Automated system for storing, retrieving and managing samples
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01N-035/04
B65G-047/00
G01N-035/00
출원번호
US-0595817
(2012-08-27)
등록번호
US-9702887
(2017-07-11)
발명자
/ 주소
Neeper, Robert K.
Affleck, Rhett L
Lillig, John E.
출원인 / 주소
Brooks Automation, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Perman & Green, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
44
초록▼
An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved
An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.
대표청구항▼
1. A storage system for storing a plurality of samples in a plurality of trays, the system comprising: a cold storage compartment having a plurality of vertical tray support racks, the storage compartment having an access side;a tray shuttle compartment having a first side and sealed second side wal
1. A storage system for storing a plurality of samples in a plurality of trays, the system comprising: a cold storage compartment having a plurality of vertical tray support racks, the storage compartment having an access side;a tray shuttle compartment having a first side and sealed second side wall opposite the first side, the first side being adjacent the storage compartment access side;a tray shuttle disposed within the tray shuttle compartment, the tray shuttle comprising a transport configured for translating horizontally and/or vertically within the tray shuttle compartment and accessing at least one module for transferring a tray of interest to the at least one module disposed exterior to and abutting the sealed second side wall of the tray shuttle compartment, where the tray shuttle compartment is sized and shaped so that each tray support rack of the cold storage compartment is independently accessible by the tray shuttle in the tray shuttle compartment, wherein the sealed second side wall has a small sealed opening configured based on the size and shape of a single one of the tray shuttle so that there are minimum gaps surrounding the single one of the tray shuttle with the single one of the tray shuttle protruding through the opening;an input-output module for transferring a tray for storage to or from the cold storage compartment; anda system controller directing operation of the cold storage compartment, the tray shuttle and the input-output module. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is maintained at an ultra-low temperature and further comprising an insulating wall disposed between the storage compartment and the tray shuttle compartment, the insulating wall comprising a plurality of separable bricks slidably stacked within a plurality of vertical guides to define a plurality of columns, wherein each brick has a recess formed in its access face. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tray shuttle further comprises: a lifting pin where the transport is configured to align the lifting pin with the recess in one brick of the plurality of bricks that is located nearest to a tray of interest;a drive mechanism configured to insert the lifting pin into the recess and lift, the one brick and any bricks stacked on top of the one brick to open a gap in the insulating wall;a tray hook configured to retrieve the tray of interest from the rack by reaching through the gap; andwherein the drive mechanism is further configured to lower the lifted bricks to close the gap. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of bricks is formed from an insulating foam. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tray shuttle is configured to retrieve the tray of interest by: extending a motorized tray hook into the storage compartment;engaging a tray end hook on the tray of interest with the motorized tray hook; andsliding the motorized tray hook away from the storage compartment so that the tray of interest is pulled away from the rack and onto a tray support surface on the tray shuttle. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sample selector module disposed at the second side of the tray shuttle compartment for selecting individual samples from one or more source trays and depositing the selected samples into a destination tray, the sample selector module comprising a pick table disposed in an x-y plane for supporting the one or more source trays and the destination tray, andone or more translators for translating a sample selector mechanism within the x-y plane to access all samples in the one or more source trays and all positions in the destination tray. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one sample selector mechanism comprises a pick head and a pusher, the pick head having at least one cavity for receiving a sample container when the pusher is activated to lift the sample container from the tray by contact a bottom of the sample container and pushing it upward through an opening in the tray and into the cavity. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one cavity is adapted for receiving a plurality of sample containers and the pick head further comprises an ejector for simultaneously ejecting the plurality of sample containers retained within the at least one cavity. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sample container is retained within a rack sealed with a sheet seal and the pick head further comprises a seal cutting edge, wherein when the pusher pushes the sample container against the seal cutting edge to cut the seal around the container before pushing the container into the at least one cavity. 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the sample selector mechanism is adapted for selecting samples retained in round vials and further comprises: a pick head for grasping a vial;a translation mechanism for moving the pick head between the source tray and the destination tray; anda bar code reader;wherein the pick head has at least one mirror attached thereto for reflecting a reading beam to the bar code reader so that all sides of the vial are readable. