US 12,216,136 B2
Automated laboratory system for handling laboratory samples
Jens-Peter Kroog, Hamburg (DE)
Assigned to Eppendorf AG, Hamburg (DE)
Appl. No. 17/413,870
Filed by Eppendorf AG, Hamburg (DE)
PCT Filed Dec. 11, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/084629
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 14, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/120567, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 18, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 18212806 (EP), filed on Dec. 14, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0065885 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/10 (2013.01) [G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 2035/103 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated laboratory system for automatically handling laboratory samples, the automated laboratory system comprising:
a work area;
a plurality of predefined workstations in the work area, wherein each of the plurality of predefined workstations occupies a footprint of a standardized microtiter plate;
at least one tool holder configured to move tools above the work area;
at least one transport tool configured to be moved by the at least one tool holder in order to relocate laboratory items within the work area;
at least one pipetting tool configured to be moved by the at least one tool holder in order to pick up and to release pipette tips, and in order to take up and dispense liquids within the work area using the pipette tips;
a holder for at least one pipette tip carrier, the holder comprising:
at least one carrying apparatus defining a rectangular through-opening; and
a support apparatus connected to the at least one carrying apparatus; and
an electronic control apparatus connected to the at least one tool holder and configured to control movements of the at least one transport tool and at least one pipetting tool by the at least one tool holder such that pipette tips are picked up from the at least one pipette tip carrier mounted on the at least one carrying apparatus by the at least one pipetting tool,
wherein the holder with the support apparatus is located on the work area beside the at least one pipette tip carrier mounted on one of the plurality of predefined workstations,
wherein the at least one carrying apparatus is arranged above the at least one pipette tip carrier and configured to occupy a footprint of the standardized microtiter plate,
wherein the pipette tips are configured to be picked up from the at least one pipette tip carrier mounted below the at least one carrying apparatus through the rectangular through-opening of the at least one carrying apparatus by the at least one pipetting tool,
wherein the at least one pipette tip carrier is configured to occupy the footprint of the standardized microtiter plate is mounted on the at least one carrying apparatus, and
wherein the pipette tip carrier is configured to be removed from the at least one carrying apparatus by the at least one transport tool.