US20160032358A1 - Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions - Google Patents

Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20160032358A1
US20160032358A1 US14/212,261 US201414212261A US2016032358A1 US 20160032358 A1 US20160032358 A1 US 20160032358A1 US 201414212261 A US201414212261 A US 201414212261A US 2016032358 A1 US2016032358 A1 US 2016032358A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
receptacle
pipettor
automated
reagent
card
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/212,261
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David A. BUSE
David Opalsky
Jason F. Rhubottom
Norbert D. Hagen
Jennifer L. TIDD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gen Probe Inc
Original Assignee
Gen Probe Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gen Probe Inc filed Critical Gen Probe Inc
Priority to US14/212,261 priority Critical patent/US20160032358A1/en
Assigned to GOLDMAN SACHS BANK, USA reassignment GOLDMAN SACHS BANK, USA SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BIOLUCENT, LLC, CYTYC CORPORATION, CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED, DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP., GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, HOLOGIC, INC., SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC., THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Assigned to THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP., SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC., BIOLUCENT, LLC, GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, CYTYC CORPORATION, HOLOGIC, INC., CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP reassignment THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942 Assignors: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Assigned to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: BIOLUCENT, LLC, CYTYC CORPORATION, CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP., GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC., HOLOGIC, INC., SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC., THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Publication of US20160032358A1 publication Critical patent/US20160032358A1/en
Priority to US16/011,229 priority patent/US11098343B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12Q—MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    • C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
    • C12Q1/68—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving nucleic acids
    • C12Q1/6806—Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B01L3/5082—Test tubes per se
    • B01L3/50825—Closing or opening means, corks, bungs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/56—Labware specially adapted for transferring fluids
    • B01L3/565—Seals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • B01L7/52—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples
    • B01L7/525—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples with physical movement of samples between temperature zones
    • B01L7/5255—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples with physical movement of samples between temperature zones by moving sample containers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12Q—MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    • C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
    • C12Q1/68—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving nucleic acids
    • C12Q1/6844—Nucleic acid amplification reactions
    • C12Q1/686—Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0689—Sealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/04—Closures and closing means
    • B01L2300/046—Function or devices integrated in the closure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/52—Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent
    • B01L3/527—Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent for a plurality of reagents
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0418—Plate elements with several rows of samples
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0429—Sample carriers adapted for special purposes
    • G01N2035/0436—Sample carriers adapted for special purposes with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to diagnostic systems and methods for performing a plurality of different molecular assays on a plurality of samples and, particularly, molecular assays that comprise target nucleic acid amplification reactions.
  • Diagnostic assays are widely used in clinical diagnosis and health science research to detect or quantify the presence or amount of biological antigens, cell or genetic abnormalities, disease states, and disease-associated pathogens or genetic mutations in an organism or biological sample. Where a diagnostic assay permits quantification, practitioners may be better able to calculate the extent of infection or disease and to determine the state of a disease over time. Diagnostic assays are frequently focused on the detection of chemicals, proteins or polysaccharides antigens, nucleic acids, biopolymers, cells, or tissue of interest. A variety of assays may be employed to detect these diagnostic indicators.
  • Nucleic acid-based assays in particular, generally include multiple steps leading to the detection or quantification of one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a sample.
  • the targeted nucleic acid sequences are often specific to an identifiable group of cells, tissues, organisms, or viruses, where the group is defined by at least one shared sequence of nucleic acid that is common to members of the group and is specific to that group in the sample being assayed.
  • a variety of nucleic acid-based detection methods are fully described by Kohne, U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,330, and Hogan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,308, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • a nucleic acid-based assay is performed, for example, in part by exposing a sample to a probe configured to exhibit specificity, under particular hybridization conditions, for a nucleic acid sequence belonging to the protein, cell, tissue, organism, or virus of interest.
  • the sample is frequently treated in some manner to extract nucleic acids in a manner that they are eligible for hybridization.
  • the target nucleic acid Before or after exposing the target nucleic acid to a probe, the target nucleic acid can be immobilized by target-capture means, either directly or indirectly, using a “capture probe” bound to a substrate, such as a magnetic bead, or particle.
  • Target capture probes are generally short nucleic acid sequences (i.e., oligonucleotide) capable of hybridizing with a sequence of nucleic acid that contains the target sequence.
  • magnetic beads comprise capture probes
  • magnets in close proximity to the reaction vessel are used to draw and hold the magnetic beads to the side of the vessel.
  • PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • LCR is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,427,930 and 5,686,272, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • TAA transcription-associated amplification
  • Examples of transcription-associated amplification (“TAA”) formats are provided, for example, in Burg et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,990; Kacian et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,491 and 5,554,516; and Gingeras et al. in International Application No. PCT/US87/01966 (published as International Publication No. WO 88/01302), and International Application No. PCT/US88/02108 (published as International Publication No. WO 88/10315), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • PCR is a biochemical technology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of a nucleic acid across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular nucleic acid sequence.
  • PCR is a common and often indispensable technique used in medical and biological research labs for a variety of applications, including nucleic acid cloning for sequencing, nucleic acid-based phylogeny, or functional analysis of genes; the diagnosis of hereditary diseases; the identification of genetic fingerprints (used in forensic sciences and paternity testing), and the detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases.
  • the method relies on thermal cycling, consisting of cycles of repeated heating and cooling of the reaction for nucleic acid melting and enzymatic replication of the nucleic acid.
  • Primers short DNA fragments
  • Primers containing sequences complementary to the target region along with a nucleic acid polymerization enzyme are key components to enable selective and repeated amplification.
  • the nucleic acid generated is itself used as a template for replication, setting in motion a chain reaction in which the nucleic acid template is exponentially amplified.
  • the probe hybridizes to the targeted sequence or its amplicon in a manner permitting detection of a signal indicating the presence of the targeted nucleic acid sequence in a sample
  • the strength of the signal is proportional to the amount of target nucleic acid sequence or its amplicon that is present. Accordingly, by periodically measuring, during the amplification process, a signal indicative of the presence of amplicon, the growth of amplicon overtime can be detected. Based on the data collected during this “real-time” monitoring of the amplification process, the amount of the target nucleic acid that was originally in the sample can be ascertained.
  • collecting data “real-time” means collecting data while a reaction or other process is in progress, as opposed to collecting data at the conclusion of the reaction or process.
  • different probes configured to hybridize to different nucleic acids each of which may provide detectably different signals can be used.
  • different probes configured to hybridize to different targets can be formulated with fluorophores that fluoresce at a predetermined wavelength when exposed to excitation light of a prescribed excitation wavelength.
  • Assays for detecting different target nucleic acids can be performed in parallel by alternately exposing the sample material to different excitation wavelengths and detecting the level of fluorescence at the wavelength of interest corresponding to the probe for each target nucleic acid during the real-time monitoring process.
  • Parallel processing can be performed using different signal detecting devices constructed and arranged to periodically measure signal emissions during the amplification process, and with different signal detecting devices being configured to generate excitation signals of different wavelengths and to measure emission signals of different wavelengths.
  • aspects of the present disclosure are embodied in systems, apparatus, and processes that, inter alia, enhance the functionality of certain diagnostic analyzers by supporting processing capabilities that are not available in the base analyzer or existing modules within the base analyzer.
  • the systems, apparatus, and processes extend the functionality of a nucleic acid diagnostic analyzer by supporting PCR assay processing and analysis capabilities in addition to isothermal amplification processing and analysis capabilities.
  • a processing extension module is operatively coupled to the base analyzer to extend the overall system capabilities of the analyzer-module system.
  • thermocycling and isothermal amplification assays in end-point and real-time formats using chemiluminescent and/or fluorescent labels.
  • the base analyzer comprises a dual format molecular diagnostic instrument designed to run specific target-amplified assays, utilizing chemiluminescence and fluorescence detection technologies for both qualitative and real time, quantitative assays.
  • additional automated assays such as PCR assays, can be run (intermixed) with assays performed by the base analyzer and achieve similar throughput that is achieved by the base analyzer.
  • the processing extension module comprises a thermal cycler with real time fluorescence detection capabilities, a reagent card storage bay that allows for loading and cooled storage of new reagent cards containing reagents, e.g., for PCR, additional disposable pipettor tip trays, PCR- and assay-specific reagents, and one or more a pipettor systems to perform the assay steps needed for the PCR or other reaction and/or reaction receptacle transport.
  • reagent card storage bay that allows for loading and cooled storage of new reagent cards containing reagents, e.g., for PCR, additional disposable pipettor tip trays, PCR- and assay-specific reagents, and one or more a pipettor systems to perform the assay steps needed for the PCR or other reaction and/or reaction receptacle transport.
  • the processing extension module may rely on the base analyzer for sample input, sample preparation, target capture, and other processing steps, such as the addition of elution for subsequent PCR assays, and thus the processing extension module further leverages those capabilities of the base analyzer and supports additional processing and diagnostic capabilities without requiring that the sample input and preparation functionality be built into the processing extension module.
  • aspects of the disclosure are embodied in a processing module for enhancing the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles and including a first substance transfer device configured to dispense substances into each receptacle and a receptacle transfer apparatus configured to move the receptacles within the analyzer.
  • the processing module is constructed and arranged to be coupled to or decoupled from the analyzer and comprises a container transport constructed and arranged to transport at least one container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to the first substance transfer device to transfer substance from the container to a receptacle within the analyzer, a receptacle distribution system constructed and arranged to receive a receptacle from the receptacle transfer apparatus of the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer, and a second substance transfer device constructed and arranged to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module.
