# US 7,611,675 B2 · Sample carrier having finger springs for holding sample tubes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,675 B2 - Document ID: US7611675B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/865,522 - Filed: 2007-10-01 - Published: 2008-01-24 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-17 - Assignees: Gen-Probe Incorporated - Inventors: Gerard J. Sevigny; Mark A. Talmer; Matthew W. Webb; Gus G. Tseo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611675B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/10: Devices for transferring samples {or any liquids} to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices {(G01N35/0099 takes precedence)} - B01L 9/06: Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders - G01N 35/025: {having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes} - B01L 3/50825: {Closing or opening means, corks, bungs} - B01L 2200/023: adapted for different sizes of tubes, tips or container - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B01L 2200/0615: Loss of fluid by dripping - B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering - B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes - B01L 2300/041: Connecting closures to device or container - G01N 35/1011: {Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device} - G01N 2035/0448: {composed of interchangeable ring elements} - G01N 2035/0451: {composed of interchangeable sectors} - G01N 2035/0465: {Loading or unloading the conveyor} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract A sample carrier comprising a lower support wall, a base joined to or in fixed proximity to a bottom end of the lower support wall, and sample tube receiving areas in fixed proximity to the lower support wall for receiving and holding a plurality of sample tubes in substantially vertical orientations. The sample carrier further comprising a blocking wall joined to a top end of the support wall which extends laterally over portions of sample tubes held by the sample carrier, thereby limiting vertical movement of the sample tubes during automated sampling procedures. The contents of sample tubes held by the sample carrier can be accessed by a robotic pipetting device. Additionally, a drip shield comprising a cover plate, a pair of through-holes for accessing sample tubes held by a the sample carrier, and a depending runner for maintaining the sample carrier on a sample carousel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample carrier for use in holding a plurality of sample tubes for access by a fluid transfer device, the sample carrier comprising: a base defining a plurality of sample tube receiving areas; and a laterally extending wall in fixed position relative to said base and having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings being constructed and arranged to receive a sample tube into one of said sample tube receiving areas, wherein a bottom surface of said laterally extending wall includes a plurality of spaced-apart finger springs depending from about the periphery of each of said openings, each of said finger springs including an inwardly sloping arm and a distal node having a curved end-surface to facilitate the removal of sample tubes from said sample carrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample carrier of claim 1, wherein said base comprises T-shaped dividers for separating said sample tube receiving areas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sample carrier of claim 1 further comprising a transverse wall positioned above and generally parallel to said laterally extending wall, wherein said transverse wall comprises a plurality of openings that are substantially coaxial with said openings in said laterally extending wall, each of said openings in said transverse wall being constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a sample tube therethrough. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sample carrier of claim 3 further comprising a support wall separating said laterally extending wall from said transverse wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sample carrier of claim 4 further comprising a sample tube blocking member registered with said transverse wall, said sample tube blocking member comprising a blocking wall having at least one lateral edge extending over only a portion of each of said openings in said transverse wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sample carrier of claim 5, wherein said sample tube blocking member further comprises a support wall depending from said blocking wall, said support wall of said sample tube blocking member being in touching contact with said transverse wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sample carrier of claim 6, wherein said transverse wall and said support wall of said sample tube blocking member comprise mated registration elements for registering said sample tube blocking member with said transverse wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sample carrier of claim 7, wherein said registration elements of said transverse wall comprise a plurality of upwardly extending pins, and wherein said registration elements of said support wall of said sample tube blocking member comprise a plurality of corresponding through-holes for receiving said pins therein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The sample carrier of claim 6 further comprising one or more sample tubes, each of said sample tubes comprising a vessel inserted into one of said sample tube receiving areas and a cap fixed to an open end of said vessel, said cap being circumscribed by one of said openings in said transverse wall, wherein the vertical movement of said sample tube is limited by said lateral edge of said blocking wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sample carrier of claim 9, wherein said sample tube is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation by said opening in said transverse wall and by said finger springs depending from about the periphery of one of said openings in said laterally extending wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The sample carrier of claim 9, wherein said cap is a penetrable cap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sample carrier of claim 1, wherein said sample carrier includes a plurality of sample tube receiving areas adjacent opposite sides of a lower support wall positioned beneath said laterally extending wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sample carrier of claim 12, wherein said sample carrier has an arcuate shape. ### Claim 14 A sample carrier for use in holding a plurality of sample tubes for access by a fluid transfer device, the sample carrier comprising: a base defining a plurality of sample tube receiving areas; a laterally extending wall in fixed position relative to said base and having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings being constructed and arranged to receive a sample tube into one of said sample tube receiving areas, wherein a bottom surface of said laterally extending wall includes a plurality of spaced-apart finger springs depending from about the periphery of each of said openings; a transverse wall positioned above and generally parallel to said laterally extending wall, wherein said transverse wall comprises a plurality of openings that are substantially coaxial with said openings in said laterally extending wall, each of said openings in said transverse wall being constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a sample tube therethrough; and a sample tube blocking member registered with said transverse wall, said sample tube blocking member comprising a blocking wall having at least one lateral edge extending over only a portion of each of said openings in said transverse wall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sample carrier of claim 14, wherein said base comprises T-shaped dividers for separating said sample tube receiving areas. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The sample carrier of claim 14, wherein each of said finger springs includes an inwardly sloping arm and a distal node having a curved end-surface to facilitate the removal of sample tubes from said sample carrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The sample carrier of claim 14 further comprising a support wall separating said laterally extending wall from said transverse wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The sample carrier of claim 17, wherein said sample tube blocking member further comprises a support wall depending from said blocking wall, said support wall of said sample tube blocking member being in touching contact with said transverse wall. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The sample carrier of claim 18, wherein said transverse wall and said support wall of said sample tube blocking member comprise mated registration elements for registering said sample tube blocking member with said transverse wall. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The sample carrier of claim 19, wherein said registration elements of said transverse wall comprise a plurality of upwardly extending pins, and wherein said registration elements of said support wall of said sample tube blocking member comprise a plurality of corresponding through-holes for receiving said pins therein. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The sample carrier of claim 18 further comprising one or more sample tubes, each of said sample tubes comprising a vessel inserted into one of said sample tube receiving areas and a cap fixed to an open end of said vessel, said cap being circumscribed by one of said openings in said transverse wall, wherein the vertical movement of said sample tube is limited by said lateral edge of said blocking wall. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The sample carrier of claim 21, wherein said sample tube is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation by said opening in said transverse wall and by said finger springs depending from about the periphery of one of said openings in said laterally extending wall. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The sample carrier of claim 21, wherein said cap is a penetrable cap. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The sample carrier of claim 14, wherein said sample carrier includes a plurality of sample tube receiving areas adjacent opposite sides of a lower support wall positioned beneath said laterally extending wall. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The sample carrier of claim 24, wherein said sample carrier has an arcuate shape.