Pre-injection chromatographic sample sequencer

Abstract: A pre-injection sample sequencing subsystem for laboratory apparatus which includes a chromatograph with a column includes a circular tray with a plurality of concentric arrays of physical locations for storing sample vials in radially extending linear arrays, and a plurality of virtual locations that are extensions of the linear arrays. Each of the physical and virtual locations are individually addressable by a controller for a robot on the tray such that pre-injection sample processing modules may be attached to the tray, located at one or more of the virtual locations. A sequencing method optimizes transfer of samples contained in the vials between their respective physical storage location and the pre-injection processing modules.

Description: The present invention relates to a laboratory apparatus for analyzing one or more samples each of which is contained in a respective vial in accordance with the prior art portion of claim 1. In the field of chromatography, there are several known systems, subsystems and methods which have been utilized to optimize laboratory analysis of samples with a gas or liquid chromatograph. "PyTechnology TM " systems, manufactured by Zymark Corporation of Hopkinton, MA, are illustrative of such systems, subsystems and methods. As is known, PyTechnology TM " systems incorporate a core system which includes a Zymate II laboratory robot (and controller) that is attached to a central locating plate, around which all other "PySections" are located. The central locating plate is divided into forty-eight sectors, and the hardware for each "PySection" (e.g., a dispenser or a centrifuge) is mounted on a wedge-shaped platform which occupies one or more of the forty-eight sectors. Illustrative references which describes the robot used in "PyTechnology TM " systems are: U.S. Patent No. 4,488,241; U. S. Patent No. 4,507,044; and U. S. Patent No. 4,510,684; each of which was invented by Hutchins et al., is assigned to Zymark Corporation, and is incorporated herein by reference. A user of such "PyTechnology TM " systems "teaches" or programs the controller of the desired position for each "PySection", and such positions are automatically stored in the controller as additional "PySections" are added. Once a "PySection" has been put into place, the robot is able to automatically access all working positions on that "PySection" without any additional teaching or programming by the user. Illustrative references which describe the robot controller used in "PyTechnoiogy TM " systems are: U. S. Patent No. 4,578,764; U. S. Patent No. 4,586,151; U. S. Patent No. 4,689,755; and, U. S. Patent No. 4,727,494; each of which (with the exception of U. S. Patent No. 4,578,764 by Hutchins et al.) was invented by Buote, is assigned to Zymark Corporation, and is incorporated herein by reference. While many prior art laboratory systems, such as the aforedescribed "PyTechnology TM " system of Zymark Corporation, are capable of integration with a gas or liquid chromatographs, they are nevertheless deficient in several aspects. For example, Zymark's "GC Inject PySection" operates with an HP7673A automatic injector, HP5890A gas chromatograph, and HP3392A integrator, each of which is manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA, but lacks the compactness of size which is necessary to ensure quick transfers of samples. Zymark's "LC Inject PySection" also provides direct injection of prepared samples into an HPLC (i.e., high-performance liquid chromatograph), but it requires that the HPLC be located near the Zymark system which is not within reach of the robot. Furthermore, like many other prior art laboratory systems, the "PyTechnology TM " system utilizes a robot which suffers from the disadvantage of having to be taught. US-A-4,713,974 discloses a laboratory apparatus of the above-mentioned type which is used for analyzing samples each of which is contained in a vial. This prior art apparatus comprises a chromatographic apparatus for analyzing the samples which include a column and a sample port atop said column, an injecting unit for individually injecting the samples into the sample port and tray means for holding a plurality of vials containing said samples. A roboting means comprising a rotational and longitudinal driving unit for rotating and shifting the tray means as well as a lift for vertically moving a spring-loaded sample needle are used for automatically moving a selected one of the vials held by the tray under the needle, which is subsequently lowered to thus enable the system to remove the sample from the vial and to either directly feed same to the sample port of the chromatographic apparatus or to firstly feed same to other vials to thereby perform pre-injection sample processing steps, which may comprise accessing two vials containing different reactants and transferring same to a third vial or other preparation routines which can be conducted by mixing selected samples or diluents. Thus, this prior art laboratory apparatus can only perform those kinds of processings on the respective samples which can be conducted by exchanging the fluid from one vial to another by sucking the liquid from one vial and dispensing same