Patent ID: 7670555
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: B25J,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An automated analysis system comprising: at least one multi-well analysis plate; an x-y-z robot having a parallel gripper; a plurality of vertically arranged array of plate housings accessible by the parallel gripper for insertion and removal of individual multi-well plates from the array, an upper surface; a lower surface; a rear panel connecting the upper and lower surfaces; and an opening in the lower surface for inserting and removing a multi-well plate, the lower surface having a notch at the opening to permit the insertion and removal of a multi-well plate, and having a center raised surface to support an inserted multi-well plate, the inserted multi-well plate rests solely on the raised portion to allow the sides of the multi-well plate to be suspended from the side edges of the lower surface, wherein the suspended sides of the inserted multi-well plate correspond to the respective shelves of the elongated gripper arms, wherein the arm shelves of the gripper are configured to be inserted underneath the multi-well plate sides and lift the multi-well plate along its side edges; and a plate analysis station having an optical imager for analyzing the individual wells of the multi-well plate, wherein the parallel gripper is movable by the x-y-z robot to grip and transport the multi-well plate from the plate housing to the plate analysis station and vice versa.