Method for transferring magnetic samples from a source to a target

A method for transporting a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• supporting said source vessel and said target vessel on a support plate;
• translating one of said support plate and a primary magnet element of a primary magnet unit in an x-direction to position said source vessel below said primary magnet element;
• translating said primary magnet element in a y-direction to position said primary magnet element above said source vessel;
• translating said primary magnet element in a z-direction to lower said primary magnet element into said source vessel, said x, y and z directions defining a three axis Cartesian coordinate system;
• activating said primary magnet element to collect said sample contained in said source vessel;
• translating said primary magnet element in said z-direction to raise said primary magnet element out of said source vessel;
• translating said primary magnet element in said y-direction to position said primary magnet element above said target vessel;
• translating one of said support plate and said primary magnet element in said x-direction to position said target vessel below said primary magnet element of said primary magnet unit;
• translating said primary magnet element in said z-direction to lower said primary magnet element into said target vessel;
• deactivating said primary magnet element to release said sample from said primary magnet element into said target vessel;
• and
• providing a secondary magnet unit below said translatable support plate opposite said primary magnet unit, said secondary magnet unit including at least one secondary magnet element supported on a secondary magnet plate.

A method for transporting a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• supporting said source vessel and said target vessel on a support plate;
• translating a transfer device of a primary transfer unit in a y-direction and a z-direction to position said transfer device adjacent a tip insertion unit;
• applying a disposable tip on said transfer device with said tip insertion unit;
• translating one of said support plate and said transfer device of said primary transfer unit in an x-direction to position said source vessel below said transfer device;
• translating said transfer device in a y-direction to position said transfer device above said source vessel;
• translating said transfer device in a z-direction to lower said transfer device into said source vessel, said x, y and z directions defining a three axis Cartesian coordinate system;
• activating said transfer device to collect said sample contained in said source vessel;
• translating said transfer device in said z-direction to raise said transfer device out of said source vessel;
• translating said transfer device in said y-direction to position said transfer device above said target vessel;
• translating one of said support plate and said transfer device in said x-direction to position said target vessel below said transfer device of said primary transfer unit;
• translating said transfer device in said z-direction to lower said transfer device into said target vessel;
• and
• deactivating said transfer device to release said sample from said transfer device into said target vessel,
• wherein said disposable tip applying step comprises the step of applying a pressure within a bore having said disposable tip seated therein, said pressure forcing said tip out of said bore and onto said transfer device.