Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Including sample preparation – Volumetric liquid transfer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-07-03
Ludlow, Jan (Department: 1743)
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Including sample preparation
Volumetric liquid transfer
C422S063000, C422S105000, C436S043000, C436S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06255119
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to transferring fluid samples and, more particularly, to a reagent transfer device for transferring a large number of fluid samples onto a very small surface area.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automated systems are used to transfer fluid samples from repositories, such as test tubes, vials or wells, to receptacles or surfaces. One such automated system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,263, issued to Meltzer, entitled “Automated Pipetting System.” This reference discloses a system wherein a plurality of hollow probes are used to transfer a plurality of fluid samples. A probe is dipped into the fluid repository and a volume of fluid is drawn into the probe using aspiration. The probe is retracted from the repository and repositioned above the receptacle or surface that will receive the fluid sample. The probe is lowered towards the surface and pressure is exerted against the fluid to force the fluid sample out of the probe. A plurality of probes are mounted on a carriage that is in turn mounted to an overhead frame assembly which moves the carriage independently in the X-direction and Y-direction. The carriage includes a drive mechanism that moves each probe independently in the Z-direction.
The system described above is effective for transferring fluid samples from test tubes and vials. However, the use of hollow probes to transfer fluid samples from a plurality of repositories does not provide the precision necessary to transfer a plurality of fluid samples that are in the range of about 100 microns in diameter and spaced apart by a distance of less than about 500 microns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a reagent transfer device for transferring a plurality of reagent samples onto a deposit surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reagent transfer device includes a reagent tray having a top surface with a top surface area and a plurality of wells arranged in a two-dimensional array of at least 30 wells by at least 30 wells. The wells have a diameter of no greater than about 300 microns and are spaced apart by a center-to-center distance measured from the center of one well to the center of an adjacent well of less than about 500 microns. The reagent tray may further include a bottom surface having a bottom surface area larger than the top surface area, a plurality of coupling cavities, and a plurality of channels. Each of the channels connects one of the wells to a corresponding one of the coupling cavities so at the one well and the one corresponding coupling cavity are in fluid communication so as to allow replenishment of the one well by providing reagent to the one well through the one corresponding coupling cavity and the channel.
The reagent transfer device further includes a transfer member having a transfer surface with a two-dimensional array of pins extending therefrom. Each of the pins is positioned to correspond to one of the wells so that when the transfer member is moved in the Z-direction the pins are simultaneously dipped into the corresponding wells. The reagent transfer device also includes a means for moving the transfer member between a first position in which reagent from the wells is deposited on the pins and a second position in which reagent on the pins is deposited on the deposit surface. The moving means may be adapted for independent movement of the transfer member in the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction. Alternatively, the moving means may be adapted to move the transfer member in the Z-direction, and to move the deposit surface in the X-direction and the Y-direction.
According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the pins has a diameter in the range of between about 30 microns and about 100 microns, and has an outer shape adapted to retain a sample of one of the reagents when the pin is dipped into the corresponding one of the wells. In another aspect of the present invention, at least about 100 wells are disposed on the top surface of the reagent tray in the ratio of at least 100 wells per square centimeter of top surface area.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for transferring a plurality of reagent samples from a reagent tray via a transfer member to a deposit surface is provided. The reagent tray has a top surface with a top surface area and at least about 100 wells in the ratio of at least 100 wells per square centimeter of top surface area. The transfer member has a transfer surface with a plurality of pins extending therefrom. Each of the pins is positioned to correspond to one of the wells so that when the transfer member is moved in the Z-direction, the pins are simultaneously dipped into the corresponding wells.
The method according to the present invention includes the steps of dipping the pins into the corresponding wells so that a reagent sample is deposited on each of the pins by adhesion to the outer surfaces of the pins, moving the transfer member to a position proximate the deposit surface, and contacting the deposit surface with the reagent samples, whereby the reagent samples are deposited on the deposit surface by adhesion to the deposit surface. In one aspect, the method according to the present invention further includes the step of replenishing the reagent in the wells by providing reagent to the wells through corresponding coupling cavities and channels in the reagent tray.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the reagent transfer device includes a transfer member having a bottom surface with a bottom surface area and at least about 100 orifices in the ratio of at least 100 orifices per square centimeter of bottom surface area. The transfer member further includes a top surface having a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of channels. Each of the channels connects one of the orifices to a corresponding one of the reservoirs so that the one orifice and the one corresponding reservoir are in fluid communication. A reagent sample is formed on the bottom surface about the orifice by providing reagent to the orifice through the corresponding one reservoir and the channel. The reagent transfer device further includes a means for moving the transfer member between a first position in which reagent samples are deposited onto a first deposit surface and a second position in which reagent samples are deposited on a second deposit surface. The means for moving the transfer member may be adapted to move the transfer member in the X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction. Alternatively, the means for moving may be adapted to move the transfer member in the Z-direction, and to move the first and the second deposit surfaces in the X-direction and the Y-direction.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for depositing a plurality of reagent samples via a transfer member onto a deposit surface is provided. The transfer member includes a bottom surface with a bottom surface area and at least about 100 orifices in the ratio of at least 100 orifices per square centimeter of bottom surface area. The transfer member further includes a top surface having a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of channels. Each of the channels connects one of the orifices to a corresponding one of the reservoirs so that the one orifice and the one corresponding reservoir are in fluid communication. The method includes the steps of forming a reagent sample on the bottom surface of the orifice by providing reagent to the orifice through the one corresponding reservoir and the channel, moving the transfer member to a position proximate the deposit surface, and contacting the deposit surface with the reagent samples whereby the reagent samples are deposited on the deposit surface by adhesion to the deposit surface.
The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in art in view of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief d
Hyseq Inc.
Ludlow Jan
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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