Robotically manipulable sample handling tool
US7249529B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N35/1074
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sample handling tool, such as a colony picking head or robotic pipetting tool, includes sample handling needles, e.g., capillaries, arranged on the tool. Actuators are associated with each capillary to control flow for the capillary, e.g., to move the capillary and/or draw fluid into/expel fluid from the capillary. The actuators are arranged so that capillaries may be individually controlled by a controller that is capable of outputting a number of control signals that is less than the total number of capillaries. The actuators may be valves that receive two signals from a controller, a first signal that opens or closes the valve, and a second signal that allows fluid to flow in the valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.