Apparatus and method for transferring samples from a source to a target

A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer unit comprising:

• a head assembly;
• a transfer device supported on said head assembly, said transfer device having a tip removably attached to an end thereof, said tip having a central bore terminating at a bottom wall;
• a tip ejector supported on said head assembly for removing said tip from said transfer device;
• an actuating element movably disposed in said tip bore between a first position adjacent said tip bottom wall and a second position away from said bottom wall, said movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said tip to be alternately collected and released from said tip;
• an actuator rod for moving said actuating element between said first and second positions, said actuator rod defining a stroke length associated with said movement;
• and
• a compensating device connected between said actuating element and said actuator rod for compensating for any variations in said actuator rod stroke length, said compensating device urging said actuating element into contact with said tip bottom wall at said first position and including a tubular member having a central bore and a spring disposed within said bore, said actuating element being fixed at one end of said tubular member and said actuator rod movably extending into said central bore to engage said spring.

A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer unit comprising:

• a head assembly;
• a transfer device supported on said head assembly, said transfer device having a tip removably attached to an end thereof;
• a tip ejector supported on said head assembly for removing said tip from said transfer device;
• a supporting frame movably supporting said head assembly;
• and
• a tip loading station supported on said frame for loading said tip onto said transfer device, wherein said tip loading station comprises:
• a base having a bore formed therein, said bore having a proximal end terminating at an upper surface of said base and a distal end;
• a sub-base supported on said upper surface of said base, said sub-base supporting said tip for application to said transfer device;
• and
• a pressure source connected to said distal end of said base bore for applying a pressure through said base bore for forcing said tip from said sub-base onto said transfer device.

An apparatus for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel comprising:

• a transfer unit including a transfer device for transferring a sample;
• a supporting frame movably supporting said transfer unit;
• and
• a tip loading station supported on said supporting frame for loading a tip onto an end of said transfer device, wherein said tip loading station comprises:
• a base having a bore formed therein, said bore having a proximal end terminating at an upper surface of said base and a distal end;
• a sub-base supported on said upper surface of said base, said sub-base supporting said tip for application to said transfer device;
• and
• a pressure source connected to said distal end of said base bore for applying a pressure through said base bore for forcing said tip from said sub-base onto said transfer device.

A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel comprising:

• a transfer device having a hollow body and an actuating element movably disposed in said hollow body between a first and a second position, said movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said transfer device to be alternately collected and released from said transfer device;
• an actuator plate having at least one individually activated electromagnet disposed thereon;
• an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate;
• an actuator rod having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said actuating element in said hollow body of said transfer device;
• a ferromagnetic piston disposed on said second end of said actuator rod, said piston being engageable with said electromagnet when said electromagnet is activated for moving said actuating element from said first position to said second position upon translation of said actuator plate;
• and
• a piston housing spaced from said actuator plate, said piston housing including a magnet for biasing said piston toward said piston housing.