to another. This technique depends on the sample being manipulated in the syringe system. FR-A-2528182 discloses a biomedical laboratory apparatus having a rotatable tray for holding a plurality of vials which are fed to receiving locations and which are grasped from removing locations of the vials at the tray means by rotating loading elements which are driven in synchronism with the rotating table. EP-A-0210014 discloses a laboratory apparatus having a rotatable tray for receiving a plurality of vials containing samples, which can be dispensed from the vials by a liquid dispensing manifold subassembly by means of a pumping system. The vials have bar code stickers which can be automatically read. FR-A-2,136,707 discloses a further laboratory apparatus having a roboting means for automatically grasping a vial and conducting processing steps, such as treating the samples in a centrifuge to thereinafter place the vial to a rail-like receiving unit. The present invention is based on the object of providing a laboratory apparatus for analyzing one or more samples each of which is contained in a respective vial which shows a high degree of flexibility and which allows an optimized movement of the samples between a storage position, pre-injection processing positions and a sample port. This object is accomplished by a laboratory apparatus in accordance with claim 1. Other objects, advantages, and novel features in accordance with the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of the laboratory apparatus for analyzing samples contained in a vial in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a partial top view of the laboratory apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a timing diagram of a pre-injection sample sequencing method which utilizes the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout each of the several views, there is shown in Fig. 1 laboratory apparatus 10 for analyzing one or more samples each of which is contained in a respective vial 12. The apparatus 10 as shown includes chromatographic means 14 for analyzing each of the samples, for example an HP5890A gas chromatograph which is manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA. As is known, such chromatographic means 14 includes a column 16 and a sample port 18 atop the column 16. Such chromatographic means 14, therefore, is generally applicable to both gas and liquid chromatographs. As such, the chromatographic means 14 facilitates not only the introduction of a sample into a controlled stream of mobile phase at the top of the column 16, but also the continuous monitoring of the column effluent by a suitable detector (i.e., a device transducing chemical information into electrical signals - not shown), followed by a signal recording or by further processing of such recorded information. The laboratory apparatus 10 further comprises means 20 for individually injecting the samples into the sample port 18, pre-injection sample processing means 22 for processing preselected ones of the samples, tray means 24 for holding the samples contained in their vials 12, and robotic means 26 for transferring the samples between the tray means 24 and the sample port 18. One suitable such injecting means 20 is an HP7673A automatic on-column injector which is manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA. The precision of such known automatic on-column injecting means 20 is clearly superior to manual injection since variability of injection technique between operators is eliminated. Moreover, sample discrimination is minimized due to fast injection and provisions are made for automated cool on-column capillary injection. Referring now also to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the tray means 24 and robotic means 26 suitably comprise an HP7673A automatic sampler which is also manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA. Such tray means 24 includes a circular tray 28 that is attached to the chromatographic means 14, means 30 for holding the samples in a plurality of concentric circular arrays 32, a robotic arm 34 that is adapted to be extended across such circular arrays 32 in the directions of the arrow as shown in Fig. 2, a hand 36, attached to one end of the arm 34, that is adapted to grasp a selected sample contained in its respective vial 12, and means 38 for controlling the transfer of the samples by the robotic means 26. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, the circular tray 28 is divided into four quadrants 40 in order to support removable inserts 42 which together comprise the holding means 30. Each of the inserts 42 are formed to hold twenty-five vials 12 containing respective samples. Accordingly, while the HP7673A automatic sampler comprising the tray means 24 and the robotic means 26 is operating, the inserts 42 may even be removed or installed without disrupting the sampling sequence. It is readily apparent, therefore, that maximum flexibility in the preparation and loading of samples is provided by the laboratory apparatus 10 as thus far described. The circular arrays 32 shown in Fig. 2 are formed by a plurality of linear arrays 44 of physical storage locations 46 extending radially outward from a central axis A of the circular tray 