  • the receptacle distribution system comprises a receptacle distribution module constructed and arranged to move a receptacle onto the receptacle distribution module at a first location on the processing module, carry the receptacle from the first location to a second location on the processing module that is different from the first location, and move the receptacle off the receptacle distribution module at the second location on the processing module.
  • the receptacle handoff module constructed and arranged to receive a receptacle from the receptacle transfer apparatus of the analyzer and to reposition the receptacle to present the receptacle to the receptacle distribution module to be moved by the receptacle distribution module from the receptacle handoff module onto the receptacle distribution module.
  • the receptacle distribution module is constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation to move a receptacle carried thereby in an arced path between locations within the processing module.
  • the processing module further comprises receptacle storage stations for holding one or more receptacles transferred from the analyzer over to the processing module, wherein the receptacle storage stations are arranged in a configuration corresponding to the arced path of the receptacle distribution module.
  • the receptacle distribution module is constructed and arranged to move vertically to move a receptacle carried thereby between different vertically-disposed locations within the processing module.
  • the receptacle handoff module is constructed and arranged to rotate between a first position for receiving a receptacle from the receptacle transfer apparatus of the analyzer and a second position for presenting the receptacle to the receptacle distribution module.
  • the processing module further comprises a container drawer, configured to hold one or more fluid containers and be moved between an opened position and a closed position and to, when moved to the closed position, place at least one fluid container into an operative position with respect to the container transport so that the container can be transported by the container transport from the container drawer into the analyzer.
  • a container drawer configured to hold one or more fluid containers and be moved between an opened position and a closed position and to, when moved to the closed position, place at least one fluid container into an operative position with respect to the container transport so that the container can be transported by the container transport from the container drawer into the analyzer.
  • the processing module further comprises a container carriage configured to carry one or more containers and be movable with the container drawer and further configured to be engaged by the container transport when the container drawer is in the closed position such that the container transport is operable to move the container carriage and the one or more containers carried thereby from the container drawer into the analyzer.
  • the processing module further comprises a carriage transport and a carriage lock.
  • the carriage transport is moveable with the container drawer and constructed and arranged to carry the container carriage between a first position when the container drawer is in the opened position and a second position when the container drawer is in the closed position.
  • the carriage lock is constructed and arranged to lock the container carriage to the carriage transport when the carriage transport is in the first position and to release the container from the carriage transport when the carriage transport is in the second position to permit the container carriage to be removed from the carriage transport by the container transport.
  • the container transport comprises a track extending from the container drawer into the analyzer, a carriage hook configured to engage the container carriage when the container drawer is in the closed position, and a motorized carriage hook drive system constructed and arranged to effect powered translation of the carriage hook along the carriage track.
  • the motorized carriage hook drive system comprises a motor and a belt driven by the motor and coupled to the carriage hook.
  • the processing apparatus further comprises one or more position sensors disposed at one or more locations along the track to detect a position of the carriage on the track.
  • the processing module further comprises a reagent card changer comprising a card input device and a card storage device.
  • the card input device is constructed and arranged to enable a user to place a reagent card containing at least one reagent into the processing module or remove a reagent card from the processing module.
  • the card storage chamber is configured to hold a plurality of reagent cards until needed for processing within the processing module.
  • the receptacle distribution system is further constructed and arranged to move a reagent card between the card input device and the card storage chamber.
  • the processing module further comprises one or more reagent card loading stations, each configured to hold a reagent card in a location and orientation that permits the second substance transfer device to transfer a substance to or from the reagent card.
  • the processing module further comprises a charged field generator operatively associated with at least one of the card input device, the card storage chamber, and the reagent card loading stations and constructed and arranged to generate electrostatic forces to position and hold a reagent present in a reagent card held in the card input device or card storage chamber.
  • the charged field generator is situated below at least one of the card input device, the card storage chamber, and the reagent card loading stations such that electromagnetic forces are applied to, or adjacent to, the bottom of one or more wells of a reagent card, when present.
  • the card input device comprises a card carousel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the card carousel includes a plurality of reagent card stations, each configured to hold a reagent card, disposed around the axis of rotation.
  • the card carousel is disposed in a drawer that is movable between an open position providing access to the card carousel and a closed position closing off access to the card carousel.
  • the processing module further comprises a code reader operatively disposed with respect to the card input device and constructed and arranged to read a machine readable code on each reagent card carried in the card input device.
  • the processing module further comprises a card storage carousel disposed within the card storage.
  • the card storage carousel is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of reagent card stations, each configured to hold a reagent card, disposed around the axis of rotation.
  • the reagent card stations of the card storage carousel are disposed on more than one level.
  • the processing module further including a cooling system for maintaining the storage chamber a lower than ambient temperature.
  • the second substance transfer device comprises a robotic pipettor having a pipettor probe
  • the processing module further comprises one or more disposable tip drawers constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of disposable tips configured to be placed on the pipettor probe of the robotic pipettor.
  • the processing module further comprises a cap/vial tray constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of processing vials and/or associated caps.
  • Each cap is configured to be coupled to an associated vial to close the associated vial.
  • the vials are accessible by the robotic pipettor to dispense processing material into the vials, and the associated caps are accessible by the robotic pipettor to move each cap into an associated vial to form a cap/vial assembly.
  • the robotic pipettor is configured to move the cap/vial assembly from the cap/vial tray to another location on the processing module.
  • the processing module further comprises a centrifuge, wherein the robotic pipettor is constructed and arranged to move a cap/vial assembly from the cap/vial tray to the centrifuge.
  • the processing module further comprises a thermal cycler configure to hold a plurality of cap/vial assemblies and to subject the contents of the plurality of cap/vial assemblies to cyclically varying temperatures and a robotic vial transfer pipettor configured to move a cap/vial assembly from the centrifuge to the thermal cycler.
  • the processing module further comprises one or more magnetic receptacle holding slots configured to hold a receptacle transferred from the analyzer to the processing module.
  • Each magnetic receptacle holding slot comprises a magnet and is constructed and arranged to draw magnetic particles contained within the receptacle to a wall of the receptacle and out of solution within the fluid contents of the receptacle.
  • the analyzer and the processing module are configured to conduct nucleic acid amplification reactions.
  • the nucleic acid amplification reactions conducted in the analyzer and the processing module are different types of amplification reactions.
  • the nucleic acid amplification reaction conducted in the analyzer comprises a qualitatively monitored reaction and the nucleic acid amplification reaction conducted in the processing module comprises a quantitatively monitored reaction.
  • the nucleic acid amplification reaction conducted in the processing module comprises a reaction monitored in real-time.
  • nucleic acid amplification reaction conducted in the analyzer is an isothermal reaction
  • nucleic acid amplification reaction conducted in the processing module comprises the use of a polymerase chain reaction
  • the system comprises a sample input portal constructed and arranged to accept samples contained in one or more receptacles, a sample processing module constructed and arranged to prepare a sample provided to the sample input portal for a nucleic acid amplification reaction, a first module constructed and arranged to conduct an isothermal nucleic acid amplification assay with the sample, a second module constructed and arranged to conduct a nucleic acid amplification assay involving temperature fluctuation with the sample, and a transport mechanism constructed and arranged to effect automated transport of one or more receptacles containing the sample between the sample input portal, the sample processing module, the first module, and the second module.
  • the automated system further comprises a fluid transfer apparatus constructed and arranged to access the sample when present in the sample processing module, the first module, or the second module.
  • the system further comprises a reagent storage compartment constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of reagent containers, wherein the reagent storage compartment is held at a temperature below ambient temperature.
  • the system further comprises a reagent container transport mechanism constructed and arranged to transport one or more reagent containers between the reagent storage compartment and a separate location within the second module.
  • the reagent container transport mechanism is constructed and arranged to transport the reagent containers within the second module and to transport the receptacles within the second module.
  • the method comprises combining a fluid sample together with one or more amplification reaction reagents in a reaction receptacle using an automated pipettor, transporting the reaction receptacle to a centrifuge using the automated pipettor, centrifuging the fluid contents of the reaction receptacle, automatically removing the reaction receptacle from the centrifuge after centrifugation and placing the reaction receptacle in a thermocycler, and subjecting the fluid contents of the reaction receptacle to one or more temperature cycles within the thermocycler.
  • the reaction receptacle is removed from the centrifuge and transported to the thermocycler using the automated pipettor.
  • the reaction receptacle is placed in the centrifuge at a first location, and the reaction receptacle is removed from the centrifuge at a second, different location.
  • the method further comprises a second automated pipettor, and the second automated pipettor automatically removes the reaction receptacle from the centrifuge after centrifugation and places the reaction receptacle in the thermocycler.
  • the receptacle is sealed by a cap prior to transporting the sealed receptacle to the centrifuge.
  • the automated pipettor transports the cap to the receptacle and seals the receptacle by coupling the cap to the receptacle.
  • the method comprises providing two or more reaction receptacles, providing two or more unit dose reagent containers, each unit dose reagent container corresponding to a respective reaction receptacle, and each unit dose reagent container containing a nucleic acid amplification reagent that is specific for one or more target nucleic acids, providing a receptacle containing a first bulk reagent, and combining at least a portion of the sample with at least a portion of the unit dose reagent and at least a portion of the bulk reagent in each of the two or more reaction receptacles.
  • each reaction receptacle contains a different sample, a different unit dose reagent, and the same first bulk reagent.
