Keywords
Citation
Rigelsford, J. (2004), "Sample treatment system", Assembly Automation, Vol. 24 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2004.03324bad.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Sample treatment system
Sample treatment system
Keywords: Patents, Chemicals, Machine
Applicant: Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB, SwedenPatent number: US6,427,731Publication date: 6 August 2002Title: Chemical sample treatment system and cassette, and methods for effecting multistep treatment processes
This patent addresses the need to provide an automated means for sequential, uninterrupted performance of chemistries on a plurality of samples contained within or immobilized on a plurality of sample columns with minimal human intervention and reduced risk of performing incorrect protocols. The invention presents a cassette-type chemical immobilization and treatment system for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries. The system requires minimal human intervention, and enables predetermined tests, including column loading, treatment, and post-treatment analysis of the reacted sample to be performed with near-zero dead volume. The tests to be performed are specified by machine readable code integrated into the cassette. The system can be used in the treatment of less than 1mg quantities of amino acids, proteins, peptides, and the like pursuant to predetermined or pre-selected chemical, biochemical, and biomedical protocols.
The cassette comprises a plurality of sample columns, reagent wells, sample loading funnels, alignment means for the sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for determining a chemical treatment protocol. All components are constructed from inert materials including but not limited to linear polyethylene, fluoro-copolymers, Teflon and the like.