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of trays has a tray thickness and a tray width, and wherein each tray support rack has a plurality of horizontal slots for slidably receiving and supporting the trays, wherein the slots are configured to provide a variable range of distances between vertically adjacent trays. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the input-output module includes a bar code reader for identifying trays and samples that are processed through the input-output module. 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bridge module attached to a module side of the tray shuttle compartment, wherein the bridge module provides an interface to a second tray shuttle compartment of a second storage system disposed adjacent the storage system. 14. A storage system for storing a plurality of samples in a plurality of trays, the system comprising: a first compartment housing;a first cold storage compartment disposed within the first compartment housing and having a plurality of vertical tray support racks, the storage compartment having an access side;a first tray shuttle compartment disposed within the first compartment housing and having a first side and a sealed second side wall opposite the first side, the first side being adjacent the storage compartment access side;a tray shuttle disposed within the first tray shuttle compartment, the first tray shuttle comprising a transport configured for translating horizontally and/or vertically within the first tray shuttle compartment and accessing at least one module for transferring the tray of interest to the at least one module disposed exterior to and abutting the sealed second side wall of the first tray shuttle compartment, where the first tray shuttle compartment is sized and shaped so that each tray support rack of the first cold storage compartment is independently accessible by the tray shuttle in the first tray shuttle compartment;an input-output module for transferring a tray for storage to or from the first cold storage compartment;a second cold storage compartment selectably connected to the first compartment housing, the selectable connection capable of being effected with the first cold storage compartment maintained at a predetermined cold temperature for sample tray storage;a transfer module connected to the first compartment housing and coupling the second cold storage compartment to the first cold storage compartment for transferring a storage tray retrieved from the first cold storage compartment to the second cold storage compartment for storage in the second cold storage compartment; anda system controller configured to direct operation of the first cold storage compartment, the tray shuttle and the input-output module where the system controller is further configured to direct operation of the second cold storage compartment and the transfer module when the second cold storage compartment is connected to the first compartment housing. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second compartment housing where the second cold storage compartment is disposed within the second compartment housing. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second compartment housing includes a tray shuttle disposed within a second tray shuttle compartment, where the second tray shuttle compartment being disposed within the second compartment housing and the transfer module is in communication with the tray shuttle of the first tray shuttle compartment and the tray shuttle of the second tray shuttle compartment. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the predetermined temperature of the first cold storage compartment is an ultra-cold temperature. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the second cold storage compartment is maintained at an ultra-cold temperature. 19. A storage system for storing a plurality of samples in a plurality of trays, the system comprising: a cold storage compartment having a plurality of vertical tray support racks, a storage compartment front, and a width;a tray shuttle compartment having a rear adjacent the storage compartment front and a tray shuttle compartment front wall, where the front wall is sealed;a tray shuttle disposed within the tray shuttle compartment, the tray shuttle comprising means for translating horizontally and/or vertically within the tray shuttle compartment and accessing each vertical tray support rack of the cold storage compartment and at least one module for transferring a tray of interest to the at least one module disposed exterior to and abutting the sealed front wall of the tray shuttle compartment, wherein the sealed front wall has a small sealed opening configured based on a size of a single one of the tray shuttle so that there are minimum gaps surrounding the single one of the tray shuttle with the single one of the tray shuttle protruding through the opening;an input-output module for receiving a tray for storage in or removal from the storage compartment; anda system controller directing operation of the storage compartment, the tray shuttle and the input-output module. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the storage compartment is maintained at an ultra-low temperature and further comprising an insulating wall disposed between the storage compartment and the tray shuttle compartment, the insulating wall comprising a plurality of separable bricks slidably stacked within a plurality of vertical guides to define a plurality of columns, wherein each brick has a recess formed in its front face.
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