  • the method further comprises a receptacle containing a second bulk reagent, wherein the second bulk reagent is dispensed into each of the two or more unit dose reagent containers prior to combining at least a portion of the sample with at least a portion of the unit dose reagent and at least a portion of the bulk reagent in each of the two or more reaction receptacles.
  • the second bulk reagent comprises a reconstitution reagent.
  • the method further comprises transporting each of the two or more reaction receptacles to a heated incubator to conduct a nucleic acid amplification assay.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary diagnostic analyzer.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multiple receptacle device (“MRD”).
  • MRD multiple receptacle device
  • FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of the MRD.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a diagnostic analyzer with a Processing extension module embodying aspects of the present disclosure coupled thereto.
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded, top plan view of the diagnostic analyzer and the Processing extension module.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a PCR deck of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 7 is a partial, front perspective view of the processing extension module with a reagent bottle drawer in an open position.
  • FIG. 8 is a partial, top plan view of the processing extension module and analyzer showing the reagent bottle drawer in a closed position.
  • FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the reagent bottle drawer and reagent bottle transport of the processing extension module, with the reagent bottle drawer in an open position.
  • FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the reagent bottle drawer and reagent bottle transport of the processing extension module, with the reagent bottle drawer in a closed position and elution bottles transported to an end of the of the reagent bottle transport.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of reagent bottle drawer, with the reagent bottle drawer in an open position.
  • FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of reagent bottle drawer and the reagent bottle transport, with the reagent bottle drawer in a closed position.
  • FIG. 13 is a partial end view of reagent bottle drawer, with the reagent bottle drawer in a closed position.
  • FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a receptacle processing deck of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial, front perspective view of the processing extension module with a card carousel drawer of a reagent card changer in an open position.
  • FIG. 16 is a partial, top perspective view of the card carousel drawer.
  • FIG. 17 is a partial, side perspective view of the card carousel drawer.
  • FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional, rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a reagent card changer and a reagent card storage chamber.
  • FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a reagent card embodying aspects of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 20 is a top perspective, cross-sectional view of a reagent card along the line XX-XX in FIG. 19 .
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pipettor robot of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a fluid transfer pipettor of the pipettor robot.
  • FIG. 23 is an exploded, perspective view of a Processing vial, a processing vial cap, and a pipettor probe.
  • FIG. 24 is a transverse cross section of the processing vial and the processing vial cap disposed within a processing vial well and a cap well, respectively, of a processing vial/cap drawer tray.
  • FIG. 25 is a transverse cross section of the processing vial cap removed from the cap well and inserted into the processing vial with the processing vial disposed within the processing vial well.
  • FIG. 26 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a processing vial, a processing vial cap, and a pipettor probe.
  • FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle distribution system of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle distribution system.
  • FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a distributor head of a rotary distributor of the receptacle distribution system with a receptacle hook in a retracted position.
  • FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the distributor head with the receptacle hook in an extended position.
  • FIG. 31 is an opposite side perspective view of the distributor head.
  • FIG. 32 is a transverse cross-section of the rotary distributor with a reagent card disposed therein.
  • FIG. 33 is a transverse cross-section of the rotary distributor with an MRD disposed therein.
  • FIG. 34 is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of a distributor moving system of the receptacle distribution system.
  • FIG. 35 is a top rear perspective view of the distributor moving system.
  • FIG. 36 is a top plan view of an embodiment of magnetic elution slots and reagent card loading stations of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 37 is a front end perspective view of the magnetic elution slots and reagent card loading stations.
  • FIG. 38 is a back end perspective view of the magnetic elution slots and reagent card loading stations.
  • FIGS. 39 and 40 are perspective views of an embodiment of an MRD handoff module of the processing extension module.
  • FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a sample eluate preparation process.
  • FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a reaction mixture preparation process.
  • FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a process for performing an automated biological process, such as a PCR reaction
  • This description may use relative spatial and/or orientation terms in describing the position and/or orientation of a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof. Unless specifically stated, or otherwise dictated by the context of the description, such terms, including, without limitation, top, bottom, above, below, under, on top of, upper, lower, left of, right of, inside, outside, inner, outer, proximal, distal, in front of, behind, next to, adjacent, between, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, longitudinal, transverse, etc., are used for convenience in referring to such component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting.
  • aspects of the present disclosure involve apparatus and procedures that can be used in conjunction with nucleic acid diagnostic assays, including “real-time” amplification assays and “end-point” amplification assays.
  • Real-time amplification assays can be used to determine the presence and amount of a target nucleic acid in a sample which, by way of example, is derived from a pathogenic organism (e.g., bacterium) or virus. Thus, real time amplification assays are often referred to as quantitative assays. By determining the quantity of a target nucleic acid in a sample, a practitioner can approximate the amount or load of the organism or virus in the sample. In one application, a real-time amplification assay may be used to screen blood or blood products intended for transfusion for bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • HCV hepatitis C virus
  • HAV human immunodeficiency virus
  • a real-time assay may be used to monitor the efficacy of a therapeutic regimen in a patient infected with a pathogenic organism or virus, or that is afflicted with a disease characterized by aberrant or mutant gene expression.
  • Real-time amplification assays may also be used for diagnostic purposes, as well as in gene expression determinations. Exemplary systems and methods for performing real-time amplification assays are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,897,337, entitled “Methods for Performing Multi-Formatted Assays,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the disclosure may also be implemented in conjunction with end point amplification assays.
  • end-point amplification assays the presence of amplification products containing the target sequence or its complement is determined at the conclusion of an amplification procedure.
  • end-point amplification assays are often referred to as qualitative assays in that such assays do not indicate the amount of a target analyte present, but provide a qualitative indication regarding the presence or absence of the target analyte. Exemplary systems and methods for end-point detection are described in U.S. Pat. No.
  • the interacting labels include a fluorescent moiety, or other emission moiety, and a quencher moiety, such as, for example, 4-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid (DABCYL).
  • the fluorescent moiety emits light energy (i.e., fluoresces) at a specific emission wavelength when excited by light energy at an appropriate excitation wavelength.
  • light energy emitted by the fluorescent moiety is absorbed by the quencher moiety.
  • fluorescent moieties having different and distinguishable excitation and emission wavelengths are often combined with different probes.
  • the different probes can be added to a sample, and the presence and amount of target nucleic acids associated with each probe can be determined by alternately exposing the sample to light energy at different excitation wavelengths and measuring the light emission from the sample at the different wavelengths corresponding to the different fluorescent moieties.
  • different fluorescent moieties having the same excitation wavelength, but different and distinguishable emission wavelengths are combined with different probes.
  • the presence and amount of target nucleic acids associated with each probe can be determined by exposing the sample to a specific wavelength light energy and the light emission from the sample at the different wavelengths corresponding to the different fluorescent moieties is measured.
  • control can be a known nucleic acid sequence that is unrelated to the sequence(s) of interest.
  • a probe i.e., a control probe
  • having specificity for the control sequence and having a unique fluorescent dye i.e., the control dye
  • quencher combination is added to the sample, along with one or more amplification reagents needed to amplify the control sequence, as well as the target sequence(s).
  • the sample After exposing the sample to appropriate amplification conditions, the sample is alternately exposed to light energy at different excitation wavelengths (including the excitation wavelength for the control dye) and emission light is detected. Detection of emission light of a wavelength corresponding to the control dye confirms that the amplification was successful (i.e., the control sequence was indeed amplified), and thus, any failure to detect emission light corresponding to the probe(s) of the target sequence(s) is not likely due to a failed amplification. Conversely, failure to detect emission light from the control dye may be indicative of a failed amplification, thus calling into question the results from that assay. Alternatively, failure to detect emission light may be due to failure or deteriorated mechanical and/or electrical performance of an instrument for detecting the emission light.
  • Assays performed in accordance with the description herein capture, amplify, and detect nucleic acids from target organisms in patient samples employing technologies, such as: Target Capture, Reverse Transcription and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
  • technologies such as: Target Capture, Reverse Transcription and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
  • RT-PCR Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
  • the combination of the processes; Reverse Transcription and PCR is abbreviated “RT-PCR.”
  • RT-PCR Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • the target capture process isolates nucleic acid of the target (e.g. virus, bacteria, mammalian cells) and purifies nucleic acid for amplification.
  • the target organism which can be in a variety of biological matrices from urine to blood, is lysed by Target Capture Reagents (“TCR”) and nucleic acid is released.
  • TCR Target Capture Reagents
  • Capture oligonucleotide probes hybridize to a target nucleic acid sequence.
  • the capture sequence/target nucleic acid complexes attach to magnetic particles in the TCR thru nucleic acid hybridization.
  • target capture enables the enrichment of a variety of sample types and significantly reduces the inhibition rate and can increase assay sensitivity.
  • Exemplary methods of target nucleic acid capture are provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,273, entitled “Two-step hybridization and capture of a polynucleotide,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the magnetic particles on which the target is hybridized are re-suspended, for example, with 20-60 microliters of a low salt buffer or water. This will de-hybridize the target sequence from the magnetic particles and, in the presence of a strong magnet, allow 5-50 microliters of purified nucleic acid to be recovered as input into the RT-PCR process.
  • Reverse transcription and PCR can be optimized to run in a single receptacle using common reagents as a one-step process.
  • This method provides a sensitive means to detect low-abundance RNAs, and, although the method is not necessarily quantitative, specific controls can be included in the experiment if quantitative results are desired.
  • RNAs are incubated with a retroviral enzyme (reverse transcriptase) under oil at 42° C. for approximately half an hour. This process creates a single-stranded DNA copy of the RNA.
