Abstract: Material transfer/interrogation devices (e.g. liquid handling workstations) have been designed in the past for transferring material from a source to a destination location or for interrogating a material at a location, where the locations remain fixed. The invention provides methods and apparatuses for transferring or interrogating materials by one or more carrier devices to one or more receiving devices, where the carrier and receiving devices move independently and simultaneously on multiple axes. In some embodiments, one or more of the carrier and receiving devices can move along an X, Z, Y, and Theta axis, which allows the source and destination locations to rotate and translate relative to each other. Due to this rotation and translation, containers can be positioned to minimize the distance traveled between a pick location from the source and a place location on the destination, greatly increasing the speed at which material transfer can occur.

Abstract: Material transfer/interrogation devices (e.g. liquid handling workstations) have been designed in the past for transferring material from a source to a destination location or for interrogating a material at a location, where the locations remain fixed. The invention provides methods and apparatuses for transferring or interrogating materials by one or more carrier devices to one or more receiving devices, where the carrier and receiving devices move independently and simultaneously on multiple axes. In some embodiments, one or more of the carrier and receiving devices can move along an X, Z, Y, and Theta axis, which allows the source and destination locations to rotate and translate relative to each other. Due to this rotation and translation, containers can be positioned to minimize the distance traveled between a pick location from the source and a place location on the destination, greatly increasing the speed at which material transfer can occur.

Abstract: The present invention provides a placer unit for a microarray processing device to transport a workpiece such as a microscope slide before and after processing operations by the microarray processing device. The processing device is slidably attached to a gantry and has a support carriage and a movable arm. The movable arm is slidably attached to the support carriage. The placer unit includes a main support body, a latching mechanism and a vacuum chuck. The main support body is mounted on the support carriage and allowed to translate up and down. The latching mechanism enables the main support body to couple with the movable arm of the processing device. The vacuum chuck is used to hold the workpiece for transportation. The present invention also includes a method within a microarray processing machine for transporting a workpiece such as a microscope slide from one workstation to another workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a microplate comprises a seal material and a seal advancer. The seal advancer is capable of capturing the seal material and pulling the seal material into the apparatus. The seal advancer may further include a moveable seal transfer plate having at least one vacuum pad. The seal transfer plate is capable of holding the seal material against a top surface of the seal transfer plate. When the seal transfer plate moves, the seal material sticks to the top surface moving along with the moving seal transfer plate. The apparatus further includes a touch screen monitor capable of displaying temperature and time parameters. The apparatus also includes a heat plate for sealing the seal material onto a top surface of the microplate and a plate carrier for moving the microplate into the apparatus.

Abstract: A container for removably retaining a plurality of microscope slides in a predetermined spaced relationship comprises a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls. The side walls and end walls extend from the back wall, and the end walls extend between the side walls. The side walls have a plurality of side ribs. The back wall has a plurality of grippers, each of which include a first grip rib and a second grip rib. The first grip rib has a first grip location capable of firmly gripping one of the slides to prevent the slide from freely moving. Additionally, the first grip rib is capable of flexing away from the second grip rib. Moreover, each of the side walls has an outer surface, and one of said outer surfaces has a rail projecting outward from the outer surface. The outer surface also has an orientation notch and a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.