28, each one of the physical locations 46 adapted for storage of a single vial 12. Extending further outward from the central axis A from selected ones of the plurality of linear arrays 44 is one or more virtual locations 48, each of which is adapted to juxtapose a single sample-containing vial 12 to the pre-injection sample processing means 22. Each one of the physical locations 46 and virtual locations 48 is uniquely addressable by the controller means 38. For example, included within the controller means 38 for the pre-injection sample processing means 22 in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of this invention is one or more circuit boards 50 for purposes of communication with the laboratory apparatus 10. Such controller means 38 may include a typewriter-like keyboard 52, and may be suitably comprised of the HP3393A integrator which is manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, the circuit boards 50 are maintained within a power supply portion 25 of the HP7673A automatic sampler. In order to position samples for processing within the chromatographic means 14, rotary transfer means 54 is suitably provided with the on-column injecting means 20. Such rotary transfer means 54 temporarily stores a limited number of the samples contained in their vials 12, and juxtaposes a single sample so temporarily stored proximate to the sample port 18. As is shown in Fig. 2, the rotary transfer means 54 comprises a circular array of physical storage locations 56, wherein at least one of the physical storage locations 56 corresponds to one of the plurality of virtual locations 48 of the holding means 30, such that the robotic means 26 can transfer a sample between the tray means 24 and the injecting means 20. Many chromatographic applications require a certain amount of sample preparation before those samples can be introduced into the chromatograph (e.g., the addition of derivatization agents or internal standards, filtration, dilution, or solid phase extraction). Several of these functions are of a time-critical nature (e.g., heating of a sample to reduce its viscosity, or the addition of derivatization agents), and require certain particular processes to be performed on the sample immediately before its injection into the chromatographic column. The pre-injection processing means 28 provides such a means. Identification and verification of the identity of the samples is also the key to accurate chromatographic analyses. Such identification and verification must be performed on each sample both before and after it has been injected into the chromatographic column. Each of the vials 12 in accordance with another important aspect of the present invention includes an encoded label such as a bar code label (not shown) which is human-readable and machine readable. Means 58 is, therefore, provided on the tray means 24 for automatically reading the coded labels on each vial 12. In order to perform sample preparation functions, such as heating, the addition of derivatization agents or internal standards, dilution, filtration, or solid phase extraction, the pre-injection processing means 28 of the present invention is mounted to the tray means 24 by one or more mounting brackets 60 and includes a vial holding block 62 upon a base portion 64. The vial holding block 62 has a pair of vial locations corresponding to a pair of virtual locations 48 of the tray means 24. In such a manner, therefore, the vial holding block 62 serves as a location to exchange vials 12 with the adjacent circular tray 28. One of the pair of vial locations on the vial holding block could suitably comprise a hole to dispose of unwanted samples, sample preparation glassware, solid phase extraction columns and filter cartridges. Through the simple insertion of a heater element and temperature sensor (not shown) into the vial holding block 62, the samples which were transferred from the tray means 24 to the pre-injection processing means 28 could be heated at programmed temperatures. An alternative system could utilize the convective transfer of heat via forced liquid or gas flow through a remotely heated block (not shown) to the vials 12, while a peltier cooler or forced flow of a coolant such as carbon dioxide could be used to allow samples to be cooled. The ability to weigh samples could also be implemented through the addition of a force transducer to the base 64, or by virtue of an analytical balance that would be accessible through the same disposal hole discussed immediately herein above. An elevator portion 66 is attached to the base portion 64 to provide a means of moving a vertical carriage 68 that is controlled by a circuit board 70. The carriage 68 is movable upwards and downwards upon a lead screw 71 driven by a rotary stepper or DC motor (not shown). Means such as a gripper (not shown) could be used to enable the carriage 68 to grasp, lift, and release vials 12, filters, or solid phase extraction columns. Alternatively, suitable needles 72 can be installed upon the carriage 68 for various pre-injection sample processing steps. Hollow needles, for example, would permit a dispenser to add or withdraw liquid from the sample vials 12 contained in the vial holding block 62. A heated vial holding block 62 as was briefly