Microtiter plate mixing control system
AssigneeKing Instrumentation Technologies
InventorEdward E. King
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microtiter plate mixing control system is disclosed. The system includes a frame, a suspension system attached to the frame, and a magnetically responsive horizontal platform supported on the frame by the suspension system. A solenoid is adjacent the platform for moving the platform on the suspension system. A proximity sensor is adjacent the platform for determining the position of the platform with respect to the frame. A controller is in communication with the proximity sensor and the solenoid for driving the solenoid and moving the platform in response to the proximity sensor.
Claims13
A method of mixing compositions in small volumes of liquids with precise control, the method comprising:
- positioning a microtiter plate containing compositions to be mixed on a magnetically responsive horizontal platform, the magnetically responsive horizontal platform mounted to a spring suspension system;
- oscillating the magnetically responsive horizontal platform along a vertical axis defined by one or more springs of the spring suspension system, the oscillating driven by a solenoid;
- measuring a vertical position of the magnetically responsive horizontal platform as the magnetically responsive horizontal platform moves along the vertical axis defined by one or more springs of the spring suspension system, the vertical position of the magnetically responsive horizontal platform measured by a proximity sensor positioned adjacent the magnetically responsive horizontal platform;
- transmitting the vertical position to a microcontroller in communication with and between the solenoid and the proximity sensor, the microcontroller programmed with logic for driving the oscillating of the magnetically responsive horizontal platform in response to the proximity sensor via the solenoid;
- and
- driving the solenoid in response to the vertical position to cause the magnetically responsive horizontal platform to oscillate along the vertical axis defined by one or more springs of the spring suspension system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.