 与现有技术相比，主要的优点是针头不必在孔板和滑动件之间穿过以收集样品液体，因此显着提高了采用多孔板的自动化微阵列装置的操作速度。 也观察到极好的斑点再现性。

公开(公告)号：US06759012B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US09985555

申请日：2001-11-05

Applicant: James Keith Haslam ,  John Richard Andrews

Inventor： James Keith Haslam ,  John Richard Andrews

IPC: B01L302

CPC classification number: G01N35/10 ,  B01J19/0046 ,  B01J2219/00274 ,  B01J2219/00387 ,  B01J2219/00527 ,  B01J2219/00585 ,  B01J2219/00596 ,  B01J2219/00605 ,  B01J2219/00659 ,  B01J2219/00691 ,  B01L3/0244 ,  C40B60/14 ,  G01N35/1074 ,  G01N2035/1037 ,  Y10T436/25 ,  Y10T436/2575

Abstract: A pin holder for a microarraying apparatus comprising at least one group of bodies of circular cross-section packed together to form a network of pathways in gaps between the bodies; and an array of pins slidably arranged in the pathways. The pins are held in parallel to each other automatically as a result of the self organized packing of the circular cross-section bodies, which may be spheres, for example ball bearings, or cylindrical, for example needle roller bearings. The pin holder provides for very accurate parallel alignment of the pins, low pin friction, as well as low cost and complexity of manufacture.

Abstract translation: 一种用于微阵列装置的针座，包括至少一组包装在一起的圆形横截面的主体，以在所述主体之间的间隙中形成路径网络; 以及可滑动地布置在路径中的销的阵列。 由于可以是球体的圆形横截面体（例如，球轴承）或圆柱形的滚针轴承（例如滚针轴承）的自组织的填充，自动地将销彼此平行地保持。 引脚支架提供了非常精确的引脚平行对准，低引脚摩擦，以及低成本和复杂的制造。

公开(公告)号：US07208124B2

公开(公告)日：2007-04-24

申请号：US10298948

申请日：2002-11-19

Applicant: David Elverd ,  James Keith Haslam ,  Trevor Ruddock

Inventor： David Elverd ,  James Keith Haslam ,  Trevor Ruddock

IPC: B01N3/02 ,  G01N1/10

CPC classification number: B01L3/0244 ,  B01J2219/00387 ,  B01J2219/00691 ,  B01L9/547 ,  B01L99/00 ,  B01L2200/04 ,  C12M33/04 ,  C40B60/14 ,  G01N35/0099 ,  G01N2035/1076 ,  Y10T436/2575

Abstract: A high throughput microarraying or colony picking robot with an automatic mechanism for exchanging pin heads and an automated washing and drying apparatus. The robot allows a dirty pin head to be deposited on the automated washing and drying apparatus for cleaning without use of the xyz-positioner, while spotting or picking can continue by picking up a clean pin head without having to wait for the dirty pin head to be cleaned. In this way, the speed of operation can be increased without any increase in the acceleration or speed of the x-, y- and z-drives. The dead time normally associated with the washing and drying cycle, which is usually several minutes, is therefore eliminated, and replaced with the much shorter dead time, of only a few tens of seconds, needed for changing between heads.

Abstract translation: 具有用于更换针头的自动机构和自动洗涤和干燥装置的高通量微阵列或集落拾取机器人。 机器人可以将脏针头沉积在自动洗涤和干燥设备上，无需使用xyz定位器进行清洁，同时通过拾取干净的针头可以继续点样或拾取，而无需等待脏针头 被清理 以这种方式，可以在不增加x，y和z驱动器的加速度或速度的情况下提高运行速度。 因此，通常与洗涤和干燥循环相关联的通常几分钟的死区时间被消除，并且被更换为头部之间需要更短的几十秒的死区时间。