Hamilton Storage Technologies, Inc.

Integra Biosciences Corp.

Tekcel, Inc.

Project Cd

Harvard College

Julian D Warhurst

Robert P Cloutier

Frank Hunt

James O'Toole

Behrouz Zandi

Richard Cote

Bruce S Zandi

Andrew Frank Zaayenga

Philip Shapiro

Halvard Solberg

Gary Nelson

Luis Pedraza

Raymond Thomas Howard

Lynn W Noble

Elizabeth V Alexander

Charles Daniel Hayes

Alexander Carbone

John Davis-Reinhold

Fabian Winter

Ken Zhen

John L Rudser, Jr

Monica Duh

Barry Cowen

Eric J Flachbart

Michael A Carman

Diane A Gargano

Paul Quitzau

A storage cassette including a plurality of generally vertical compartments for storing sample tube racks and/or SBS formatted plates is constructed to be flexible along its substantially vertical axis thereby facilitating reliable robotic placement and retrieval of the cassette from nesting tubes located within a horizontal freezer compartment. Insulated walls and solid shelves minimize heat transfer from storage racks or plates placed in the storage cassette when the cassette is removed from an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer. The outer walls of the cassette includes mechanical indexing locations to ensure appropriate positioning when robotically removing storage racks or plates from the cassette.

Sample storage cassette for ultra-low or cryogenic temperatures

A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. &#x2212;80&#xb0; C. or &#x2212;135&#xb0; C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about &#x2212;140&#xb0; C. to &#x2212;196&#xb0; C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about &#x2212;80&#xb0; C., about &#x2212;135&#xb0; C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment. Thermal stratification inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment in which tube picking occurs from the upper compartment in which active electrical and mechanical components are located, and also inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment via an access door for tube storage racks.

Tube picking mechanisms with an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic picking compartment

A rack robot lifts and transfers sample tube storage racks or plates with a refrigerated enclosure maintained, e.g., at &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. The samples are normally held in ultra-low temperature, e.g., &#x2212;80&#xb0; C., or cryogenic freezers. From time to time, the racks or plates need to be roved from the ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezers for processing and the rack robot transfers the racks or plates to the various processing stations within the refrigerated enclosure, such as tube picking, barcode reading, or frost removal stations.

Rack robot

A manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipettor includes a software biasing mode to assure proper alignment over wells in the 96-well plate and the 384-well plate. The system also includes manual repositioning levers for nesting receptacles which are customized for 96 well-plates and 384 well-plates respectively.

Pipette tip positioning for manually-directed, multi-channel electronic pipettor

A manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipetting system is designed to transfer liquids from a standard multi-well plate, deep-well plate or reservoir into another multi-well plate. The preferred pipetting head includes an array of 96-tip fittings. A deck with at least one but preferably two or more wellplate nesting receptacles holds one or more multi-well plates or reagent reservoirs for access by an array of disposable pipette tips mounted to the pipetting head. The electronic motion control system includes a control handle that is mounted to a load cell, the carriage for the pipetting head and is held in the palm of the user. In use, the user grasps the control handle and operates the system in a manner similar to one using a handheld electronic pipettor.

Manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipetting system

A manually directed, electronic multi-channel pipettor uses servo controlled motors to drive a carriage and pipetting head in response to a user's manipulation of a control handle. The pipetting head include an array of tip fittings, e.g. 96. The system includes a check processor to avoid unintended motion in case of system faults or crashes. The system requires substantial force to attach the array of tips, and therefore includes controls that require both of the user's hands be occupied during the tip attachment process.

Unintended motion control for manually directed multi-channel electronic pipettor

A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., &#x2212;80&#xb0; C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (&#x2212;80&#xb0; C.). A tube picking mechanism resides in a tube picking chamber that is located adjacent the freezer compartment. The tube picking chamber is maintained at about &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. when the tube picking mechanism is in operation. The tube picking mechanism includes a cache within the tube picking chamber to facilitate fast paced shuttling of the tube racks from the freezer compartment into the tube picking chamber. The shuttle has a clamping mechanism to secure a tube rack in place when a gripper head picks a tube from the rack. The system also includes a push pin that pushes on the bottom of the respective tube as it is being picked from the tube rack. A one-dimensional bar code reader is included within the tube picking chamber. The gripper head is able to move vertically and rotate within the field of view of the one-dimensional bar code reader in order to facilitate identification and reading of one-dimensional bar codes located on the sidewall of picked storage tubes. The system also uses fans to facilitate efficient cooling of the tube picking chamber.

