Patent Description:
The present invention relates to laboratory liquid handling systems and, more particularly, to lab members for use in laboratory liquid handling systems and laboratory liquid handling systems and methods incorporating the same.

Laboratory liquid handling systems are used to transport and operate on volumes of liquid. For example, one or more liquid samples may be provided in containers (e.g., microwell plates or vials) in a liquid handling system. The liquid handling system may include one or more pipettors that are used to remove (e.g., by aspirating) portions of the samples from the containers and/or to add (e.g., by dispensing) material to the samples in the containers. In some cases, it may be desirable or necessary to move labware or tools within the system. For example, it may be desired to place a lid on a container, to remove a lid from a container, or to move a container (e.g., to a heating station, agitator or sensor). It may be desirable or necessary to execute the aforedescribed procedures robotically and, in some cases, automatically and programmatically. Reference may be made to <CIT>, which describes a pipettor apparatus monitoring the air pressure inside the pipettor; and <CIT>; Moir et al. , which describes a climatic test system in which test tubes have associated sensors.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including first and second pipettors, the first and second pipettors including first and second pipettor shafts, respectively, a first pipetting tip extending from an end of the first pipettor shaft, and a second pipetting tip extending from an end of the second pipettor shaft, includes a lab object and first and second integral adapter structures. The first and second adapter structures are configured to engage the first and second pipettor shafts, respectively. The first adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the first pipettor shaft.

The first adapter structure can be configured to snugly couple with the first pipettor shaft to support the lab member during transport on the pipetting module, and the second adapter structure is configured to loosely couple with the second pipettor shaft.

The first and second adapter structures can be configured to snugly couple with the first and second pipettor shafts to secure the lab member to the pipetting module during transport on the pipetting module.

The lab member may further include a third integral adapter structure configured to engage a third pipettor shaft of the pipetting module. The third adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the third pipettor shaft.

According to some embodiments, the lab object is a lab tool and/or labware. In some embodiments, the lab object is a lid. In some embodiments, the lab object is a receptacle carrier. In some embodiments, the lab object is a filter disk assembly.

At least one of the first and second adapter structures can be removably and replaceably secured to the lab object.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member and a drive system. The pipetting module includes first and second pipettors. The first and second pipettors include first and second pipettor shafts, respectively. A first pipetting tip extends from an end of the first pipettor shaft. A second pipetting tip extends from an end of the second pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a lab object and first and second integral adapter structures configured to engage the first and second pipettor shafts, respectively. The first adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the first pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively engage the first pipettor shaft with the first adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; selectively engage the second pipettor shaft with the second adapter structure; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively disengage the first pipettor shaft from the first adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module.

In some embodiments, the first adapter structure is configured to snugly couple with the first pipettor shaft to support the lab member during transport on the pipetting module, and the second adapter structure is configured to loosely couple with the second pipettor shaft.

According to some embodiments, the first and second adapter structures are configured to snugly couple with the first and second pipettor shafts to secure the lab member to the pipetting module during transport on the pipetting module.

According to some systems disclosed, the pipetting module further includes a third pipettor, the third pipettor including a third pipettor shaft and a third pipetting tip extending from an end of the third pipettor shaft, and the lab member further includes a third integral adapter structure configured to engage the third pipettor shaft. The third adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the third pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively engage the third pipettor shaft with the third adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; and selectively disengage the third pipettor shaft from the third adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module.

In some systems, the drive system further includes an ejector mechanism on the first pipettor shaft operable to disengage the first adapter structure from the first pipettor shaft.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The adapter structure includes a clamping mechanism configured to releasably grasp the pipettor shaft.

In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism includes a sleeve configured to receive the pipettor shaft. The sleeve has an expansion slot defined therein to permit radial expansion of the sleeve. According to some embodiments, the adapter structure includes an interlock structure on the sleeve arranged and configured to releasably interlock with an interlock structure on the pipettor shaft when the pipettor shaft is engaged with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module.

According to some embodiments, the lab object includes a pin tool.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member, and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor. The pipettor includes a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively engage the pipettor shaft with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively disengage the pipettor shaft from the adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module. The adapter structure includes a clamping mechanism configured to releasably grasp the pipettor shaft.

In some systems described, the clamping mechanism includes a sleeve configured to receive the pipettor shaft. The sleeve has an expansion slot defined therein to permit radial expansion of the sleeve.

According to some systems described, the laboratory liquid handling system includes a first interlock structure on the pipettor shaft and a second interlock structure on the sleeve. The first and second interlock structures are arranged and configured to releasably interlock with one another when the pipettor shaft is engaged with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module.

Method embodiments of the present invention can involve transporting a lab member using a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes providing a lab member. The lab member includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The adapter structure includes a clamping mechanism configured to releasably grasp the pipettor shaft. The method further includes engaging the pipettor with the adapter structure such that the clamping mechanism releasably grasps the pipettor shaft to secure the lab member to the pipettor.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The adapter structure includes an interlock structure arranged and configured to releasably interlock with an interlock structure on the pipettor shaft when the pipettor shaft is engaged with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor. The pipettor includes a pipettor shaft, a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, and a first interlock structure on the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure includes a second interlock structure and is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively engage the pipettor shaft with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively disengage the pipettor shaft from the adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module. The first and second interlock structures are arranged and configured to releasably interlock with one another when the pipettor shaft is engaged with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module.

According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method for transporting a lab member using a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes providing a lab member. The lab member includes a lab object and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The adapter structure includes an interlock structure arranged and configured to releasably interlock with an interlock structure on the pipettor shaft. The method further includes engaging the pipettor with the adapter structure such that the interlock feature of the adapter structure releasably interlocks with the interlock structure on the pipettor shaft to secure the lab member to the pipetting module.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a lab member for use with a solid workpiece in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes a lab object, an integral adapter structure, and an integral holder structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The holder structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the solid workpiece.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a laboratory liquid handling system for use with a solid workpiece includes a pipetting module, a lab member and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor. The pipettor includes a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a lab object, an integral adapter structure and an integral holder structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The holder structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the solid workpiece. The drive system is operable to: selectively engage the pipettor shaft with the adapter structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively disengage the pipettor shaft from the adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module.

According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method for moving a solid workpiece using a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes providing a lab member. The lab member includes a lab object, an integral adapter structure, and an integral holder structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The holder structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the solid workpiece. The method further includes: engaging the pipettor with the adapter structure such that the adapter structure releasably secures the lab member to the pipettor shaft; and engaging the holder structure with the solid workpiece such that the holder structure releasably secures the solid workpiece to the lab member and thereby to the pipettor shaft.

In some systems described herein, not necessarily embodying the present invention, a lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes a pin tool and an integral adapter structure. The pin tool includes a tip configured to collect, hold and release a droplet from a liquid sample. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft.

The pin tool may include a body and a floating pin member that is slidably mounted in the body.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including a pipettor, the pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft, includes an electronics module and an integral adapter structure. The adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft.

The electronics module includes a sensor.

In some embodiments, the electronics module includes an electronic atomizer.

The lab member is configured to transmit power, and perhaps also communications signals, through the integral adapter structure to and/or from the electronics module.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In addition, spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features.

