Robotic system having positionally adjustable multiple probes

A system for dispensing a plurality of liquid samples from a desired height comprising:

• a substrate with a surface for receiving the liquid sample;
• a probe housing having a plurality of bores extending therethrough;
• a plurality of probes each positioned within a respective bore and each having an internal conduit adapted to be connected to a sample source for receiving and passing a liquid sample therethrough;
• a friction element adapted to apply a frictional force to each of the probes of sufficient magnitude to retain the probes within the probe housing;
• a probe driver adapted to move the probe housing with respect to the substrate surface;
• a controller operatively coupled to the probe driver for controlling the movement of the probe housing and the intake and expulsion of the liquid sample within the internal conduit of the probe;
• wherein in response to the probes contacting the substrate surface an axial force in excess of the frictional force is applied to the probes to move at least some of the probes from their initial position to a new position;
• and
• wherein in response to the controller the probe housing is caused to move a predetermined distance above the surface of the substrate after contact therewith such that the axial force is no longer applied and the frictional force retains the probes in the new position to effect accurate dispensing of liquid sample on the surface of the substrate.

Apparatus for delivering a plurality of samples to a substrate surface comprising:

• a probe housing;
• a plurality of probes positioned within a bore in the probe housing;
• a friction element adapted to apply a frictional force to each of the probes of sufficient magnitude to retain the probes within the probe housing;
• a driver adapted to move the probe housing toward or away from the substrate surface;
• wherein in response to the probes contacting the substrate surface a second force in excess of the frictional force is applied to the probes to move at least,some of the probes from their initial position to a new position, and wherein in the absence of the application of the axial force the probes are retained at the new position.

Apparatus for delivering fluid samples to a substrate surface which comprises:

• a plurality of probes having an internal conduit for passing a fluid therethrough, each of the probes positioned within a bore in a probe housing;
• a friction element adapted to apply a frictional force to the probes to retain the probes within the housing;
• means for applying a second force to the probes in excess of the frictional force to contact an outlet end of the probes with the substrate surface whereby the probes are moved from an initial position;
• means for aspirating a fluid sample into the internal conduit of the probes;
• and
• means for expelling the fluid samples from the conduits onto a solid substrate surface.