The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1998
Marcus J Horn, Redwood Shores, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ('mini-columns'), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The chemical treatment station (CTS) of this invention reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth (i.e., pump-up and pump-down); performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; salvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, and are performed without having to remove the cassette from the CTS, without having to detach and reattach a CTS/cassette interface, or otherwise require human intervention. Further, the same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.