Animal cell colony picking apparatus and method
US8034625B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/1497
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies is described. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.