Tube picking mechanism for an automated, ultra-low temperature storage and retrieval system

An automated storage and retrieval system stores containers, typically containing biological or chemical samples, at ultra-low temperatures, i.e., from about &#x2212;50&#xb0; C. to about &#x2212;90&#xb0; C., preferably about &#x2212;80&#xb0; C. under normal operating conditions. Dry gas air flows are used to reduce moisture and the consequential frost within the freezer compartment. A custom insulated door is provided with an access module and a tube picking compartment as well as servo motors for controlling a robot within the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment. The robot automatically places sample storage containers in stationary storage racks within the freezer compartment. Magnetic couplings are used to transmit mechanical power from outside of the freezer compartment to the robot inside of the freezer compartment. The robot has a simplified mechanical configuration. The custom door can be readily attached to standard freezer bodies.

Automated storage and retrieval system for storing biological or chemical samples at ultra-low temperatures

A microplate cover assembly which is compatible with manual workstations or robotic handling systems used for high throughput screening. The cover assembly includes a cover, a pressure plate and a layer of sealing material. The cover is shaped such that when it is engaged with a microplate, the cover exerts a compressive force on the pressure plate, which in turn disperses the force in a substantially uniform manner across the layer of sealing material. The cover and pressure plate also include laterally-extending tabs which allow it to be engaged with or disengaged from a microplate in a fully automated fashion.

Microplate cover assembly

An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller, coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.

Random access storage and retrieval system for microplates, microplate transport and microplate conveyor

A system for monitoring and regulating pressure and concentration in a moving fluid stream inside of a conduit is provided. The fluid stream includes a first fluid. The system comprises an infusion assembly that includes a catheter having a series of holes distributed around an exterior surface and a pumping system for introducing a second fluid into said catheter to create a solution mixture. A data collection system is provided for collecting data indicative of pressure and conductivity values. Data from the data collection system is forwarded to a data processing and control apparatus. The data processing and control apparatus comprises conversion means for converting the measured conductivity into a concentration value and control means for controlling operation of the infusion assembly based on a comparison of selected values with data received from the data collection system. A user control and analysis system allows user interaction. The system allows complete automatic control over the fluid distribution within a fluid conduit in response to measured values.

System for monitoring and controlling pressure and concentration values in a fluid conduit

A processor driven syringe pump for one or more, typically two syringes, which are held vertically in corresponding pumping stations of a housing unit which itself is typically suspended from an IV pole. The pump features a central display having portions corresponding to each of the syringes operated by the pump. A data entry knob cooperative with a display processor, causes a cursor issue on the display to step through and choose the menu selections. A function knob is operative to select five operating states including: Purge, Setup, Stop, Run and Bolus in a virtual or software driven manner. The syringe holding station includes a pusher assembly having plunger clamp assembly and a load cell to measure force exerted on the plunger flange. An actuation pad and associated linkage provides for easy syringe flange capturing, while a syringe barrel clamp provides for easy syringe loading and secure syringe barrel positioning for many sizes of syringe. The pump operates in a rate, volume per time, or pharmacokinetic mode. The software provides a number of feedback warnings and alarms. The pump may be provided with a drug library. The syringe plunger is driven into the syringe barrel by a motor operated by a charge pump which provides a failsafe feature. The pusher assembly for the syringe includes a split nut that on actuation pad rotation releases to allow proper positioning of the syringe.

Infusion pump for at least one syringe

The concentration analyzer of the present invention is used to determine the cross-sectional concentration at multiple locations within a fluid line, such as an artery or vein, of dissolved substances within a moving fluid flowing through the vein which fluid consists of a first solution of unknown concentration.

Growing community of inventors

Ashland, MA, United States of America

Julian D Warhurst