Sample transport systems and methods
US9435818B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/041
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Sample transport systems are described that move a sample carrier from one station to a next station in a sample processing systems. The systems include: a translating member; two or more sample carrier retaining devices attached to the translating member, wherein each of the two or more sample carrier retaining devices can include a retainer portion to temporarily retain one or more sample carriers; and a movement mechanism to move the translating member and the attached sample carrier retaining devices between a first position and a second position; wherein the sample carrier retaining devices are controlled and moved simultaneously to retain a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the first position and to release a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the second position to successively advance sample carriers in the sample processing systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.