It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The term "automatically" means that the operation is substantially, and may be entirely, carried out without human or manual input, and can be programmatically directed or carried out.

The term "programmatically" refers to operations directed and/or primarily carried out electronically by computer program modules, code and/or instructions.

The term "electronically" includes both wireless and wired connections between components.

The term "monolithic" means an object that is a single, unitary piece formed or composed of a material without joints or seams.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> is shown therein. The lab member <NUM> forms a part of a laboratory liquid handling system <NUM> usable with the present invention.

With reference to <FIG>, the system <NUM> as illustrated includes a platform or deck <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a human machine interface (HMI) <NUM>, a liquid handler <NUM>, a drive system <NUM>, and a pipetting gantry or module <NUM>. A container <NUM> is disposed on the deck <NUM>. The container <NUM> may include, for example, a microwell plate or a rack containing one or more vials. The container <NUM> may be located in a container rack or holder <NUM>. A lid rack or holder <NUM> may also be provided on the deck <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes supports <NUM> and one or more conveyor rails <NUM>. The drive system <NUM> includes a shuttle or carrier <NUM> operatively mounted on the rail(s) <NUM> to enable the carrier <NUM> to move relative to the deck <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the carrier <NUM> has freedom of movement in at least two lateral degrees (i.e., in an X dimension and a Y dimension). The pipetting module <NUM> is coupled to and suspended from the carrier <NUM> by an extension arm <NUM> such that the pipetting module <NUM> moves with the carrier <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> can be driven by a motor or motors <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> can be further movable in a Z dimension by a motor or motors <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>. A further motor or motors <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM> may be provided to move or reposition further components of the pipetting module <NUM> as described below.

The liquid handler <NUM> may be any suitable apparatus that can aspirate and/or dispense a desired amount of a liquid from or into a container. The liquid handler <NUM> may include, for example, a syringe or pump fluidly connected to the pipetting module <NUM> by one or more lengths of tubing <NUM>. The liquid handler <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pipetting module <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> connected to the lower end of the extension arm <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> further includes four pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> each coupled to the housing <NUM> by a respective actuator assembly 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A. As discussed herein, pipetting modules having more or fewer pipettors may be employed in some embodiments.

A cross-sectional view of the pipettor <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be constructed in the same manner. Each pipettor <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a pipettor shaft <NUM>, a liquid tube <NUM>, an ejector sleeve <NUM>, and an end wall <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the pipettor shaft <NUM> is formed of metal.

Referring to <FIG>, the pipettor shaft <NUM> defines a passage 80B therethrough that terminates at an opening 80E in a lower terminal end 80A of the pipettor shaft <NUM>. A lower section 80F of the shaft <NUM> extends beyond the ejector sleeve <NUM>. A pair of axially spaced apart, integral annular ribs 80C are located on the outer surface of the lower section 80F proximate the lower terminal end 80A. The lower terminal end 80A of the shaft <NUM> may have a generally rounded shoulder 80D. The pipettor shafts <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> define pipettor axes P1-P1, P2-P2, P3-P3 and P4-P4 (<FIG>), respectively.

The liquid tube <NUM> (<FIG>) extends through the passage 80B such that a probe or tip section 82C thereof extends beyond the lower terminal end 80A a distance D1 to a lower terminal end 82A. The distance D1 can vary and, according to some embodiments, is in the range of from about <NUM> to <NUM> inch. A passage 82B extends through the liquid tube <NUM> to provide fluid communication between an end opening 82D and the liquid handler <NUM> (via the tubing <NUM>). A liquid tight seal can be provided between the liquid tube <NUM> and the pipettor shaft <NUM> by the end wall <NUM>.

The ejector sleeve <NUM> defines a passage 84B and surrounds the pipettor shaft <NUM>. The ejector sleeve <NUM> is slidable up and down the pipettor shaft <NUM> under the power of the motor <NUM> (i.e., along the Z axis).

The actuator assemblies 72A, 74A, 76A and 78A can extend and retract (i.e., lower and raise) the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, along the Z axis relative to the housing <NUM> and independently of one another. Additionally, each actuator assembly 72A-78A can slidably extend and retract the ejector sleeve <NUM> of its associated pipettor <NUM>-<NUM> down and up the length of the pipettor shaft <NUM> on which the ejector sleeve <NUM> is mounted.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the lab member <NUM> includes a lab object in the form of a lid structure <NUM> having an upper surface or side 110A. The lab member <NUM> further includes an adapter array <NUM> including a pair of primary or mounting adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> and a pair of secondary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> integral with or coupled to the lid structure <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are permanently affixed to the lid structure <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the lab member <NUM> is monolithic.

The lab member <NUM> may be formed of any durable material or materials. According to some embodiments, the lab member <NUM> is formed from a material or materials that are chemically resistant, durable, and can be autoclaved without substantial loss of requisite operational properties (e.g., resilience). According to some embodiments, at least the primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> are formed of a resilient material and, according to some embodiments, a resilient metal or polymeric material. According to some embodiments, the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Delrin™ acetal resin, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PTFE (Teflon™), aluminum and stainless steel. According to some embodiments, the material of the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> has a Young's Modulus in the range of from about <NUM> GPa to <NUM> GPa. According to some embodiments, at least the primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> are molded. According to some embodiments, the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the lid structure <NUM> are unitarily molded. According to other embodiments, the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are separately formed from the lid structure <NUM> and affixed to the lid structure such as by adhesive, welding or fasteners.

Each primary adapter structure <NUM>, <NUM> includes a tubular body <NUM> having an upper end 130A and a lower end 130B. The lower end 130B is joined to or merged with the upper surface 110A of the lid structure <NUM>. The body <NUM> defines a passage or socket <NUM> and a top opening 132A communicating with the socket <NUM>. The socket <NUM> has an enlarged section 132B and a reduced section 132C. The socket <NUM> of the adapter structure <NUM> defines an adapter axis A1-A1 and the socket <NUM> of the adapter structure <NUM> defines an adapter axis A4-A4 (<FIG>). Opposed axially extending side expansion slots <NUM> are defined in the body <NUM> to form opposed arms <NUM> (<FIG>). The arms <NUM> can be elastically deflected apart (in opposed directions E and F) about their bases 136A. A pair of axially spaced apart annular grooves <NUM> (<FIG>) are defined in the enlarged section 132B. Each annular groove <NUM> is bisected by the expansion slots <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, each secondary adapter structure <NUM>, <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having opposed upper and lower ends 140A, 140B. The lower end 140B is joined to or merged with the lid structure <NUM>. A passage or socket <NUM> extends through the body <NUM> from a top opening 142A. An abutment shoulder <NUM> is provided on the upper end 140A. The socket <NUM> of the adapter structure <NUM> defines an adapter axis A2-A2 and the socket <NUM> of the adapter structure <NUM> defines an adapter axis A3-A3.

