Probe tip alignment for precision liquid handler
US6474181B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/0494
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A probe drive system of a precision liquid handler sequentially inserts probe tips of a multiple probe array into a locator well at a known position on a locator bed. The position of each probe tip is determined by driving the probe tip into contact with points on the side wall of the locator well and sensing the contracts. The positions of the probe tips are mapped and checked for skew of the probe array. The probe tip positions are overlaid to determine probe tip scatter. If a probe tip is excessively misaligned, it is inserted into the locator well and driven against the side wall to bend the probe and reduce the misalignment of the probe tip. The center of the probe tip scatter is determined and is used by the probe drive system as a global correction factor. Probe tips with known positions are inserted into spaced apart locator wells to detect skew of the locator bed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.