IP Library Granted Patent US 11,506,677
Granted Patent B2
US 11,506,677 · App. 16/722,749 · Granted Nov 22, 2022

Systems and methods for pipette robots

Inventors: Andrew Sigler (Brooklyn, NY); Taylor Schlaff Goodman (New York, NY); Nicholas Pease Starno (Fort Pierce, FL); Jonathan Preston Badal (Brooklyn, NY)
Assignee: Opentrons Labworks Inc.
G01N35/0099B01L3/0227B01L3/0237G01N35/00693G01N35/1011
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,506,677
App. No.
16/722,749
Granted
Nov 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.

Claims (36)

1. A pipette robot, comprising:

a computer, wherein said computer comprises:

at least one processor; and

a memory including instructions;

a frame;

a deck operatively connected to the frame;

a gantry operatively connected to the frame;

a pipette operatively connected to the gantry; and

one or more of an electronic device with an indicator or log controls operatively connected to the pipette;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor of the computer, cause:

moving, using the gantry, the pipette to near and upward from a first calibration point, wherein the first calibration point is a Z-axis height calibration point;

providing, using the one or more of the electronic device with an indicator or the jog controls, for jogging of the pipette to a predetermined distance above the first calibration point;

determining, using the at least one processor, a Z-axis height of the deck;

moving, using the gantry, the pipette near and upward from a second calibration point;

providing, using the one or more of the electronic device with the indicator or the jog controls, for jogging of the pipette, wherein said jogging centers a tip of the pipette with the second calibration point;

determining, using the at least one processor, an XYZ coordinate of the X/Y/Z second calibration point;

moving, using the gantry, the pipette near and upward from a third calibration point;

providing, using the one or more of the electronic device with the indicator or the jog controls, for jogging of the pipette, wherein said jogging centers said pipette tip with the third calibration point;

determining, using the at least one processor, an XYZ coordinate of the third calibration point;

moving, using the gantry, the pipette near and upward from a fourth calibration point;

providing, using the one or more of the electronic device with the indicator or the jog controls, for jogging of the pipette, wherein said jogging centers said pipette tip with the fourth calibration point;

determining, using the at least one processor, an XYZ coordinate of the fourth calibration point;

calculating, using the at least one processor, relative to the gantry of the pipette robot, one or more of a rotation, a shift, or a tilt of the deck; and

adjusting, using the at least one processor, during liquid handling operations, for said one or more of the rotation, the shift, or the tilt of the deck.

2. The pipette robot of claim 1 , further comprising:

an X frame switch;

a Y frame switch; and

a Z frame switch,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor of the computer, further cause:

homing, using the gantry, an X-axis of the pipette robot to the X frame switch;

homing, using the gantry, a Y-axis of the pipette robot to the Y frame switch; and

homing, using the gantry, a Z-axis of the pipette robot to the Z frame switch.

3. The pipette robot of claim 2 , wherein a mark is situated at one or more of the first calibration point, the second calibration point, the third calibration point, or the fourth calibration point.

4. The pipette robot of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor of the computer, further cause:

determining, using the at least one processor, a scale; and

applying, using the at least one processor, the scale when instructing a motor of the pipette robot to move the pipette.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2025
From: OPENTRONS LABWORKS INC.; REOPEN DIAGNOSTICS, LLC; NEOCHROMOSOME, INC.
To: OXFORD FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071615/0854 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2023
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: OPENTRONS LABWORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 063185/0675 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2021
From: OPENTRONS LABWORKS INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056263/0191 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2019
From: SIGLER, ANDREW; GOODMAN, TAYLOR SCHLAFF; STARNO, NICHOLAS PEASE; BADAL, JONATHAN PRESTON
To: OPENTRONS LABWORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 051345/0392 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62784135 · Dec 21, 2018
Related Publication 20200200779A1 · Jun 25, 2020