Sample Testing Systems And Methods

Abstract

A testing arrangement and testing method using a manipulator assembly configured to manipulate an apertured surface to and from a sample area and a cleaning area and a controller configured to control the manipulator assembly, wherein the controller includes a sample module configured to control the apertured surface through the sample area, which is configured to contain biological sample targets, and wherein the control system enables re-use of the apertured surface with at least two different biological sample targets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system comprising:
 a manipulator assembly configured to manipulate an apertured surface to and from a sample area and a cleaning area; and   a controller configured to control the manipulator assembly;   wherein the controller comprises a sample module configured to control the apertured surface through the sample area, which is configured to contain biological sample targets; and   wherein the control system enables re-use of the apertured surface with at least two different biological sample targets.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises:
 a cleaning module configured to control the apertured surface through the cleaning area configured to contain cleaning solution, the cleaning area fluidically separate from the sample area; and   a testing module configured to control the apertured surface into contact with a biological sample target of the biological sample targets to test for at least one characteristic of the biological sample target.   
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module is configured to control an automated pressure assembly in communication with the apertured surface;
 wherein the cleaning module is further configured to control the application, by the automated pressure assembly, from negative to positive pressures relative to atmosphere to draw toward and expel from the apertured surface at least a portion of cleaning solution in the cleaning area; and   wherein the cleaning module is further configured to control the amount of cleaning solution drawn into the apertured surface so it reaches a height of a testing implement having the apertured surface, the height determined to sufficiently clean remnants of the tested sample target located at and beyond the apertured surface.   
     
     
         4 . A biological sample testing system comprising:
 the control system of  claim 1 ;   the apertured surface; and   a re-use assembly comprising:
 the sample area; and 
 the cleaning area configured to contain cleaning solution, the cleaning area fluidically separate from the sample area; 
   wherein the controller is further configured to:
 manipulate the apertured surface into contact with a biological sample target of the biological sample targets to test for at least one characteristic of the biological sample target; and 
 manipulate the apertured surface to the cleaning area, wherein remnants of the tested biological sample target are cleaned from the apertured surface. 
   
     
     
         5 . A biological sample testing system comprising:
 a testing implement with a testing tip having an aperture;   a manipulator assembly configured to manipulate the testing implement; and   a re-use assembly comprising:
 a sample area configured to contain biological sample targets; 
 a cleaning area configured to contain cleaning solution, the cleaning area fluidically separate from the sample area; 
   wherein the manipulator assembly is configured to:
 manipulate the aperture of the testing implement into contact with a biological sample target of the biological sample targets to test for at least one characteristic of the biological sample target; and 
 manipulate the testing implement to the cleaning area, wherein remnants of the tested biological sample target are cleaned from the testing implement; 
   wherein the re-use assembly enables re-use of the testing tip of the testing implement with at least two different biological sample targets.   
     
     
         6 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one characteristic of the tested biological sample target is selected from the group consisting of an electrical activity, a molecular activity, a drug screening property, biological sample target type, a biophysical property, a morphological property and a genetic property. 
     
     
         7 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5  further comprising a controller configured to control the manipulator assembly and the re-use assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5 , wherein the manipulator assembly is configured to manipulate the testing implement to the cleaning area whether or not the test for at least one characteristic of the biological sample target is successful. 
     
     
         9 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5  further comprising an automated pressure assembly in communication with the testing tip of the testing implement;
 wherein the automated pressure assembly is configured to apply from negative to positive pressures relative to atmosphere to draw toward and expel from the aperture at least a portion of cleaning solution in the cleaning area; and 
 wherein cleaning solution is drawn a height into the testing implement sufficient to clean remnants of the tested sample target located at and beyond the aperture. 
 
     
     
         10 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5  further comprising at least a second testing implement with a testing tip having an aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5 , wherein the sample area comprises two or more discrete sample units fluidically separate from one another. 
     
     
         12 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning area comprises two or more discrete cleaning units fluidically separate from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is a software control module. 
     
     
         14 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 7 , wherein the manipulator assembly comprises an automated micro- or nano-positioner; and
 wherein the controller is configured to automatically control:
 manipulation of the aperture of the testing implement into contact with a first biological sample target of the biological sample targets; 
 after the test, manipulation of the testing implement to the cleaning area; 
 after cleaning, manipulation of the testing implement to the sample area; 
 manipulation of the aperture of the testing implement into contact with a second biological sample target of the biological sample targets, the second biological sample target different than the first biological sample target; and 
 after the test, manipulation of the testing implement to the cleaning area. 
   
     
     
         15 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller further comprises hardware embedded with the software control module. 
     
     
         16 . The biological sample testing system of  claim 14 , wherein the test of the first biological sample target and the test of the second biological sample target are separately selected from the group consisting of successfully testing at least one characteristic and unsuccessfully testing at least one characteristic. 
     
     
         17 . A method of biological sample testing comprising:
 manipulating an apertured surface to and from a sample area and a cleaning area;   controlling the apertured surface through the sample area, which is configured to contain biological sample targets; and   re-using the apertured surface with at least two different biological sample targets.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein controlling the apertured surface through the sample area comprises:
 contacting the apertured surface with a first biological sample target of the biological sample targets; and   testing for at least one characteristic of the first biological sample target; and   wherein re-using the apertured surface comprises:   cleaning remnants of the tested biological sample target from the apertured surface; and   contacting the apertured surface with a second biological sample target of the biological sample targets;   wherein at least one characteristic of the tested biological sample targets is selected from the group consisting of an electrical activity, a molecular activity, a drug screening property, biological sample target type, a biophysical property, a morphological property and a genetic property.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , cleaning remnants of the tested biological sample target from the apertured surface comprises:
 applying from negative to positive pressures relative to atmosphere to draw toward and expel from the apertured surface at least a portion of cleaning solution in the cleaning area; and   drawing a volume of cleaning solution into apertured surface sufficient to clean remnants of the tested sample target located at and beyond the apertured surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising automating the steps of the method via one or more output signals from a microprocessor executing commands in response to one or more input signals;
 wherein the microprocessor executes instructions stored in a memory that, when executed by the microprocessor, control the microprocessor to execute the commands.