Robotic apparatus and methods for maintaining stocks of small organisms
US6688255B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K67/30
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a robotic apparatus for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies, is capable of performing various tasks, including automatically transferring live flies from a donor container to a recipient container, such as for the purpose of feeding the flies. The apparatus includes an anesthetizing mechanism configured to automatically introduce an anesthetic, such as gaseous CO2, into a donor container of live flies to temporarily immobilize the flies before the flies are transferred to the recipient container. The apparatus also includes a gas manifold that is configured to direct a flow of gas from a compressed-gas source into the donor container such that the immobilized flies are blown from the donor container into the recipient container. In another embodiment, automated methods are provided for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.