Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
  • C12M23/50—Means for positioning or orientating the apparatus
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
  • C12M23/52—Mobile; Means for transporting the apparatus

Definitions

• the invention relates to the automatic or automatable treatment of biological samples.
• microtubes are treated in a special way.
• the treatment includes the removal of certain quantities of liquid from the liquid samples, the introduction of reagents, the examination of various parameters and so on. Since large quantities of samples often have to be treated, the microtubes are often mounted in holders which can be designed as microtiter plates. It is also already known to have a part of the transport of the microtiter plates performed with handling equipment. It is possible to provide the microtiter plates with machine-readable designations and to deposit the position of a specific sample within the special microtiter plate in an electronic memory.
• a sample treatment apparatus for treating biological samples is known from European Patent Application 1 348 485.
• the invention is based on the object of providing a possibility of how the most varied processes of treatment of biological samples can be carried out in large numbers and possibly also under clean-room conditions according to a wide variety of criteria, in particular if these criteria are present only result or change during the processing.
• the invention proposes a system for the automated treatment of biological samples with the features mentioned in claim 1.
• the system thus contains a transport device which can be driven by a controlled drive and which can transport the sample containers. These may be wells of a microtiter plate or else other sample containers, e.g. Wells act.
• the system also contains at least one treatment station to which the sample is to be brought if it is to be treated. It is treated with a treatment device, such as a pipetting device. This treatment device is positioned by the handling device in relation to the treatment station in such a way that the treatment with this device can be carried out at this point.
• This type of distribution of tasks has the advantage that the individual devices or devices, namely the transport device, the treatment device and the handling device, operate largely independent of each other, so that their work is controlled, controlled and influenced by a central control can.
• the individual devices can be adapted to their specific task.
• the transport device is exclusively there to portieren all required sample containers and consumables.
• the task of the handling device is, with the help of the handling equipment to process the sample containers in the prescribed manner.
• the system according to the invention can, in a further development, have a magazine for holding sample containers and a device for removing the sample containers from the magazine and for transfer to the transport device.
• This removal device works independently of the other Ein ⁇ devices, but can be controlled by the central control.
• the system can have an incubator for accommodating samples in a defined environment.
• the treatment station is arranged outside the transport path of the transport device.
• the transport route is to be understood as that route along which the sample containers connected to the transport device are transported. Outside this transport path means that the sample containers are set so far that the transport device can continue to work.
• the treatment station can therefore be arranged laterally on each of the two sides of the transport route, but also above or below the transport route.
• the system can have a transfer device.
• This transfer device can also serve to transfer the sample container from the treatment station, once the treatment has taken place, back to the transport device. It Depending on the circumstances of the individual case, separate devices may also be present for this purpose, ie a transfer device from the transport device to the treatment station, and a second transfer device for transferring the sample container from the treatment station to the transport device.
• the transfer device can work in such a way that a transfer takes place when the transport device is stopped.
• the transfer device is moved with the transport device, so that the transition can take place during the movement of the sample container through the transport device.
• this transfer device also operates independently of the other devices, in particular independently of the handling device.
• the handling device be designed not only for mechanical coupling to the treatment device, but also for functional coupling. For example, via a mechanical coupling between the handling device and the treatment device, a Stromversor ⁇ supply by making a plug connection or other Kon ⁇ takts done. A mechanical drive, if the treatment device is also to assume a mechanical activity, can be coupled by coupling between the handling device and the treatment device.
• the treatment device is placed in a waiting station during the time it is not in use.
• This waiting station is arranged outside the treatment station in such a way that it does not conflict with the transport of the sample containers and the transfer of the sample containers to the treatment station.
• the waiting station may be designed in such a way that it not only keeps the treatment device ready for later treatment, but also carries out cleaning of the device during breaks in work. During the times during which a special treatment device is not in use, it can thus be cleaned, so that these waiting times of the treatment device can be utilized. This improves the overall throughput of the plant.
• a functional coupling can also exist between treatment device and storage station. However, this is a functional coupling with another task. As a result, the power supply of the treatment device during storage and the control of the self-cleaning during treatment breaks should be achieved.
• the system can have a plurality of treatment devices operating independently of one another, each of which has its own waiting station.
• the control of the system controls the handling device in such a way that it selects the treatment device required for the respective task and brings it to the treatment station.
• the arrangement of the separation of transport area, processing area, handling device and treatment devices on which the invention is based makes it possible to carry out an alternating processing of two processes during the processing of se ⁇ rieller processes with high cleaning effort between the individual operations, for Example 1-2-1-2-1 -3-1-4-1 -2-1-2, where 1 is a high-volume serial process.
• a treatment device can be designed such that it performs treatments on a multiplicity of sample containers, for example for all microtubes of a microtiter plate.
