AUTOMATED LABORATORY APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF PROCESSING A SAMPLE

Abstract

An automated laboratory apparatus for processing a sample includes a treatment chamber for receiving the sample, a movement device arranged movably in at least one first spatial direction of the treatment chamber, an analysis unit arranged in the treatment chamber for analyzing the sample, which analysis unit can be received by the movement device and can be moved to the sample by the movement device, and an electronic control device which is signal-connected to the movement device and the analysis unit.

Claims

1. An automated laboratory apparatus for processing a sample comprising: a treatment chamber configured to receive the sample; a movement device movably arranged in a first spatial direction of the treatment chamber; an analysis unit arranged in the treatment chamber and configured to analyze the sample, the analysis unit configured to be received by the movement device and moved to the sample by the movement device; and an electronic controller signal-connected to the movement device and the analysis unit.

2. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises a sample processing device configured to perform a processing step on the sample, and the sample processing device comprises a receiving element configured to receive the analysis unit, so that the analysis unit is capable of being moved to the sample by the movement device in an operating state.

3. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit is a wireless analysis unit with an energy storage device, and the automated laboratory apparatus comprises a charging station arranged in the treatment chamber configured to store the analysis unit and charge the energy storage device.

4. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit is a detection device comprising a radiation source configured to irradiate the sample with a primary radiation and a detector configured to receive a secondary radiation originating from the sample.

5. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detector is a diode.

6. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the radiation source is a deuterium lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, or a LED.

7. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection device comprises a plurality of detectors or radiation sources.

8. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit is designed as an infrared photometer configured to measure optical temperature or a pH meter or a camera or an ultrasonic sensor or a laser or a laser interferometer and/or a UVC unit for local decontamination of the treatment chamber.

9. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the energy storage device is a capacitor or a battery or an accumulator.

10. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection device is a photometer.

11. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement device is configured to be moved in a second spatial direction of the treatment chamber, the second spatial direction orthogonal to the first spatial direction, and in a third spatial direction of the treatment chamber, the third spatial direction orthogonal to the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction.

12. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sample processing device is a pipetting device configured to receive and dispense a fluid and the receiving element is configured to receive a pipette tip.

13. A method of processing a sample with an automated laboratory apparatus, comprising: providing the automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 1; introducing the sample into the treatment chamber; receiving the analysis unit by the movement device; moving the analysis unit by the movement device through the treatment chamber to the sample; and analyzing the sample by the analysis unit.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the analysis unit is a wireless detection device, the movement device comprises a sample processing device, and the automated laboratory apparatus comprises a charging station and the wireless detection device is received by a receiving element of the sample processing device and is transported by the movement device through the treatment chamber from the charging station to the sample.

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising moving the detection device by the movement device through the treatment chamber from the sample to the charging station after analyzing the sample.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising irradiating the sample with a primary radiation by a radiation source of the detection device and receiving a secondary radiation originating from the sample by a detector of the detection device.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising determining a concentration of the sample based on the secondary radiation.

18. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detector is a silicon photodiode or a vacuum photodiode.

19. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection device is a spectrometer.

20. The automated laboratory apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection device is a fluorometer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Embodiments of the invention will be explained on more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an automated laboratory apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an automated laboratory apparatus according to the invention;

[0049] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a schematic representation of the use of the detection device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIGS. 4A and 413 illustrate a schematic representation of the irradiation of a fluid sample:

[0051] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a schematic representation of a receiving element according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a further schematic representation of a pointed cone according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0054] The automated laboratory apparatus 1 for processing a fluid sample comprises a treatment chamber 10 for receiving the fluid sample and a sample processing device 6 arranged in the treatment chamber 10 for performing at least one processing step (at least analysis of the fluid sample) on the fluid sample.

[0055] In addition, a movement device 4 is arranged in the treatment chamber 10. The movement device 4 can be moved at least in a first spatial direction x of the treatment chamber 10. The movement device 4 is connected to the sample processing device 6 in such a way (i.e., the sample processing device 6 is included in the movement device 4 in such a way) that the sample processing device 6 can be moved through the treatment chamber 10 in the first spatial direction x by means of the movement device 4.