discussed herein above would enable high temperature solvation and dilution along with derivatization. Grooved needles, on the other hand, would allow sample vials 12 to be purged with an inert gas. Furthermore, combining this function with a heated vial holding block 62 would also permit a programmed drying of the samples. A cavity (not shown) could also be added below the base portion 64 to enable the rinsing of the needles 72 with solvents pumped from a dispenser to reduce the potential for carryover. One of the circuit boards 50 suitably comprises a means providing power and communications with the pre-injection processing means 22 which enables the work station 52 to address one or more of the pre-injection processing means 22 via selected commands. An RS-485 communications bus (not shown) is preferably provided between such circuit board 50 and the pre-injection processing means 22. Another one of the circuit boards 50 comprises a means for interfacing with the work station 52 and other peripherals such as a host computer (not shown). Such interfacing suitably not only provides for overlapping of sample preparation and analysis as described in more detail herein below, but also provides for "token" level control of the on-column injection means 20 tray means 24, and robotic means 26, use of the on-column injection means 20 as a precision dispenser, elimination of any unnecessary "homing" of the robotic means 26 to increase effective speed of the sequencing subsystem, and the ability to manipulate vials 12 of varying sizes. The work station 52 may also include a conventional RS-232C serial interface. Still another one of the circuit boards 50 suitably comprises a means for controlling operation of the bar code reading means 58. In such a manner, therefore, the pre-injection processing means 22, or any other suitable means for conducting sample preparation functions may be attached directly to the tray means 24, and addressed by the controller means 38 via the virtual locations 48 at which such pre-injection processing means are attached. No teaching of the controller means 38 is necessary. Referring now to Fig. 3 in conjunction with Figs. 1 and 2, a pre-injection sample sequencing method which utilizes the aforedescribed apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained. As noted herein above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-injection sample sequencing subsystem and method for such a laboratory system that optimizes the movements of the sample between a storage position, any pre-injection processing positions, and the sample port. More importantly, however, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a pre-injection sample sequencing subsystem and method for such a laboratory system that improves time-critical analyses performed by the system. For example, crude oil may contain compounds that are not in solution at room temperature. In order to analyze such samples with a chromatograph for determination as to the existence of those compounds, therefore, the samples would first have to be heated. However, it may be undesirable to store the samples hot as volatile components may be lost. Careful sequencing of the samples through various pre-injection processing steps becomes necessary for accurate chromatographic analysis. In a laboratory system 10 having chromatographic means 14 for analyzing a sample contained in a vial 12, wherein the chromatographic means 14 includes a column 16, a sample port 18 atop the column 16, on-column means 20 both for withdrawing the sample from the vial and for injecting the withdrawn sample into the column through the sample port, and means for processing 22 the sample prior to its withdrawal from its vial 12, therefore, a method of sequencing a plurality of the samples between the processing means and the withdrawing and injecting means generally comprises the steps of: (1) providing a circular tray 28 that is attached to the chromatographic means 14, the circular tray 28 including a central axis A; (2) providing means for holding 30 the plurality of the samples, the holding means 30 including a plurality of physical locations 46 each of which is adapted for storage of a single vial 12, and a plurality of virtual locations 48 each of which is adapted to juxtapose a single vial 12 with the processing means 22; (3) mounting the holding means 30 to the chromatographic means 14 such that one of the plurality of virtual locations 48 is proximate to the sample port 18; (4) providing robotic means 26, including an arm 34 and a hand 36 attached to the arm 34, for transferring a single vial 12 between its respective physical location 46 and selected ones of the plurality of virtual locations 48 including the sample port 18; and, (5) controlling the robotic means 26 to optimize movement thereof for transferring a single vial 12 between its respective physical location 46 and the selected ones of said plurality of virtual locations 48. The step of providing the holding means 30 suitably comprises the steps of: providing more than one circular array 32 of the physical locations 46 which are disposed concentrically about the central axis A; disposing each physical location 46 in a respective one of the circular arrays 32 in a linear