# US 2014/0196550 A1 · Systems and devices for sample handling

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- Number: US 2014/0196550 A1
- Document ID: US20140196550A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/151,627
- Filed: 2014-01-09
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11
- Assignees: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Applicants: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Inventors: Rostislav Chernomorsky; Nicholas Gale; Sam Cichon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196550A1

## CPC

- C12M 23/12: {Well or multiwell plates (C12M25/04 takes precedence)}
- B01L 3/502: {with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures}
- B01L 3/5085: {for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates}
- C12M 29/00: {Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps (pumps per se F04B)}
- G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)}
- B01L 2200/026: Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
- B01L 2300/0609: Holders integrated in container to position an object
- B01L 2300/0618: for removable separation walls
- B01L 2300/0681: Filter
- B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
- B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls
- B01L 2300/0858: Side walls
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A system for processing samples by a robotic platform has a tray that defines a well defining a drain. The well has a bottom surface, an access port in fluid communication with the drain, and an insert adapted to be received in the well. The insert has a bottom wall and a side wall. At least one of the bottom wall and the side wall define a plurality of openings, such that an interior of the insert is in fluid communication with the well when the insert is inserted into the well.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for processing samples by a robotic platform, the system comprising:
a tray defining:
a well defining a drain, wherein the well comprises a bottom surface; and
an access port in fluid communication with the drain; and
an insert adapted to be received in the well, wherein the insert comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall define a plurality of openings, such that an interior of the insert is in fluid communication with the well when the insert is inserted into the well.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the well defines a channel connecting the drain and the access port, wherein the channel is pitched downward from the drain to the access port.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface defines the drain.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises a high point and a low point, and wherein the drain is located proximate the low point.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the low point is located proximate a center of the bottom surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the low point is located proximate an outer edge of the bottom surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the well comprises an outer wall, and wherein the outer wall at least partially defines the drain.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the bottom surface defines a top surface of the channel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the bottom surface at least partially defines an edge of the channel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the tray defines a slot, wherein the slot provides fluid communication between the well and the access port.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the slot is configured to receive a gate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the well comprises an outer wall, and wherein when inserted into the well, the basket forms an interference fit with the outer wall.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the outer wall and the basket comprises a gasket, wherein the gasket forms the interference fit.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the tray further comprises at least one of a clamp or a latch for securing the basket within the well.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein both of the bottom wall and the side wall define a plurality of openings.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the well comprises an outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines at least one of a circular shape, a quadrilateral shape, an oval shape, and a triangular shape.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the side wall of the basket defines a shape complementary to the outer wall shape.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the tray defines a plurality of wells and wherein the access port is in fluid communication with at least two of the plurality of wells.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of openings comprises a sharp corner.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of openings defines an angle relative to the sidewall.

### Claim 21

A tray for processing samples by a robotic platform, the tray comprising:
a well defining a geometric shape having at least one outer wall and a bottom surface;
an access port discrete from and in fluid communication with the well; and
a basket configured to fit within the well, wherein the basket defines at least one side wall and a bottom wall, and wherein at least one of the side wall and bottom wall define a plurality of openings.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The tray of claim 21, wherein the well defines a drain defined by at least one of the outer wall and the bottom surface.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The tray of claim 21, wherein the bottom surface is at least one of substantially convex and substantially concave.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The tray of claim 21, wherein the bottom surface is sloped toward the outer wall.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The tray of claim 21, wherein the tray further comprises a channel connecting the well to the access port, wherein the channel is located below the bottom surface.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The tray of claim 25, wherein the bottom surface at least partially defines the channel.

### Claim 27 (depends on 21)

The tray of claim 21, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of wells and the access port is in fluid communication with at least two of the plurality of wells.