Patent ID: 6589789
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for automating processing of samples through a fault-tolerant centrifuge using a device which has a processing station interposed between a tube collection or transport device and the fault-tolerant centrifuge, the station comprising:a) a staging area for tube adaptors which facilitates the loading and unloading of the centrifuge; b) a dual function tool having i) a tube gripper which recognizes and adapts to tubes of different height and diameter, each tube having a top and a bottom portion, on the tube collection or transport device and which routes tubes between the tube collection or transport device and the centrifuge adaptors; and ii) an adaptor gripper capable of transporting adaptors to and from the centrifuge, the process comprising: a) picking tubes of different height and diameter from the tube collection or transport device under direction of a system's control mechanism, wherein each tube is gripped at the same height from the bottom portion of the tube, b) placing them in adaptors on the staging area in a sequence which provides paired adaptors of essentially balanced weight such that when a centrifuge cycles, a weight distribution between the paired adaptors is within a fault tolerance limit of the centrifuge, c) placing the paired adaptors into the centrifuge opposite each other, d) removing adaptors from the centrifuge to the staging area after a spin cycle; and e) picking cycled tubes from the adaptors and placing them on the tube collection or transport system.