array 44 of the physical locations 46 extending radially outward from the central axis A; and disposing each one of the virtual locations 48 as an extension of one of the linear arrays 44. As was explained herein above with reference to the laboratory apparatus 10, the method according to a presently preferred embodiment further comprises the step of providing the on-column means 20 with rotary transfer means 54 for temporarily storing a limited number of samples contained in their vials 12, and for juxtaposing a single one of that limited number of samples so temporarily stored proximate to the sample port 18. The rotary transfer means 54 may preferably comprise a circular array of physical storage locations 56, wherein at least one of those storage locations 56 of the circular array 54 in the rotary transfer means 54 corresponds to one of the plurality of virtual locations 48 of the holding means 30. As is best illustrated by Fig. 3, the controlling step of the sequencing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) assigning a unique address to each one of the physical and virtual locations 46, 48 of the holding means 30; (b) instructing the robotic means 26 via the circuit cards 50 to retrieve a selected sample from its respective physical location 46; (c) retrieving the selected sample with the robotic means 26; (d) instructing the robotic means 26 to transfer the selected sample from its respective physical location 46 to the processing means 22; (e) transferring the selected sample with the robotic means 26 to the processing means 22; (f) instructing the processing means 22 to conduct at least two pre-injection processing steps upon the selected sample; (g) conducting one of the at least two pre-injection processing steps upon the selected sample with the processing means 22; (h) conducting other ones of the at least two pre-injection processing steps upon selected sample with the processing means 22; (i) instructing the robotic means 26 to retrieve another selected sample from its respective physical location 46; (j) retrieving the other selected sample with the robotic means 26 during the conduct of the other pre-injection processing steps on a previously selected sample; (k) instructing the robotic means 26 to transfer the other selected sample to the processing means 22; (l) transferring the other selected sample with the robotic means 26 to the processing means 22 during the conduct of said other pre-injection processing steps on the previously selected sample; (m) instructing the robotic means 26 to retrieve the previously selected sample from the processing means 22 upon completion of the other pre-injection processing steps; (n) retrieving the previously selected sample with the robotic means 26 from the processing means 22 upon completion of the at least two pre-injection processing steps; (o) instructing the robotic means 26 to transfer the previously selected sample to the virtual location 48 of the holding means 30 that corresponds to the at least one of said physical storage locations 56 of the circular array in the rotary transfer means 54; (p) transferring the previously selected sample with the robotic means 26 to the virtual location 46 of the holding beans 30 that corresponds to the at least one of the physical storage locations 56 of the circular array in the rotary transfer means 54; (q) instructing the rotary transfer means 54 to transfer the previously selected sample to the sample port 18; (r) instructing the on-column means 20 to withdraw the previously selected sample from its vial 12; (s) instructing the on-column means 20 to inject the withdrawn sample into the column 16 through the sample port 18; and (t) repeating steps (f) through (s) for the other selected sample. The method according to this presently preferred embodiment of this invention, may further comprise the steps of: identifying each selected sample (e.g., by a bar code label); instructing the robotic means 26 to transfer the selected sample to the processing means 22 by communication of its unique address; rotating the arm 34 about the central axis A to align the hand 36 with the particular one of the linear arrays 44 that corresponds to the selected sample; extending the hand 36 to the physical location 46 of the holding means 30 that corresponds to the selected sample; grasping the selected sample with the hand 36; and verifying the identity of each selected sample prior to its transfer to the processing means 22. Such verification may be suitably performed in accordance with the method and apparatus described in copending Serial No. 142,974. For a plurality of such samples, referring now more specifically to Fig. 3, the sequencing method according to the present invention takes a first sample with the robotic means 24 and places it in the bar code reading means 58 where the bar code label (not shown) on the vial 12 of the first selected sample is read at time t1. After verification by the controller means 38, the first sample is taken to the pre-injection processing means 22 where, for example, a solvent could be dispensed at time t2 through the needles 72 into that first sample. Thereafter, at the pre-injection processing means 22 or other suitable such means that are disposed at other