US 12,392,692 B2
Systems for automated preparation of biological specimens
Barry F. Hunt, Andover, MA (US); Raymond Jenoski, Boylston, MA (US); Ryan Oliva, Mendon, MA (US); Michael Cordeiro, Warwick, RI (US); and Eric Grimes, Hopedale, MA (US)
Assigned to Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed by HOLOGIC, INC., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/056,659.
Application 18/056,659 is a continuation of application No. 17/133,690, filed on Dec. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,536,634.
Application 17/133,690 is a continuation of application No. 16/084,955, granted, now 10,900,875, issued on Jan. 26, 2021, previously published as PCT/US2018/021879, filed on Mar. 9, 2018.
Application 16/084,955 is a continuation of application No. 15/454,819, filed on Mar. 9, 2017, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2023/0077554 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 1/31 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/312 (2013.01) [G01N 1/2813 (2013.01); G01N 35/00029 (2013.01); G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 35/00871 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 35/1011 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00039 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00138 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0406 (2013.01); G01N 2035/103 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1032 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container, the automated system comprising:
a sample container holder configured to hold a sample container;
an analytic element holder configured to hold an analytic element;
a tool head configured to rotate about a first axis;
a lead screw connected to the tool head;
a tool head linear actuating motor configured to rotate the lead screw to translate the tool head along a second axis different than the first axis;
a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head at a first position on the tool head, wherein, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis, the tool head is configured to position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder; and
a system controller operably coupled to the tool head, the specimen transfer device, and the tool head linear actuation motor, the system controller configured to provide automated operation of the tool head, the specimen transfer device and the tool head linear actuating motor.