Cartridge for storing biosample capillary tubes and use in automated data storage systems

US9286914B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Allen Keith Bates · Tucson, US
• Nils Haustein · Nieder-Olm, DE
• James W. Johnson · Delaware, US
• Thorsten Krause · Laufenburg (Baden), DE
• Stephen L. Schwartz · Tucson, US
• Anna W. Topol · Jefferson Valley, US
• Ulf Troppens · Mainz, DE
• Daniel J. Winarski · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 1, 2011
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/0425
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a cartridge that includes slots for storing biosample capillary tubes. The cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges to allow the cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle data cartridges in an automated tape library. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a cartridge comprising an enclosure that includes a movable door to provide access to a tube holder in the enclosure. The tube holder includes cylindrical holes or slots for receiving capillary tubes which contain biosamples scanned and analyzed an automated tape library.