US 12,474,362 B2
Automated diagnostic analyzer and method for its operation
Michael T. VanSickler, Columbia, MD (US); Neil G. Terry, Baltimore, MD (US); Brian Bell, Forest Hill, MD (US); Steven C. Rotundo, Baltimore, MD (US); Stephen Robert LaChance, Cockeysville, MD (US); and Alyssa Shedlosky, Reisterstown, MD (US)
Assigned to BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed by BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,048.
Application 18/226,048 is a division of application No. 17/523,462, filed on Nov. 10, 2021, granted, now 11,754,582.
Application 17/523,462 is a division of application No. 16/088,939, granted, now 11,199,560, issued on Dec. 14, 2021, previously published as PCT/US2017/018298, filed on Feb. 17, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/326,395, filed on Apr. 22, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0085446 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 35/10 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 9/06 (2006.01); B25J 9/02 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/08 (2006.01); B25J 19/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/1079 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50855 (2013.01); B01L 9/06 (2013.01); B25J 9/026 (2013.01); B25J 15/0066 (2013.01); B25J 15/08 (2013.01); B25J 19/0025 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 35/02 (2013.01); G01N 35/1002 (2013.01); G01N 35/1011 (2013.01); B01L 2300/021 (2013.01); B01L 2300/044 (2013.01); B01L 2300/06 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0609 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0858 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A puncture tool assembly comprising:
a puncture tool having a tool body and a plurality of cannulated puncture members extending from the tool body, each of the plurality of the cannulated puncture members defining an opening extending through the tool body and each cannulated puncture member being sized to allow a pipette tip to pass therethrough, each cannulated puncture member also defining an edge configured to penetrate a penetrable lid and wherein each of one or more troughs is covered by the penetrable lid prior to being penetrated by respective cannulated puncture members; and
a puncture tool gripper having a horizontal member dimensioned to receive the puncture tool and a first plurality of arms moveably connected to the horizontal member, the first plurality of arms being moveable from a first position in which the first plurality of arms engage the puncture tool to a second position in which the first plurality of arms are disengaged from the puncture tool, and a second plurality of arms moveably connected to the horizontal member, the second plurality of arms being moveable from a first position in which the second plurality of arms engages a consumable to a second position in which the second plurality of arms are disengaged from the consumable.