Exemplary operation of the system <NUM> and use of the lab member <NUM> in accordance with methods of the present invention will now be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>-<NUM>. Initially, the lab member <NUM> may be seated in the holder <NUM> and the container <NUM> may be seated in the holder <NUM> on the deck <NUM>. The container <NUM> may include one or more liquid samples and be open. When it is desired to cover the container <NUM>, the pipetting module <NUM> and the adapter array <NUM> can be used as follows to install the lab member <NUM> on the container <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the following procedure is executed via or by the controller <NUM>, which controls actuation of the drive motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The pipetting module <NUM> is repositioned on the frame <NUM> and with respect to the deck as needed to align the pipettor axes P1-P1, P2-P2, P3-P3 and P4-P4 with the adapter axes A1-A1, A2-A2, A3-A3 and A4-A4, respectively, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. If needed, the controller <NUM> may adjust the height of the pipetting module <NUM> (e.g., lower the pipetting module <NUM>). The controller <NUM> then drives the pipettors <NUM> and <NUM> down (i.e., in the direction - Z) along the axes P2-P2 and P3-P3 such that the pipettor shafts <NUM> thereof are inserted into the sockets <NUM> of the secondary adapter structures <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The tip 82C of each pipettor <NUM>, <NUM> is received in the socket <NUM> of the corresponding adapter structure <NUM>, <NUM> and each pipettor <NUM>, <NUM> abuts the shoulder <NUM> of the corresponding adapter structure <NUM>, <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> is thereby secured in place by the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>.

Next, the controller <NUM> drives the pipettors <NUM> and <NUM> down along the axes P1-P1 and P4-P4 such that the shafts <NUM> thereof are inserted into the sockets <NUM> of the primary adapter structures <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, as shown in <FIG>. The tip 82C of each pipettor <NUM>, <NUM> is received in the socket section 132C and the lower section 80F of each pipettor <NUM>, <NUM> is received in the socket section 132B of the corresponding adapter structure <NUM>, <NUM>. As each lower section 80F is inserted into its socket <NUM>, the ribs 80C thereof urge or force the arms <NUM> to deflect radially outwardly about their ends 136A to an open or receiving position as indicated in dashed lines in <FIG>. According to some embodiments, the maximum deflection distance D2 (<FIG>) is in the range of from about <NUM> to <NUM>. Once the shaft <NUM> is fully inserted, the annular grooves <NUM> permit the arms <NUM> to elastically return to their closed or clamping position as shown in solid lines in <FIG>. The annular ribs 80C are thereby captured in the annular grooves <NUM> and the adapter structure <NUM> or <NUM> generally snugly conforms to the lower section 80F. The ribs 80C and the grooves <NUM> serve as interlock structures that cooperate to mechanically interlock the shaft <NUM> with the primary adapter structure <NUM> or <NUM> and thereby prevent or inhibit relative axial displacement between the shaft <NUM> and the lab member <NUM>.

With the lab member <NUM> secured to or mounted on the pipetting module <NUM> as described, the lab member <NUM> can be lifted, transported across the deck <NUM>, and placed on the container <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, or another desired location.

Once the lab member <NUM> has been placed in the desired location, the lab member <NUM> can be released or disengaged as follows. The controller <NUM> retracts the shafts <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM> and <NUM> from the primary adapter structures <NUM> and <NUM> while the shafts <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM> and <NUM> (which are still seated in the secondary adapter structures <NUM> and <NUM>) hold the lab member <NUM> in place. The arms <NUM> of the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> deflect radially outwardly to release the lower sections 80F. Thereafter, the controller <NUM> retracts the shafts <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM> and <NUM> from the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the controller <NUM> maintains the ejector sleeves <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM> in place adjacent or in abutment with the upper ends 130A of the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> while the shafts <NUM> of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM> are retracted in order to assist in stabilizing the lab member <NUM> during disengagement.

According to some embodiments and as illustrated, the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM> fit loosely in the sockets <NUM> of the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> so that the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM> can be inserted into and withdrawn from the sockets <NUM> without undesirably displacing the lab member <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> do not form an airtight seal about the corresponding pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The procedure as described above can be repeated for replacement of the lab member <NUM> and/or transport and placement of other members provided with adapter structures as described.

The pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can continue to be used for pipetting using the tips 82C thereof when the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are not installed in the adapter structures. Thus, the liquid handling system <NUM> can otherwise function in known or other desired manner. For example, the controller <NUM> can place one or more of the tips 82C of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in or over a volume of a liquid sample (e.g., in a cell or cells of a microwell plate or other container on the deck <NUM>) and the liquid handler <NUM> can then aspirate and collect liquid from the volume or dispense a material into the volume. If liquid is collected, the controller <NUM> can thereafter move the pipettor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in or over another location (e.g., cells or containers different from those from which the liquid was collected) and dispense the liquid onto or into this new location.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein with a pipetting module <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> can be incorporated in the system <NUM> and used in the same manner as the pipetting module <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> can be configured in the same manner as the pipetting module <NUM> except that the pipetting module <NUM> includes eight pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, each coupled to a housing (not shown) by a respective actuator assembly <NUM>.

The lab member <NUM> includes a lab object in the form of a carrier <NUM>, and an integral adapter array <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> includes a tray or platter <NUM> and an extension or handle <NUM>. The platter <NUM> may be configured to hold a receptacle or container <NUM> (e.g., a microwell plate), for example.

The adapter array <NUM> includes four primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> alternating in series with four secondary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> correspond to and can be constructed and configured in the same manner as the primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>. The secondary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> correspond to and can be constructed and configured in the same manner as the secondary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>.

The pipetting module <NUM> and the lab member <NUM> can be used in generally the same manner as the pipetting module <NUM> and the lab member <NUM> to transport objects (e.g., the container <NUM>). More particularly, the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be engaged with secondary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to locate, brace, and stabilize the carrier <NUM> and the primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be engaged and interlocked with the primary adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to secure the pipetting module <NUM> to the lab member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein with a rack <NUM>, a plurality of sample vials <NUM>, and a rack holder <NUM> to hold the rack <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> and the rack <NUM> can be incorporated into the liquid handling system <NUM> as described above, for example.

The rack <NUM> defines slots <NUM> to hold the vials <NUM> in place. Spacers <NUM> project upwardly from the rack <NUM>. Opposed ones of the spacers <NUM> include alignment posts 92A.

The lab member <NUM> includes a lab object in the form of a filter disk assembly <NUM>, and an integral adapter array <NUM>. The filter disk assembly <NUM> includes a carrier body <NUM>. Filter seats <NUM>, filter holes <NUM> and alignment holes <NUM> are defined in the carrier body <NUM>. Filters <NUM> are mounted in each of the filter seats <NUM>. The filters <NUM> may be of any suitable type or construction. The filters <NUM> may include, for example, a filter housing 319A containing filter media and having an inlet nozzle 319B and an outlet nozzle 319C. The outlet nozzles 319B are received in the filter holes <NUM> to direct filtered fluid into the vials <NUM>.

The adapter array <NUM> can be constructed and configured as described above with regard to the adapter array <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> and the adapter array <NUM> can thus be used in the same manner as described above to transport the filter disk assembly <NUM> to and/or from the rack <NUM> and to mount the filter disk assembly <NUM> on and/or remove the filter disk assembly <NUM> from the rack <NUM>. When the lab member <NUM> is placed on the rack (and, more particularly, on the spacers <NUM>) the alignment posts 92A are received in the alignment holes <NUM> to positively align the filters <NUM> with the vials <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> usable with the invention is shown therein mounted on the pipettor <NUM>. For the purpose of illustration, the remainder of the pipetting module <NUM>, other than the actuator assembly 72A, is not shown in <FIG>.