• the specialists ⁇ devices can also be designed so that it can be selected to which of the sample container treatment is made, which are currently at the treatment center.
• the waiting positions of the treatment devices and / or the treatment station of the are arranged so that the handling device can select and control the positions of the treatment devices by a linear movement along a single degree of freedom.
• the waiting positions may also be arranged along a straight line.
• a handling device which can be rotated about a fixed axis, it makes sense to arrange the waiting positions of the treatment devices along a circular arc.
• one degree of freedom of the handling device is a movement parallel to the transport direction of the transport device.
• the treatment center itself is also movable, and preferably in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the transport device. This is particularly useful if in several treatment devices, the area in which the waiting positions of the treatment devices are arranged, is slightly larger, and a Be ⁇ treatment device requires a hose connection. Then the treatment place can be moved closer to the waiting position of the treatment device. This is particularly advantageous for machining in the clean room, since the critical movement of supply hoses above the product level is avoided by the uncritical movement of the treatment station.
• the treatment station is movable, for example with the aid of a carriage, according to the invention, the carriage can then also have a plurality of treatment stations, of which, however, only one can be arranged in a treatment position with a treatment device. In this way, transfer processes can already be carried out while a treatment is being carried out.
• the transport device which moves the sample containers is preferably a circulating transport device in which the sample containers are moved along a closed path. It is particularly useful if this closed transport path has two parallel sections and two deflections connecting them. The transport path thus corresponds to an oval.
• the handling device can be arranged, for example, next to a rectilinear section. For space reasons, however, it is preferred that the handling device and / or the treatment device and / or the treatment station are arranged in the deflection area. There, a relatively large number of waiting positions can be arranged, which can be controlled by the handling device without coping with large distances.
• the treatment station can advantageously be arranged between the transport route and the waiting positions of the treatment devices.
• microtiter plates can be provided as sample containers.
• the transport of the sample containers can for example be done so that the transport device has holders for the microtiter plates auf ⁇ , for example, at regular intervals in each case a holder for each microtiter plate.
• the transfer device can be formed such that it transfers the microtiter plate or the sample container or a plurality of sample containers to the treatment station. But it is is also possible and is proposed by the invention that the transfer device transfers the holder with the sample container to the treatment station.
• Magazines of this type are often formed as carousel towers, which can be rotated by a drive, wherein the removal takes place along a vertical row in one place.
• the invention proposes instead that the magazine has at least one rectilinear path leading to the front for a series of sample containers to be arranged behind one another, preferably a multiplicity of superimposed webs.
• the magazine has at least one rectilinear path leading to the front for a series of sample containers to be arranged behind one another, preferably a multiplicity of superimposed webs.
• a large number of sample containers can be accommodated in a small space.
• a plurality of such arrangements of webs are arranged next to one another.
• the tracks are designed such that the containers are acted upon in the direction of the front side against a stop arranged there. This can ensure that there is always a sample container available at the removal point, namely the front, as long as a sample container is still present in the web. He can be removed there from a sampling device.
• the application to the front can, for example, be effected by driven rollers on which the containers rest.
• Another possibility of loading the sample containers may be that circulating belts are present, for example se two parallel revolving belts on which the containers rest. These belts can then be driven by a motor.
• the application is generated by an oblique course of the webs.
• the webs are roller conveyors, that is to say that the sample containers rest on the rollers and are acted upon by their own weight against the stop present on the front side.
• the roller conveyors are sloping towards this front side, a drive for the magazine is left.
• a further possibility is that they are webs with a lubricious coating, so that the sample containers are likewise acted upon by their weight to the front and slide along the webs due to their weight.
• the removal device removes from each row the vorders ⁇ th sample container, while the other then slip or roll.
• magazines By arranging a plurality of disks formed from one another arranged on top of one another, magazines can be built which can accommodate a large number of microtiter plates, for example, in a small space.
• the roller conveyors have an upper guide for the sample containers, in particular the microtiter plates. It can be provided that the distance between the upper side of the rollers and the lower side of the respective upper guide is smaller than the sum of the height. he removed lid and the lidless lower part of the sample container.
• roller conveyors so that the upper guide is formed by the rollers of each upper roller conveyor.
• the removal device may be designed such that it lifts the foremost sample container via a stop.
• a second possibility is that it pushes out a stop in front of the foremost sample container and engages in the gap which opens in the horizontal when the slipping out of the container in front of the next sample container.
• the incubator likewise possible in the system can be arranged according to the invention such that the transfer of a sample container into the incubator and out of it takes place in a straight line and horizontally.
• the incubator can have an opening which is arranged at the same height as the transport device. The opening serves to enter sample containers into the incubator and to remove them. It has such a size that just a sample container fits in the height.
