US 2015/0316451 A1 · System and Method for Automatic Plant Tissue Sampling

Abstract

An automatic plant tissue sampler and a method for operating the same are provided. The sampler can include a plant handler configured to transport a plurality of plants to an imager. The imager may be configured to image plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler also includes a sampler configured to remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of plants, and a collection vessel configured to receive the tissue samples. The automatic plant tissue sampler may transport a plurality of plants to an imager and images the plurality of plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler can remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of the plurality of plants and store the tissue samples in a collection vessel for testing.

Claims52

Dependent claims

An automatic plant tissue sampling system comprising:

a plant handler configured to transport one or more plants from a first location to a second location;
an imager configured to image a plant moved by the plant handler to identify a sampling location;
a processor in communication with the imager and configured to receive an image of the plant and further configured to select a location on the plant to sample;
a sampler configured to remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of the plant selected by the processor;
and
a collection vessel configured to receive tissue samples.

3 more elements

A method for sampling plant tissue, the method comprising:

transporting one or more plants from a first location to a second location with a plant handler, the second location proximate to an imager;
imaging a plant with an imager to identify a sampling location based on identifying at least one of a size, shape, or color of a plurality of said plants;
removing a tissue sample from the sampling location of the plant with a sampler;
and
storing the tissue sample in a collection vessel, wherein at least the step of imaging a plant and the step of removing a tissue sample are automated.

2 more elements

An automatic plant sampling system for automatically sampling plant tissue of an individual plant selected from a group of one or more plants collectively conveyed to the automatic plant sampling system, the automatic plant sampling system comprising:

a frame assembly having a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
a plant handling system coupled to the frame assembly so that a portion of the plant handling system moves relative to the frame assembly, the plant handling system configured to select the individual plant from the one or more plants, transport the individual plant to a sampling system for sampling, and transport the individual plant from the sampling system to a post sampling location;
the sampling system coupled to the frame assembly proximate to the plant handling system, the sampling system configured to determine a suitable sampling location of the individual plant, sample a portion of plant tissue from the sampling location to create a tissue sample, and transport the tissue sample to a storage system;
the storage system coupled to the frame assembly proximate to the sampling system, the storage system configured to associate the tissue sample with the individual plant and maintain the tissue sample in a suitable condition for testing;
and
a controls system communicatively coupled to the plant handling system, the sampling system, and the storage system, the controls system automatically operable to coordinate movement and operation of the plant handling system, the sampling system, and the storage system for sampling of the individual plant.

3 more elements

An apparatus for selecting, sampling, and storing a tissue sample from an individual plant of a group of one or more plants, the apparatus comprising:

a frame assembly having a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
a plant handler mounted to the frame assembly and having a plurality of grippers to manipulate the individual plant of the one or more plants to collect a tissue sample of the individual plant;
a sampler mounted to the frame assembly and having a sample identifier and a tissue sample collection device to identify, collect, and store the tissue sample of the individual plant, the plant handler configured to orient the plant within the sampler;
and
a controls system communicatively coupled to the plant handler and the sampler, the controls system configured to coordinate movement and operation of the plant handler and the sampler.

2 more elements

A method for automatically sampling individual plants from a group of one or more plants, the method comprising:

(a) loading flats containing a plurality of plants into an automatic sampling device having a plant handling system and a plant sampling system, each plant having a unique identifier;
(b) selecting an individual plant from the tray and securing the individual plant in the plant handling system;
(c) moving the individual plant with the plant handling system to the plant sampling system;
(d) securing the individual plant with the plant sampling system and releasing the individual plant with the plant handling system;
(e) identifying at least one of a color, size, and shape of the individual plant with the plant sampling system;
(f) determining a sampling location of the individual plant based on at least one of the color, size, and shape of the individual plant;
(g) securing the individual plant for sampling with the plant sampling system;
(h) isolating a tissue sample from the individual plant with the plant sampling system;
(i) transporting the tissue sample to a collection vessel with the plant sampling system and associating the tissue sample with the identifier of the individual plant;
and
(j) storing the tissue sample for testing and returning the individual plant for further cultivation with the plant handling system.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and Method for Automatic Plant Tissue Sampling

Life of this patent

System and Method for Automatic Plant Tissue Sampling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52