US 12,269,043 B2
Bead manipulation in a consumable
Giorgio Horak, Geneva (CH)
Assigned to Andrew Alliance S.A., (CH)
Filed by Andrew Alliance S.A., Canton of Geneva (CH)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/218,876.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/004,818, filed on Apr. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0308691 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. B03C 1/32 (2006.01); B03C 1/01 (2006.01); B03C 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC B03C 1/32 (2013.01) [B03C 1/01 (2013.01); B03C 1/288 (2013.01); G01N 35/00584 (2013.01); B03C 2201/18 (2013.01); B03C 2201/22 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00564 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A magnetic separator for a liquid handling system comprising:
a base unit having at least one receiver which extends in a cylindrical shape and includes a conical bottom, the at least one receiver being dimensioned to receive a consumable in the at least one receiver at a predefined location at least partially within the base unit; and
a magnet system located within the base unit proximate to the at least one receiver, the magnet system including:
a first separation magnet configured to perform separation of beads located within the consumable when the first magnet is located proximate to the consumable; and
a movement system including a vertical axis configured to move the first separation magnet in a vertical direction and a horizontal axis configured to move the first separation magnet in a horizontal direction, the movement system configured to move the first separation magnet in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in order to move the first separation magnet to adapt to the cylindrical shape and the conical bottom of the at least one receiver such that the first separation magnet remains in contact or close proximity with the consumable along a vertical height of the consumable during the separation process.