Determination of the boundaries between fractions and extraction of selected fractions in a fractionated sample

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for determining boundaries between fractions in a fractionated sample. The method includes the steps of providing the fractionated sample in a receptacle, the receptacle having a transparent window, positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to datum means, capturing an image of the receptacle and datun means, and processing the image to determine the position of boundaries between the fractions in the sample relative to the datum means. An apparatus and method for extracting a selected fraction of a fractionated sample are also disclosed.

1 . A method of determining boundaries between fractions in a fractionated sample, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the fractionated sample in a receptacle, the receptacle having at least a transparent window;    providing a datum means;    positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to the datum means;    capturing an image of the receptacle and datum means; and    processing the image to determine the position of boundaries between the fractions in the sample relative to the datum means.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of capturing an image includes using a digital imaging means.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of processing the image includes using an edge detection algorithm to determine the position of the boundaries between the fractions.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of processing the image further comprises a step of calculating the volume of each fraction.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of illuminating the receptacle by white, coloured or filtered light, thereby to improve the quality of the captured image or the contrast between fractions.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of capturing an image includes capturing the image through a filter thereby to improve the contrast between fractions.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the datum means is a datum plate upon which the receptacle is positioned and the datum plate is moveable between an operational position and a stowed position.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the datum means is a datum plate upon which the receptacle is positioned and the datum plate is moveable between an operational position and a stowed position and the digital imaging means is mounted in a fixed relation to the operational position of the datum plate.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of positioning the receptacle includes holding the receptacle at a known orientation and position on the datum plate while the datum plate is in the operational position thereby enabling the position of the lower end of the receptacle to be determined and the relative positions of the fraction boundaries in the sample to be determined.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of providing a calibration means on the datum plate.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the calibration means has markings or formations to allow any or all of the focus, colour, contrast or brightness levels or alignment of the imaging means to be determined and adjusted.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of extracting a selected fraction or fractions of interest from the sample.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of extraction is achieved by using pipette means and the pipette means is inserted into a selected fraction and operated so as to aspirate a volume substantially equal to the volume of the selected fraction.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fractions are aspirated in order starting with the uppermost fraction and the fractions are aspirated and then discarded until a fraction of interest is aspirated, which is dispensed into another receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of processing the image further comprises providing a processing means to determine the positions of the fraction boundaries and calculating the volume of each fraction, and controlling the pipette means using the processing means.  
   
   
       16 . A method of extracting a selected fraction of a fractionated sample, comprising: 
 providing the fractionated sample in a receptacle, the receptacle having at least a transparent window;    providing a datum means;    positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to the datum means;    capturing an image of the receptacle and datum means;    processing the image to determine the position of boundaries between the fractions in the sample relative to the datum means;    calculating the volume of each fraction in the receptacle from the determined positions of the boundaries between the fractions and the dimensions of the receptacle; and    inserting a pipette means into the selected fraction and operating the pipette means so as to aspirate a volume substantially equal to the calculated volume of the selected fraction.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for determining the boundaries between fractions in a fractionated sample, comprising: 
 a receptacle for holding a fractionated sample, the receptacle having at least a transparent window;    a datum means;    positioning means for positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to the datum means;    imaging means for capturing an image of the receptacle and datum means; and    processing means for processing the image to determine the position of the fraction boundaries relative to the datum means.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the imaging means is a digital imaging means.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the processing means uses an edge detection algorithm to determine the position of the fraction boundaries in a fractionated sample.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the processing means is operative to calculate the volume of each fraction in a fractionated sample.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a light provided at a position so as to illuminate the receptacle with white, coloured or filtered light.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a filter provided between the receptacle and the imaging means to improve contrast between fractions in a fractionated sample.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the datum means is a datum plate.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a calibration means is provided on the datum plate.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the calibration means has markings or formations to allow any or all of the focus, colour, contrast or brightness levels or alignment of the imaging means to be determined and adjusted.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising pipette means operative to aspirate a chosen volume of the selected fraction.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the pipette means is operative to aspirate a volume substantially equal to the calculated volume of the selected fraction.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the processing means is operative to control the pipette means.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus includes automated robotic apparatus.  
   
   
       30 . Use of the apparatus of  claim 17  in determining the boundaries between fractions in a fractionated sample.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus for extracting a selected fraction of a fractionated sample, comprising: 
 a receptacle for holding a fractionated sample, the receptacle having a transparent window;    a datum means;    positioning means for positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to the datum means;    imaging means for capturing an image of the receptacle and datum means; and    processing means for processing the image to determine the position of the fraction boundaries relative to the datum means and for calculating the volume of each fraction of a fractionated sample from the determined positions of the boundaries between the fractions and the dimensions of the receptacle.    
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising pipette means operative to aspirate a chosen volume of the selected fraction.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the pipette means is operative to aspirate a volume substantially equal to the calculated volume of the selected fraction.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the processing means is operative to control the pipette means.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the apparatus includes automated robotic apparatus.  
   
   
       36 . Use of the apparatus of  claim 30  in extracting a selected fraction of a fractionated sample.