  • a retroviral enzyme reverse transcriptase
  • RNA which has a polyadenylated (poly A) tail
  • an oligo dT amplification oligonucleotide can be used.
  • a collection of randomized hexanucleotide primers can be used to ensure an amplification oligonucleotide will be present that is complementary to each of the messages. If only one RNA target is sought, a sequence-specific primer complementary to the 3′ end of the desired amplification product is used.
  • RNase H is used to degrade the RNA molecule contained in the hybrid RNA-DNA duplex, so that the DNA strand is available to direct second-strand synthesis.
  • Single-stranded DNA thus generated can serve as the template for PCR using sequence-specific primers to amplify the region of interest.
  • the polymerase is inactive at low temperatures and must be heat activated at 95° C. for several minutes ( ⁇ 10) before beginning PCR. Both reactions occur inside a thermocycler (i.e., a module configured to expose the contents of the receptacle to temperatures that are cycled between two or more different temperatures), but Real-Time PCR requires accurate/rapid thermocycling between denaturation ( ⁇ 95° C.), annealing ( ⁇ 55° C.), and synthesis ( ⁇ 72° C.) temperatures. Fluorescence monitoring occurs at one or many color wavelengths—relating to one or many probes adapted to detect one or many target analytes—during each cycle or at another predetermined interval.
  • PCR components include: for example, the forward and reverse amplification oligonucleotides and a fluorogenic oligonucleotide probe containing a reporter fluorescent dye on the 5′ end and a quencher dye on the 3′ end.
  • nucleic acid amplification oligonucleotides hybridize to opposite strands of the target nucleic acid and are oriented with their 3′ ends facing each other so that synthesis by a nucleic acid polymerization enzyme, such as a DNA polymerase, extends across the segment of the nucleic acid between them. While the probe is intact, the proximity of the quencher dye greatly reduces the fluorescence emitted by the reporter dye.
  • the fluorogenic probe anneals downstream from one of the amplification oligonucleotide sites and is cleaved by the 5′ nuclease activity of the polymerization enzyme during amplification oligonucleotide extension.
  • the cleavage of the probe separates the reporter dye from the quencher dye, thus rendering detectable the reporter dye signal and removing the probe from the target strand, allowing amplification oligonucleotide extension to continue to the end of the template strand.
  • One round of PCR synthesis will result in new strands of indeterminate length which, like the parental strands, can hybridize to the amplification oligonucleotides upon denaturation and annealing. These products accumulate arithmetically with each subsequence cycle of denaturation, annealing to amplification oligonucleotides, and synthesis.
  • the second cycle of denaturation, annealing, and synthesis produces two single-stranded products that together compose a discrete double-stranded product which is exactly the length between the amplification oligonucleotide ends.
  • Each strand of this discrete product is complementary to one of the two amplification oligonucleotides and can therefore participate as a template in subsequent cycles.
  • the amount of this product doubles with every subsequent cycle of synthesis, denaturation and annealing. This accumulates exponentially so that 30 cycles should result in a 2 28 -fold (270 million-fold) amplification of the discrete product
  • a reaction receptacle in the form of an MRD 160 comprises a plurality of individual receptacle vessels, or reaction tubes, 162 , preferably five.
  • the receptacle vessels 162 preferably in the form of cylindrical tubes with open top ends and closed bottom ends, are connected to one another by a connecting rib structure 164 which defines a downwardly facing shoulder extending longitudinally along either side of the MRD 160 .
  • the receptacle may comprise any container suitable for holding a fluid or liquid, including a cuvette, beaker, microtiter plate, or test tube.
  • a fluid or liquid including a cuvette, beaker, microtiter plate, or test tube.
  • the term “receptacle” will interchangeably refer to an entire MRD, one or more individual receptacle vessels of an MRD, a cuvette, beaker, microtiter plate, test tube, or any other suitable container.
  • descriptions of the disclosure in the context of an MRD or receptacle vessel of an MRD are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the disclosure, as aspects of the disclosure are applicable to any suitable “receptacle.”
  • the MRD 160 is preferably formed from injection molded polypropylene, such as those sold by Montell Polyolefins, of Wilmington, Del., product number PD701NW or Huntsman, product number P5M6K-048.
  • the receptacle vessels 162 of the MRD are releasably fixed with respect to each other by means such as, for example, a sample tube rack.
  • An arcuate shield structure 169 is provided at one end of the MRD 160 .
  • An MRD manipulating structure 166 extends from the shield structure 169 .
  • the manipulating structure 166 is adapted to be engaged by an extendible and retractable hook of a receptacle distributor or a transport mechanism for moving the MRD 160 between different components of a diagnostic analyzer.
  • An exemplary transport mechanism that is compatible with the MRD 160 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,335,166, entitled, “Automated Process for Isolating and Amplifying a Target Nucleic Acid Sequence,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the MRD manipulating structure 166 comprises a laterally extending plate 168 extending from shield structure 169 with a vertically extending piece 167 on the opposite end of the plate 168 .
  • a gusset wall 165 extends downwardly from lateral plate 168 between shield structure 169 and vertical piece 167 .
  • the shield structure 169 and vertical piece 167 have mutually facing convex surfaces.
  • the MRD 160 may be engaged by a receptacle distributor, a transport mechanism, and other components, by moving an engaging member, such as an extendible and retractable hook, laterally (in the direction “A”) into the space between the shield structure 169 and the vertical piece 167 .
  • the convex surfaces of the shield structure 169 and vertical piece 167 provide for wider points of entry for an engaging member undergoing a lateral relative motion into the space.
  • a label-receiving structure 174 having a flat label-receiving surface 175 is provided on an end of the MRD 160 opposite the shield structure 169 and MRD manipulating structure 166 .
  • Human and/or machine-readable labels, such as scanable bar codes, can be placed on the surface 175 to provide identifying and instructional information on the MRD 160 .
  • MRD 160 may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,827, entitled “Reaction Receptacle Apparatus,” the disclosure of which is hereby Incorporated by reference.
  • the analyzer 100 includes various modules configured to receive one or more reaction receptacles (described in more detail below) within each of which is performed one or more steps of a multi-step analytical process, such as a nucleic acid test (NAT) designed to detect a virus or a bacterium, or other chemical, biochemical or biological process.
  • the modules of the analyzer 100 constitute receptacle-receiving structures configured to receive and hold one or more reaction receptacles and, in some instances, to perform processes on the contents of the receptacles.
  • Exemplary processes include, but are not limited to, adding substances, e.g., fluids, such as sample, reagent, buffer, oil, label, probe, or other reaction fluids, to and/or removing substances from the reaction receptacle, agitating the receptacle to mix the contents thereof, maintaining and/or altering the temperature of the contents of the reaction receptacle, heating or chilling the contents of the reaction receptacle, altering the concentration of one or more components of the contents of the reaction receptacle, separating or isolating constituent components of the contents of the receptacle, detecting an electromagnetic signal emission (e.g., light) from the contents of the reaction receptacle, deactivating or halting an on-going reaction, or any combination of two or more of such processes.
  • substances e.g., fluids, such as sample, reagent, buffer, oil, label, probe, or other reaction fluids
  • an exemplary analyzer in which the present disclosure may be implemented may include a receptacle input module 102 including structure for receiving and holding one or more empty reaction receptacles prior to the receptacles being used for performing a chemical, biological, or other multi-step process.
  • the receptacle input module 102 may comprise a drawer or cabinet that may be opened and loaded with a plurality of receptacles and may include a receptacle feeding apparatus for moving receptacles, e.g., one or more at a time, into a receptacle pick-up position.
  • the receptacle pick-up position comprises a registered or known position of the receptacle to facilitate removal of the receptacle by a receptacle distributor.
  • Analyzer 100 may further include various containers for holding bulk fluids, such as water, buffer solution, and waste materials. Other modules may be provided for holding containers of reaction fluids, such as reagents, and such modules may be constructed and arranged to maintain the contents of such containers at prescribed storage temperatures and/or to agitate such containers to maintain the contents of the containers in solution or suspension. Analyzer 100 may further include a sample loading module constructed and arranged to receive and hold containers, such as test tubes, containing sample specimens. Fluid transfer apparatuses may be provided for transferring fluids, e.g., sample fluids, reagents, bulk fluids, waste fluids, etc., to and from reaction receptacles and/or other containers.
  • fluids e.g., sample fluids, reagents, bulk fluids, waste fluids, etc.
  • Such fluid transfer apparatuses may comprises one or more robotic pipettor apparatuses configured for controlled, automated movement and access to the reaction receptacles and containers holding reaction fluids and/or bulk fluids and containers holding sample specimens.
  • Fluid transfer apparatuses may also include fluid dispensers, e.g., nozzles, disposed within other modules and connected by suitable fluid conduits to containers, e.g., bulk fluid containers, and to pumps or other apparatus for causing fluid movement from the containers to the dispensers.
  • Analyzer 100 may further include load stations 104 , 106 , 108 configured to receive a reaction receptacle and within which one or more materials may be added to the receptacle, including sample material and various reaction reagents, by a fluid transfer apparatus.
  • reaction reagents may comprise target capture reagents, lysis reagents, nucleic acid amplification reagents, and/or nucleic acid detection reagents, such as probes or labels.
  • Analyzer 100 may further comprise temperature ramping stations 110 configured to hold one or more reaction receptacles in an environment that is maintained at higher than ambient temperatures so as to raise the temperature of the contents of the receptacles.
