Patent ID: 7841824
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: B01L,B03C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for transporting a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the method comprising the steps of: supporting said source vessel and said target vessel on a support plate; translating one of said support plate and a transfer device of a primary transfer unit in an x-direction to position said source vessel below said transfer device; translating said transfer device in a y-direction to position said transfer device above said source vessel; translating said transfer device in a z-direction to lower said transfer device into said source vessel, said x, y and z directions defining a three axis Cartesian coordinate system; activating said transfer device to collect said sample contained in said source vessel; translating said transfer device in said z-direction to raise said transfer device out of said source vessel; translating said transfer device in said y-direction to position said transfer device above said target vessel; translating one of said support plate and said transfer device in said x-direction to position said target vessel below said transfer device of said primary transfer unit; translating said transfer device in said z-direction to lower said transfer device into said target vessel; and deactivating said transfer device to release said sample from said transfer device into said target vessel, wherein said primary transfer unit comprises a primary magnet unit and said transfer device comprises a pin having a tip, and wherein said activating step comprises the step of applying a magnetic force at said tip to attract magnet particles of said sample contained in said source vessel and said deactivating step comprises the step of removing said magnetic force from said tip to release said magnet particles from said tip into said target vessel, wherein said magnetic force is applied at said tip by moving a magnet within a hollow body of said pin to a first position adjacent said tip of said pin and wherein said magnetic force is removed from said tip by moving said magnet to a second position away from said pin tip, and wherein said step of moving said magnet to said first position comprises the steps of: engaging a ferromagnetic piston portion of a magnet rod connected to said magnet with an electromagnet fixed on an actuator plate; and translating said actuator plate.