Devices and methods for accessing reaction vessels

Abstract

Devices and methods are provides for delivering fluids into reaction vessels. The present device is an interface head which allows a user to add reagents and wash solvents to a reaction vessel. Typically, the interface head can engage a plurality of these reaction vessels mounted in a cassette or frame and is adapted to removably engage passages leading into the plurality of passageways in the head which are fluidly coupled to the reaction vessel. In one embodiment, the interface head has a septa valve which opens and closes inlets of the plurality of passageways. The septa valve comprises an elongate member with a septum portion and a plurality of septum ports. The elongate member is slidable between a first position wherein at least one inlet of the passageways in the interface head is sealed by the septum portion and a second position wherein said at least one inlet is aligned with one of the ports to allow delivery of materials from the inlet into the reaction vessel. The septum portion is penetrable by needles and thus allows access for needle/syringe type delivery devices.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for use in simultaneously delivering fluids to a plurality of reaction vessels each having an first upper port and a second upper port, said device comprising: 
 an interface head adapted to removably engage a plurality of passages each leading to said first upper port on each of said reaction vessels;    a plurality of infusion passages in said interface head each having outlets adapted to be positioned to feed into said plurality of reaction vessels; and    a common infusion passage defined within said interface head, said common passage fluidly couplable to said plurality of infusion passages for simultaneously delivering fluid into said plurality of reaction vessels.    
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head further comprises an interface tube adapted to form a radial seal with said passage leading to a first upper port of the reaction vessel, said tube fluidly coupled to said infusion passage downstream of said common passage.  
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2  wherein said interface tube comprises a non-piercing member.  
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of infusion passages are adapted to be positioned to feed into said reaction vessels, defining a fluid delivery path into the interior of the reaction vessel from said common passage, through one of the infusion passages, and through a reaction vessel tube extending to the bottom of reaction vessel.  
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head further comprises a membrane valve covering said common passage, said valve activated by gas pressure, wherein said valve simultaneously controls fluid flow through all of said infusion passages.  
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the common passage comprises a groove on a surface of a manifold in said interface head;  
 the plurality of inlet passages having openings on said surface of the manifold;  
 a layer of chemically inert material covering said surface of the manifold, said layer movable between a first position wherein the common passage and plurality of inlet passages are in fluid connection and a second position wherein the passages are sealed from one another.  
 
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head further comprises: 
 a plurality of extraction passages defined within said interface head, wherein each of said extraction passages is coupled to one of said downwardly extending tubes.  
 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head further comprises: 
 a plurality of vent passages having outlets positioned to open into said plurality of reaction vessels;  
 a common vent passage defined by said interface head, said common vent passage fluidly couplable to said plurality of vent passages for venting gas from said plurality of reaction vessels; and  
 a plurality of individually controllable vent valves controlling fluid connection between the common vent passage and one of said vent passages.  
 
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head further comprises: 
 a plurality of individually actuatable valves controlling flow from said reaction vessels (or perhaps from the vent ports).  
 
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein the interface head is adapted to define a plurality of fluid delivery pathways into the interior of said reaction vessels, said interface head having a plurality of tubular structures which are adapted to slidably engage a portion of a passage downstream from the interface head and connecting to the first ports of the reaction vessel, 
 said tubular structures forming circumferential seals,  
 said interface head removable from said pathway downstream of the interface head.  
 
     
     
         11 . A device for use in delivering reagents to a reaction vessel having an first upper port, a second upper port, and an interior, said device comprising: 
 an interface head having a plurality of inlet passageways, said interface head adapted to engage a passage leading to the first upper port of said reaction vessel; and    a valve in said interface head for simultaneously controlling fluid flow to a plurality of inlet passageways.    
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 11  wherein said valve comprises a membrane valve controlling flow from a common passage in the interface head to said plurality of inlet passageways.  
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 11  further comprising a manual injection/input passageway coupled to said inlet passageway in said interface head.  
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 11  further comprising a septa valve having an elongate member with an access port and a septum, said elongate member slidable between a first position aligning an opening in said interface head with said access port and a second position where said septum covers said opening.  
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 11  wherein each of said inlet passageways contain a tubular member for transporting material through said passageways.  
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 11  wherein said device is adapted to be removed from the reaction vessels during processing.  
     
     
         17 . A method for filling a plurality of reaction vessels during one fill cycle, said method comprising: 
 flowing fluid along a common passage to said plurality of reaction vessels, wherein said common passage has a plurality of individual passageways opening into said plurality of reaction vessels;    filling said reaction vessels in a substantially even manner by using back pressure in the reaction vessels to direct flow to the reaction vessels with the least amount of fluid and back pressure;    relieving back pressure in said reaction vessels by opening reaction vessel vent valves to allow the reaction vessels to continue filling with fluid.    
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein said relieving of back pressure occurs when flow rate into said reaction vessels has reached a rate of about 0.1 ml/min.  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein said common passage has a valve controlling flow into each of said individual passageways and said filling step comprises a plurality of opening and closing of said valves during one fill cycle to maintain even fluid flow the reaction vessels.