Automated sorting system for matrices with memory

An automated system for use in solid phase synthesis comprising:

• a plurality of matrices with memories, each matrix with memory comprising a combination of a matrix material for supporting solid phase chemical synthesis and a remotely-accessible memory containing encoded data for uniquely identifying each matrix with memory;
• a vibratory feeder having a bowl for retaining a plurality of matrices with memories, the vibratory feeder having an output for feeding matrices with memories out of the bowl;
• a supply tube having a first end disposed at the output for receiving matrices with memories, and a second end;
• a turnstile disposed at the second end of the supply tube adapted to receive the matrices with memories, the turnstile being rotatable to isolate a single matrix with memory for release from a turnstile release;
• a positioning tube disposed at the turnstile release for receiving the matrix with memory;
• a releasable stop for temporarily retaining the matrix with memory within the positioning tube;
• an identification station adjacent the releasable stop having an antenna adapted to interrogate the matrix with memory when the releasable stop is activated;
• a plurality of synthesis containers, each synthesis container adapted for receiving one or more selected matrices with memories, each synthesis container containing a solution comprising a building block for solid phase synthesis on the selected matrices with memories;
• a positioner adapted for placing the matrix with memory into a pre-determined synthesis container of the plurality of synthesis containers;
• and
• a computer in electrical communication with the identification station, the positioner, the turnstile and the releasable stop, the computer having a database comprising a plurality of synthesis sequences, each synthesis sequence comprising a plurality of steps for synthesizing a molecule or biological particle from a plurality of building blocks, wherein each synthesis sequence corresponds to an identified matrix with memory and the computer identifies the predetermined synthesis container for placement of the identified matrix with memory for performing the next step in the synthesis sequence.

An automated system for use in solid phase synthesis comprising:

• a plurality of matrices-with-memories, each matrix-with-memory comprising a matrix material for supporting solid phase synthesis in physical contact with a remotely-accessible memory containing encoded data for uniquely identifying each matrix with memory;
• an array of synthesis containers adapted for receiving one or more selected matrices with memories, each synthesis container containing a solution comprising a building block for solid phase synthesis on the selected matrices with memories;
• a feeder having a vessel for receiving the plurality of matrices-with-memories and a vessel outlet for feeding the plurality of matrices-with-memories one at a time out of the vessel;
• a singulator means connected to vessel outlet for receiving the plurality of matrices-with-memories and dispensing a single matrix-with-memory of the plurality of matrices-with-memories;
• a positioning means disposed for receiving the matrix-with-memory dispensed from the singulator means, wherein the positioning means holds the matrix-with-memory until a release signal is received;
• a gating means within the positioning means responsive to the release signal for retaining the matrix-with-memory within the positioning means and releasing the matrix-with-memory when the release signal is received;
• an identification station disposed within a reading distance of the positioning means for reading data stored within the matrix-with-memory when the matrix-with memory is held within the positioning means, wherein the identification station generates a data signal comprising information corresponding to the matrix-with-memory;
• a translator for moving the positioning means in response to a positioning signal for positioning the matrix-with-memory over a pre-determined synthesis container within the array of synthesis containers;
• and
• a system controller in electrical communication with the positioning means, the gating means, the translator and the identification station, the system controller having a database comprising a plurality of synthesis sequences, each synthesis sequence comprising a plurality of steps for synthesizing a molecule or biological particle from a plurality of building blocks and each synthesis sequence corresponding to an identified matrix with memory, wherein the system controller receives the data signal and associates the information therein with a corresponding synthesis sequence of the plurality of synthesis sequences to determine a next step within the synthesis sequence, identifies the pre-determined synthesis container corresponding to the next step within the synthesis sequence, generates the positioning signal for moving the positioning means to the pre-determined synthesis container, and generates the release signal for releasing the matrix-with-memory from the positioning means into the pre-determined synthesis container.

An automated system for use in solid phase synthesis comprising:

• a plurality of matrices with memories, each matrix with memory comprising a combination of a matrix material for supporting solid phase synthesis and a remotely-accessible memory containing encoded data for uniquely identifying each matrix with memory;
• a plurality of synthesis containers adapted for receiving one or more selected matrices with memories, each synthesis container containing a solution comprising a building block for solid phase synthesis on the selected matrices with memories;
• a singulator for advancing a single matrix with memory;
• a dynamic dropper for receiving the matrix with memory from the singulator;
• an identification station for reading data stored within the matrix-with-memory when the matrix-with memory is held within the dynamic dropper, wherein the identification station generates a data signal comprising information corresponding to the matrix-with-memory;
• a means for positioning the dynamic dropper above a pre-determined synthesis container corresponding to a next step in a solid phase synthesis sequence, wherein the matrix with memory is dropped into the pre-determined synthesis container;
• and
• a computer in electrical communication with the identification station and the positioning means and having a database comprising a plurality of synthesis sequences, each synthesis sequence comprising a plurality of steps for synthesizing a molecule or biological particle from a plurality of building blocks and each synthesis sequence corresponding to an identified matrix with memory, wherein the host computer determines a destination of the identified matrix with memory, the destination comprising a pre-determined synthesis container of the plurality of synthesis containers.

An automated system for use in solid phase synthesis comprising:

• a plurality of matrices-with-memories, each matrix with memory comprising a combination of a matrix material for supporting solid phase synthesis and a remotely-accessible memory containing encoded data for uniquely identifying each matrix with memory,
• a feeder having a vessel for receiving the plurality of matrices-with-memories and a vessel outlet for feeding the plurality of matrices-with-memories one at a time out of the vessel;
• a singulator means connected to the vessel outlet for receiving the plurality of matrices-with-memories and dispensing a single matrix-with-memory;
• a positioning means disposed for receiving the matrix-with-memory dispensed from the singulator means, wherein the positioning means holds the matrix-with-memory until a release signal is received;
• a gating means within the positioning means responsive to the release signal for retaining the matrix-with-memory within the positioning means and releasing the matrix-with-memory when the release signal is received;
• an identification station disposed within a reading distance of the positioning means for reading data stored within the matrix-with-memory when the matrix-with memory is held within the positioning means, wherein the identification station generates a data signal comprising information corresponding to the matrix-with-memory;
• a plurality of synthesis containers, each synthesis container adapted for receiving one or more selected matrices with memories after release from the positioning means, wherein each synthesis container contains a reagent comprising a building block for solid phase synthesis on the selected matrices with memories;
• a controller including a database comprising a plurality of synthesis sequences, each synthesis sequence comprising a plurality of steps for synthesizing a biological particle or molecule;
• and
• an X-Y translator for moving the positioning means along an X-axis and a Y-axis in response to a positioning signal for positioning the matrix-with-memory over a pre-determined synthesis container containing the reagent corresponding to the next step in the synthesis sequence;
• wherein the controller receives the data signal and associates the information therein with the next step in the solid phase synthesis sequence, for identifying a location of the synthesis container corresponding to the next step within the synthesis sequence, for generating the positioning signal for moving the positioning means to the synthesis container, and for generating the release signal for releasing the matrix-with-memory from the positioning means into the synthesis container.