• a handling device for inputting and removing sample containers is arranged outside the incubator and can be moved along the opening. The opening is so long that all sample containers can be directly inserted directly into the receiving spaces present in the inkator.
• the Inkuba ⁇ tor is designed such that a movement of the sample container can be done by existing in the interior of the incubator facilities, de ⁇ ren drive but is located outside of the incubator.
• the coupling with the drive can be carried out by guided through the walls waves that are stored. These bearings can be sealed well.
• the arrangement of the drive outside of the incubator is a low risk of contamination. This is especially important as clean room conditions must prevail inside the incubator. There is also the possibility to sterilize the interior by ag ⁇ gressive gases or chemicals.
• the drive can be designed so that the sample containers are moved slowly within the incubator in order to homogenize the climatic conditions in the interior.
• the incubator can have an inlet lock, which only for the process of insertion and removal is opened.
• This inlet lock can for example be constructed similar to a revolving door.
• the door of the lock can be subdivided.
• the incubator also possible in the system can according to the invention comprise a multiplicity of holders for sample containers which are arranged along a closed path and can be transported along this path, preferably in both directions.
• sample containers can again be understood as meaning microtiter plates, which in turn receive a multiplicity of microtubes or similar devices.
• the movement along a closed path means that each holder is brought to a position at which an opening for feeding the incubator and removing it from the incubator vor ⁇ is present.
• the closed path is formed, for example, by the fact that the holders are attached to two circumferential chains, belts or the like in a paternoster-like manner, in particular suspended. In this way, the sample containers can also be moved within the incubator, so that all the sample containers are in the same space.
• the chain, the rule or the like have multiple vertically extending strands.
• the height of the incubator is reduced so that the interior space assumes the shape of a cube with more uniform conditions.
• the incubator may have a plurality of E benen formed by drivable circumferential bands be or have this. In each level, parallel rows of sample containers can be accommodated.
• a transport segment can be provided which can be moved vertically and can be stopped at the level of each or at least part of the planes.
• an inlet opening which may have a length extending over the entire width of the incubator housing, but which only needs to be so high that a specimen container can be pushed in from the outside , This can then be raised or lowered by the transport segment to the appropriate level.
• the transport segment can receive a series of sample containers, which are arranged side by side. Two-dimensional fields of sample containers are then present on the planes.
• a drive coupling can be provided between the transport segment and the circulating belt of the planes, which can then be engaged when the transport segment is arranged at the height of the respective plane. Then, by transporting the transport segment, a number of sample containers can be transferred to the plane, during which transfer process the plane moves one cycle further. As a result, no active drive of the conveyor belts is needed.
• the incubator has a return segment, which is similar to the transport segment vertically and laterally movable and can stop at the level of the levels.
• This return segment serves to resume the sample containers pushed through the planes and return them to another plane, from which they return to can be brought to the point where the transport segment is present.
• a drive coupling can also be provided between the return segment and the circulating band of the planes, which can be brought into engagement with the height when aligned and couples the drive of the return segment to the plane.
• the return segment is preferably drivable in both directions, similar to the transport segment.
• a handling device For loading the incubator, a handling device may be provided which is provided outside the incubator and which can be moved along the inlet opening of the incubator.
• the system may further comprise a loading station for the manual task or for the removal of sample containers in or out of the transport device, if a manual intervention is desired at a certain point or under rarely occurring conditions.
• the system can also have an automatic ejection station for sample containers, if they are no longer needed.
• the system can have a lid removal device.
• Figure 1 shows schematically an overview of a plant for processing and treatment of biological samples according to the invention
• FIG. 2 a representation of the spatial allocation of handling device, transport route, treatment station and processing device
• Figure 3 shows schematically the view of a magazine for holding sample containers
• Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a compartment of the magazine
• Figure 5 is a simplified representation of a container for receiving samples
• Figure 6 is an end view of a compartment of the magazine
• Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an incubator; 8 shows schematically the arrangement of a holder for the Inkuba ⁇ tor of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 the schematic side view of a lock for the opening of the incubator.
• Figure 10 is a partial view of the opening of the incubator from the right in Figure 9;
• Figure 11 shows schematically the arrangement of a second incubator
• FIG. 12 simplifies a section through the type of drive of the injector of FIG. 11;
• FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of a device for removing a lid of a sample container
• Figure 14 is a plan view of the treatment end of a plant in a simplified form
• Figure 15 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 14 in a geän ⁇ derten embodiment
• FIG. 16 shows the plan view of an embodiment which has been changed again compared with FIG.
• FIG. 17 schematically shows the arrangement of several circulating transport devices
• FIG. 19 shows a device for transferring pictures to the transport device
• FIG. 20 is a side view of a device for storing consumables
• FIG. 21 shows an end view of the arrangement of FIG. 20 from the left in FIG. 20.
