Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing reagents
AssigneeGeorge Steven Bova
InventorsGeorge Steven Bova, Stephen B. Leighton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and device for storing and dispensing specified subsets from a collection of tens, hundreds or thousands of different reagents to specified locations within microtitre trays or microarray substrates or the like. The reagents of interest are stored in racks of syringe-like dispensers. These dispensers and/or substrates and/or actuators are controllably moved by automated means to a dispensing position where a single action, vibration and weighing system transfers a controlled quantity to a specified location in a microtitre tray or the like. Deficits of the prior art, such as evaporation, cross-contamination, oxidation, waste of reagents and lab-ware, and human operator non-reliability are overcome.
Claims23
A device for storing collections of different reagents and dispensing specified subsets of reagents to specified locations on a substrate, said device comprising:
- two or more dispensing containers assembled into a rack, each of said dispensers including a reservoir containing a reagent, a dispenser tip in fluid communication with said reservoir, and a plunger in communication with said reservoir,
- an actuator adapted for releasable operable engagement with said plunger;
- positioning means for positioning a receiving surface;
- first repositioning means for repositioning at least one of said rack, actuator, and receiving surface;
- and
- second repositioning means repositioning at least another of said rack, actuator, and receiving surface;
- wherein reagent can be dispensed from said dispenser tip at a desired location relative to said receiving surface by positioning one of said reservoirs relative to said surface, bringing said actuator into operable engagement with the plunger associated with said reservoir, and activating said plunger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.