  • Exemplary temperature ramping stations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,992, entitled “System and Method for Incubating the Contents of a Reaction Receptacle,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • Analyzer 100 may further include one or more incubators.
  • the illustrated analyzer 100 includes three incubators 112 , 114 , 116 , each of which is configured to receive a plurality of reaction receptacles and maintain the receptacles in an elevated temperature environment.
  • Exemplary incubators are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,964,413, entitled “Method for Continuous Mode Processing of the Contents of Multiple Reaction Receptacles in a Real-Time Amplification Assay” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0221252, entitled “Systems and Methods for Distinguishing Optical Signals of Different Modulation Frequencies in an Optical Signal Detector,” the respective disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the analyzer 100 may include sample-processing modules, such as magnetic separation wash stations 118 , 120 , adapted to separate or isolate an analyte of interest (e.g., a target nucleic acid) bound to a magnetically-responsive target capture material from the remaining contents of the receptacle.
  • sample-processing modules such as magnetic separation wash stations 118 , 120 , adapted to separate or isolate an analyte of interest (e.g., a target nucleic acid) bound to a magnetically-responsive target capture material from the remaining contents of the receptacle.
  • Exemplary magnetic separation wash stations are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0288395, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Effecting Automated Movement of a Magnet in an Instrument for Performing a Magnetic Separation Procedure” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,213, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Performing a Magnetic Separation Purification Procedure on a Sample Solution,” the
  • Analyzer 100 may further include chilling modules 122 adapted to receive one or more reaction receptacles and hold the receptacles in a lower than ambient temperature environment so as to reduce the temperature of the contents of the receptacles.
  • analyzer 100 may include a detector module 124 adapted to receive a reaction receptacle and detect a signal (e.g., an optical signal) emitted by the contents of the reaction receptacle.
  • detector module 124 may comprise a luminometer for detecting luminescent signals emitted by the contents of a receptacle and/or a fluorometer for detecting fluorescent emissions.
  • Analyzer 100 may also include one or more signal detecting apparatuses, such as fluorometers, coupled to one or more of the incubators 112 , 114 , 116 and configured and controlled to detect, preferably at specified, periodic intervals, signals emitted by the contents of the receptacles contained in the incubator while a process, such as nucleic acid amplification, is occurring within the reaction receptacles.
  • signal detecting apparatuses such as fluorometers
  • An exemplary luminometer and an exemplary fluorometer are described in previously-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 7,964,413 and another exemplary fluorometer is described in previously-incorporated U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0221252.
  • the analyzer 100 further includes a receptacle transfer apparatus, which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a receptacle distributor 150 .
  • the modules of the analyzer 100 may include a receptacle transfer portal through which receptacles can be inserted into or removed from the respective modules. Each module may or may not include an openable door covering its receptacle portal.
  • the receptacle distributor 150 is configured to move receptacles between the various modules and retrieve receptacles from the modules and deposit receptacles into the modules.
  • the receptacle distributor 150 includes a receptacle distribution head 152 configured to move in an X direction along a transport track assembly 154 , rotate in a theta ( ⁇ ) direction, and move receptacles in an R direction into and out of the receptacle distribution head 152 and one of the modules of analyzer 100 .
  • An exemplary receptacle distributor is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/128451, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Effecting Transfer of Reaction Receptacles in an Instrument for Multi-Step Analytical Procedure,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • a processing extension module 400 may be operatively coupled to a diagnostic instrument, such as analyzer 100 described above.
  • suitable diagnostic instruments to which the processing extension module 400 may be coupled include molecular diagnostic instruments, such as the “PANTHER” system available from Hologic, Inc.
  • the processing extension module is configured to perform PCR amplification assays and measure real time fluorescence during the amplification process.
  • a controller directs the component modules of the analyzer 100 and the processing extension module 400 to perform the assay steps.
  • the analyzer 100 houses all the computer, fluids, reagents, consumables, and mechanical modules to perform the specified assays, such as TMA assays.
  • the controller may comprise a computer and preferably can accommodate LIS (“laboratory information system”) connectivity and as well as remote user access.
  • the processing extension module 400 houses component modules that enable PCR assays, melting analyses, and optionally additional functionalities. Other components may include a printer and an optional uninterruptible power supply.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a processing extension module 400 embodying aspects of the present disclosure coupled to an analyzer 100 .
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the processing extension module 400 separated from the analyzer 100 .
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a PCR deck 430 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a receptacle processing deck 600 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the component modules of the processing extension module 400 include: a robotic pipettor 402 , a thermocycler/signal detector 432 , tip drawers 580 (e.g., two or more) configured to contain trays of disposable tips for the pipettor(s), processing vial/cap drawers 440 (e.g., two or more) configured to contain trays of disposable processing vials and associated caps, a reagent bottle drawer 500 and reagent bottle transport 550 , a receptacle distribution system comprising a receptacle handoff module 602 and a receptacle distribution module, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, comprises a rotary distributor 312 , MRD storage 608 , 610 , 612 for MRDs 160 , magnetic elution slots 620 (e.g., two or more), a waste bin 652 , a centrifuge 588 , a reagent card changer 700 , reagent card loading stations (e.g.,
  • the components may be positioned on different levels, or decks, arranged vertically through the module 400 .
  • the robotic pipettor 402 is disposed near the top of the processing extension module 400 , above all other components.
  • the PCR deck 430 includes the reagent bottle drawer 500 and reagent bottle transport 520 , the centrifuge 588 , the top of the thermocycler/signal detector 432 , the tip drawers 580 , and the processing vial/cap drawers 440 .
  • the receptacle processing deck 600 includes the receptacle handoff module 602 , the rotary distributor 312 , the MRD storage 608 , 610 , 612 , the magnetic elution slots 620 , the reagent card changer 700 , and the reagent card loading stations 640 .
  • the magnetic elution slots 620 and the reagent card loading stations 640 on the receptacle processing deck 600 are accessible by the robotic pipettor 402 through a gap between modules of the PCR deck 430 .
  • the receptacle distribution system comprising the receptacle handoff module 602 and the rotary distributor 312 , is configured to receive a receptacle (e.g., an MRD) from the receptacle transfer apparatus (e.g., the receptacle distributor 150 ) of the analyzer 100 and transfer the receptacle into the processing extension module 400 and move the receptacle into different positions within the processing extension module 400 .
  • a receptacle e.g., an MRD
  • the rotary distributor 312 and the receptacle handoff module 602 are shown schematically in FIG. 14 . Further details regarding these components are described below.
  • the processing extension module 400 is operatively positioned adjacent to the analyzer 100 , with the reagent bottle transport 550 extending into the analyzer 100 so that elution bottles 502 , 504 can be transported by the reagent bottle transport 550 from the elution bottle drawer 500 to a position within the analyzer 100 at which a fluid dispense mechanism, e.g., a pipettor, within the analyzer 100 can access the bottles 502 , 504 .
  • the processing extension module 400 may be attached to the analyzer 100 by any suitable means including mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts and/or screws), clamps, or any combination of suitable means. Suitable means for connection of power and/or data lines are provided between the processing module 400 and the analyzer 100 .
  • the processing extension module 400 can be supported with respect to the analyzer 100 such that the processing module-analyzer assembly is not over-constrained. Thus, in some embodiments, it is preferable that the processing extension module 400 does not include any legs or feet that contact the ground beneath the processing module and support some or all of the weight of the module. In certain embodiments, if the processing extension module 400 included its own rigid feet (e.g., two, three, or four feet), then the four feet of the analyzer 100 and the feet of the processing extension module 400 would create an over-constrained geometry.
  • the processing extension module 400 in some embodiments, is cantilevered off the analyzer 100 if the analyzer feet can support the additional weight of the processing extension module. In some embodiments, some of the weight of the processing extension module 400 may be supported by a single foot on a far edge of the processing extension module 400 away from the analyzer 100 .
  • the interface between the processing extension module 400 and the analyzer 100 should be blocked and sealed where possible to prevent airflow between the two instruments.
  • Existing air inlets on the side of the analyzer 100 facing the processing extension module 400 may be ducted through the processing extension module 400 to a fresh air source.
  • the side wall of the processing extension module 400 facing the analyzer 100 may be covered by panels to block airflow into the analyzer 100 . Such panels will include openings where necessary for receptacle or container transfer between the processing extension module 400 and analyzer 100 , cable routing, etc.
  • Amplification and other reagents may be provided in the processing extension module 400 in lyophilized form in a reagent card comprising a cartridge that includes wells within which the lyophilized reagent may be reconstituted.
  • the reagent card is further configured to be stored within the processing extension module 400 and to be moved within the processing extension module 400 by the rotary distributor 312 , and inserted and removed from the reagent card changer 700 .
  • the reagent card 760 may include a plurality of mixing wells 762 , each of which contains a lyophilized assay-specific reagent 768 , which may be in pellet form.
  • the reagent card 760 includes ten mixing wells 762 , but reagent card 760 may include more or fewer than ten mixing wells.
  • Each mixing well 762 of a single reagent card 760 may hold the same reagent, or the wells 762 may hold different reagents, or some wells 762 may hold the same reagent and some may hold different reagents.
  • Exemplary assay specific reagents 768 held in the reagent card 760 include reagents for performing a single PCR reaction utilizing a sample. Such reagents may be specific for one target nucleic acid or a panel of different target nucleic acids, for example, one or more targets comprising a respiratory panel, including reagents necessary to conduct a PCR assay targeting Flu A, Flu B, RSV, parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3, Human Metapneumovirus, Adenoviris, H1, H3, 2009 H1N1, and/or Tamiflu resistance.
