Patent Publication Number: US-2006018802-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for reconfiguring a labware storage system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application entitled, “Method and Apparatus for Reconfiguring a Labware Storage System,” filed Jul. 16, 2004 and having been assigned Ser. No. 60/588,342. The disclosure of the above-cited Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application entitled “Microplate Storage Hotel Design,”filed Jul. 9, 2004, now pending, and having been assigned Ser. No. 10/887,355, the disclosure of which is hereby also hereby incorporated herein by reference in it entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to labware storage systems. The present invention also relates generally to methods of configuring labware storage systems.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In laboratories where experimental procedures require that multitudes of samples be collected and stored, labware storage systems are commonly utilized. Currently-available labware storage systems are configured to store pre-set quantities of one or more types of labware. For example, a currently-available labware storage system may allow for the storage of 5,000 microplates, each containing one hundred 1 ml experimental samples.  
      Because of the pre-set nature of currently-available labware storage systems, a system configured to store the above-mentioned 5,000 microplates could not be re-configured to store 2,000 microplates and 1,000 vials or even 50 bottles. Rather, an entirely new labware storage system would be needed, and significant costs would be incurred.  
      At least in view of the above, it would be desirable for novel labware storage systems and methods of configuring labware storage systems to be developed. These novel systems and methods would preferably allow for a fluctuating ratio of different types of labware to be stored therein.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by embodiments of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a labware storage system is provided. The labware storage system includes a frame that includes a first guidance component positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the frame. The labware storage system also includes a first storage structure configured to be positioned at a first location within the frame and to hold a first distribution of labware, wherein the first storage structure includes a first alignment component positioned along a first edge of the first storage structure. The labware storage system further includes a second storage structure configured to be positioned at a second location within the frame and to store a second distribution of labware. The second storage structure includes a second alignment component positioned along a first edge of the second storage structure. The labware storage system also includes a labware positioning device configured to position a piece of labware in a storage compartment of at least one of the first storage structure or the second storage structure and to retrieve the piece of labware from the storage component.  
      According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of configuring a labware storage system is provided. The method includes introducing a first storage structure, configured to hold a first distribution of labware, into a frame having a labware positioning device located adjacent thereto. The method also includes introducing a second storage structure, configured to hold a second distribution of labware, into the frame. The method further includes positioning the first storage structure and the second storage structure relative to the frame using a first guidance component positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the frame, a first alignment component positioned on a first edge of the first storage structure and a second alignment component positioned along a first edge of the second storage structure.  
      According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, another storage system is provided. The storage system includes first storing means for storing a first distribution of labware and second storing means for storing a second distribution of labware. The storage system also includes positioning means for positioning a piece of labware in the first storing means and restricting means, adjacent to the positioning means, for restricting motion of the first storing means and the second storing means relative to the positioning means. The storage system further includes first guiding means, positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the restricting means, for guiding travel of the first storing means and second storing means relative to the restricting means. In addition, the storage system includes second guiding means, positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the first storing means, for guiding travel of the first storing means relative to the restricting means.  
      There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
      In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
      As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plurality of different types of labware that may be used according to embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a labware storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a labware positioning device according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is perspective view of a first labware storage hotel and a second labware storage hotel according to embodiments of present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 2  and of two labware storage hotels that may be positioned within the frame according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plurality of different types of labware  10 ,  12 ,  14  that may be used according to embodiments of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 1  illustrates five different types of microplates  10  having different geometries and being able to store different numbers of experimental samples.  FIG. 1  also illustrates two tubes  12 , each having a different geometry, and one bottle  14 . In addition to the types of labware illustrated in  FIG. 1 , other types of labware that may be used according to embodiments of the present invention include vials, deepwell plates, microscope slides, lab-on-a-chip devices, microfluidic devices, nanofluidic device, etc.  