virtual locations 48 around the tray means 24, the first sample would be agitated at time t3 and heated for a period of time commencing at time t4, any necessary transfer of the first sample being performed by the robotic means 26. While the first sample is completing the heating step, the robotic means 26 would take another sample and transfer it to the bar code reading means 58 where the bar code label (not shown) on the vial 12 of the second selected sample would be read at time t5. Thereafter, similar dispensing, agitation and heating pre-injection processing steps would be performed respectively on the second sample at times t6, t7 and t8. In order to then optimize such pre-injection processing, the first sample would be retrieved by the robotic means 26, transferred to the virtual location 48 corresponding to the rotary transfer means 54 of the on-column injection means 20, rotated by such rotary transfer means 54 to the sample port 18 and be injected at time t9 into the column 16. The first sample vial 12 would then be discarded at time t10, and the robotic means 26 would be returned to a "home" position at time t11. Almost immediately thereafter, and while the second sample was still being heated, a third sample could be retrieved by the robotic means 26 and transferred to the bar code reading means 58 where the bar code label (not shown) on the vial 12 of that third selected sample would be read at time t12. Again, similar dispensing, agitation and heating pre-injection processing steps would be performed respectively on the third sample at times t13, t14 and t15. In order to continue optimizing such pre-injection processing, the second sample would be retrieved by the robotic means 26, transferred to the virtual location 48 corresponding to the rotary transfer means 54 of the on-column injection means 20, rotated by such rotary transfer means 54 to the sample port 18 and be infected at time t16 into the column 16. The second sample vial 12 would then be discarded at time t17, and the robotic means 26 would be returned to its "home" position at time t18. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as is specifically disclosed herein.

Claims: Laboratory apparatus (10) for analyzing one or more samples each of which is contained in a respective vial (12), comprising: chromatographic means (14) for analyzing the one or more samples, said chromatographic means including a column (16) and a sample port (18) atop said column (16); means (20) for individually injecting the one or more samples into said sample port (18); pre-injection sample processing means (22) for processing preselected ones of the one or more samples; tray means (24,28) for holding the one or more samples contained in their vials (12), said tray means including a plurality of physical locations (46) each of which is adapted to store a vial (12) containing a single one of the one or more samples, said plurality of physical locations of said tray means (24,28) comprising a plurality of linear arrays which are disposed radially with respect to a central point of said tray means (24,28); and robotic means (26) for transferring vials (12) between said physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28) and said injecting means (20); characterized in that said injecting means (20) includes rotary transfer means (54) for temporarily storing the one or more vials (12), and for juxtaposing a single one of the one or more vials (12) so temporarily stored proximate to said sample port (18); said rotary transfer means (54) comprises a circular array of physical storage locations; and said robotic means (26) is arranged for transferring the one or more vials (12) between one of said plurality of physical locations of said tray means (24,28) and at least one physical storage location (48) of said circular array in said rotary transfer means (54) which is located on an extension of said linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28). The laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said robotic means comprises: an arm (34); a hand (36) attached to said arm (34); and controller means (38;50,52) for sequencing the hand (36) between said physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28), and at least one of said physical storage locations (48) of said circular array in said rotary transfer means (54) which is located on an extension of said linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28). The laboratory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tray means (24,28) comprises more than one circular array (32) of said plurality of physical locations disposed concentrically about the central axis (A) of said tray means (24,28), each said physical location (46) in a respective one of said more than one circular arrays (32) further disposed in a linear array (44) of said plurality of physical locations (46) extending radially outward from said central axis (A). The laboratory apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one physical storage location (48) of said circular array in said rotary transfer means (54) which is located on an extension of said linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28) comprises an extension of one of said linear arrays (44) at a