Apparatus and method for transporting sample well trays
AssigneeApplera Corporation
InventorsJessica E. Barzilai, Donald R. Sandell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device is provided. The apparatus includes a sample well tray holder, a rotational actuator, and a biasing mechanism. The sample well tray holder includes a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned. The sample well tray holder is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis. The biasing mechanism is configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.
Claims36
An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device, comprising:
- a sample well tray holder comprising a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned, said sample well tray holder configured to rotate about a first rotational axis;
- a rotational actuator configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.
A robotic manipulator for transporting sample well trays between at least two positions, comprising:
- a robotic arm having a sample well tray holder configured to support a sample well tray therein, the sample well tray holder comprising a recess for the sample well tray;
- a rotational mechanism configured to impart rotational motion on the robotic arm, the rotational mechanism comprising a motor;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to provide force on the sample well tray holder in a direction away from an adjacent sample block.
A system for manipulating sample well trays, comprising:
- a robot configured to transport a sample well tray to a first location;
- a loading mechanism configured to take a sample well tray from the first location, place the sample well tray into a heating device at a second location and then later remove the sample well tray from the heating device and return the sample well tray to the first location, the loading mechanism comprising a sample well tray holder in which a sample well tray may be positioned therein, a rotational actuator configured to rotate the sample well tray holder, and a biasing member configured to urge the sample well tray and sample well tray holder in a direction away from a sample block;
- and
- a heating device having an opening for receiving the sample well tray therein.
A method of manipulating sample well trays, comprising:
- placing a sample well tray into a sample well tray holder of a first robot mechanism located at a first position;
- rotating the sample well tray holder of the first robot mechanism about a rotational axis in a first rotational direction to insert the sample well tray holder into a heating device at a second position;
- lowering the sample well tray holder in a direction toward a sample block of the heating device so that the sample well tray engages the sample block;
- disengaging the sample well tray from the sample block so that the sample well tray does not directly contact the sample block;
- lifting the sample well tray holder and sample well tray from the heating device by a biasing mechanism so that the sample well tray is capable of rotation away from the sample block and heating device without interference;
- and
- rotating the sample well tray holder of the first robot mechanism in a second rotational direction toward the first position to remove the sample well tray holder from the heating device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.