Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Inoculator – streaker – or sampler
Reexamination Certificate
2009-01-02
2011-10-11
Bowers, Nathan (Department: 1775)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Inoculator, streaker, or sampler
C435S287300, C435S288700, C435S308100, C435S309300, C435S309400, C435S286300, C362S133000, C073S864010, C073S864110, C073S864240
Reexamination Certificate
active
08034612
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4210724 (1980-07-01), Sogi et al.
patent: 4700298 (1987-10-01), Palcic et al.
patent: 4950592 (1990-08-01), Daiss
patent: 5534386 (1996-07-01), Petersen et al.
patent: 5587062 (1996-12-01), Togawa et al.
patent: 5764807 (1998-06-01), Pearlman et al.
patent: 6064754 (2000-05-01), Parekh et al.
patent: 6146881 (2000-11-01), Hering
patent: 6198107 (2001-03-01), Seville
patent: 6278794 (2001-08-01), Parekh et al.
patent: 6509166 (2003-01-01), Edberg
patent: 2002/0068045 (2002-06-01), Reubinoff et al.
patent: 2003/0132109 (2003-07-01), Bullen et al.
patent: 2003/0179916 (2003-09-01), Magnuson et al.
patent: 2005/0070011 (2005-03-01), Kuzan et al.
patent: 2005/0118652 (2005-06-01), Lee et al.
patent: 2007/0025880 (2007-02-01), Hoummady
patent: 0293649 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 2310006 (1997-08-01), None
patent: 7-260742 (1995-10-01), None
patent: WO 99/12233 (1992-07-01), None
patent: WO 98/23950 (1998-06-01), None
patent: WO 99/51977 (1999-10-01), None
patent: WO 01/32834 (2001-05-01), None
Product Brochure for “Cetonimate” dated 2002, 4 pgs (English Translation attached).
OTZ Newspaper Article dated Apr. 10, 2003, 2 pgs. (English Translation of relevant parts attached).
Uber et al., “Application of Robotics and Image Processing to Automated Colony Picking and Arraying,”Biotechniques, vol. 11, No. 5, 1991, pp. 642-646, XP008026697.
Jones et al., “Integration of Image Analysis and Robotics Into a Fully Automated Colony Picking and Plate Handling System,”Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 20, No. 17, 1992, pp. 4599-4606, XP002190262.
Notice of Allowance dated May 7, 2010, cited in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/631,845.
U.S. Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 10/631,845 dated Nov. 12, 2009, 16 pgs.
U.S. Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 11/401,966, dated Nov. 23, 2009, 18 pgs.
Board Andrew
Jiang Yonggang
Mann Christopher
Richmond Stephen
Bowers Nathan
Foley & Lardner LLP
Genetix Limited
LandOfFree
Animal cell colony picking apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Animal cell colony picking apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Animal cell colony picking apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4293793