Patent ID: 11873475
Assignee: BIOLOOMICS, INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC C  G | IPC C  G

Claim 7:
8. A cell extraction module for extracting a pre-selected cell from a sample of cells in a cell culture plate, comprising:
a needle configured to hydraulically remove the pre-selected cell from the cell culture plate;
a motorized translation stage mechanically coupled with the needle via a low-friction mount and configured to translate the needle, in a dimension orthogonal to the cell culture plate, to reach the pre-selected cell from above; and
a sensor, coupled to the needle, and configured to be communicatively coupled to the motorized translation stage to stop downward translation of the needle, by the motorized translation stage, when the needle, according to the sensor, is one of (a) in a threshold degree of contact with at least one of the pre-selected cell and the cell culture plate and (b) at a threshold distance above at least one of the pre-selected cell and the cell culture plate,
the sensor being a mechanically activated electrical switch positioned above the needle such that, when an upward pressure on the needle exceeds friction of the low-friction mount during downward translation by the motorized translation stage, the needle slides upwards relative to the first motorized translation stage and switches the electrical switch, which causes the downward translation to stop.