The lab member <NUM> includes a lab tool in the form of a pin tool <NUM>, and an integral adapter structure <NUM>. The pin tool <NUM> includes a tip <NUM> and a body or shaft <NUM> having opposed ends 412A, 412B. The adapter structure <NUM> is mounted on the end 412A and the tip <NUM> extends from the end 412B. The lab member <NUM> may be monolithic or integrally formed (e. , integrally molded).

The adapter structure <NUM> corresponds to the adapter structure <NUM> and may be constructed and configured in the same manner as described above.

The lab member <NUM> can be used as follows. The lab member <NUM> may be initially positioned in a holder that holds the lab member <NUM> upright. The controller <NUM> drives the pipettor shaft <NUM> of the pipettor <NUM> into the socket <NUM> of the adapter structure <NUM> to releasably secure the lab member <NUM> to the pipettor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can direct the pipetting module <NUM> to move the lab member <NUM> above a sample (e.g., a liquid sample in a container such as a microwell plate), extend the pipettor <NUM> downwardly to dip the tip <NUM> into the sample, and retract the pipettor <NUM> to withdraw the tip <NUM> (with a droplet from the liquid sample collected thereon) from the liquid sample. The pipetting module <NUM> can then transport the lab member <NUM> (with the droplet held on the tip <NUM>) to a desired location and deposit the droplet, which can be released from the tip <NUM> by touching the droplet to a target surface. If desired, the foregoing droplet transfer procedure may be executed multiple times. The tip <NUM> may be cleaned by dipping in a wash fluid, for example, between droplet collections.

When it is desired to remove the lab member <NUM> from the pipettor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> slidably extends or drives the ejector sleeve <NUM> down the length of the shaft <NUM>. The lower end 84A of the ejector sleeve <NUM> abuts the top end of the adapter structure <NUM> and pushes the adapter structure <NUM>, and thereby the lab member <NUM>, axially off of the pipettor <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> in accordance with the present invention is shown therein. The lab member <NUM> can be used in conjunction with a holder <NUM> and the pipetting module <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>).

The lab member <NUM> includes a body or base <NUM>, an integral adapter array <NUM> on an upper side 510A of the base <NUM>, and an integral sensor module <NUM> mounted on an opposing lower side 510B of the base <NUM>. The adapter array <NUM> can be constructed and configured as described above with regard to the adapter array <NUM>. The pipetting module <NUM> and the adapter array <NUM> can be used in the same manner as described above to transport the sensor module <NUM> to and from desired locations. For example, the lab member <NUM> can be initially mounted in the holder <NUM> with the sensor module <NUM> seated in a slot 514A. The controller <NUM> can operate the pipetting module <NUM> to engage the adapter array <NUM>, withdraw the lab member <NUM> from the holder, position the sensor module <NUM> in a desired location (e.g., adjacent or on a sample, transponder, label, or the like), return the lab member <NUM> to the holder <NUM>, and eject the lab member <NUM> from the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the sensor module <NUM> includes a housing 512A holding a transducer <NUM> or other sensing device. The sensor module <NUM> may further include an onboard controller <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may include any suitable type of sensor or sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, or a temperature sensor.

With reference to <FIG>, a liquid handling system <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein. In <FIG> and the description that follows, like reference numerals refer to the corresponding components as referred to above with regard to the system <NUM>.

The system <NUM> includes the deck <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the liquid handler <NUM>, the drive system <NUM> and the pipetting module <NUM>, each of which can be operated generally in the manner described hereinabove. The system <NUM> further includes a lab member <NUM> usable with the invention, a tool holder <NUM>, a rack holder <NUM>, a container rack <NUM> and one or more sample vials <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the lab member <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, an integral adapter structure <NUM> on an upper end of the body <NUM>, and an integral head <NUM> on an opposing lower end of the body <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> may be monolithic or integrally formed (e.g., integrally molded).

The adapter structure <NUM> is generally constructed and configured in the same manner as the adapter structure <NUM>, except as follows. The upper annular groove 638A is axially elongated so that, when the pipettor shaft <NUM> is inserted, the lower rib 80C interlocks with the lower annular groove 638B but the upper rib 80C does not interlock with the upper groove 638A. Additionally, the upper end of the adapter structure <NUM> is provided with an upper flange <NUM> defining a socket 632A that can receive the lower end of the ejector sleeve <NUM>. The adapter structure <NUM> may include a shoulder <NUM> that abuts or limits insertion of the ejector sleeve <NUM>.

The head <NUM> defines a downwardly opening socket <NUM> having a circumferential inner side wall surface <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the container rack <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. The base <NUM> includes an array of container slots <NUM>, <NUM>. The container slots <NUM>, <NUM> each have upper enlarged sections 654A, 656A. Gripping elements 656B, such as elastomeric O-rings, are seated in the enlarged sections 656A. A cover <NUM> overlies the base <NUM> and captures the gripping elements 656B in the enlarged section 656A. The cover <NUM> has openings <NUM> aligned with the slots <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each vial <NUM> includes a closed end tube or vessel 694A and an end cap 694B to seal the open end of the vessel 694A. The end cap 694B has a circumferential outer wall surface 694C.

The system <NUM> can be used as follows in accordance with methods of the present invention. The lab member <NUM> may be initially stored in a slot <NUM> of tool holder <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> moves the pipetting module <NUM> to axially align the pipettor <NUM> with the adapter structure <NUM> (<FIG>). The controller <NUM> then extends the pipettor <NUM> to engage and interlock the lower section 80F of the pipettor shaft <NUM> with the adapter structure <NUM>, and retracts the pipettor <NUM> to withdraw the lab member <NUM> from the holder <NUM> (<FIG>).

The pipetting module <NUM> is then moved to align the tool head <NUM> with the cap 694B of a selected vial <NUM> in the rack <NUM> (<FIG>). The pipettor <NUM> is then extended to press the tool head <NUM> down onto the cap 694B such that the cap 694B is seated in the socket <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The head <NUM> and the cap 694B are relatively sized and configured such that the head <NUM> exerts a gripping force on and/or interlocks with the cap 694B. According to some embodiments, an inner diameter D3 (<FIG>) of the socket <NUM> is the same as or less than a mating outer diameter D4 (<FIG>) of the cap 694B so that the head <NUM> grips the cap 694B with an frictional interference fit between the socket inner surface <NUM> and the cap outer surface 694C. In some embodiments, one or both of the surfaces <NUM>, 694C are textured or coated with a material to enhance the friction between the surfaces <NUM>, 694C. The head <NUM> may be resilient such that the cap 694B slightly radially outwardly expands the head <NUM>, which in turn elastically applies a radially inward gripping or clamping force to the cap 694B.

The controller <NUM> then retracts the pipettor <NUM>. The holding force FG between the head <NUM> and the cap 694B is greater than the resistance force FR1 imparted on the vial <NUM> (where FR1 includes the weight load FN of the vial <NUM> and its contents and any friction and/or grip force FS1 applied to the vial <NUM> by the rack <NUM>) so that the vial <NUM> is withdrawn from the rack <NUM> and the cap 694B thereof remains firmly seated in the socket <NUM>.

