US 11,815,522 B2
Automated sample handing instrumentation, systems, processes, and methods
Rolf Silbert, Del Mar, CA (US); David Opalsky, San Diego, CA (US); David Aaron Buse, San Diego, CA (US); Robert J. Rosati, Carlsbad, CA (US); Olev Tammer, New York, NY (US); Richard Capella, San Diego, CA (US); and Matthias Merten, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/111,865.
Application 15/054,943 is a division of application No. 13/608,876, filed on Sep. 10, 2012, granted, now 9,335,336, issued on May 10, 2016.
Application 18/111,865 is a continuation of application No. 17/129,522, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,614,454.
Application 17/129,522 is a continuation of application No. 16/127,939, filed on Sep. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,921,338, issued on Feb. 16, 2021.
Application 16/127,939 is a continuation of application No. 15/054,943, filed on Feb. 26, 2016, granted, now 10,132,821, issued on Nov. 20, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/532,765, filed on Sep. 9, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204616 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 1/31 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01F 23/263 (2022.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01); B67B 7/00 (2006.01); C40B 60/12 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/1004 (2013.01) [B67B 7/00 (2013.01); G01F 23/265 (2013.01); G01N 1/28 (2013.01); G01N 1/31 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 35/025 (2013.01); G01N 35/04 (2013.01); G01N 35/1002 (2013.01); G01N 35/1016 (2013.01); G01N 35/1079 (2013.01); C40B 60/12 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00524 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00752 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00811 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00831 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00861 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1018 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1046 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1048 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1051 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1062 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for processing a biological sample comprising:
rotating a first container and a second container about a central axis of rotation while simultaneously rotating each of the first container and the second container about a secondary axis of rotation that is associated with the container and is radially spaced from the central axis of rotation;
positioning the first container beneath a capping/decapping mechanism comprising a chuck configured to grasp a cap of the first container and an elevator configured to move the chuck between a lowered position and a raised position with respect to the first container;
moving the chuck from the raised position to the lowered position with the elevator, grasping the cap of the first container with the chuck, and removing the cap from the first container with the capping/decapping mechanism;
after removing the cap from the first container, moving the chuck and the cap grasped thereby from the lowered position to the raised position with the elevator;
moving a drip tray from a first position not under the chuck to a second position under the chuck moved from the lowered position to the raised position by the elevator;
rotating the first container and the second container about the central axis of rotation until the first container is positioned beneath an automated pipettor;
aspirating an amount of fluid from the first container with the automated pipettor;
rotating the first container and the second container about the central axis of rotation until the first container is positioned beneath the chuck of the capping/decapping mechanism;
moving the drip tray from the second position to the first position;
moving the chuck from the raised position to the lowered position with the elevator, recapping the first container with the capping/decapping mechanism, and releasing the cap from the chuck after the first container is recapped; and
moving the chuck to the raised position with the elevator.