Cell feeder/harvester assembly

Abstract

A cell feeder/harvester assembly including a primary platform with at least one recessed culture vessel holding area whereon two pipet tip racks, one for holding sterile pipet tips and the other rack for collecting used pipet tips, and an array of culture vessels are supported. An X assembly extends transversely across the primary platform and is driven longitudinally thereover, the X assembly having a Y assembly, including a secondary platform, disposed thereon which is adapted to be driven transversely over the X assembly, wherein both the X assembly and the Y assembly move so as to position a Z assembly, which is attached to a top of the secondary platform, over a select pair of culture vessels on opposite sides of the secondary platform. The Z assembly is adapted to service all culture vessels on the primary platform, without the need for manual or individualized directing, by removing waste products and adding necessary chemicals to the individual culture vessels. The Z assembly includes a cover remover and nurturing assembly which is adapted to remove the cover from the culture vessel which is being serviced and subsequently distribute chemicals to the uncovered culture vessel, via a sterile pipet tip. After servicing the particular culture vessel, the used pipet tip is disposed of in the collecting rack and a new, sterile pipet tip is replaced on the nurturing assembly. The functioning of the servicing procedures being completely computer controlled such that all culture vessels are given their necessary specialized servicing.