The pipetting module <NUM> can then be moved about the deck <NUM> and the pipettor <NUM> can be extended to reposition the vial <NUM> as desired. For example, the vial <NUM> can be inserted into and held in an analyzer or sensor apparatus <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

When desired, the vial <NUM> can be returned to the rack <NUM> (e.g., to a new location in the rack <NUM>) or another rack or holder. In order to return the vial <NUM> to the rack <NUM>, the controller <NUM> moves the pipetting module <NUM> to align the pipettor <NUM> (and thereby the vial <NUM>) with a selected slot <NUM>, and extends the pipettor <NUM> to insert the vial <NUM> into the slot <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The gripping elements 656B applying a gripping force FS2 to the vial <NUM>. The controller <NUM> then retracts the pipettor <NUM>. The resistance force FR2 imparted by the vial <NUM> (where the resistance force FR2 includes the weight load Fw and the grip force FS2) is greater than the head-to-cap gripping force FG, so that the vial <NUM> remains seated in the slot <NUM> as the pipettor <NUM> with the lab member <NUM> is pulled away.

The pipettor <NUM> (or another of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the lab member <NUM> can thereafter be used to grab and transport additional vials <NUM>. When the lab member <NUM> is no longer needed, the controller <NUM> can move the pipetting module <NUM> and the pipettor <NUM> to return the lab member <NUM> to the holder slot <NUM> and disengage and release the lab member <NUM> from the pipettor <NUM> using the ejector sleeve <NUM> as described above with regard to the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>).

While certain tools have been described and illustrated herein, other tools and devices can be integrated with adapter structures to form a lab member usable with the invention and manipulated as described. Other such tools may include, for example, piercing tools.

While certain lab members (e.g., the lab member <NUM>) have been described herein for releasably engaging, transporting and releasing a solid workpiece such as a vial (e.g., the vials <NUM>), lab members according to embodiments can be configured and used to releasably hold and configure other types and configurations of solid workpieces or objects. Other such solid workpieces may include, for example, lids, caps, racks, plates, manifold assemblies, and reagent troughs.

According to some embodiments and as illustrated by each of the embodiments depicted in the drawings, the adapter structures (e.g., adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are configured relative to the associated pipettors (e.g., the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) such that the tips (e.g., the tips 82C) of the pipettors do not contact the adapter structures when the pipettors are inserted in the adapter structures.

While pipetting modules <NUM>, <NUM> having four and eight pipettors have been described above, embodiments of the invention may include or be adapted for use with pipetting modules having any suitable number of pipettors. Fewer than all of the pipettors of a given pipetting module may be engaged with the lab member. For example, the pin tool lab member <NUM> (<FIG>) can be used with a pipetting module having only a single pipettor or with a desired pipettor of a multi-pipettor pipetting module (e.g., module <NUM> (<FIG>) or <NUM> (<FIG>)). By way of further example, the eight-pipettor pipetting module <NUM> may be used to carry the four-adapter structure lab member <NUM> using four selected ones of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The number and arrangement or configuration of the adapter structures may be modified as desired. For example, the adapter array <NUM> of the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>) may be revised so that primary adapter structures are located on the extreme ends of the array and the interior adapter structures are secondary adapter structures. Similarly, the adapter array <NUM> (<FIG>) may be modified so that the positions of the primary adapter structure <NUM> and the secondary adapter structure <NUM> are reversed. It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples are not exhaustive, and various other configurations may be provided.

Lab members, systems and methods according to embodiments of the invention can enable a pipettor to be used to pick up, move, assemble, disassemble, and/or release solid objects in a programmable method. These capabilities can be provided without the requirement of a separate, dedicated gripper instrument/device. The cost and space requirements associated with such gripper instruments/devices can thereby be avoided. The adapter structures can be configured to permit easily programmable or executable methods for attaching the lab members to the pipettors and releasing the lab members from the pipettors. The system can be scalable or expandable in that the adapter structures can be integrated with any suitable device or apparatus.

As noted above, operations described herein can be executed by or through the controller <NUM>. The motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and other devices of the pipetting module <NUM> and/or the liquid handler <NUM> can be electronically controlled. According to some embodiments, the controller <NUM> programmatically executes some, and in some embodiments all, of the steps described. According to some embodiments, the movement of the pipetting module <NUM> to pick up, move and release the lab member is fully automatically and programmatically executed by the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be any suitable device for providing the functionality described herein. According to some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is an appropriately configured microprocessor-based personal computer.

Embodiments of the controller <NUM> logic may take the form of an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, all generally referred to herein as a "circuit" or "module. " In some embodiments, the circuits include both software and hardware and the software is configured to work with specific hardware with known physical attributes and/or configurations. Furthermore, controller <NUM> logic may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or other storage devices.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a circuit or data processing system that can be used in the controller <NUM>. The circuits and/or data processing systems may be incorporated in a digital signal processor <NUM> in any suitable device or devices. The processor <NUM> communicates with the HMI <NUM> and memory <NUM> via an address/data bus 32A. The processor <NUM> can be any commercially available or custom microprocessor. The memory <NUM> is representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used to implement the functionality of the data processing system. The memory <NUM> can include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAM, and DRAM.

<FIG> illustrates that the memory <NUM> may include several categories of software and data used in the data processing system: the operating system 34A; the application programs 34B; the input/output (I/O) device drivers 34C; and data 34D. The data 34D can include equipment-specific data. <FIG> also illustrates that the data 34D can include mapping data 35A, lab member data 35B, and procedure data 35C. <FIG> also illustrates that application programs 35B can include a pipettor positioning module 36A and a liquid handler control module 36B. The mapping data 35A can include data representing the positions (e.g., X, Y and Z coordinates) of objects or components in the work space of the system <NUM>, <NUM>. The lab member data 35B can include data representing characteristics of a lab member or lab members (e.g., lab members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or <NUM>). The procedure data 35C can include data representing a protocol or sequence of steps to execute the procedures described herein. The pipettor positioning module 36A can be used to control the motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, for example, to position and reposition the pipetting module <NUM>, the pipettors <NUM>-<NUM>, and the ejector sleeves <NUM>. The liquid handler control module 36B can be used to control actuation of the liquid handler <NUM> to aspirate and/or dispense fluid.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the operating system 34A may be any operating system suitable for use with a data processing system, such as OS/<NUM>, AIX, DOS, OS/<NUM> or System390 from International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, Windows CE, Windows NT, Windows95, Windows98, Windows2000 or other Windows versions from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, Unix or Linux or FreeBSD, Palm OS from Palm, Inc. , Mac OS from Apple Computer, LabView, or proprietary operating systems. The I/O device drivers 34C typically include software routines accessed through the operating system 34A by the application programs 34B to communicate with devices such as I/O data port(s), data storage and certain memory components. The application programs 34B are illustrative of the programs that implement the various features of the data processing system and can include at least one application, which supports operations usable with the present invention. Finally, the data 34D represents the static and dynamic data used by the application programs 34B, the operating system 34A, the I/O device drivers 34C, and other software programs that may reside in the memory <NUM>.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other configurations may also be utilized while still benefiting from the teachings of the present invention. For example, one or more of the modules 36A-B may be incorporated into the operating system, the I/O device drivers or other such logical division of the data processing system. Thus, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the configuration of <FIG>, which is intended to encompass any configuration capable of carrying out the operations described herein. Further, one or more of the modules can communicate with or be incorporated totally or partially in other components, such as the controller <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a liquid handling system <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein. In <FIG> and the description that follows, like reference numerals refer to corresponding components as referred to above with regard to the system <NUM>.