      When conducting experiments in a laboratory setting, one or more of the types of labware illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be used. Then, depending upon the conditions required to carry out the experimentation procedure, one or more of the types of labware illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be stored, either for relatively short or extended periods of time, in enclosures configured to regulate temperature, humidity and/or other environmental conditions.  FIG. 2  is a side view of a labware storage system  16  according to an embodiment of the present invention where such environmentally-controlled storage may take place.  
      The labware storage system  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  includes a frame  18  and a plurality of storage structures  20  that are positioned at a plurality of locations within the frame. Each of the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is configured to hold/store a plurality of pieces of labware.  
      According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2  are not all configured to store the same distributions of labware. For example, in some labware storage systems  16 , one or more of the storage structures  20  are configured to store one type of microplate  10  exclusively while one or more of the other storage structures  20  are configured to hold more than one type of microplate  10  and/or tubes  12  and/or bottles  14 . Also, certain storage structures  20  according to the present invention are configured to store one or more of the following types of labware: microplates, tubes, bottles, vials, deepwell plates, microscope slides, lab-on-a-chip devices, microfluidic devices and/or nanofluidic devices.  
      According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the labware storage system  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is particularly configured to be used in conjunction with protein crystallization experiments. In such a system  16 , the storage structures  20  take the form of hotels and an imager system  22  is included, wherein experimental samples may be imaged and the degree of crystallization in one or more samples may be determined. A controller  24  that controls the operation of the labware storage system is also typically included. More specifically, the controller  24  is often configured to control the environmental conditions within the labware storage system  16  and to control the manner in which labware is introduced into, stored in, and removed from the labware storage system.  
      According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the controller  24  controls a labware positioning device  26  such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In these embodiments, the labware positioning device  26  is positioned adjacent to the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the controller  24  controls the position of the labware retrieval component  28  relative to the storage structures  20 . More specifically, the controller  24  controls movement of the labware positioning device  26  along the lateral motion component  30 , which may take the form of a track that extends alongside the storage structures  20 . When removing a piece of labware from a storage structure  10 , the controller  24  also controls movement along the height adjusting component  32  to position the labware retrieval component  28  below a piece of stored labware. Then, the controller  24  causes the labware retrieval component  28  to lift the piece of labware and the labware retrieval component  28  retracts away from the storage structure  20 . At that point, the controller  24  moves the labware positioning device  26  to an input/output region  34  of the labware storage system  16 , where a user may retrieve the piece of labware. In view of the above description, one of skill in the art will appreciate that a reversed process can be used to have the labware positioning device  26  position a piece of labware in a storage compartment or slot of any of the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first labware storage hotel  34  and a second labware storage hotel  36  that may be included in the labware storage system  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first labware storage hotel  34  and the second labware storage hotel  36  have different dimensions. More particularly, the second labware storage hotel  36  is substantially deeper than the first labware storage hotel  34 . However, in certain embodiments of the present invention, both of these hotels  34 ,  36  may be included in the same labware storage system  16 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first labware storge hotel  34  is configured to hold/store a first plate  38  and a second plate  40 , each of which is supported on pins  42  that extend into the interior of the first labware storage hotel  34 . The first plate  38  is relatively thick compared to the second plate  40  and has fewer, wider indentations for storing samples.  
      The second labware storage hotel  36  also includes a plurality of pins  44  extend into the interior thereof and that are configured to support a first container  46  and a second container  48 . The first container  46 , which may take the form of a drawer, has a plurality of tubes  12  included therein and the second container  48  has a plurality of bottles  14  included therein. According to other embodiments of the present invention, labware storage hotels may also be designed to hold/store vials, deepwell plates, microscope slides, lab-on-a-chip devices, micro/nano-fluidic devices and/or other types of labware.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the frame  18  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and of two labware storage hotels  20  that may be positioned within the frame  18  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the frame  18  includes an upper guidance component  50  that is positioned substantially parallel to an upper edge  52  of the frame  18 . The frame  18  also includes a lower guidance component  54  that is positioned substantially parallel to a lower edge  56  of the frame.  