[0056] A detection device 5 with an integrated energy storage device for analyzing the fluid sample is reversibly attached to the sample processing device 6. Here, the detection device 5 is a wireless detection device 5.

[0057] In addition, a charging station 2 is arranged in the treatment chamber for storing the detection device 5 and for charging the energy storage device. Thus, after analyzing a fluid sample, the detection device 5 can be removed from the sample processing device 6 and inserted into the charging station 2.

[0058] The energy storage device is preferably a capacitor and/or an accumulator, which can be charged in the charging station 2. Due to the energy storage device, the wireless use of the detection device 5 is ensured, since it can be operated at least temporarily without an external power connection.

[0059] This has the advantage that the detection device 5 can be moved flexibly in the treatment chamber 10 of the automated laboratory apparatus without an interfering connecting cable.

[0060] In addition, the automated laboratory apparatus 1 comprises an electronic control device (electronic controller) 3 which is signal-connected to the sample processing device (processor) 6, the movement device (mover) 4 and the detection device (detector) or analysis unit (analyzer) 5. Here, the signal connection is indicated by the dashed lines.

[0061] In the operating state, the control device 3 can thus send control signals to the sample processing device 6, the movement device 4, and the detection device 5 for performing various processing steps. Of course, the control device 3 can also receive signals from the sample processing device 6, the movement device 4 and the detection device 5.

[0062] In the case of the sample processing device 6 and/or the movement device 4, the signal connection is made via a cable connection to the control unit 3. In the case of the detection device 5, the signal connection is wireless. Thus, the data/signal transmission takes place via a free space (air or vacuum) as the transmission device. Electromagnetic radiation such as Bluetooth or WLAN is used for transmission.

[0063] The detection device 5 is controlled by the control device 3 so that analyse, are performed on a predeterminable well 70 of a container 7 arranged in the treatment chamber 10. After analyzing the fluid samples, the measured data is transmitted from the detection device 5 to the control device 3 for evaluation.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to the invention with an equivalent structure as the automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to FIG. 1.

[0065] However, the movement device 4 can additionally be moved in a second spatial direction y of the treatment chamber, orthogonal to the first spatial direction x, as well as in a third spatial direction z of the treatment chamber, orthogonal to the first spatial direction x and the second spatial direction y, so that the detection device 5 can be moved flexibly to the different wells 70 of the container 7, which is designed as a microwell plate.

[0066] In the operating state, the detection device 5 can thus be moved by means of the movement device 4 in all spatial directions x, y, z through the treatment chamber 10. In particular, after analyzing the fluid sample, a movement of the detection device 5 from the fluid sample to the charging station can take place. In addition, a movement of the detection device 5 from a first fluid sample to a second fluid sample and a movement of the detection device 5 from the charging station to the fluid sample can take place.

[0067] If the sample processing device 6 is a pipetting device 6, not only the movement of the detection device 5 takes place by the pipetting device 6 and the movement device 4, but various fluids (such as on the fluid sample) can also be transported through the treatment chamber 10.

[0068] FIGS. 3A-3C show a schematic representation of the use of the detection device 5 according to embodiments of the invention in the automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to embodiments of the invention. The automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to FIGS. 3A-3C has an equivalent structure as the automated laboratory apparatus 1 according to FIG. 1, but the movement device 4 can be moved in all spatial directions. In addition, the sample processing device 6 is integrated into the movement device 4, and the charging station 2 is integrated into the control unit 3.

[0069] The sample processing device 6 comprises a receiving element 60 for receiving the detection device 5.

[0070] In FIG. 3A, the detection device 5 is located in the charging station 2 and the energy storage device of the detection device 5 is charged.

[0071] In FIG. 3B, the sample processing device 6 with its receiving element 60 moves along the third spatial direction z in the direction of the detection device 5, so that the detection device 5 is received from the sample processing device 6 by the receiving element 60.

