Apparatus for transferring samples from source vessels to target vessels

Abstract

A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, an actuator plate within the transfer unit, has a plurality of individually activated electromagnets disposed therein; wherein activation of any of said electromagnets results in translation and mating of the electromagnetic pin of said electromagnet into a respective though-hole associated with an individual actuator rod, for selective activation of said actuator rod and its terminal actuating element. The terminal actuating element can be a magnet for attraction of magnetic particles from within a sample, or a piston for pippetting a specific volume of liquid sample.

1 . A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer device comprising: 
 a plurality of actuator rods, each of said actuator rods terminating in an actuating element; said actuating element movably disposed between a first raised position and a second lowered position, wherein movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said actuator rod to be alternately collected and released from said actuator rod;    an actuator plate having a plurality of individually activated electromagnets disposed therein; wherein activation of any of said electromagnets results in translation and mating of the electromagnetic pin of said electromagnet into a respective depression associated with an individual actuator rod, for selective activation of said actuator rod and its terminal actuating element; and    an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate.    
   
   
       2 . The transfer unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said depressions is present upon a rod stanchion connected to the upper portion of an actuator rod.  
   
   
       3 . The transfer unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said individually activated electromagnets are disposed within said actuator plate in an upper row of electromagnets and a lower row of electromagnets, said arrangement allowing said electromagnets and said respective actuator rods to be tightly spaced, for collection and release of samples from tightly spaced source vessels.  
   
   
       4 . The transfer unit as defined in  claim 3 , wherein adjacent actuator rods are selectively activated by electromagnets alternating from each one of said upper row and said lower row.  
   
   
       5 . The transfer unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein two rows of said actuator rods are present, and wherein said actuator plate drive allowing translation of said actuator rods to allow collection and release of samples from a plurality of sample vessels.  
   
   
       6 . The transfer unit as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lengthened pin spanning the depth of said actuator plate, said at least one lengthened pin fitting into suitable indentations present at the outer ends of said electromagnets, for holding said electromagnets in place within the actuator plate, wherein said lengthened pins can be easily removed in a single action, when repair of an electromagnet is required.  
   
   
       7 . A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel comprising: 
 a transfer device having a hollow body and an actuating element movably disposed in said hollow body between a first and a second position, said movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said transfer device to be alternately collected and released from said transfer device;    an actuator plate having at least one individually activated electromagnet disposed thereon;    an actuator plate drive for reciprocally translating said actuator plate;    an actuator rod having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said actuating element in said hollow body of said transfer device;    a ferromagnetic piston disposed on said second end of said actuator rod, said piston being engageable with said electromagnet when said electromagnet is activated for moving said actuating element from said first position to said second position upon translation of said actuator plate; and    a piston housing spaced from said actuator plate, said piston housing including a magnet for biasing said piston toward said piston housing.    
   
   
       8 . A transfer unit as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said actuating element of said transfer device is a magnet slidably disposed within said hollow body between said first position adjacent a tip of said transfer device, wherein a magnetic force is applied at said tip, and said second position away from said tip, wherein said magnetic force is removed from said tip for alternately collecting and releasing samples from said transfer device.  
   
   
       9 . A transfer unit as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said piston comprises: 
 a ferromagnetic cone fitting having an aperture formed in a proximal end thereof for receiving said second end of said actuator rod and a bore formed in a distal end thereof;    an O-ring disposed in said cone fitting bore around said second end of said actuator rod; and    a ferromagnetic retractor fitted in said cone fitting bore for compressing said O-ring into gripping engagement with said actuator rod.