An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Automated biological reaction apparatus

A polymer synthesis method and apparatus (20) is disclosed for building a polymer chain including a head assembly (21) having nozzles (22) with each nozzle coupled to a reservoir (23) of liquid reagent (24), and a base assembly (25) having reaction wells (26). A gas inlet (70) into the common chamber (31), upstream from the nozzles (22), and a gas outlet (71) out of the common chamber (31), downstream from the nozzles (22), sweeps the common chamber (31) of toxic fumes emitted by the reagents. A pressure regulating device (82) is provided for controlling a pressure differential, between pressure exerted on the reaction well (26) and pressure exerted on an exit (80) of the orifice (74), such that upon the pressure differential exceeding a predetermined amount, the reagent solution (76) is expelled.

Apparatus and method for polymer synthesis using arrays

A chemical synthesis apparatus (20) for building chemical compounds includes a head assembly (21) having an array of nozzles (22) with each nozzle or plurality of nozzles coupled to a reservoir (23) of liquid reagent (24), and a base assembly (25) having an array of reaction wells (26). A transport mechanism (27) aligns the reaction wells (26) and selected nozzles (22) in a longitudinal X-direction for deposition of liquid reagent (24) into selected reaction wells (26). A plurality of independently controllable sliders (100) move nozzle columns (41) in a lateral Y-direction for deposition of liquid reagent (24) into selected reaction wells (26). A first sliding seal (30) is positioned between the head assembly (21) and the base assembly (25) to form a common chamber (31) enclosing both the reaction well (26) and the nozzles (22) therein. A plurality of second sliding seals (120) is positioned between head assembly (21) and sliders (100). A gas inlet (70) into the common chamber (31), upstream from the nozzles (22), and a gas outlet (71) out of the common chamber (31), downstream from nozzles (22), sweeps the common chamber (31) of fumes emitted by the reagents.

Apparatus for diverse chemical synthesis using two-dimensional array

An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator device positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Automated slide processing apparatus with fluid injector

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs (12) and are in communication with fluid in a container (26) to be filtered through a piercing instrument (16) connected to a base and support for a reservoir (12) that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane (24). The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane (24) between either a container (26) having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir (12) for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs from a container (26) using a piercing instrument (16).

Method and apparatus for directly sampling a fluid for microfiltration

Protein analysis apparatus has porous sample supports enclosed in holes in a sample slide. Slides are delivered to hydrolysis and derivatizer stations by a rotating turret such that moveable heads at the stations form closed reaction chambers with the slides, sealing around the holes in the slides and enclosing the sample supports. Tubings connected to the heads deliver substances for reaction, derivatization and cleaning. Protein samples applied to sample supports at one position on the turret are delivered sequentially to hydrolysis and derivatizer stations, and operations are computer controlled. Derivatives are automatically delivered for chromatographic analysis, and supports are automatically cleaned with solvents and purge gas after derivatization and before return to a sample load position. Closed reaction chambers formed by the moveable heads can be heated and pressurized as required for processing.

Eric Shulse

Papers

Automated protein hydrolysis system