Sample-processing system with status lights

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9646468-B2
Application number	US-201514826290-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2015
Priority date	Aug 14, 2015
Publication date	May 9, 2017
Grant date	May 9, 2017

Abstract

System, including methods and apparatus, for sample processing. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, and also comprises a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically. Each device of at least two of the plurality of devices may have one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device. The at least two devices may utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator scheme is user-configurable. In some embodiments, the one or more status lights of at least one device are provided by one or more recessed light-emitting strips.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for sample-processing, comprising:
a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, each device performing at least one step of the protocol, at least one of the devices including a transport mechanism to move sample holders between other devices of the plurality of devices; and
a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically;
wherein each device of at least two of the plurality of devices has one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device, wherein the at least two devices utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein two or more of the plurality of visual indicators are different in color from one another.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one visual indicator of the plurality of visual indicators has a different temporal modulation than another visual indicator of the plurality of visual indicators.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each visual indicator displayed by a device is visible from substantially any position on a horizontal circle surrounding the device.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices display a different visual indicator for each of at least the following statuses:
(a) the device is turned on but not in communication with the control system,
(b) the device is turned on and in communication with the control system but not currently performing part of the protocol, and
(c) the device is currently performing part of the protocol.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices display another different visual indicator if an error occurs for the device.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the error prevents the device from performing a step of the protocol, and wherein the one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices display still another different visual indicator if a warning condition occurs for the device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more status lights of one or more devices of the at least two devices are provided by a light-emitting strip having a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged along the light-emitting strip.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a graphical user interface connected to the control system and configured to permit a user to select a color to be displayed by the one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices for a given status of the device.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one device of the at least two devices includes a signal detector to detect a signal from each sample.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is provided by one or more of the plurality of devices.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is provided by a master controller that is separate from each of the plurality of devices.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of devices includes a storage device configured to hold a plurality of sample holders, and wherein the transport mechanism is configured to individually move each sample holder of the plurality of sample holders from the storage device to another device of the plurality of devices.

14. A method of sample-processing with a plurality of devices including at least one device including a transport mechanism to move sample holders between other devices, the plurality of devices being in communication with a control system, the method comprising:
receiving, at the control system, a protocol for sample-processing;
performing the protocol automatically with the plurality of devices and with device operation coordinated by the control system, wherein each device of at least two of the plurality of devices performs at least one step of the protocol on an array of samples supported by a sample holder that has been moved to the device from another device of the plurality of devices by the transport mechanism; and
displaying one or more visual indicators with one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices according to a current status of the device before, during, and after the step of performing the protocol automatically;
wherein the one or more status lights of each device of the at least two devices are configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status, and wherein the at least two devices utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each of the different statuses indicated by the different visual indicators.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the control system is connected to a graphical user interface that allows a user to select the particular color from a plurality of color options for the given status.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the protocol is performed with samples disposed in an array of wells.

17. A device for sample-processing, comprising:
a receiving area for a sample holder;
a signal detector to detect a signal from a sample supported by the sample holder;
a communication unit allowing for communication with an outside controller; and
a first light-emitting strip and a second light-emitting strip, each light-emitting strip including a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged along the light-emitting strip, and each light-emitting strip being configured to display a plurality of different colors each indicating a different status of the device;
wherein each light-emitting strip is mounted in a recessed position with respect to an exterior of the device,
wherein the device has a pair of exterior sides facing away from one another, and wherein each light-emitting strip is mounted near a different one of the exterior sides,
wherein the device includes a housing defining openings through which visible radiation from the first and second light-emitting strips travels out of the device, each opening being elongated parallel to a corresponding one of the light-emitting strips,
wherein the housing has a respective protruding external wall region adjacent each opening, and wherein the respective protruding external wall region is configured to reflect visible radiation from the corresponding light-emitting strip to a user.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the device is configured to emit light that is visible from substantially any position on a hemisphere, and wherein the hemisphere has a center of curvature at a central point of the device and forms a horizontal great circle at a bottom of the hemisphere that is coplanar with the central point.

19. The device of claim 17 , wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a petri dish, and wherein the optical detector is configured to detect images of colonies disposed in the petri dish.

20. The device of claim 17 , wherein each light-emitting strip is U-shaped and configured to illuminate areas of the corresponding external wall region that face away from one another, and wherein the light-emitting strip also is configured to illuminate an area of the corresponding external wall region that is transverse to the areas that face away from one another.

Assignees

• Molecular Devices Llc

Inventors

• Smith Thomas L
• Chandy Grischa
• Floto Timothy Arthur
• Cromwell Evan F

Classifications

• G08B5/36 Primary

  using visible light sources · CPC title