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An automatic liquid transfer system includes a horizontally translatable table and a vertically translatable set of pipettes. The table accommodates a titer tray having a multiplicity of receptacles to be filled, or holding liquid samples to be diluted, and a rack housing plural rows of disposable t

An automatic liquid transfer system includes a horizontally translatable table and a vertically translatable set of pipettes. The table accommodates a titer tray having a multiplicity of receptacles to be filled, or holding liquid samples to be diluted, and a rack housing plural rows of disposable tips. During each cycle in a serial dilution process, a fresh set of tips are picked up by the pipettes and used to transfer liquid in a sterile manner from a sample or diluent source to a row of wells in the titer tray, or from one row to a succeeding row of wells where it is mixed with diluent. Thereafter, the tips are discharged back into the rack to maintain sterile conditions during the process. A sensor is provided on the machine to detect whether all of the tips in each set are disengaged and another set successfully picked up.

대표청구항 ▼

A machine for automatically transferring at least a portion of liquid sample from one or more liquid-containing receptacles to one or more other receptacles, comprising: a head assembly translatable between upper and lower positions along a vertical axis; means for moving said head assembly along sa

A machine for automatically transferring at least a portion of liquid sample from one or more liquid-containing receptacles to one or more other receptacles, comprising: a head assembly translatable between upper and lower positions along a vertical axis; means for moving said head assembly along said vertical axis; a plunger assembly mounted on said head assembly for movement therewith, said plunger assembly including a row of pipettes having depending ends for receiving tips, a row of plungers respectively disposed within said pipettes, and means for moving said plungers within said pipettes to vary their internal volumes; tip ejector means mounted on said head assembly for removing tips disposed on said depending ends of said pipettes; a table mounted beneath said head for translation along a horizontal axis, said table having work stations spaced along said axis for respectively accommodating a tray having pipette tip-receiving receptacles and one or more trays providing said liquid-containing receptacles and other receptacles; means for moving said table along said horizontal axis to place any selected one of the receptacles in registry with said pipettes; and means for controlling each of said moving means for said head assembly, plungers and table and said tip ejector means to effect transfer of liquid between the liquid-containing receptacles and the other receptacles and to replace tips on the ends of said pipettes with other tips disposed in at least some of the pipette tip-receiving receptacles between predetermined liquid transfer steps.