• FIG. 1 shows in an overview representation from above an example of a system according to the invention.
• the system contains a transport device 1, which is formed, for example, by a chain or a belt. With the aid of a drive, not shown, this transport device is moved, wherein, in principle, a movement in both directions is possible, but the movement in only one direction is preferred.
• the transport device moves a plurality of holders 2 for sample containers along a closed path, which has two parallel ge-rectilinear sections 3, which are mitein ⁇ other connected by two deflections 4. If one imagines the transport device as having a circulating chain, the deflections 4 would therefore be formed by deflection gears. But it is not necessary that the transport device actually consists of a chain.
• the brackets 2 are arranged at regular intervals and are moved by the transport device. The movement can be an intermittent or a continuous movement.
• each magazine 6 includes a removal device 7, which removes a sample container, for example a microtiter plate, from the magazine 6 and places it in a holder 2. These sample containers are then brought from the transport device to the processing station at the bottom in FIG.
• an incubator 8 is arranged, in which filled sample containers can wait a certain time, during which the samples are acted upon.
• a transfer device 9 For feeding the brackets 2 on the transport device 1 is a transfer device 9, which will not be described in detail.
• the facilities used for the treatment of the samples are used.
• a carriage 10 On the machine base 5, the facilities used for the treatment of the samples are used.
• a carriage 10 On a circular arc outside of the space occupied by the brackets 2 place a carriage 10 is ange ⁇ arranged, which is limited in both directions about the center of the deflection 4 movable.
• On the carriage 10 are a plurality of holders 1 1 for the microtiter plates in front of others. Again outside the space occupied by the carriage 10 and the holders 11, several treatment devices 12 are arranged, which have their waiting position there. The waiting positions of the treatment devices 12 are thus on a circular arc, which is arranged concentrically to the carriage 10 and the Um ⁇ steering 4.
• a handling device 13 is mounted, which can be pivoted about the center of the deflection 4 and can perform further movements.
• the brackets 2 are arranged on the outside of the transport device 1, and accordingly the magazines 6 and the incubator 8 also outside. When transferring sample containers from the magazines 6 to the brackets 2 and from the brackets 2 to the incubator 8 so does not bother the actual transport device.
• the holders 2 on the one hand and incubator 8 and magazine 6 on the other hand could also be arranged on different sides of the transport device.
• the holders 11 of the carriage 10 are arranged outside the region of the holders 2 of the transport device, and the waiting positions of the treatment devices 12 are again outside the region of the carriage 10.
• a carousel 14 is arranged, which can serve to receive lids of the sample container.
• a gripper 15 can remove the lids from the sample containers approaching the processing station and place them on the carousel 14. After passing through the processing station, the gripper 15 can again remove the respective lid from the carousel 14 and place it on the sample container.
• the carousel 14 rotates with the movement of the transport device 1. It can therefore be ensured in this way that the cover is again assigned to the sample container to which it has been removed.
• FIG. 2 is very schematic.
• the treatment apparatuses 12 are arranged in their waiting positions outside the movement path of the carriage 10.
• On the carriage 10 are several holding ments 11 for the microtiter plates.
• the transport path of the holders 2 of the transport device 1 lies closest to the middle point of the treatment station, in which the handling device 13 is arranged.
• the handling device can not only rotate about the center point axis of the transport device 1 in the deflection point 4, but can pivot its two arms 16 and 17.
• a short arm 18 is again pivotably mounted, at the free end of which a coupling device 19 is provided.
• the front arm 18 of the handling device 13 is coupled to a holder of the treatment device 12. Then, this handling device 12 is removed from its waiting position and positioned relative to a holder 11 on the carriage 10 and lowered there so far that the treatment device 12 can treat the sample container in the holder 11 on the carriage 10.
• the sample container was transferred from a holder 2 of the transport device to the holder 11 on the carriage 10 by a transfer device, not shown.
• the treatment of a sample container thus always follows in a holder 11 on the carriage 10, wherein only one holder 11 is always in a treatment position. This treatment position need not have a fixed place, but may change over a certain range of movement of the carriage 10.
• treatment devices 12 which have a hose connection or a line
• the holder 11, on which the treatment is to take place is brought closer to the corresponding device 12.
• there is always only one treatment position even if a plurality of holding devices 11 filled with sample containers are present on the carriage 10.
• FIG. 3 shows this only schematically. It need between the individual slices and no partitions to be present, since it is sufficient to use grid-like structures for the individual raceways ver ⁇ .
• the sample containers 20 are arranged one behind the other, the first sample container 20 being prevented from slipping out by a stop to be seen in FIG. The remaining sample container 20 are due to their weight to the respective front container.
