초록 ▼

The present invention provides methods and devices for distributing sample material to a plurality of process chambers in a sample processing device by rotating the device about an axis of rotation. The process chambers are located along conduits extending from a loading chamber and, together, the l

The present invention provides methods and devices for distributing sample material to a plurality of process chambers in a sample processing device by rotating the device about an axis of rotation. The process chambers are located along conduits extending from a loading chamber and, together, the loading chamber, conduits, and process chambers form process arrays that are aligned along a length of the sample processing devices. The process arrays are unvented, i.e., access to the interior volume of the process arrays is available only through the loading chamber. Also disclosed are methods of centrifugally loading sample material into the process chambers, as well as an assembly including a sample processing device and a carrier.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention provides methods and devices for distributing sample material to a plurality of process chambers in a sample processing device by rotating the device about an axis of rotation. The process chambers are located along conduits extending from a loading chamber and, together, the l

The present invention provides methods and devices for distributing sample material to a plurality of process chambers in a sample processing device by rotating the device about an axis of rotation. The process chambers are located along conduits extending from a loading chamber and, together, the loading chamber, conduits, and process chambers form process arrays that are aligned along a length of the sample processing devices. The process arrays are unvented, i.e., access to the interior volume of the process arrays is available only through the loading chamber. Also disclosed are methods of centrifugally loading sample material into the process chambers, as well as an assembly including a sample processing device and a carrier. soft and absorbent pad arranged in contact with said blade assembly for applying said lubricant to said blade assembly. 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for sensing the existence of said cap on said container. 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said means for sensing the existence of said cap on said container includes a photoelectric sensor. 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for sensing the height of said container. 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for guiding a rack containing said containers. 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising means for ascertaining information of said rack. 20. An apparatus for piercing caps on containers containing chemical samples, comprising: a) a structural frame having at least one vertical guide rod; b) a carriage assembly slidably mounted on said guide rod; c) means for driving said carriage assembly to move up or down along said guide rod; d) a support arm carried by and moving with said carriage assembly; e) a piercing blade assembly held by said support arm and including a center blade and two cross blades interlocked together, such that the piercing blade assembly has a generally modified H-shaped cross-section for piercing a cap on a sample container; f) an alignment block assembly also carried by and moving with said carriage assembly and further biased by a return spring for holding said sample container down when said piercing blade assembly is being withdrawn after piercing said cap; g) a wash tower mounted on said alignment block and having a chamber for said blade assembly to pass through; h) means for washing said blade assembly; and i) means for lubricating said blade assembly. 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for driving said carriage assembly further comprises a lead screw for driving said carriage assembly and a motor for driving said lead screw. 22. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said center blade further has at least two parallel lengthwise slots for interlocking attachment of said two cross blades. 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein each said cross blade further has at least one vertical slot for venting between inside of said sample container and outside ambient pressure during piercing. 24. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein each said center and cross blades has a generally V- or inverted V-shaped piercing end for spreading the load across the width of each blade. 25. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising an alignment block assembly also carried by and moving with said carriage assembly and further biased by a return spring for holding said container down when said piercing blade assembly is being withdrawn after piercing said cap. 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for washing said blade assembly further comprises a shuttle mechanism mounted below said wash tower and having a shuttle movable between an open position for allowing said blade assembly to pass and a closed position for sealing off said wash tower after each piercing operation when said blade assembly is being washed. 27. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for washing said blade assembly further comprises a series of nozzles aimed at said blade assembly and angled down, said nozzles being machined into an upper end of said wash tower for cleaning and washing said blade assembly. 28. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for lubricating said blade assembly further comprises a container for containing a lubricant, a hydro-pneumatic system for pressurizing said container for priming with said lubricant, and a precision linear pump for dispensing said lubricant. 29. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for lubricating said blade assembly further comprises a replaceable soft and absorbent pad locate