CN-122029434-A - Automated liquid handling apparatus with improved magnet assembly

CN122029434ACN 122029434 ACN122029434 ACN 122029434ACN-122029434-A

Abstract

An automated liquid handling device (10) comprising i. a reaction vessel arrangement (18) having reaction vessels (88) arranged in a matrix in a first row (88 a) and a second row (88 b), wherein the first row (88 a) is parallel to each other and wherein the second row (88 b) is parallel to each other and intersects each other, wherein each reaction vessel (88) of a plurality of reaction vessels (88) arranged in a matrix is present at the intersection of the first and second rows (88 a,88 b), wherein each reaction vessel (88) has an input opening (104) and an output opening (116) arranged spaced apart therefrom, and ii. a magnet arrangement (70) having a movable magnet carrier assembly (72), wherein the number of matrix magnets (94) is smaller than the number of reaction vessels (88) of the plurality of reaction vessels (88), wherein each reaction vessel (88) of the plurality of reaction vessels (88) is adjacent to two matrix magnets (94). The magnet carrier assembly (72) carries a number of matrix magnets (94) that is greater than the sum of the first and second rows (88 a,88 b), wherein the matrix magnets (94) each have a polarization direction (94 a) that is neither parallel to the first row (88 a) nor to the second row (88 b), and the polarization direction is neither orthogonal to the first row (88 a) nor to the second row (88 b).

Inventors

Kai Hassler
Matthias Kufal
About Xiang Engo
Christopher Xilige
Andreas Brecher
Thomas. Hanselman
THOMAS MULLER

Assignees

哈美顿博纳图斯股份公司

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20241016
Priority Date: 20231019

Claims (15)

1. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) for handling liquid (109), comprising: i. A reaction vessel arrangement (18) having a plurality of reaction vessels (88) arranged in a matrix in a first row (88 a) and a second row (88 b), wherein the first row (88 a) is parallel to each other and wherein the second row (88 b) is parallel to each other, and wherein the first row (88 a) and the second row (88 b) cross each other, Wherein each reaction vessel (88) of the plurality of reaction vessels (88) arranged in a matrix is present at the crossing position of the first and second rows (88 a,88 b), Wherein each reaction vessel (88) has an input end (102) with an input opening (104) and an output end (106) with an output opening (116) spaced from the input end (102), and A magnet arrangement (70) for forming a magnetic field in the plurality of reaction vessels (88), wherein the magnet arrangement (70) has a movable magnet carrier assembly (72) with a plurality of matrix magnets (94) carried by the magnet carrier assembly (72), which are movable outside the plurality of reaction vessels (88) at least in a range of Motion (MA) between the input end (102) and the output end (106) of the reaction vessels (88), wherein the number of matrix magnets (94) is smaller than the number of reaction vessels (88) in the plurality of reaction vessels (88), wherein each reaction vessel (88) in the plurality of reaction vessels (88) is adjacent to two matrix magnets (94), Characterized in that the magnet carrier assembly (72) carries a number of matrix magnets (94) which is greater than the sum of the first and second rows (88 a,88 b), wherein the matrix magnets (94) each have a polarization direction (94 a) which is neither parallel to the first row (88 a) nor to the second row (88 b), and which is neither orthogonal to the first row (88 a) nor to the second row (88 b).
2. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, Characterized in that a plurality of matrix magnets (94) are polarized and arranged such that an interface (94 b) between poles of different names of each matrix magnet (94) of the plurality of matrix magnets (94) extends transversely to a reference plane (BE) which extends parallel to both the first and second rows (88 a,88 b).
3. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, Characterized in that the matrix magnet (94) has a plurality of inner matrix magnets (94-2), wherein each inner matrix magnet (94-2) is adjacent to exactly four reaction vessels (88), wherein the adjacent four reaction vessels (88) are arranged in two directly adjacent first rows (88 a) and in two directly adjacent second rows (88 b).
4. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 3, Characterized in that at least one inner matrix magnet (94-2) is polarized and arranged such that a section of at least one inner matrix magnet (94-2) having only one of its two magnetic polarities is opposite a first of the four reaction vessels (88) adjacent to the inner matrix magnet, such that a section of at least one inner matrix magnet (94-2) having only the respective other of its magnetic polarities is opposite a second of the four reaction vessels (88) adjacent to the inner matrix magnet, and such that a section of at least one inner matrix magnet (94-2) having both of its magnetic polarities is opposite a third and a fourth of the four reaction vessels (88) adjacent to the inner matrix magnet, respectively.
5. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, The matrix magnet (94) is characterized in that it has a plurality of outer matrix magnets (94-1), wherein each outer matrix magnet (94) is adjacent to exactly two reaction vessels (88), which are arranged either in the same first row (88 a) or in the same second row (88 b).
6. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 5, Characterized in that at least one outer matrix magnet (94-1) is polarized and arranged such that a section of at least one outer matrix magnet (94-1) having only one of its two magnetic polarities is opposite a first of the two reaction vessels (88) adjacent to the outer matrix magnet, and such that a section of at least one outer matrix magnet (94-1) having its two magnetic polarities is opposite a second of the two reaction vessels adjacent to the outer matrix magnet.
7. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, Wherein the matrix magnets (94) are arranged in a matrix in a third row (96 a) parallel to the first row (88 a) and in a fourth row (96 b) parallel to the second row (88 b), wherein the matrix magnets (94) are located at the crossing positions of the third and fourth rows (96 a,96 b).
8. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 7, Characterized in that the number of third rows (96 a) is greater than the number of first rows (88 a) and the number of fourth rows (96 b) is greater than the number of second rows (88 b).
9. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 7 or 8, Wherein the crossing positions not occupied by the matrix magnets (94) in the third row (96 a) and the fourth row (96 b) are adjacent to the crossing positions occupied by the matrix magnets (94), respectively.
10. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of claims 7 to 9, Characterized in that a third row (96 a) of matrix magnets (94) directly following each other along a fourth row (96 b) alternately has a higher number and a lower number of matrix magnets (94), and/or that a fourth row (96 b) of matrix magnets (94) directly following each other along the third row (96 a) alternately has a higher number and a smaller number of matrix magnets (94).
11. The automated liquid handling apparatus (10) of claim 10, Characterized in that all third rows (96 a) with a lower number of matrix magnets (94) have the same lower number of matrix magnets (94) and all third rows (96 a) with a higher number of matrix magnets (94) have the same higher number of matrix magnets (94), And/or All fourth rows (96 b) with a smaller number of matrix magnets (94) have the same smaller number of matrix magnets (94), and all fourth rows (96 b) with a larger number of matrix magnets (94) have the same larger number of matrix magnets (94).
12. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of claims 7 to 11, Characterized in that, in the case of consecutive numbering in ascending order of all third rows (96 a) following each other along the fourth row (96 b), the matrix magnets (94) with even number of all third rows (96 a) are oriented identically, and the matrix magnets (94) with odd number of all third rows (96 a) are oriented identically, but differently than the matrix magnets (94) with even number of said third rows (96 a), And/or In the case of consecutive numbering in ascending order of all fourth rows (96 b) following each other along the third row (96 a), all fourth rows (96 b) have matrix magnets (94) with even numbers oriented identically, and all fourth rows (96 b) have matrix magnets (94) with odd numbers oriented identically, but differently than the matrix magnets (94) with even numbers of the fourth rows (96 b).
13. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 2, Characterized in that the matrix magnets (94) of the third row (96 a) with even numbers are arranged with respect to the matrix magnets (94) of the third row (96 a) with odd numbers, rotated by an angular amount of 90 DEG about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the reference plane (BE), And/or The matrix magnets (94) of the fourth row (96 b) with even numbers are arranged with respect to the matrix magnets (94) of the fourth row (96 b) with odd numbers, rotated by an angular amount of 90 ° about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the reference plane (BE).
14. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of claims 7 to 13, Characterized in that the magnet carrier assembly (72) has at least two magnet carriers (72 a,72 b) which are movable relative to one another, each of the at least two magnet carriers being movable with a movement component which extends in the direction of the distance between the input opening (104) and the output opening (116), wherein, in the case of consecutive numbering of all third rows (96 a) following one another along a fourth row (96 b) in ascending order, one magnet carrier (72 a) carries only matrix magnets (94) of the third row (96 a) with even numbers, while the other magnet carrier (72 b) carries only matrix magnets (94) of the third row (96 a) with odd numbers, And/or Wherein one of said magnet carriers (72 a,72 b) carries only matrix magnets (94) of the fourth row (96 b) with even numbers and the other of said magnet carriers (72 a,72 b) carries only matrix magnets (94) of the fourth row (96 b) with odd numbers, with all fourth rows (96 b) following each other being numbered in consecutive ascending order.
15. An automated liquid handling apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, Characterized in that exactly two matrix magnets (94) are arranged adjacent to each reaction vessel (88) such that a section having only one magnetic polarity in one of the matrix magnets (94) is adjacent to each reaction vessel (88) and a section having a different magnetic polarity in the other of the matrix magnets is adjacent to each reaction vessel (88).

