Automatic isothermal titration microcalorimeter apparatus and method of use

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position, in a washing position, and enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit configured to wash the sample cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration.

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position, in a washing position, and enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit configured to wash the sample cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration and to replace sample liquid in the sample cell, wherein the cell preparation unit comprises a supported arm and one or more cell cannula that enable dispensing of liquid to at least one of the sample cell and the reference cell and withdrawal of liquid from at least one of the sample cell and reference cell.

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and enable rotational and vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a rotatable cell preparation unit configured to wash the sample cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration.

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and enable movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit configured to wash the sample cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration.

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and enable movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit configured to wash and replace sample in the sample cell and wash and replace reference liquid in the reference cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration.

An isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to supply titrant to the sample cell;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and enable rotational and vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and a cell preparation unit configured to wash and replace sample in the sample cell, wash and replace reference liquid in the reference cell when the pipette assembly is placed in another position than the position for titration, and wherein said cell preparation unit is configured to move rotationally and vertically.

An automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a controller configured to control automated operation of the ITC system;
• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell being accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell being accessible via a reference cell stem;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell, wherein the pipette assembly further comprises a syringe and an activator for driving a plunger in a cavity of the syringe to supply titrant to the titration needle;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position and in a washing position, wherein the pipette translation unit is configured to enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit comprising a cell arm configured to wash the sample cell and replace sample liquid in the sample cell,
• wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the ITC system to wash the titration needle of the pipette assembly, wash the sample cell, fill the sample cell with sample liquid, and enable performance of multiple unattended titration experiments in series.

An automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a controller configured to control automated operation of the ITC system;
• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell being accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell being accessible via a reference cell stem;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell, wherein the pipette assembly further comprises a syringe and an activator for driving a plunger in a cavity of the syringe to supply titrant to the titration needle;
• a titrant transfer unit configured to supply titrant to the syringe;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position and in a washing position, wherein the pipette translation unit is configured to enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• and
• a cell preparation unit comprising a cell arm configured to wash the sample cell and replace sample liquid in the sample cell,
• wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the ITC system to wash the titration needle of the pipette assembly, wash the sample cell, fill the sample cell with sample liquid, and enable performance of multiple unattended titration experiments in series.

An automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:

• a controller configured to control automated operation of the ITC system;
• a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell being accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell being accessible via a reference cell stem;
• a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell, wherein the pipette assembly further comprises a syringe and an activator for driving a plunger in a cavity of the syringe to supply titrant to the titration needle;
• a titrant transfer unit configured to supply titrant to the syringe;
• a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position and in a washing position, wherein the pipette translation unit is configured to enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly;
• a syringe fluidics system configured to enable at least one of pulling and pushing fluid through the syringe, a syringe fill port, and a fill port connection unit configured to enable fluidic contact between the syringe cavity and the syringe fluidics system;
• and
• a cell preparation unit comprising a cell arm configured to wash the sample cell and replace sample liquid in the sample cell,
• wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the ITC system to wash the titration needle of the pipette assembly, wash the sample cell, fill the sample cell with sample liquid, and enable performance of multiple unattended titration experiments in series.