The system <NUM> includes an auxiliary flowable material handling system <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes a material handler <NUM>, a lab member <NUM>, and a length of tubing <NUM> (e.g., flexible tubing) extending between the material handler <NUM> and the lab member <NUM> to provide fluid communication therebetween.

The material handler <NUM> may be any suitable device that can aspirate or dispense a desired amount of material. According to some embodiments, the material handler <NUM> is adapted to aspirate and/or dispense a liquid. According to some embodiments, the material handler <NUM> is adapted to aspirate or dispense a powder. In some embodiments, the material handler <NUM> includes a pump <NUM> and, in some embodiments, a peristaltic pump. In some embodiments, the material handler <NUM> includes a vacuum manifold fluidly connected to a vacuum source. The pump <NUM> and/or a valve or valves <NUM> or the like may be electronically controlled by a controller such as the controller <NUM>, for example. According to some embodiments, the material handler <NUM> is controlled independently of the liquid handler <NUM>.

The lab member <NUM> includes an adapter structure <NUM> and a body or nozzle <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> may be monolithic or integrally formed. The lab member <NUM> may be formed of the same materials and in the same manner as described for the lab member <NUM>.

The adapter structure <NUM> may be constructed and configured in the same manner as described herein for the adapter structure <NUM> or the adapter structure <NUM>, for example.

The nozzle <NUM> has a through passage <NUM> defined therein and fluidly connecting a first port <NUM> and an opposed second port <NUM>. The first port <NUM> is coupled to an end of the tubing <NUM> and the second port <NUM> is open.

In use, in accordance with methods of the present invention, the liquid handling system <NUM> can be used to dispense or aspirate material to or from a container <NUM>, for example. The lab member <NUM> is releasably engaged and carried by a pipettor <NUM> of the pipetting module <NUM> as described herein to selectively position the second port <NUM> relative to the container <NUM>. The material handler <NUM> can then be actuated to aspirate material (e.g., liquid) from the container <NUM> or dispense material (e.g., liquid or powder) into the container <NUM> through the tubing <NUM>, the port <NUM>, the passage <NUM> and the port <NUM>. According to some embodiments and as illustrated, this material follows a flow path separate from the flow path of liquid aspirated or dispensed through the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, an adapter structure as disclosed herein can be used to transmit electrical current between a pipettor and a lab object integrated with the adapter structure or an object, mass or volume separate from the adapter structure. For this purpose, at least a portion of the adapter structure is formed of an electrically conductive material and the adapter structure has an electrical contact portion to engage and electrically couple with an inserted pipettor. The electrically conductive material can provide electrical continuity between a controller and/or power supply on the pipetting module (e.g., the pipetting module <NUM>) and/or a controller and/or power supply connected thereto (e.g., the controller <NUM>) and a controller and/or power consuming device forming a part of a lab member or module (e.g., the lab member <NUM>) mounted on the pipettors of the pipetting module by the adapter structure(s). According to some embodiments, the electrically conductive material is metal or an electrically conductive polymer, such as a polymer filled or coated with carbon black or metallic particles. The adapter structure may be fitted with an electrically conductive contact sleeve. By way of example, the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>) is illustratively provided with electrically conductive sleeves <NUM> to provide electrical continuity between the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM> for transmission of power and/or data signals as discussed below.

According to some embodiments, the electrically conductive lab member enables liquid level sensing. By way of example, the system <NUM> and the pipettor <NUM> may be provided with a capacitive liquid level sensor system as disclosed in <CIT>. and/or <CIT>. The lab member <NUM> (<FIG>) can be formed of metal (or another suitable electrically conductive material) to provide electrical continuity between the lower section 80F of the pipettor shaft <NUM> and the pin tool <NUM>. In this manner, the pin tool <NUM> becomes an extension of the pipettor shaft <NUM> and serves as a probe in the same manner as the pipettor probes as described in the aforementioned patents. Capacitance formed between the pin tool <NUM> and the liquid can be monitored by a capacitance sensor circuit electrically coupled to the pipettor shaft <NUM>, for example.

According to some embodiments, the electrically conductive lab member provides a supply of power to a device. By way of example, one or more of the adapter structures of the adapter structure array <NUM> (<FIG>) of the lab member <NUM> can be electrically conductive and configured to transmit power to the sensor module <NUM> from one or more of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., via the pipettor shaft or shafts <NUM> thereof) to enable the sensor module <NUM> to operate.

According to some embodiments, the controller <NUM> communicates with a device mounted on one or more pipettors using data signals transmitted through the pipettor(s). For example, in some embodiments, an electrically conductive circuit is formed between the sensor module <NUM> (<FIG>) and the controller <NUM> by the adapter array <NUM> and one or more of the pipettor shafts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the data signals are carried over a power supply loop (i.e., a loop providing operational power to the sensor device <NUM>) and are embodied in a different frequency to enable a data communication circuit to detect, distinguish and process the data signals. The data may be superimposed over the power signal by a capacitive coupling.

With reference to <FIG>, a pressure filtration system <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein. The system <NUM> includes a lab member <NUM> usable with the invention mounted on the pipettor <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> can be engaged, transported and ejected or released from the pipettor <NUM> as described herein with reference to the pin tool lab member <NUM> (<FIG>), for example.

The lab member <NUM> includes a stopper <NUM> and an integral adapter structure <NUM>. The adapter structure <NUM> corresponds to the adapter structure <NUM> of the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>). The stopper <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a gasket <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> may be formed of a suitable resilient sealing material such as rubber, and may be adhered or otherwise affixed to the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be integrally molded with the adapter structure <NUM>.

A through passage 814A is defined in the gasket <NUM> and terminated at an outlet 814B and an inlet 814C. According to some embodiments, the gasket <NUM> is frusto-conical with a taper in a downward direction as illustrated. In addition to the socket 832A (corresponding to the socket 632A; <FIG>), a passage 832B extends through the lab member <NUM> from the socket 832A to the gasket inlet 814C.

The pressure filtration system <NUM> further includes a container assembly <NUM> configured to hold a volume of liquid L to be filtered. The container assembly <NUM> may be a well of single filter column or well (e.g., one column of a multi-well plate). The container assembly <NUM> includes a vessel <NUM> defining a chamber <NUM>. The vessel <NUM> includes an upper edge 860A defining a top opening 860B. An outlet 860C is located in a bottom wall <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> and may pass through an integral nozzle <NUM>. A filter bed <NUM> is disposed on the bottom wall <NUM> between the opening 860B and the outlet 860C. A capture plate or tube <NUM> may be provided below the nozzle <NUM>.