• FIG. 3 shows such a magazine from its front side. The front side is the side on which the removal should take place with a device 7.
• Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of two successively arranged sample container 20 in a guideway of a magazine.
• the guideways are designed as roller conveyors.
• rollers 22 are rotatably mounted on lateral cheeks 21 rollers 22 are rotatably mounted. The distance between two rollers 22 is selected so that a sample container 20 rests on a plurality of such rollers 22 in each position.
• the distance between the upper side 23 of the sample container 20 and the rollers 22 of the next higher cheek 21 is small.
• the rollers 22 of each next higher cheek 21 thus not only form a guide for the sample container present there, if it is not the top cheek 21, but also a Füh ⁇ tion for the lower sample container 20th
• the foremost sample container 20 of each guide track is prevented by a stop 24 from slipping out of the magazine or rolling out.
• the removal device To remove a sample container 20 from the magazine, the removal device must raise the sample container 20 in the region of its leading edge so far that it passes over the stop 24. This is possible because the space between the upper side 23 of the sample container 20 and the roller 22 of the upper cheek 21 is slightly larger than the distance of the upper edge of the stop 24 from the upper edge of the underlying roller 22. If the front container 20 is raised in the region of its front side so that it approaches the horizontal, its rear upper edge presses against the front upper edge of the lid 25 of the next sample container 20. There is thus a risk that the lid of this sample container 20 jump off.
• the sample containers must remain provided with the lid until they reach the treatment station.
• the microtiter plates commonly used as sample containers look schematically as shown in FIG.
• the sample containers have a cover 25 and a lower part 26.
• the lower part 26 has a step 27, which has a certain distance from the upper edge 28 of the lower part.
• the lid 25 is formed so that it engages over the remaining above the step 27 of the lower part 26 of the lower part. In the closed state, the lower edge 29 of the lid 25 rests on the step 27. In order to lift the cover 25 from the lower part 26, the cover 25 must therefore be raised by the distance between the upper edge 28 and the step 27.
• the distance between two superimposed webs 21 is adjusted so that the distance between the upper side 23 of the cover 25 and the rollers 22 lying above is smaller than the distance of the upper edge 28 from the Step 27.
• a magazine can be used in this application, where due to the transition between sloping ver ⁇ running guideways and a horizontal position, the risk of jumping a lid.
• FIG. 6 shows the view of a sample container contained in a guideway with lid and lower part from the front. It can be seen here that the rollers 22 on the cheeks 21 support the sample container 20 only along its edges, so that the middle region remains free. This can attack a sampling facility.
• Figure 7 shows in a very simplified manner an incubator, as it can be used in a facility for the treatment of biological samples.
• a peripheral gear means 30 is arranged, which is guided over three guide rollers 31 arranged in the upper area and four guide rollers 32 arranged in the lower area.
• the rotating gear means 30 can be moved by a drive not shown. Preferably, it can be moved in both directions.
• Each point of the rotating gear means can therefore be brought into conformity with an opening 32 which is intended for feeding the incubator and for removing it from the incubator.
• On the rotating gear means for example two chains 34, holders 35 for sample containers 20 are mounted. These have laterally an angle 36, which is directed upward and in the upper region is pivotally fastened via an axis 37 on the chain 34. This allows the brackets 35 align, regardless of how the chain 34 is straight.
• the interior of the incubator can be reduced in height, which can lead to a more uniform distribution of the temperature in the interior of the incubator.
• FIG. 9 shows a detail of how the inlet opening 33 of the incubator of FIG. 7 can be constructed in detail.
• the incubator thus has a large length in the direction perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. Since a high air humidity of more than 95 percent is present in the incubator and must be present, the inlet opening should only be opened so far when entering and removing sample containers that the humidity can not drop.
• a lock 41 may be present, as shown in FIG.
• a reciprocally rotatable cylinder 42 is arranged with an interruption 43. This cylinder 42 is rotatable about a horizontal axis 44.
• the wall 45 of the incubator above and below Below the opening 33 includes a wall portion 46 which has the shape of a part of a circular cylinder.
• the rotatable cylinder 42 is arranged so that it bears sealingly against the sections 46. In the position shown, a sample container 20 can be inserted into the interior of the cylinder 42. By twisting, the opening 43 can then be oriented so that pushing out is possible.
• the interior of the cylinder 42 may also be partially filled.
• Figure 10 shows the opening from the front of the incubator. Since the opening can be very long for the reasons already mentioned, it is possible to divide it. This is shown in FIG. Here, the cylinder 42 is half opened with the interruption 43 in the left position, while it is closed in the next following position. The subdivision of the opening into individual locks can correspond, for example, to the width of a single sample container 20.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 now show a second embodiment of an incubator, as can be used particularly in the system according to the invention.