[0072] In FIG. 3C, the detection device 5 is transported by the movement device 4 in the first spatial direction x from the charging station 2 to the fluid sample 71, which is located in the well 70 of the container 7 and the fluid sample 71 is analyzed by means of the detection device 5. The fluid sample 71 is particularly advantageously analyzed/irradiated via an opening of the well 70 without the primary radiation 51 having to be guided through a material of the container 7 in order to reach from the radiation source to the fluid sample 71.

[0073] For this purpose, the detection device 5 comprises an integrated radiation source for irradiating the fluid sample with a primary radiation 51 and an integrated detector for receiving a secondary radiation originating from the fluid sample.

[0074] The radiation source thus generates the primary radiation as an electromagnetic radiation in the UV/Vis range, in particular in the wavelength range of 190-800 nm, especially 365-720 nm. The secondary radiation is in particular an electromagnetic secondary radiation emitted by the fluid sample, which secondary radiation is induced by an interaction of the primary radiation with the fluid sample.

[0075] The detector is preferably designed as a silicon photodiode and the radiation sources as a LED (light emitting diode).

[0076] The detection device 5 is designed as a fluorometer for measuring the fluorescence intensity. The fluorometer 5 measures the intensity and wavelength distribution of the emission spectrum (secondary radiation) of the fluid sample 71 after excitation by the primary radiation 51.

[0077] Preferably, the fluid sample 71 comprises biomolecules and a solvent. The fluorescence intensity can be used to determine the concentration of the biomolecules. Here, a fluorescent marker for the biomolecules could be used.

[0078] FIGS. 4A and 413 show a schematic representation of the irradiation of the fluid sample 71. For this purpose, a fluorometer 5 is used as detection device 5, as described for FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0079] The primary radiation 51 is irradiated from above directly onto the fluid sample 71 through an opening of the container 7.

[0080] The secondary radiation 52 is received by the detector integrated in the detection device. The secondary radiation 52 is the electromagnetic secondary radiation 52 emitted from the fluid sample 71, which secondary radiation 52 is induced by an interaction of the primary radiation 51 with the fluid sample. The secondary radiation 52 corresponds to the fluorescence emission of the fluid sample 71.

[0081] The detection device 5 can comprise two radiation sources for irradiating the fluid sample with primary radiation in two different wavelengths in the UV/Vis range. By using two radiation sources, a first primary radiation 511 with a first wavelength (e.g., 350-400 nm) is generated by a first radiation source and a second primary radiation 512 with a second wavelength (e.g., 700-750 nm) is generated by a second radiation source (preferably second LED). The analysis of the fluid sample is confocal, the beam paths of the primary radiation 511, 512 from the various radiation sources are directed to a common focal point in the fluid sample 71.

[0082] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a schematic representation of a receiving element 60 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0083] The sample processing device 6 is configured as a pipetting device 6 for receiving and dispensing a fluid, and the receiving member 60 comprises a head 61 for receiving a pipette tip 8, wherein the detection device 5 comprises a port corresponding to a shape of the head 61, so that the detection device 5 can be received by the sample processing device 6 in the operating state by inserting the head 61 into the corresponding port.

[0084] The head 61 is designed as a pointed cone 61 for receiving a pipette tip 8, wherein the shape of the port corresponds to that of the pointed cone 61.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a further schematic representation of the pointed cone according to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0086] The pointed cone 61 is designed in such a way that it tapers in the direction of the port 65 so that the detection device 5 can be more easily received.

[0087] The receiving element 60 comprises a core 63, to which core 63 the pointed cone 61 is attached, wherein a sleeve 62 is arranged movably along a cone axis of the pointed cone around the core in such a way that the detection device can be ejected in the operating state by a movement of the sleeve along the cone axis K in the direction of the pointed cone 61 (in the spatial direction z). Due to a pressure which is exerted by the sleeve 63 on the detection device 5 during this movement, the latter can be ejected. Thus, the detection device 5 can be inserted again to the charging station.