In use and according to method embodiments of the invention, the lab member <NUM> is mounted on the pipettor <NUM> such that the adapter structure <NUM> releasably engages and couples the lab member <NUM> to the pipettor shaft <NUM>, and the pipettor <NUM> forms a substantially airtight seal with the lab member <NUM>. The tip 82C of the pipettor <NUM> extends into the passage 814A of the gasket <NUM>.

The pipetting module <NUM> is operated to align the stopper <NUM> with the top opening 860B of the vessel <NUM>. The pipettor <NUM> is thereafter extended downwardly to force the stopper <NUM> into sealing engagement with the vessel opening 860B. More particularly, the gasket <NUM> engages the upper edge 860A to form an airtight, pressure resistant seal.

The liquid handler <NUM> is then operated to force positively pressurized air through the pipettor <NUM> and the gasket passage 814A into the vessel <NUM> (e.g., using a syringe). The pressurized air in turn forces the liquid L out of the chamber <NUM> through the filter bed <NUM> and the outlet 860C. Solids or other desired materials are thereby captured in the filter bed <NUM> and the filtered liquid is captured in the capture plate or tube <NUM>.

While only a single lab member <NUM> and container assembly <NUM> are shown and described above, two or more lab members <NUM> may be mounted on respective ones of the pipettors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, for example, used to engage respective container assemblies <NUM>, and used to push liquid volumes through the filters of the container assemblies <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the pipettors are simultaneously pressurized to effect the filtering procedure.

With reference to <FIG>, a lab member <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein. The lab member <NUM> can be used with the pipetting module <NUM> in the same manner as described above with regard to the lab member <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> corresponds to the lab member <NUM> except that the lab member <NUM> includes an adapter array <NUM> that is releasably or removably and reconnectably coupled to a lid member <NUM>.

The adapter array <NUM> includes a primary adapter member <NUM> and a pair of secondary adapter members <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding to adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>), respectively. Each secondary adapter member <NUM>, <NUM> includes a body <NUM> defining a pipettor socket <NUM>. The primary adapter member <NUM> includes a body <NUM> defining a pipettor socket <NUM>. The adapter members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> differ from the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in that the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> each include a coupling feature in the form of an externally threaded post <NUM>.

The lid member <NUM> includes a lid body 910A and a mounting bar 910B secured to the top of the lid body 910A (e.g., by adhesive, welding or fasteners). Coupling features in the form of internally threaded bores 910C are provided in the mounting bar 910B.

In use, the posts <NUM> of the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be screwed into the bores 910C to rigidly secure the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to the lid member <NUM> so that the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are integral with the lid member <NUM>. The adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can thereafter be used in the same manner as described above for the adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to engage, transport and release the lab member <NUM>.

The provision of removable and reconnectable adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may provide certain advantages. The adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be removed and then mounted interchangeably on another lab member/object or lab members/objects (likewise having mounting bores corresponding to the mounting bores 910C). If desired, the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> (or other suitably configured adapter members) can be mounted or remounted on the lid member <NUM> to again permit manipulation of the lid member <NUM> as described. This flexibility can enable the operator to configure the adapter array as desired for the task (e.g., by selecting the combination of primary and secondary adapters employed on a lab member). The flexibility can also reduce or eliminate the need to provide each lab member with a dedicated adapter array, which may add significant cost.

While the lab member <NUM> uses a threaded post and cooperating bore for releasably coupling the adapter members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to the lid member <NUM>, other coupling mechanisms may be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

The lab member <NUM> includes a multi-piece lab tool in the form of a pin tool <NUM>, and the removable and reconnectable adapter structure <NUM> (<FIG>). The lab member <NUM> may employ an adapter structure other than the adapter structure <NUM>, which is shown in order to illustrate that the adapter member <NUM> may be re-used with multiple different lab objects or tools. Alternatively, the lab member <NUM> may include an integral adapter structure corresponding to the integral adapter structure <NUM> (<FIG>).

The pin tool <NUM> includes a floating pin member or tip <NUM> and a body or shaft member <NUM>. The body member <NUM> has opposed ends 1012A, 1012B, and a threaded bore 1012C in the end 1012A, and defines an axially extending upper slot 1012D and an axially extending lower slot 1012E. The diameter of the lower slot 1012E is less than that of the upper slot 1012D.

The threaded post <NUM> of the adapter member <NUM> is mounted in the bore 1012C. The pin member <NUM> is slidably seated in the slots 1012D, 1012E and extends from the end 1012B. More particularly, the pin member <NUM> has an enlarged head portion 1014B that is able to slide in the upper slot 1012D but is unable to slide through the lower slot 1012E.

The lab member <NUM> can be used in the same manner as the pin tool <NUM> (<FIG>) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In use, the pin member <NUM> is able to "float" with respect to the shaft member <NUM>. For example, in the event the pin member <NUM> is lowered into a container and hits a solid surface, the pin member <NUM> will slide up the slots 1012D, 1012E into the shaft member <NUM> to prevent damage.

With reference to <FIG>, a liquid handling system <NUM> usable with the present invention is shown therein. The system <NUM> corresponds to the liquid handling system <NUM> (<FIG>), except as follows.

The system <NUM> includes an auxiliary flowable material handling system <NUM>. The system <NUM> corresponds generally to the system <NUM> and includes a material handler <NUM>, a lab member <NUM>, and a length of tubing <NUM> (e.g., flexible tubing) extending between the material handler <NUM> and the lab member <NUM> to provide fluid communication therebetween.

The illustrated lab member <NUM> includes a dispensing head <NUM> including a body <NUM> and an array <NUM> of removable and reconnectable adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that an integral adapter structure or structures may be provided instead. A locator structure <NUM> extends from the bottom of the body <NUM>.

The tubing <NUM> is connected through the body <NUM> to a tip, pin nozzle or cannula <NUM>. The cannula <NUM> may be formed of a rigid metal such as stainless steel. The cannula <NUM> extends downwardly from the body <NUM> to a tip 1118A and has a lumen extending therethrough and in communication with each of the tubing <NUM> and an outlet at the tip 1118A.

In use, in accordance with methods of the present invention, the liquid handling system <NUM> can be used to dispense or aspirate material to or from a sealed flask or container <NUM>, for example, in the same manner as described above with respect to the system <NUM> (<FIG>), except as follows. The cannula <NUM> is configured (e.g., with a relatively sharp tip 1118A) to permit the cannula <NUM> to pierce and penetrate through a septa 18A (e.g., a septa cap or mat (formed of silicone, for example)) covering a port 18C communicating with a well 18B of the container <NUM>, and to be withdrawn therefrom, without displacing or compromising the seal of the septa 18A following removal of the cannula <NUM>.

The material handler <NUM> may serve as a docking station for the lab member <NUM> or a further structure may be provided to serve as a docking station. A slot 1192A is provided in the material handler <NUM> or other docking station to receive the locator post <NUM> and thereby positively position the docked lab member <NUM>. A slot 1192B is also provided in the material handler <NUM> or other docking station to receive the cannula <NUM>. The docking station may be provided with a washing system and/or a flushing system operable to sanitize the tubing <NUM> and/or the cannula <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the system <NUM> includes a plurality of the lab members <NUM> and associated material handlers and docking stations.