• the sample containers 20 arranged in rows are arranged along a path behind one another
• another possibility of accommodating sample containers in the incubator is provided here.
• single parallel planes are provided for the sample containers 20, of which the figure 11 shows only two levels.
• Circumferential bands 48 are provided in each plane, on whose upper run 49 the sample containers 20 are arranged.
• the circumferential bands 48 are guided around two guide rollers 50 around.
• a transport segment 52 is arranged.
• the width of this conveyor belt 53 measured from left to right in FIG. 11 corresponds approximately to the size of a sample container 20.
• the length of the conveyor belt 53 is as large as the entire dimension of the incubator in this direction.
• the transport segment 52 can be moved over the entire height of the incubator.
• a return segment 57 is arranged, which is constructed practically the same as the transport segment 52.
• a coupling element 55 which can cooperate with the corresponding coupling element 56 of the band 48 of the plane together.
• the coupling elements protrude through a partition wall 58 of the incubator into a space 59 which, while still inside the housing of the incubator, is not part of the interior of the incubator.
• a clutch can be brought into engagement, which establishes the correct direction of rotation. This can be effected by a plurality of toothed wheels, it being understood that other possibilities, for example a magnetic coupling, can also be used.
• the mode of action and / or the manner in which the incubator of FIGS. 11 of 12 can be operated is the following.
• a front of the opening 33 existing the length of the opening 33 along movable transfer device is a sample container through the open lock on the transport segment 52 behind the opening 33 überge ⁇ ben.
• products to be processed are gradually pushed onto the transport segment 52.
• the transport segment 52 moves at the level of a certain level. Then, the clutch formed from the coupling elements 55, 56 is closed and the horizontal drive of the transport segment 52 is set in motion.
• the row of sample containers 20 is transferred from the transport segment 52 to the band 48 of the corresponding level, while at the same time the sample containers 20 present on the level are moved one clock further. Then the clutch is released again and the transport segment 52 moves back to its starting position. This process is repeated several times. As soon as the sample containers 20 have arrived on the opposite side at the end of the corresponding plane, they are taken over there by the return transport segment 57 in the same way. Again, a clutch operating in the same way is provided. The return transport segment 57, after having taken up a number of sample containers 20, brings them to another plane, where they are then returned in the reverse manner to the band of this other plane.
• This band then moves cyclically in the opposite direction, so that the sample containers 20 are then returned from the transport segment 52 behind the inlet opening at the end of the process. 33 can be recorded. There they can then be taken out of the incubator again. The sample containers 20 were ⁇ taken in this incubator in the same order in which they were entered. It is therefore a FIFO incubator or memory.
• the drive which is coupled to the planes by the transport segments 52, 57, operates at the same speed everywhere, the number of planes operating in one direction is identical to the number of planes in the other direction work. Which of the planes work in each direction can be determined by the control.
• FIG. 13 now shows another device which is advantageous in connection with the system according to the invention. It has already been mentioned with reference to FIG. 1 that there is a device for lifting the lid off the sample container, which of course disturbs the processing of the samples. On the other hand, the lid must be placed back on the right sample container, that is the Probenbe ⁇ container from which it was removed.
• FIG. 13 now shows a second possibility for this.
• a plurality of receptacles 62 are arranged for each cover, in the middle of a suction cup 63 vor ⁇ present, which is acted upon via a line 64 with negative pressure.
• a drive 65 vor ⁇ Underneath the holder for a sample container 20 is a drive 65 vor ⁇ present, which can push a plate 66 upwards.
• the drive 65 pushes the plate between the two arms of the holder and raises the entire sample container 20 until the lid on the bottom of the suction cup 63 comes to rest. This may be the control Detect tion at the pressure drop, since now no air can be sucked through the hose 64.
• the drive 65 moves the plate 66 down again, so that now the sample container 20 is lowered back onto the holder.
• the Dreh ⁇ plate 61 is then rotated, so that the receptacle 62 is moved with the lid now dar ⁇ held in the same cycle as the sample container 20.
• On the opposite side of the lid can then be placed back on the sample container 20, from which it was taken ent ⁇ . It is thus ensured that the assignment zwi ⁇ rule lid and sample container is maintained.
• the invention provides an automatically operated system in which a plurality of samples can be processed automatically. It may be that the treatment method may vary from sample to sample and that the treatment time per treatment method and / or sample may be very short.
• FIG. 1 shows at the end of the installation at the treatment station that all work stations are arranged in the gripping area of the manipulator 13.