  • the each reagent pellet 768 is held at the bottom of the associated mixing well 762 with electrostatic force imparted to the pellet 768 and/or the mixing well 762 .
  • each reagent pellet 768 is held at the bottom of the associated mixing well 762 with one or more physical feature present in the mixing well 762 , for example, those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/782,320, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR PERFORMING AUTOMATED REAGENT-BASED ASSAYS filed Mar. 14, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. CP2370 Sughrue Mion, PLLC), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the mixing wells 762 are covered by a pierceable foil 766 adhered to the top of the reagent card 760 .
  • Foil 766 can be pierced by a pipette tip 554 to enable reconstitution agents or other substances to be dispensed into the mixing well 762 and to enable reconstituted reagent to be aspirated from the mixing well 762 .
  • Reagent card 760 further includes a manipulating hook 764 that is similar to the manipulating hook 166 of the MRD 160 and is configured to be engageable by a manipulating hook of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the reagent card 760 may include a rear recess 770 that is configured to align the reagent card within a reagent card carrier, as will be described below.
  • tip drawers 580 are configured to hold trays 582 of disposable pipettor tips in a manner that enables the tips held in the drawers 580 to be accessed by the robotic pipettor 402 .
  • the processing extension module 400 includes two tip drawers 580 , each constructed and arranged to hold up to three trays 582 of disposable pipettor tips.
  • the drawers 580 may be configured to accept commercially-available trays of disposable pipettor tips.
  • Exemplary, commercially-available pipettor tips and trays are available from TECAN (TECAN U.S. Inc., Research Triangle Park, N.C.). Such tips are available in a variety of volumetric capacities, and each tip may be conductive to facilitate capacitive liquid level sensing and tip-present detection, as is well known in the art.
  • Exemplary trays hold ninety-six pipettor tips.
  • the drawers 580 are configured to be pulled out of the processing extension module 400 to enable an operator to place trays 582 of tips into the drawers 580 and to remove empty trays from the drawers 580 .
  • a door or cover panel that is either part of each drawer 580 or can be opened to access drawer(s) 580 behind it is preferably provided to present an esthetically pleasing appearance to the front of the processing extension module 400 .
  • Manual or automated locks, controlled by the system controller, may be provided to prevent the drawers 580 from being pulled open when the processing extension module 400 is operating and/or visible and/or audible warning signals may be provided to indicate that a drawer 580 is not closed properly.
  • the robotic pipettor 402 shown in FIGS. 4 , 21 , and 22 is a dual arm system comprising a front arm 408 and a back arm 416 .
  • Robotic pipettor 402 comprises a substance transfer device of the processing extension module 400 for dispensing and/or aspirating substances into and/or from a container, receptacle, well, etc.
  • the front arm 408 includes a fluid transfer pipettor 410 configured to aspirate fluid and dispense fluid and includes an integrated syringe pump
  • the back arm 416 includes a vial transfer pipettor 418 and does not perform fluid transfer.
  • the robotic pipettor 402 comprises a Cartesian gantry assembly with two transverse tracks 404 , 406 , a back arm longitudinal track 420 , and a front arm longitudinal track 412 .
  • the designations “longitudinal” and “transverse” are merely for distinguishing the two sets of tracks, which may be orthogonal to one another, but otherwise the designations are arbitrary.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 may be driven back and forth along the front arm longitudinal track 412 by a belt, drive screw, or other motion transmission apparatus coupled to a motor, and the vial transfer pipettor 418 may be driven back and forth along the back arm longitudinal track 420 by a belt, drive screw, or other motion transmission apparatus coupled to a motor.
  • the front arm longitudinal track 412 may be driven back and forth along the transverse tracks 404 , 406 by a belt, drive screw, or other motion transmission apparatus coupled to a motor
  • the back arm longitudinal track 420 may be driven back and forth along the transverse tracks 404 , 406 by a belt, drive screw, or other motion transmission apparatus coupled to a motor.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 and the vial transfer pipettor 418 include probes that are driven along the Z, or vertical, axis, for example, by a motor coupled to the probes, e.g., by a gear, a rack and pinion, a lead screw, or other suitable apparatus.
  • the motors may be under the control of a system controller.
  • the motors may be stepper motors and may include rotary encoders for controlling and monitoring the position of the track or pipettor to which it is coupled.
  • Each of the tracks have home sensors (or limit switches) for indicating when the pipettor 410 or the pipettor 418 is in one or more designated positions, such as a designated “home” position.
  • each pipettor may have a vertical home sensor for indicating when the probe is in one or more designated vertical positions, such as a designated vertical “home” position.
  • sensors for indicating a home position may include optical sensors (e.g., slotted optical sensors), proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 is configured to accept TECAN 1 ml disposable pipettor tips by inserting the probe thereof into a disposable pipettor tip, and an interference fit between the probe and the pipettor tip frictionally secures the pipettor tip to the end of the probe.
  • the front arm 408 and the fluid transfer pipettor 410 are configured to access at least parts of both the PCR deck 430 and the receptacle processing deck 600 on the processing extension module 400 .
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 may include integrated tip sensing for confirming the presence or absence of a disposable pipette tip, capacitive level sensing for detecting contact by the pipette tip with the surface of the fluid contents of a reaction receptacle or other container and determining the level of the fluid contents based on the detected vertical position of the pipettor, and pressure sensing for sensing pressure fluctuations within the fluid transfer system during fluid dispensing or aspiration.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 is capable of transferring fluids, caps, or cap/processing vial assemblies such as those described below.
  • the vial transfer pipettor 418 is a “pick and place” device configured pick up a vial/cap assembly by inserting the probe thereof into a cap that is coupled to a vial, as will be described below.
  • the pump for the fluid transfer pipettor comprises a ceramic piston driven by a servomotor and a leadscrew.
  • the servomotor is controlled by the system controller, and the apparatus preferably includes rotary encoder feedback to the system controller and home sensors for monitoring the position of the piston.
  • the syringe may have a volume of between 0.5 and 3 ml (preferably 1.05 ml) and is preferably made from ceramic.
  • the pump can preferably dispense very small volumes (5 ⁇ l) of fluid with +/ ⁇ 5% CV measured across 30 discrete dispenses. To achieve this performance, the pump includes a solenoid valve to release pressure at the end of the stroke to ensure consistent fluid shear.
  • the processing vial provides a receptacle for containing reaction fluids for performing PCR, or other process.
  • the cap is configured to be placed into or onto the vial in an automated manner so as to close off the vial.
  • the cap is configured to receive the end of a pipettor probe with a friction fit, so that the pipettor can thereafter pick up the cap and place it into or onto the vial.
  • the cap and vial are configured to lock together so that, once the cap is placed into or onto the vial, the cap and the vial are interlocked so that the pipettor, with its probe inserted into the cap, can then pick up both the cap and the vial that is locked to the cap.
  • the pipettor can then transfer the vial and cap from one location within the processing extension module 400 to another location.
  • Exemplary caps and processing vials are provided, for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/782,320, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR PERFORMING AUTOMATED REAGENT-BASED ASSAYS filed Mar. 14, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. CP2370 Sughrue Mion, PLLC), the disclosure of which was incorporated above.
  • FIGS. 23-26 Details of an exemplary embodiment of the processing vial 464 , the processing vial cap 476 , and the pipettor probe 422 are shown in FIGS. 23-26 .
  • the processing vial 464 may have a conical shape and an open top end 465 surrounded by a locking collar 466 . Lateral through holes 468 are formed through the locking collar 466 at diametrically opposed locations. A latch hook 472 is located above each through hole 468 .
  • the processing vial cap 476 has an open top end 478 and a closed lower end 480 .
  • An annular collar 482 extends about the cap 476 at a position between the top end 478 and lower end 480 . Collar 482 the vial 476 sits atop the thermocycler when the vial 476 is placed therein, ensuring a close fit of the vial within the wells of the thermocycler.
  • a lower portion of the cap 476 beneath the collar 482 defines a plug that fits into the open top end 465 of the processing vial 464 . This plug is sized so as to fit into the processing vial 464 with an interference, friction fit.
  • a latch collar 484 extends about the cap 476 at a position below the collar 482 . Seal rings 486 , 488 extend about the cap 476 at positions below the latch collar 484 .
  • FIGS. 24 and 25 show in cross section, a processing vial cap 464 , initially held in a cap well 490 of a vial/cap tray 460 , and a processing vial 464 held in a vial well 474 of the vial/cap tray 460 .
  • the processing vial 464 is capped by a processing vial cap 476 by inserting the closed lower end 480 of the cap 476 into the open top end 465 of the vial 464 , until a bottom surface of the collar 482 of the cap 476 abuts a top surface of the locking collar 466 of the vial 464 .
  • the latch collar 484 of the cap 476 snaps in beneath the latch hooks 472 of the vial 464 to secure the cap 476 to the vial 464 .
  • the cap 476 and the vial 464 are thereafter locked together and the cap/vial assembly may be picked up and moved by the pipettor.
  • the cap/vial assembly can be removed from the pipettor probe 422 by an eject apparatus engaging a rim 479 surrounding open end 478 to pull the cap/vial assembly off the pipettor probe 422 .
  • the seal rings 486 , 488 of the cap 476 preferably have outer diameters that are slightly larger than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the vial 464 , thereby forming a tight seal between the cap 476 and the vial 464 as the cap and vial are made of materials, such as suitable plastics, that are at least partially resilient.
  • FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a processing vial 670 and a processing vial cap 660 .