      According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the lower guidance component  54  is made up of a rod, bar or channel that extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the lower edge  56  of the frame  18 . According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the upper guidance component  50  is made up of a first substantially flat plate  58  and a second substantially flat plate  60 . The first plate  58  extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the upper edge  52  of the frame  18  and the second plate  60 , which is offset from the first plate  58 , extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the first plate  58 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the labware storage hotels  34 ,  36  that may be used as the storage structures  20  within the frame  18  in the labware storage system  16  each include an upper alignment component  62  and a lower alignment component  64 . When the hotels  34 ,  36  are positioned within the frame  18 , an edge of each hotel  34 ,  36  is positioned substantially parallel to the upper edge  52  of the frame  18 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper alignment component  62  can take the shape of a tab that is configured to be inserted between the first plate  58  and the second plate  60  of the upper guidance component  50 . According to certain other embodiments of the present invention, the lower alignment component  64  can take the shape of a slot that is configured to surround a portion of a rod, bar, channel or other structure that typically makes up the lower guidance component  54 .  
      Typically, the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5  are positioned adjacent to each other in the labware storage system  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Each of the storage structures  20  are then secured at particular positions within the frame  18  in the labware storage system  16  by one of more securing mechanisms  66 . According to certain embodiment of the present invention, the securing mechanisms  66  take the form of clamps that are secured to either a portion of the frame  18  or to some other fixed portion of the labware storage system  16 . However, other methods of securing the positions of the storage structures  20  are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, screws or bolts may be used.  
      According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method of configuring a labware storage system is provided. According to this method, a first storage structure is introduced into a frame having a labware positioning device located adjacent thereto. Typically, the first storage structure is configured to hold a first distribution of the labware. Also according to this method, a second storage structure is also introduced into the frame and the second storage structure is configured to hold a second distribution of labware. In many instances, the first distribution of labware and the second distribution of labware are not equivalent. However, when implementing the above method using the labware storage system  16 , two or more of the storage structures  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may have equivalent distributions of labware.  
      According to certain embodiments of the above-discussed method, the step of introducing the first storage structure includes selecting the first storage structure to be configured to hold/store at least two items selected from the following list: a first type of microplate, a second type of microplate, a tube, a bottle, a vial, a deepwell plate, a microscope slide, a lab-on-a-chip device, a microfluidic device and a nanofluidic device. Any ratio of the at least two items may be selected. For example, the first storage structure may be configured to hold/store vials in 50% of its storage compartments or slots and to hold/store microplates in the remaining 50% of its storage compartments or slots, or the ratio may be 75% to 25%, 90% to 10%, etc.  
      The above-described method may also include selecting the second storage structure to have a geometry that is different from the geometry of the first storage structure. For example, the second storage structure may be deeper than the first storage structure.  
      The method may also includes positioning the first storage structure and the second storage structure relative to the frame using a first guidance component that is positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the frame. A first alignment component positioned along a first edge of the first storage structure and a second alignment component positioned along a first edge of the second storage structure may also be used.  
      According to the method, the first storage structure and the second storage structure may also be positioned relative to the frame using a second guidance component that is positioned substantially parallel to a second edge of the frame. Further, the first storage structure and/or the second storage structure may be positioned relative to the frame using a third alignment component that is positioned along a second edge of the first storage structure. Then, the first storage structure is typically secured at a first location within the frame and the second storage structure is typically secured at a second location within the frame that is adjacent to the first location.  
      Often, the first guidance component is selected to include a rod or square channel and the first alignment component is selected to include a slot that is configured to surround a portion of the rod or channel. Also, the first storage structure and the second storage structure may be positioned relative to the frame using a pair of substantially parallel plates that are positioned substantially parallel to a second edge of the frame and a tab configured.to be inserted between the pair of substantially parallel plates. Typically, the tab is included as part of the first storage structure and/or the second storage structure.  
      The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.