US 12,258,212 B2 · Robotic processing system

Abstract

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A mobile storage array for storing climate controlled process samples in a facility space having different climate sections in the facility space each with different climates at least one of which is a controlled climate other than room habitation climate, the storage array being movable by hand in the facility space to the controlled climate section from another of the different climate sections, the mobile storage array comprising:

a movable frame sized and shaped for hand carting movement relative to the different climate sections having controlled climates therein;
and
a storage array, with an array of storage locations for holding process samples therein, movably mounted to and dependent from the movable frame so as to move as a unit with the movable frame, the storage array movable mounting to the movable frame providing the storage array, mounted to the movable frame, a degree of freedom of motion relative to the movable frame.

A method for storing climate controlled process samples in a facility space, having different climate sections in the facility space each with different climates at least one of which is a controlled climate other than room habitation climate, in a mobile storage array that is movable as a unit in the facility space to the controlled climate section from another of the different climate sections, the method comprising:

providing a frame;
providing a storage carousel, mounted to the frame, that is sized and shaped so that the frame and storage carousel mounted thereto are movable as a unit, the storage carousel defining an array of holder storage racks, each disposed for storage therein of stacked sample holders, removably mounted to and distributed at a storage rack station, each storage rack station with a rack location, of the carousel;
selecting a variable footprint of the storage carousel by selecting a variable total number of the storage rack stations forming the array, where the storage rack stations are selectable between different numbers of more than one total storage rack stations by selectably adding or removing storage rack stations to the array so as to correspondingly increase or decrease the selected total number of storage rack stations from a first total number of the more than one total storage rack stations to a different second total number of the more than one total storage rack stations within a common enclosed perimeter of the storage carousel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Robotic processing system

Life of this patent

Robotic processing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17