Patent ID: 9381524
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: B01D,B04B,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A system for automated sample preparation comprising: an elevator comprising a plurality of shelves configured to receive a plurality of trays, each of the trays comprising: a first transport mechanism configured to transport the plurality of trays, one at a time, from the elevator to a processing deck; a second transport mechanism coupled to the processing deck and configured to transport the processing deck from a location external to the elevator reachable by the first transport mechanism to a first processing location and between the first processing location and a second processing location, wherein the first transport mechanism is configured to transport each one of the plurality of trays in at least one axis not used by the second transport mechanism; a chain-of-custody device configured to read an identifier on each of the sample containers; a de-capping device configured to remove the plurality of caps from the plurality of respective sample containers; a pipetting device configured to remove a portion of the sample from each of the plurality of sample containers having the plurality of respective caps disengaged and dispense the removed portion into the plurality of centrifuge tubes for each of the plurality of centrifuge tube racks; a centrifuge device configured to centrifuge the plurality of the centrifuge tubes for each of the plurality of centrifuge tube racks containing the sample; and a third transport mechanism configured to transport each of the centrifuge tube racks from one of the plurality of trays to the centrifuge device.