Patent ID: 12216136

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According toFIG.1, an automated laboratory system1comprises multiple workstations3for standardized microtiter plates on a flat work area2(worktop). Accordingly, each workstation3has a format adapted to the footprint of a standardized microtiter plate.

Each workstation3is delimited by an arrangement of first aligning elements4that are formed by tour first pins5rigidly connected to the work area and by a first spring element6. Two first pins5are arranged next to a corner of the workstation on the ends of a long and a short side of the workstation. The first spring element6is arranged on a corner of the workstation that is diametrically opposite said corner. Additional first pins5are arranged next to the other corners adjacent to the long and short side edges of the workstation3. In the example, the automated laboratory system comprises six workstations3.

A standardized microtiter plate can be placed on each workstation3, wherein the microtiter plate is enclosed by the first aligning elements4. In this connection, the microtiter plate laterally guided by the first pins5and pressed against the first pins5by the first spring element6. The pipette tip carriers7and pipette tip holders8and other laboratory items shown in the drawings have a footprint that is adapted to the footprint of the standardized microtiter plate. In the lower region, hey are designed such that they can be aligned on a workstation3by means of first aligning elements4.

One low and one large holder9.1,9.2that are used to hold pipette tip carriers7and pipette tip holders8are arranged on two workstations3. According toFIG.3, the low holder9.1comprises a carrying apparatus10at the top which is formed by a rectangular first frame11. Additionally, the low holder9.1comprises a support apparatus12in the form of four rods13that project from the bottom side of the first frame and are connected thereto. Finally, the low holder9.1comprises a bearing apparatus14in the form of a rectangular second frame15, to which the rods13are connected and from the top side of which they project upward. The rods13are connected to the first and second frames11,15by means of screws16. The screw heads17of the screws are arranged in depressions18in the frames11,15, such that they do not protrude outward.

The first frame11comprises a rectangular through-opening19. On both parallel short frame parts, the first frame11has rest ledges20,21that are offset downward with respect to its top side and that delimit the through-opening19on both sides. The second frame15comprises a rectangular receiving opening22. The dimensions of the receiving opening22are greater than the dimensions of the through-opening19, such that the receiving opening22can receive a standardized microtiter plate.

At the corners, the second frame15comprises second aligning elements23in the form of first aligning holes24that are designed to receive the first pins5and the first spring element6. The first aligning holes24are open toward the inside of the second frame15. In an embodiment, the holder is manufactured from stainless steel. According toFIGS.1and2, the first necks5and the first spring element6engage in the first aligning holes24and align the holder on the workstation3.

A pipette tip holder8is placed on the first frame11and a pipette tip carrier7with pipette tips25held therein is placed on the upper edge region of the pipette tip holder. At the corners of the upper edge, the pipette tip holder8has upwardly projecting pins26that engage from below in holes27in the edge region of the pipette tip carrier7. As a result, the pipette tip carrier7is aligned on the pipette tip holder8. The pipette tip holder8engages in the through-opening19, wherein it rests on the narrow sides with its lower edges on the rest ledges20,21. The pipette tip holder8is aligned by means of the edges of the through-opening19such that the pipette tip carrier7is aligned on the holder9.1. Another pipette tip holder8is placed directly on the workstation3and carries another pipette tip carrier7on the upper edge region.

The lower pipette tip holder8is inserted in the receiving opening22. Due to the fact that the first aligning holes24are open toward the inside of the second frame15, the pipette tip holder8is aligned in the receiving opening22. Additionally or alternatively, the pipette tip holder8may be aligned in the holder9.1by means of the inner edges of the receiving opening.

Pipette tips25that are arranged in the upper pipette tip carrier7do not project above the bottom side or the first frame11. As such, it is sufficient for the first frame11to be at a short distance from the pipette tips25held in the lower pipette tip carrier7.

FIGS.1and4additionally show a larger embodiment of the holder9.2, which differs from the low holder9.1in that the distance between the first frame11and second frame15is greater. The first frame11is at the same level as the top side of the upper pipette tip holder7on the lower holder9.1. Therefore, in the larger holder9.2, the upper pipette tip carrier7can be placed directly on the rest ledges20,21of the first frame15, wherein the pipette tips25project downward through the through-opening19of the first frame11. Due to the greater height of the holder92, they do not collide with the pipette tips25arranged below.

FIG.5shows another embodiment of the larger holder9.3, in which the first frame11comprises a row of holes27for receiving pipette tips25in each case on laterally projecting edges of the short frame parts26. The pipette tip holders7are placed directly on the upper frame11such that all pipette tips25are arranged at approximately the same height on the first frame11and can be picked up using a pipetting tool.

According toFIG.6, the automated laboratory system1comprises a tool holder28on an XYZ robot arm (three-axis transferring means)29above the work area2in a housing1.1having windows1.2in the side walls and a door1.3that can slide upward in the front side. Movement of the tool holder28is controlled by an electronic control apparatus70. The tool holder28comprises a neck receptacle for receiving various tools, including at least one pipetting tool30and a gripper tool31(cf.FIG.1,4,8).

At Least one pipetting tool30(cf.FIG.1,4) is a multichannel pipetting tool, for example an eight-channel pipetting tool. A single-channel pipetting tool may also be provided. Multiple multichannel pipetting tools and/or multiple single-channel pipetting tools that cover various volume ranges may be provided.

