Automated transport unit and system
AssigneeThe Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
InventorsAdrian STACEY, Neil BARGH, Stuart TINDAL
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described is an automated transport unit for use in a laboratory environment the automated transport unit comprising a drive mechanism for moving the automated transport unit, a control system for controlling operation of the automated transport unit, a power supply for powering the automated transport unit, and a storage compartment configured to hold a material obtained from a fluid storage vessel and/or to be delivered to a fluid storage vessel. Also described is a system comprising an automated transport unit and a fluid storage vessel.
Claims20
An automated transport unit for use in a laboratory environment, the automated transport unit comprising:
- a drive mechanism for moving the automated transport unit;
- a control system for controlling operation of the automated transport unit;
- a power supply for powering the automated transport unit;
- and
- a storage compartment configured to hold a material obtained from a fluid storage vessel and/or to be delivered to a fluid storage vessel;
- wherein:
- the storage compartment further comprises a biological safety compartment suitable for the storing and containment of biological material in an aseptic manner;
- the automated transport unit further comprising a material transfer device configured to extract material from the fluid storage vessel and/or add material to the fluid storage vessel, the material transfer device being arranged to maintain the sterility of the fluid storage vessel;
- and
- the automated transport unit further comprising a sterilising device configured to sterilise a connection port of the fluid storage vessel prior to extracting material from the fluid storage vessel and/or adding material to the fluid storage vessel.
(canceled)
The automated transport unit of claim 21, wherein the material transfer device further comprises a pump or syringe configured to remove material from the fluid storage vessel and/or add material into a-the fluid storage vessel.
5-6. (canceled)
A system comprising:
- a fluid storage vessel;
- and
- an automated transport unit comprising:
- a drive mechanism for moving the automated transport unit;
- a control system for controlling operation of the automated transport unit;
- a power supply for powering the automated transport unit;
- and
- a storage compartment configured to hold a material obtained from a fluid storage vessel and/or to be delivered to a fluid storage vessel;
- wherein:
- the storage compartment further comprises a biological safety compartment suitable for the storing and containment of biological material in an aseptic manner;
- the automated transport unit further comprising a material transfer device configured to extract material from the fluid storage vessel and/or add material to the fluid storage vessel, the material transfer device being arranged to maintain the sterility of the fluid storage vessel;
- and
- the automated transport unit further comprising a sterilising device configured to sterilise a connection port of the fluid storage vessel prior to extracting material from the fluid storage vessel and/or adding material to the fluid storage vessel;
- wherein the automated transport unit is configured to extract material from the fluid storage vessel and/or deliver material to a-the fluid storage vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.