  • Processing vial cap 660 includes closed lower end 662 , a tapered opening 668 , and a latch collar 664 having latch fingers 666 .
  • the vial 670 includes a lock collar 672 surrounding the open top end of the cap 670 and a collar 674 . Collar 674 the vial 670 sits atop the thermocycler when the vial 670 is placed therein, ensuring a close fit of the vial within the wells of the thermocycler.
  • the vial is capped by first inserting the pipettor probe 422 into the tapered opening 668 of the processing vial cap 660 to frictionally secure the cap 660 to the pipettor probe 422 and then picking up the cap 660 with the pipettor and inserting the closed lower end 662 of the cap 660 into the open top end of the vial 670 until the latch fingers 666 lockingly snap onto the lock collar 672 of the vial 670 .
  • the cap 660 and the vial 670 are thereafter locked together and the cap/vial assembly may be picked up and moved by the pipettor.
  • the cap/vial assembly can be removed from the pipettor probe 422 by an eject apparatus engaging a rim 669 surrounding opening 668 to pull the cap/vial assembly off the pipettor probe 422 .
  • the processing extension module 400 may include “vial present” sensors.
  • the vial present senor is used as a process control measure to verify that a vial is attached to the cap.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 (front arm 408 ) and the vial transfer pipettor 418 (back aim 416 ) will detect when a cap is attached to the arm.
  • One means by which fluid transfer pipettor 410 or the vial transfer pipettor 418 will detect when a cap is present is by means of strip sleeve on the pipettor probe 422 . When the cap is picked by the pipettor probe, the upper rim of the cap pushes on and raises the sleeve (e.g.
  • the vial present sensor is an optical sensor (or multiple sensors) that either arm 408 , 416 can move past/through as it transports a capped vial into or out of the centrifuge 588 .
  • the vial present sensor will trigger on the vial (if present) as the arm moves past the sensor.
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 holds two elution buffer bottles, two oil bottles, and four reconstitution fluid bottles.
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 may be opened by an operator to load bottles. Once closed, the reagent bottle transport 550 moves the elution buffer bottles into the analyzer 100 to a location in which a fluid transfer mechanism, such as a pipettor, can access the bottles.
  • a fluid transfer mechanism such as a pipettor
  • the oil bottles and the reconstitution fluid bottles remain in the reagent bottle drawer 500 , where they are accessed by the fluid transfer pipettor 410 .
  • Bottles carried on the reagent bottle drawer 500 may be identified by machine-readable code, such as RFID.
  • An indicator panel 507 having visible (e.g., red and green LEDs) and/or audible indicators provides feedback to the operator regarding bottle status.
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 and reagent bottle transport 550 are shown in FIGS. 5-10 .
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 is located in the PCR deck 430 adjacent the tip drawers 580 and may be accessed from the front of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 may be pulled out to enable an operator to place two bottles 502 , 504 containing an elution buffer as well as a number of bottles, or other types of fluid container, containing other reagents, such as, for example, oil or reconstitution buffer, into the drawer 500 .
  • the number of bottles accommodated by the drawer 500 is dictated by considerations of intended throughput and desired time period between required re-stocking of supplies
  • a door or cover panel which is either part of the reagent bottle drawer 500 or can be opened to access the reagent bottle drawer 500 behind it, may be provided to present an esthetically pleasing appearance to the front of the processing extension module 400 .
  • Automated locks controlled by the system controller, may be provided to prevent the reagent bottle drawer 500 from being pulled open when the processing extension module 400 is operating, and/or visible and/or audible warning signals may be provided to indicate that the reagent bottle drawer 500 is not closed properly.
  • the bottles 502 , 504 are moved to the far end of the drawer 500 , where they are positioned in operative engagement with the reagent bottle transport 550 extending laterally from an end of the drawer 500 into the analyzer 100 .
  • the reagent bottle transport 550 is activated to move the bottles 502 , 504 into the analyzer 100 to a position at which a pipettor can access the bottles 502 , 504 .
  • the reagent bottle transport 550 may be activated manually by a user (e.g., pressing a button or switch) or automatically by the system controller upon receipt of an input signal indicating that the reagent bottle drawer 500 has been fully closed, thereby placing the bottles 502 , 504 into operative position with respect to the reagent bottle transport 550 .
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 includes a bottle tray 506 , configured to hold the plurality of reagent bottles, and a container carriage 512 disposed at the end of the bottle tray 506 and configured to carry elution reagent bottles 502 , 504 .
  • the bottle tray 506 and the container carriage 512 are moveable along a track 508 between a withdrawn position as shown in FIG. 9 (see also FIG. 7 ) and a closed position as shown in FIG. 10 (see also FIG. 8 ).
  • the container carriage 512 is carried on a carriage transport 522 configured to be movable with the bottle tray 506 along the track 508 .
  • the carriage transport 522 includes horizontal carriage rails 524 and 526 that engage rail slots 514 , 516 , respectively, formed in the container carriage 512 to retain the container carriage 512 within the carriage transport 522 .
  • the reagent bottle drawer 500 is constructed and arranged to permit operator to place reagent bottles 502 , 504 within the container carriage 512 when the drawer is in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 .
  • the reagent container carriage 512 is released from the carriage transport 522 and engaged by the reagent bottle transport 550 to pull the carriage 512 to a lateral position with respect to the track 508 of the bottle tray 506 , as shown in 10 .
  • the carriage transport 522 moves along the track 508 as the bottle tray 506 is moved into the open or closed positions.
  • the carriage transport 522 includes a pivoting carriage lock 532 configured to pivot about pivot pin 534 and including a locking leg 536 that extends upwardly through an opening 528 formed in the bottom of the carriage transport 522 and into a lock recess 520 formed in the bottom of the container carriage 512 .
  • a trigger leg 538 extends below the carriage transport 522 .
  • the trigger leg 538 of the pivoting carriage lock 532 engages a lock trigger 510 projecting upwardly from the track 508 , thereby causing the carriage lock 532 to pivot counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 12 , to withdraw the end of the locking leg 536 from the lock recess 520 of the container carriage 512 .
  • the container carriage 512 and the bottles 502 , 504 carried therein are able to slide laterally out of the carriage transport 522 and onto the reagent bottle transport 550 .
  • the reagent bottle transport 550 includes a powered carriage transport mechanism for moving the carriage 512 and bottles 502 , 504 .
  • the carriage transport comprises motor 552 and a continuous belt 554 disposed over the output shaft of the motor and an idler wheel 556 located on an opposite end of the bottle transport 550 from the motor 552 .
  • Motor 552 may comprise a stepper motor and may include a rotary encoder for monitoring and controlling, via control signals and feedback data, the position of the motor.
  • the carriage transport mechanism further includes a sled 558 with a carriage hook 564 extending therefrom.
  • the belt 554 is attached to a portion of the sled 558 so that movement of the belt by the motor 552 causes a corresponding translation of the sled 558 in one direction or the other along the transport 550 .
  • the carriage hook 564 passes into a carriage hook slot 530 formed in the carriage transport 522 and engages a hook catch 518 formed in the container carriage 512 .
  • the sled 558 and carriage hook 564 may then be translated laterally along the bottle transport 550 by the belt 554 to pull the carriage 512 off of the carriage transport 522 and onto the reagent bottle transport 550 .
  • the reagent bottle transport includes carriage rails 566 , 568 that will engage the rail slots 514 , 516 , respectively, of the container carriage 512 as the container carriage 512 is pulled onto the reagent bottle transport 550 .
  • a home flag 560 projects from the sled 558 and engages a slotted optical sensor 562 to indicate that the sled 558 and the carriage hook 564 are in the fully-extended position shown in FIG. 13 .
  • a second slotted optical sensor 570 is provided closer to the motor 552 (see FIG. 9 ). The second optical sensor 570 is engaged by the home flag 560 when the sled 558 and hook 564 are in the fully retracted position, as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • Signals from the sensors 562 , 570 are communicated to a system controller to monitor the position of the sled 558 .
  • the reagent bottle transport 550 may include limit switches (e.g., contact switches) to stop operation movement of the sled 558 at the fully extended and/or fully retracted positions, for example, by generating stop signals communicated to a controller which then sends stop commands or terminates power to the motor 552 .
  • limit switches e.g., contact switches
  • Still other types of sensors may be used for indicating extended and retracted stop positions, including proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • thermocycler 432 An exemplary embodiment of a thermocycler 432 is described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/677,976 Jul. 31, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/783,952, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED INCUBATION” (Attorney Docket CP202637, Sughrue Mion, PLLC), the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • An exemplary embodiment of a signal detector 432 is described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/782,340 filed Mar. 14, 2013 (Attorney Docket 2599-228 Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the centrifuge 588 is located on the PCR deck 430 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the centrifuge 588 will centrifuge one or more (up to five in one embodiment) capped processing vials 464 , 670 at a time.
  • each vial is centrifuged prior to PCR to ensure that sample material is located primarily in the bottom of the processing vial 464 , 670 and to remove any air bubbles from the contents of the vial 464 , 670 , which can affect heat transfer and optical transmission quality.
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 of the front arm 408 places the capped vial 464 , 670 into the centrifuge 588 at an access port indicated at reference number 589 .
  • the vial transfer pipettor 418 of the back arm 416 removes the vial 464 , 670 from the centrifuge 588 from an access port indicated at reference number 587 and places it in the thermocycler 432 .
  • the centrifuge configuration e.g., by providing separate ports 587 , 589 ) allows the fluid transfer pipettor 410 (front arm 408 ) and the vial transfer pipettor 418 (back arm 416 ) to load/unload vials simultaneously without colliding with each other.