The gripper tool31(cf.FIG.8) comprises gripping arms32that can pivot about horizontal axes and that comprise needles33projecting on mutually facing inner sides for securely clamping laboratory items. All tools30,31have a fastening neck34at the top which can be inserted into and secured in the neck receptacle of the tool holder28. If the fastening neck34has been inserted into the neck receptacle, the robot arm29can transfer a drive movement to the relevant tool30,31. For this purpose, a drive shaft is provided in the tool holder28and a spindle that can be coupled to the drive shaft via coupling apparatuses is provided in each case in the tools30,31. In the pipetting tool30, the drive movement serves to move a piston in a cylinder, which displaces an air cushion, which draws liquid into or ejects liquid from the one or more pipette tips25. In the gripper tool31, the drive movement causes the gripping arms32to pivot. Details relating to the pipetting tool30, gripper tool31and tool holder for an automated laboratory system1are described in EP 1 407 861 B1.

The pipetting tool30comprises a crossbeam25at the top, from which the fastening neck34projects upward. The crossbeam has holes36on the ends. Behind, rods37comprising necks38on the upper ends project up from the work area, wherein one pair of rods in each case form, a storage place39for a pipetting tool30. By means of the holes in the crossbeam, the pipetting tools30can be pushed onto the necks on the upper ends of the rods such that they are held thereon.

According toFIGS.7and8, the gripper tool can be mounted on an adapter40in the work area2. For this purpose, the work area2comprises third aligning elements41in the form of two upwardly pointing pins42that are rigidly connected to the work area2(cf.FIG.6). The adapter40comprises a rectangular tube43that is closed at the bottom by a base44. In the base, the adapter40comprises fourth aligning elements in the form of vertical aligning holes.

The upper edge of the tube43is configured to support a pipette tip carrier7, such that pipette tips25held therein reach into the tube. The adapter40comprises an arrangement of fifth aligning elements45on the upper edge for aligning the pipette tip carrier7on the adapter. Said arrangement of fifth aligning elements is formed by an arrangement of third pins46and a second spring element47, which corresponds to the arrangement of the first pins5and first spring element6that delimit the workstations3. In the corners, the adapter comprises projecting ribs48, on the upper ends of which the third pins46and the second spring element47are secured. The pipette tip carrier7is held on the adapter40such that its lateral edges end flush with the side walls of the adapter40.

In the side walls, the adapter40comprises means for positive connection49to the transport tool that are formed by centering holes50in which the needles33of the gripper tool31can engage.FIG.8shows the gripper tool31positively connected to the adapter40. The gripper tool31thereby spans a pipette tip carrier7placed on the upper edge of the adapter40.

According toFIGS.1and6, a rack51for reservoirs or vessels is held on another workstation3. A rack51of this kind and associated reservoirs as well as modules for holding vessels are described, for example, in EP 2 168 684 B1. At the froth, the work area has a recess52that receives a tub-shaped waste container53.

The pipette tips25can be picked up from the pipette tip carriers7by means of the multichannel pipetting tool30. They can then be used for the pipetting. After pipetting, they can be discarded into a waste container53. When all pipette tips25have been taken out of a pipette tip carrier7arranged on the first frame11of a holder9.1,9.2, the pipetting tool30can be placed on the rods37and separated from the tool holder28. The gripper tool31can then be connected to the tool holder28and used to remove the pipette tip carrier7from the first frame11of the holder9.1,9.2. The pipette tip carrier7may for example be discarded into the waste container53.

Afterwards, the gripper tool31can again be mounted on the adapter40and the tool holder28can be coupled to a pipetting tool30. According toFIGS.1and4, the pipetting tool30can be introduced into the through-opening19of the first frame11in order to take pipette tips25out of a pipette tip carrier7mounted on a pipette tip holder8below the first frame11.

In order to use the pipette tips25stored on the adapter40, the pipetting tool30is placed down on its storage place39and the tool holder28is connected to the gripper tool31. By means of the gripper tool31, the pipette tip carrier7is taken off the adapter40and placed down on a first frame11of a holder9.1,9.2on which no pipette tip carrier7is resting. Subsequently, the gripper tool31is mounted on the adapter40and the pipetting tool30is connected to the tool holder28. Afterwards, pipette tips25can be taken off the pipette tip carrier7.

The work area2can be equipped with pipette tips25by hand prior to laboratory sample processing. For this purpose, pipette tip holders8with pipette tip carriers7placed thereon and with pipette tips25held in the pipette tip carriers can be placed on one or more workstations. Afterwards, at least one holder9.1,9.2is placed on the work area2, wherein the first aligning elements4are introduced into the second aligning elements24. Depending on the design of the holder9.1,9.2, a pipette tip carrier7is either placed directly on the first frame11or a pipette tip holder8with a pipette tip carrier7placed thereon is placed on said first frame. In the holder9.3, the holes27in the first frame11may additionally be equipped with two rows of additional pipette tips25.

Finally, the adapter40may also be equipped with another pipette tip carrier7. During execution of the program, the automated laboratory system1draws on the pipette tips25stored on the various frames11,15of the at least one holder9.1,9.2as well as on the pipette tips25stored on the adapter40.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1Automated laboratory system1.1Housing1.2Window1.3Door2Work area3Workstation4Aligning element5First pins6First spring element7Pipette tip carrier8Pipette tip holder9.1Low holder9.2Large holder9.3Larger holder10Carrying apparatus11First frame12Support apparatus13Rod14Bearing apparatus15Second frame16Screw17Screw head18Depression19Through-opening20,21Rest ledge22Receiving opening23aligning element24Aligning hole25Pipette tip26Pin27Hole28Tool holder29Robot arm30Pipetting tool31Gripper tool32Gripping arm33Needle34Fastening neck35Crossbeam36Holes37Rod38Neck39Storage place40Adapter41Aligning element42Pin43Tube44Base45Aligning element46Third pin47Second spring element48Rib49Means for connection50Centering hole51Rack52Recess53Waste container