• FIG. 14 now shows strongly It can be arranged that, as an extension of the arrangement path 71 for the treatment places for the manipulation device 13, lateral treatment places 72 can be arranged at which activities of workstations can be carried out independently of the manipulation device 13. Furthermore, FIG. 14 shows that the entire treatment area can be closed off by an outer wall 73. The transport path itself can run ver ⁇ through a tunnel, not shown, which connects to the outer wall 73 of the treatment center.
• FIG. 15 shows a modification in which the handling device 13 is mounted on a vertical axis Rail 74 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the transport path. This makes it possible to feed not only the treatment stations on the arrangement path 71 but also on the rectilinear treatment places 72.
• FIG. 16 shows a further modified embodiment, where, in addition to the stationary handling device 13 on the base 105, there are also arranged rectilinear lateral treatment stations 72, for the loading of which and further handling devices 75 are provided. Die ⁇ se handling devices 75 are along linear rails 76 verfahr ⁇ bar and thus simpler and easier to control. Of course, more than one handling device 75 can be arranged on the rails 76. Because of the larger number of individually controllable treatment stations, a plurality of trays 14 for the covers, each with the associated gripper 15, can also be present in this embodiment.
• the bases 105 are arranged within a housing 73, which adjoins the position. where access is required can be opened.
• the housing is constructed of a transparent material, so that all operations can be checked visually from the outside.
• the transport device has a circumferential Einrich ⁇ device, can be attached to the receptacles for vessels or the like. Depending on the number of shots and possibly also the number of processing required for a particular shot, the rotating device can also reach a considerable length. If, for certain reasons, a rectilinear device can not be accommodated, according to the invention it is also possible to construct an arrangement with a plurality of transport sections, which can then be combined with one another such that a transfer from one transport route to another transport route is possible. An example is shown in FIG. 17. Furthermore, the invention provides for constructing the transport path from a grid, and for providing individual sections of the transport path with a length corresponding to an integer multiple of the grid dimension. For example, in Figure 17, a section 77 of the transport path has a length of six times the grid, and an adjacent transport section 78 has a length of eight times the grid.
• a deflecting end of an adjacent transport path is arranged at the deflection end of the one transport path.
• a further transport path can be arranged with its umlen ⁇ ken end to a rectilinear portion of the first transport path.
• FIG. 1 the deflection of the transport device is only schematically illustrated and explained.
• Figures 18 and 19 show a more detailed embodiment in somewhat greater detail.
• the leadership of the recordings is here separated from their drive.
• Transport nests 80 are provided, which are guided in tracks 81 with a äuße ⁇ Ren link 82 and an inner link 83. Both on the outer and on the inner backdrop, the transport nests are 80 with rollers fell 80 out.
• the transport nests can be connected to a toothed belt 85, which then assumes the task of transport, but not the task of the guide.
• the transport nests can engage with a projection in a tooth gap of the toothing of the toothed belt 85.
• the position of a transport nest in relation to the next transport nest can be set in a grid dimension that corresponds to the toothing of the toothed belt 85.
• a Zahn ⁇ disc 86 which has in the region of its outer periphery of the teeth of the toothed belt 85 corresponding training, but in addition pockets 87, to accommodate the transport nests. It is also conceivable to place the transport nests opposite the plane of the drawing of FIG. 18 in another plane, and to make the connection between toothed belt 85 and transport nest 80 such that a toothed disk without such transport nests 87 can also be used.
• FIG. 19 shows, in a greatly simplified section, the manner in which a transport nest 80 engages in a guide track 81.
• This guide track 81 with the outer link 82 and the inner link 83 is accommodated in a rail 88, below which a hollow profile 89 is mounted for accommodating supply and control lines.
• a receptacle 90 is pushed in, which can be pushed onto the transport nest 80 as well as pulled down by it with the aid of a transfer device 91.
• the transfer device 91 has an arm 92 with, for example, a suction cup 93 at its free end.
• the fürgabe ⁇ device 91 is mounted on a console 93 which is laterally attached to the rail 88.
• the transfer device can be mounted anywhere on the rail 88, where a magazine 6, see Figure 1, is.
• transfer devices of this type can also be used to transfer recordings from one transport device to another transport device, for example at the points where these transport devices meet, see FIG. 17.
• Figures 4 to 6 show a storage magazine 6, which is arranged next to a transport path and can be removed from the consumables and placed on the transport path.
• Figures 20 and 21 now show another embodiment of such a magazine in which such consumables are stored.
• the consumable articles may, for example, be microtiter plates in a wide variety of formats, with or without covers, or cell culture bottles of various sizes. There may also be racks in the format of microtiter plates, which are equipped, for example, with tubes. These store products have a proper frame surface and a vertical wall that provide attack surfaces for a clean. In addition, stackable in the products and can stand on each other.