The lab member <NUM> includes an atomizer module <NUM>, and the removable and reconnectable adapter structure <NUM> (<FIG>). The lab member <NUM> may employ an adapter structure other than the adapter structure <NUM>, which is shown in order to illustrate that the adapter member <NUM> may be re-used with multiple different lab objects or tools. Alternatively, the lab member <NUM> may include an integral adapter structure corresponding to the integral adapter structure <NUM> (<FIG>).

The atomizer module <NUM> includes a body or housing <NUM> having opposed ends 1212A, 1212B, and a threaded bore 1212C in the end 1212A. The threaded post <NUM> of the adapter member <NUM> is mounted in the bore 1212C. To removably mount the atomizer module <NUM> on the adapter member <NUM>.

The atomizer module <NUM> further includes an onboard controller <NUM>, a liquid atomizing mechanism <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and a container <NUM> mounted in the housing <NUM>. A spray nozzle <NUM> extends from the lower end 1212B.

The container <NUM> may be a replaceable and/or refillable cartridge and contains a supply of the liquid L to be dispensed. The container <NUM> may be preloaded with the liquid L and sterilized prior to being installed in the atomizer module <NUM>. According to alternative embodiments, the liquid may be supplied to the atomizer module <NUM> by supply tubing (e.g., the supply tubing <NUM>; <FIG>).

The atomizer mechanism <NUM> may include an ultrasonic percussion device or a heating element (e.g., a fine metal filament) powered by the battery <NUM>. According to alternative embodiments, the liquid L may instead be atomized by forcing the liquid through a small orifice under high pressure (e.g., in the range of from about <NUM> to <NUM>/minute). The pressure and/or the pressurized liquid may be supplied through a supply line to the atomizer module <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may supply power to both the controller <NUM> and the atomizer mechanism <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> and/or the atomizer mechanism <NUM> are powered by a remote power source through the pipettor <NUM> and the adapter member <NUM> as discussed above with regard to the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> and/or the atomizer mechanism <NUM> are powered by a remote power source via a separate power line.

The lab member <NUM> may be used in generally the same manner as the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In use, the atomizer mechanism <NUM> atomizes a prescribed quantity of the liquid L from the container <NUM> and dispenses or ejects the atomized liquid as a fine vapor or mist M from the nozzle <NUM>. The mist M contains micro-size droplets of the liquid. According to some embodiments, the droplets have an average size in the range of from about <NUM> to <NUM> microns.

With reference to <FIG>, operations for using a liquid handling system as described herein may include intelligent decision making using data acquired by a lab member as disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, a detector or sensor lab member is transported by a pipetting module and positioned thereby in a selected or desired location (Block <NUM>). The sensor lab member is then used to acquire data by sensing at the selected location (Block <NUM>). Based on the data acquired, a controller of the liquid handling system programmatically determines whether to take action and/or what step or action to execute next (Block <NUM>). The determined or selected action may then be initiated and executed programmatically by the controller (Block <NUM>).

In some embodiments, the liquid handling system engages a first, sensor lab member with a pipetting module and transports the sensor lab member thereby to a location proximate a sample or object. The sensor lab member is then used to sense or detect an attribute or characteristic of the sample or object, and a data signal corresponding to or representing the detected attribute or characteristic is generated by the sensor lab member and sent to the controller. The controller then determines what action to take. If selected by the controller, the first pipetting module or a further pipetting module is used to engage a second lab member and to transport the second lab member to a suitable location where the second lab member is used to execute a further step deemed necessary or appropriate in view of the data provided by the detector lab member.

By way of example, the liquid handling system may be the system <NUM> (<FIG>) and the first lab member may be the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>). The lab member <NUM> is picked up (if necessary) and transported to the container <NUM> by the pipetting module <NUM>. The lab member <NUM> is used to detect or sense a prescribed attribute of a sample at a selected trough in the container <NUM> such as the presence/absence, height or volume of the sample. If the detected volume is lower or higher than desired, the controller <NUM> will pick up (if necessary) and transport the lab member <NUM> to the container <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may use a second pipetting module, or may release the lab member <NUM> from the pipetting module <NUM> and pick up the lab member <NUM> using the pipetting module <NUM>. Once positioned, the lab member <NUM> is used to dispense material into or aspirate material from the selected trough to bring the sample volume into the desired range. In some embodiments, the lab member <NUM> may be used to detect the fill level of multiple troughs and the controller <NUM> may thereafter add material (using the lab member <NUM>) to the troughs having low fill levels while skipping the troughs having adequate fill levels.

It will be appreciated that various other attributes can be detected and acted on in other ways. For example, the detector lab member may sense and report a temperature, color, or other attribute of the sample and the controller may respond accordingly by moving the container to a warmer or chiller (using the lab member <NUM> (<FIG>), for example) or selecting and adding a corrective material to the trough different from the material of the sample.

In further embodiments, the system could use a suitable sensor module lab member (e.g., a scanner or camera module) mounted on and transported by the pipetting module to scan for objects on the lab deck. For example, the system could use the sensor module to scan for objects or liquids on the deck to programmatically confirm (using the controller) that all objects/liquids are in the correct locations or detect objects that are in incorrect locations.

While lab members including sensor modules (e.g., the lab member <NUM>) and an atomizer (e.g., the lab member <NUM>) have been described herein, embodiments of the invention may include lab members having other types of electronics modules and one or more integral adapter structures (e.g., adapter structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or adapter members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be provided. Such electronics modules may include on-board controllers, power supplies, and/or other electrical circuit components, and may be connected to the pipetting module to enable transmission of power and/or communications signals through the adapter structure(s).

Lab members having integral adapter structures in accordance with the present invention may be used or incorporated in any suitable laboratory liquid handling system. Suitable systems may include the JANUS™ Automated Workstation with any appropriate Pipetting Arm such as a Varispan™ Pipetting Arm equipped with VersaTip™ pipettors, for example.

Claim 1:
A laboratory liquid handling system (<NUM>) comprising:
a pipetting module (<NUM>; <NUM>), including a pipettor (<NUM>-<NUM>), the pipettor including a pipettor shaft (<NUM>) and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft;
a lab member (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
an electronics module (<NUM>); and
an integral adapter structure (<NUM>-<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the integral adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft; and
a drive system (<NUM>) including a motor and a controller operative to control the motor, wherein the drive system includes a controller programmed to:
selectively engage the pipettor shaft (<NUM>) with the integral adapter structure (<NUM>-<NUM>; <NUM>) to secure the lab member to the pipetting module;
move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured to the pipetting module; and
selectively disengage the pipettor shaft (<NUM>) from the integral adapter structure to thereby release the lab member from the pipetting module;
wherein the adapter structure includes a clamping mechanism (<NUM>) configured to releasably grasp the pipettor shaft;
wherein the electronics module includes a sensor (<NUM>);
wherein the adapter structure (<NUM>-<NUM>; <NUM>) includes an electrical contact portion formed of an electrically conductive material, this electrical contact portion being configured to engage and electrically couple with the pipettor (<NUM>) when the pipettor is inserted into the adapter structure;
and wherein the lab member (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is configured to transmit power through the integral adapter structure to the electronics module.