Robbins Scientific Corporation

Paul B Robbins

David J Wright

James E Stanchfield

Chris N Bailey

Arthur J Robbins

Thomas Robert Sutton

Dennis C Thompson

Kenny J St Romain

David De Graaff

Kevin Heyes

Multi-well apparatus with independently detachable upper and lower covers

An apparatus for multiple simultaneous synthesis ( ), having a number of vials ( ), each vial ( ) having an upper end ( ), a lower end ( ), and a barrel ( ), the upper end ( ) opening into a mouth ( ). It also includes a lower frame assembly ( ) having a number of holes ( ) for receiving the vials ( ), and an upper frame assembly ( ), which includes inner side-walls ( ) and a ceiling portion ( ). A gas-tight seal ( ) surrounds a plenum ( ), the plenum ( ) being formed between the ceiling portion ( ) of the upper frame assembly ( ) and the lower frame assembly ( ). The plenum ( ) is adjustable in volume by the positioning of the upper frame assembly ( ) in variable relation to the lower frame assembly ( ), while maintaining the gas-tight seal ( ). The volume of the plenum ( ) is adjustable to a minimum whereby the mouths ( ) of the vials ( ) are sealed by the ceiling ( ) of the gas-tight seal ( ), which is optionally an upper gasket ( ). Also disclosed is a plenum enclosure ( ) for multiple simultaneous synthesis used in conjunction with vials ( ), which includes the upper frame assembly ( ) and lower frame assembly ( ) and the gastight seal ( ), as well as a gasket vial holder ( ) to be used in the plenum enclosure ( ).

Multi-well array with adjustable plenum

A syringe with replaceable needle assembly ( ), having a syringe barrel ( ) with a proximal end ( ), a distal end ( ), and an outer surface ( ). The syringe barrel ( ) surrounds an internal bore ( ). A plunger assembly ( ) is inserted into the syringe barrel internal bore ( ). A needle assembly ( ) has a sealing portion ( ), which is configured to be removably insertable into the internal bore ( ). The sealing portion ( ) forms a fluid-tight seal with the internal bore ( ). The needle assembly ( ) further includes a releasable locking mechanism ( ), which includes a collar ( ) having a locking flange ( ). Also disclosed is a replaceable needle assembly ( ), which releasably locks onto the outer surface ( ) of the proximal end ( ) of a syringe barrel ( ). The replaceable needle assembly ( ) includes a collar ( ), having a locking flange ( ), which engages the outer surface ( ) of the syringe barrel ( ), and releasably locks the replaceable needle assembly ( ) onto the syringe barrel ( ).

Locking cap for replaceable needle assembly

A syringe array (10) for holding a plurality of syringes (12), each syringe having a barrel (14), a plunger (18) and a needle (16), the syringe array (10) including a distal assembly (50) which holds the plungers (18) of the plurality of syringes (12) and by which all of the plurality of plungers (18) are urged to move in unison, a pivot assembly (52) wherein a portion of each the barrels (14) of the plurality of syringes (12) is pivotally attached to a pivot (92, 94) and a proximal assembly (48) wherein each needle (16) of the plurality of syringes (12) is positioned with a controlled center-to-center spacing (100, 102) from each other. An adjusting portion (62, 64, 70) of the syringe array (10) is adjustable to controllably change the needle center-to-center spacing from a first spacing (100) to at least a second spacing (102) as the barrel portions (14) are allowed to rotate about the pivots (92, 94).

Syringe array with adjustable needle spacing

A multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus (10) dimensionally arrayed in a standard multi-well format for performing multiple chemical reactions includes a deep-well synthesis block (12) with flowthrough wells (24) fitted with filter disks (48), an upper cover (14), and a lower cover (16). First and second sheet gaskets (18 and 20) seal inlet portions (38) and outlet spouts (40) of the wells (24). An optional skirt (26) provides a site for the independently releasable attachment of the upper and lower covers (14 and 16) to the block (12) while maintaining the seal on the unreleased cover. An alternative synthesis apparatus (310) additionally includes a reinforcement assembly (372) to improve the clamping action of the covers (14 and 16) upon the synthesis block (12). A rotating carrier apparatus (200) and a modified oven assembly (202) are provided to enable agitation and heating of multiple synthesis blocks (12) simultaneously.

Apparatus for multi-well microscale synthesis

Compartmentalized multi-well container

A locking microcentrifuge tube (10) is provided which is capable of being sealed in either of two manners, one being a friction-fit seal which is easily opened and the other being a 'locked' seal for higher stress applications. The tube body (12) is adapted to mate with the cap (14) at an aperture (24) such that the plug portion (36) of the cap (14) and the aperture (24) form the friction-fit seal at the early stages of insertion. A collar (26) is provided about the aperture (24) on the tube body (12). The collar (26) is formed to include one or more circumferential projections (28, 30). The cap (14) is formed to include depressions (32, 34) adapted to mate with the projections (28, 30) upon full insertion of the plug portion (36) to create the 'locked' seal. The cap (14) is secured to the tube body (12) by a hinge (38) and a tab (40). The primary usage of the locking microcentrifuge tube (10) is in biomedical laboratory analysis. The tube (10) may be manufactured in various volumes and shapes to adapt to different microcentrifuges and desired sample sizes.

Locking microcentrifuge tube

The present invention is an improved sealable vial for storage of materials. The vial includes a tubular body portion sealed at one end and provided with an aperture at the opposite end. The tubular body is further provided with a male spiral thread about the aperture end and a tapered section extending inward from the aperture. A sealing insert is attached to the body for positioning in either a closed position wherein it seals the aperture or an open position wherein the aperture is open. A cap fits over the sealing insert in the closed position and seals the vial. The cap includes female threads which mate with the male threads of the tubular body to secure the closure. The vial is particularly adapted for cryogenic storage of organic samples. The vial is also adaptable to other applications wherein complete sealing is required under wide temperature and pressure range conditions. The improved seals provided by the interface between the sealing insert and the tubular body prevent leakage into or out of the vial.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Paul B Robbins