| 主权项 |
1. A high throughput sample processing system comprising:
a sample dispensing device for drawing a plurality of samples from a plurality of sample containers and for dispensing each sample into a well of a sample processing plate comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each sample is dispensed into a different well wherein the sample in each well comprises a meniscus; a contactless fluid dispensing device for dispensing fluids into the plurality of wells of the sample processing plate, said contactless fluid dispensing device being configured to dispense fluid into a plurality of wells of said sample processing plate without contacting liquids already in the wells; a plurality of contactless liquid level sensors for detecting the liquid level in each of the plurality of wells of the sample processing plate, said contactless liquid level sensors being configured to determine the liquid level without contacting liquid already in the wells; a plurality of aspirators for removing fluids from the plurality of wells of the sample processing plate, said aspirators configured to maintain an approximately equal distance from the tip of the fluid aspirating nozzles and the sample meniscus, and further wherein the aspirators are connected to a waste management system; a plurality of contactless treatment stations for treating a plurality of sample processing plates simultaneously, said contactless treatment stations are selected from an orbital shaker, a thermo shaker, a magnetic station, a water bath, a heating block, a chilling block, an ambient incubator and combinations thereof; a waste management system for managing fluids removed from the plurality of wells; and a control system for controlling the processing of a plurality of plates within the high throughput sample processing system simultaneously, wherein the control system is operatively connected to said sensors, dispensing devices, aspirators, and treatment stations, and is programmed to dynamically control the dispensing devices and aspirators such that the dispensing device and the aspirators do not touch the sample meniscus of each well, and the suction forces provided by the aspirators are strong enough to cause liquid to be pulled into the aspirators. |