Description

Automated liquid handling apparatus with improved magnet assembly Technical Field The present invention relates to an automated liquid handling apparatus for handling liquids. Such an automated liquid handling apparatus comprises: i. A reaction vessel arrangement having a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in a matrix in a first row and a second row, wherein the first row is parallel to each other and wherein the second row is parallel to each other, and wherein the first row and the second row cross each other, Wherein each of the plurality of reaction vessels arranged in an array is present at the intersection of the first row and the second row, Wherein each reaction vessel has an input end with an input opening and an output end with an output opening disposed between the input end and the output end, and A magnet arrangement for forming a magnetic field in a plurality of reaction vessels, wherein the magnet arrangement has a movable magnet carrier assembly having a plurality of matrix magnets carried by the magnet carrier assembly, wherein the matrix magnets are movable outside the plurality of reaction vessels at least in a range of motion between an input end and an output end of the reaction vessels, wherein the number of matrix magnets is smaller than the number of reaction vessels in the plurality of reaction vessels, wherein each reaction vessel in the plurality of reaction vessels is adjacent to two matrix magnets. Background Such liquid handling devices are used in laboratories, for example, for purifying nucleic acids. A liquid treatment device having the features mentioned at the outset is known from WO 2010/075199 A2. The liquid treatment apparatus known from WO 2010/075199 A2 discloses a bar magnet which is arranged in each gap between adjacent parallel rows of reaction vessels and extends parallel to the rows of reaction vessels. The known automated liquid treatment apparatus, as well as the automated liquid treatment apparatus of the invention, in a preferred development further comprises at least one of the following means: useful holding means for holding the liquid outputted as a treatment target through the output opening of the reaction vessel; Waste holding means, different from the useful holding means, for holding liquid which is output as treated waste through the output opening of the reaction vessel; A pressure changing device configured to change a pressure difference between an internal air pressure in the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel device and an external air pressure outside the reaction vessel, and A dispensing device having at least one dispensing opening for delivering a liquid into a reaction vessel of the reaction vessel arrangement, wherein the dispensing device is configured for liquid delivery through an inlet opening of the reaction vessel by means of the dispensing opening. The known liquid treatment apparatus is easier to understand with the knowledge of advantageous improvements by means of the apparatus according to iii. Nevertheless, it is applicable that the arrangement according to iii.to vi. Is not absolutely necessary at the automated liquid handling apparatus of the present invention, but only represents a preferred embodiment, in order to achieve the object of the present invention. The explanations and designs given below in the description of the prior art regarding the device according to iii.through vi.are also applicable to the improvements of the invention. WO 2010/075199 A2 does not include a useful containment device as it is mentioned hereinabove in the case of iii. The reaction vessels of the known liquid treatment apparatus are connected to a common purge line, which serves as a waste receptacle. More precisely, the eluate produced as a treatment target in the liquid treatment apparatus known from WO 2010/075199 A2 is taken out of the apparatus together with the reaction vessel containing the eluate and transported for further processing. Another liquid treatment apparatus is basically known from the general description in WO 2019/096407 A1. An advantage of this known liquid treatment apparatus is that the liquid always moves in the same direction only from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the reaction vessel during its processing, so that no reversal of the direction of the liquid being treated takes place, as is known from other liquid treatment apparatuses of the prior art. Thereby, a source of viable cross-contamination can be avoided. A reaction vessel apparatus is an apparatus in which a liquid is "processed" in its broadest sense and in which treatment of the liquid takes place. For example, chemical reactions or/and physical processes occur herein. In the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel arrangement, for example, nucleic acids, in particular DNS or RNS, contained in the initial liquid delivered at the beginning of the treatment process can be bound to correspondingly arranged magnet particles. The magnet