Robotically manipulable sample handling tool
US6637476B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N35/0099
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A robotically manipulable sample handling tool, such as a colony picking head or robotic pipetting tool, includes needles arranged on the tool. Actuators may be associated with each needle to control flow for the needle, e.g., to move the needle and/or draw fluid into/expel fluid from the needle. The actuators may be arranged so that needles are individually controlled by a controller that outputs a number of control signals that is less than the total number of needles. The actuators may be membrane valves that receive two signals from a controller; a first signal that opens or closes the valve, and a second signal that causes fluid flow through the valve to actuate a needle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.