position known to said controlling means (38;50,52). The laboratory apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by means (58) for identifying individual ones of said two or more vials (12). The laboratory apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said identifying means (58) comprises a bar code label. The laboratory apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said controlling means (38;50,52) comprises address means for assigning a unique address to each one of said plurality of locations. The laboratory apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said controlling means (38;50,52) further comprises means for associating a preselected one of said one or more samples with a given one of said unique addresses. A method of sequencing a plurality of vials (12) between tray means (24,28), pre-injection sample processing means (22) and injecting means (20) in a laboratory apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized by the steps of: (a) assigning a unique address to each one of the physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28) and to at least one physical storage location (48) of a circular array in a rotary transfer means (54) which is located on an extension of linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28); (b) instructing robotic means (26) to retrieve a selected vial (12) from its respective physical location (46); (c) retrieving said selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26); (d) instructing said robotic means (26) to transfer said selected vial (12) from its respective physical location (46) to the pre-injection sample processing means (22); (e) transferring said selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26) to the pre-injection sample processing means (22); (f) instructing the pre-injection sample processing means (22) to conduct at least two pre-injection processing steps upon said selected sample; (g) conducting one of said at least two pre-injection processing steps upon said selected sample with the pre-injection sample processing means (22); (h) conducting other ones of said at least two pre-injection processing steps upon said selected sample with the pre-injection sample processing means (22); (i) instructing said robotic means (26) to retrieve another selected vial (12) from its respective physical location (46); (j) retrieving said other selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26) during the conduct of said other pre-injection processing steps on a previously selected vial (12); (k) instructing said robotic means (26) to transfer said other selected vial (12) to the pre-injection sample processing means (22); (l) transferring said other selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26) to the pre-injection sample processing means (22) during the conduct of said other pre-injection proecessing steps on said previously selected vial (12); (m) instructing said robotic means (26) to retrieve said previously selected vial (12) from the pre-injection sample processing means (22) upon completion of said other pre-injection processing steps; (n) retrieving said previously selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26) from the pre-injection sample processing means (22) upon completion of said at least two pre-injection processing steps; (o) instructing said robotic means (26) to transfer said previously selected vial (12) to said at least one of said physical storage locations (48) of said circular array in said rotary transfer means (56) which is located on the extension of said linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28); (p) transferring said previously selected vial (12) with said robotic means (26) to said at least one of said physical storage locations (48) of said circular array in said rotary transfer means (56) which is located on the extension of said linear arrays of physical locations (46) of said tray means (24,28); (q) instructing said rotary transfer means (56) to transfer said previously selected vial (12) to said injecting means (20); (r) instructing the injecting means (20) to withdraw said previously selected sample from its vial (12); (s) instructing the injecting means to inject said withdrawn sample into the column (16) through the sample port (18); and (t) repeating steps (f) through (s) for said other selected sample. The method according to claim 9, characterized by the steps of: identifying each said selected vial (12); instructing said robotic means (26) to transfer said selected vials (12) to the processing means by communication of its unique address; rotating said arm (34) about said central axis (A) to align said hand (36) with the particular one of said linear arrays that corresponds to said selected sample; extending said hand (36) to said physical location (46) that corresponds to said selected vial (12); grasping said selected vial (12) with said hand (36); and verifying the identity of each said selected vial (12) prior to its transfer to the pre-injection sample processing means (22).

Inventors: POOLE JOHN S, STAATS III L THOMPSON, POOLE, JOHN S., STAATS III, L. THOMPSON
Applicants: HEWLETT PACKARD CO, HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G01N30
IPC codes: G01N30, G01N35