• the magazine shown shortened in FIG. 20 contains a frame which has rollers 95 in the region of its end associated with the transport path in order to be pushed over the bottom 96.
• a table leg 97 is provided, at the lower end also rollers 95 are attached. This table leg 97 can be pivoted.
• the rollers 95 carry adjusted, which is formed horizontally in the upper Be ⁇ .
• a transport device 98 is provided in the form of a drivable circulating conveyor belt. Maintenance of the transport belt 99 support plates 100 are arranged, which can be lifted individually by an indicated lifting device 101. The position of each support plate 100 corresponds to the position of a stack 102 to be stocked article. At the right end of a receiving position is provided to hang up a stack 102 manually.
• a transport segment 103 is arranged whose length is slightly larger than the corresponding dimension of a stack 102 of articles.
• the transport segment 103 is limited in the vertical direction movable. It also contains a revolving controlled drivable Trans ⁇ portriemen.
• the transport segment 103 serves to transfer in each case the lower article of a stack 102 of articles through an opening in a housing 105 and an opening in the tunnel 104 to the transport device 3 of the treatment device, for which the transfer device 91 of FIG 19 is provided.
• FIG. 21 shows a view of the arrangement of Figure 20 from the left in Figure 20.
• the stacks 102 of stored articles rest in the magazine on the lower edge flanges 106 of the lateral cheeks 107. This is indicated in an article 108. If a stack 102 of articles 108 is now to be transported further, the support plates 100 are lifted by means of the respective associated lifting device 101 until the stacks lie on the transport belt 99 and are lifted off the lateral flanges 106. Then, a transport can be made by the belt 99.
• the transport segment 103 is mounted on a lifting table 108, which is raised relative to a mounting rail 109 by means of a drive can be.
• a lifting table 108 which is raised relative to a mounting rail 109 by means of a drive can be.
• schematically indicated guide rods 110 are provided.
• the lower end position of the lifting table 108 and thus of the transport segment 103 is selected such that the lowermost product in the stack hangs just on the flanges 106.
• the lower ends 112 can be moved by a horizontally acting lifting drive 113.
• the upper ends 114 have engagement plates 115, with which they can be brought to bear against the side walls of the articles 108 and therefore retain such an article in each case.
• the upper end position of the movement of the lifting table 108 is selected such that the second-lowest article 108 of a stack lying on the transport segment 103 lies between the engagement plates 115 of the stop mechanism 111.
• the horizontally acting lifting drive 113 may be, for example, magnets.
• an indexing device 120 is arranged on the side of the magazine assigned to the transport path 103 in the upper and lower regions.
• the magazine is correctly positioned and aligned with respect to the tunnel 104 receiving the installation.
• the magazine is moved into the index position by an automatic mechanism, so that an exact positioning for the product transfer to the base unit is achieved.
• the rollers 95 lift something off the bottom 96, so that no mechanical Koch ⁇ determination can take place here.
• a control panel 121 is arranged, together with a handle 122.
• the control panel 121 is used to trigger the index device, that is, release the magazine again.
• the transport within the housing 105 of the magazine operates as follows.
• Each transport segment that is to say a region corresponding to a support plate 100, is equipped with a light scanner which detects whether products are on the segment or not.
• the transport transports a product stack from one segment to the next when the transport segment lying in front of the stack is recognized as being unoccupied.
• the support plates 100 of both segments are raised so that uninterrupted transport from one to the next segment takes place. As soon as the abandoned transport segment no longer sees any product, the transfer is successfully completed, and both transport segments can lower their support plates 100 again.
• this transport segment 103 lifts the stack until the second lowest product can be grasped and held by the abutment plates 115 of the stopper mechanism 111.
• the stopper mechanism is actuated so that the abutment plates 115 engage.
• the transport segment 103 now lowers while the stack is being held by the stop mechanism 111. In the starting position, the object now lying individually on the transport segment 103 can be transferred by the transfer device 91 of the recalls and to the base device.
• a plurality of such magazines described in FIGS. 20 and 21 can be arranged along the transport path of the system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 17.
• the magazines can be driven away after release of the index device and re-equipped outside the system.

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• 2004
  • 2004-09-03 DE DE102004043399A patent/DE102004043399A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2005
  • 2005-09-02 US US11/574,601 patent/US20080160599A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-09-02 AU AU2005281875A patent/AU2005281875A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-09-02 EP EP05781447A patent/EP1784651A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-09-02 WO PCT/EP2005/009441 patent/WO2006027163A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2005-09-02 RU RU2007111840/28A patent/RU2007111840A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-09-02 BR BRPI0515138-4A patent/BRPI0515138A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-09-02 JP JP2007528781A patent/JP2008511295A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-09-02 CN CNA2005800379163A patent/CN101052880A/zh active Pending
• 2007
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