  • the centrifuge not only performs its function of providing centrifugation of loaded vials, but also provides a vial transport mechanism by transporting vials from a position 589 accessible to the fluid transfer pipettor 410 to a position 587 where the vials are accessible to the vial transfer pipettor 418 .
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 is unable to access position 587 and the vial transfer pipettor 418 is unable to access position 589 .
  • the centrifuge 588 may incorporate means for tracking the position(s) of the loaded vial(s) within the centrifuge and determine when a vial is positioned at either access port 587 , 589 .
  • a turntable or other rotating structure on which the loaded vial(s) is(are) centrifuged may be driven by a stepper motor that may include a rotary encoder for precise movement of the turntable and tracking motor counts and/or the turntable or rotating structure may include a rotational position indicator, such as a home flag sensor, constructed and arranged to indicate one or more rotational positions or reference points.
  • the maximum revolution speed of the centrifuge is 3000 revolutions per minute, but other revolution speeds are contemplated based on, inter alia, the composition of the solution being centrifuged and the time period required to provide adequate centrifugation.
  • the receptacle distribution module which is constructed and arranged to move a receptacle onto the receptacle distribution module at a first location on the processing module, carry the receptacle from the first location to a second location on the processing module that is different from the first location, and move the receptacle off the receptacle distribution module at the second location on the processing module, comprises a rotary distributor.
  • the rotary distributor of the receptacle distribution system does not constitute a robotic pipettor, such as robotic pipettor 402 described above, or other substance transfer device comprising a pipettor that is supported on a structure for automatically moving the pipettor in different Cartesian directions, such a x-y-z, but is a 3-axis robot designed to transport MRDs 160 and PCR reagent cards 760 between different processing modules of the processing extension module 400 .
  • rotary distributor 312 works by a hook & rail system in which an extendible and retractable hook pulls or pushes MRDs 160 or reagent cards 760 into or from a distributor head of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the MRD 160 or reagent card 760 is supported and guided by rail and wall features within the head.
  • the rotary position of the distributor head is controlled and monitored by a rotary encoder on the motor for position feedback and has a home sensor.
  • the distributor hook may be belt driven with home and end of travel sensors (e.g., slotted optical sensors, limit switches, etc.)
  • the rotary distributor 312 is also constructed and arranged for powered, vertical (or Z-axis) motion of the distributor head for vertical translation of an MRD 160 or reagent card 760 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 is configured to allow for at least 100 mm of Z-axis travel.
  • the distributor head may include an MRD/reagent card presence sensor in the head.
  • the rotary distributor is configured to transfer an MRD 160 between any two modules of the processing extension module 400 within 4 seconds. In certain embodiments, each axis can make a full travel move in approximately 1 second.
  • a receptacle distribution system 200 includes a frame 202 comprising legs 203 , 204 and 205 extending between a bottom panel 208 and a top panel 206 .
  • the receptacle handoff station 602 is mounted on a handoff station bracket 606 attached to the bottom panel 208 of frame 202 and will be discussed further below.
  • Magnetic elution slots 620 and reagent card loading stations 640 are supported on a bracket 642 attached to legs 204 , and 205 of frame 202 and will be discussed further below.
  • a rotary distributor 312 is supported on a first upright wall 218 and a second upright wall 220 within the frame 202 .
  • Rotary distributor 312 includes a distributor head 314 defining a partial enclosure for holding an MRD 160 or reagent card 760 and a receptacle hook 318 configured to engage the manipulating structure 166 of an MRD 160 or the manipulating hook 764 of the reagent card 760 .
  • a hook actuator system 316 effects linear translation of the receptacle hook 318 with respect to the distributor head 314 between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 30 , and a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 29 .
  • the hook actuator system 316 includes a hook carriage 320 to which the receptacle hook 318 is attached.
  • a drive belt 344 is attached to the hook carriage 320 by a screw and bracket indicated at 322 .
  • Drive belt 344 is carried on a drive wheel 334 and idler wheels 336 , 338 , 340 , 342 .
  • a drive belt motor 370 having a rotary encoder 372 is attached to the distributor head 314 .
  • Drive belt motor 370 is coupled to the drive wheel 334 that drives the drive belt 344 of the hook actuator system 316 .
  • the hook actuator system 316 preferably includes a belt tensioner 346 for maintaining proper tension in the belt 344 .
  • Belt tensioner 346 includes a pivoting idler wheel bracket 348 to which idler wheel 336 is attached and which is pivotally attached to the distributor head 314 by a pivot screw 352 .
  • a slot 350 is formed in an end of the pivoting idler wheel bracket 348 , and a position lock screw 354 extends through the slot 350 into the distributor head 314 .
  • a spring 356 bears against a portion of the pivoting idler wheel bracket 348 .
  • Tension in the belt 344 can be adjusted by loosening the position lock screw 354 , thereby allowing the spring 356 to pivot the pivoting idler wheel bracket 348 and thus urge the idler wheel 336 upwardly to create the proper tension in the drive belt 344 .
  • the position lock screw 354 can thereafter be retightened.
  • the hook carriage 320 includes a rail channel 324 that translates along a hook carriage guide rail 330 attached to an upper, internal portion of the distributor head 314 .
  • the receptacle hook 318 is attached to a mount 326 disposed between the rail channel 324 and the hook 318 .
  • a hook home sensor e.g., a slotted optical sensor or limit switch, may be provided to indicate when the hook 318 is in the retracted, or “home,” position when a sensor flag extending from the mount 326 extends into the slotted optical sensor.
  • Other types of sensors may be used for indicating a home position, such as proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the receptacle hook 318 and hook carriage 320 are operatively coupled for electronic communication with the remainder of the rotary distributor 312 by means of a flexible cable 366 attached at one end to the hook carriage 320 and at a printed circuit board or other connector located on the distributor head 314 . Strain reliefs 368 and 369 may be provided for securing the flexible cable 366 to the distributor head 314 and the hook carriage 320 , respectively.
  • FIG. 32 illustrates a manner in which a reagent card 760 may be transported within the module 400 by means of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 may be configured to receive and hold a reagent card 760 that is pulled into the distributor 312 by the manipulating hook of the rotary distributor 312 with the bottom edge 765 of the card 760 supported on a rail 372 formed on the inner walls of the distributor 312
  • FIG. 33 illustrates a manner in which an MRD 160 may be transported within the module 400 by means of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 may be configured to receive and hold an MRD 160 that is pulled into the distributor 312 by the manipulating hook of the rotary distributor 312 with the connecting rib structure 164 of the MRD 160 supported on a rail 372 formed on the inner walls of the distributor 312 .
  • the receptacle distribution system 200 includes a distributor moving apparatus constructed and arranged to move the distributor head 314 in a circular path or in a vertical, linear path. More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, the distributor moving apparatus includes a rotary dive system 212 constructed and arranged to move the distributor head 314 in a circular path and an elevation system 230 constructed and arranged to move the distributor head 314 in a vertical direction.
  • FIGS. 27 , 28 , 34 , and 35 Details of the rotary drive system 212 are shown in FIGS. 27 , 28 , 34 , and 35 .
  • the first upright wall 218 and the second upright wall 220 , on which the distributor head 314 is supported, are mounted onto a turntable 214 that is mounted for rotation about its central axis on the bottom panel 208 of the frame 202 .
  • a motor 222 attached to the bottom panel 208 and having a rotary drive gear 204 extending above the bottom panel 208 , engages peripheral teeth of the turntable 214 so that powered rotation of the motor 222 effects rotation of the turntable 214 , as well as the first and second upright walls 218 , 220 and the distributor head 314 supported thereon.
  • Rotary motor 222 is preferably a stepper motor for providing precise control of the rotation of the turntable 214 and preferably includes a rotary encoder 223 for providing rotational position feedback to a control system controlling the rotary motor 222 .
  • Other means for rotationally coupling the distributor head 314 to the motor 222 are encompassed within this disclosure and include, for example, belt(s) and pulley(s), gear trains comprising one or more gears, drive shafts and worm gears, etc.
  • a positional sensor 226 which may comprise a slotted optical sensor including an optical transmitter-receiver pair, provides a rotational position feedback signal of the turntable 214 .
  • Optical sensor 226 may be configured to detect a passing of one or more positional flags on the turntable 214 for indicating one or more specific rotational positions.
  • Sensor 226 includes prongs, or portions, located above and below the turntable 214 and thus the positional flag(s) may comprise one or more openings (e.g., 227 ) formed through the turntable.
  • Passage of an opening between the portions of sensor 226 located above and below the turntable 214 complete the optical signal transmission between the transmitter and receiver portions of the sensor 226 and thus generate a signal corresponding to the passage of the opening.
  • Other types of sensors may be used for indicating particular rotational positions, including proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • a second optical sensor 228 may be provided below the turntable 214 .
  • Sensor 228 may comprise a slotted optical sensor including an optical transmitter-receiver pair for detecting the passage of one or more sensor flags (not shown) extending beneath the turntable 214 for indicating a rotational position.
  • Other types of sensors may be used for indicating a home position, including proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the elevation system 230 includes a threaded rod 232 extending upwardly from the turntable 214 through a motor 234 and internal thread drive 236 mounted to the distributor head 314 (see also FIG. 31 ). Rotation of the internal thread drive 236 by the motor 234 causes the motor and the distributor head 314 to which it is attached to translate up or down the threaded rod 232 .
  • a guide rail 238 extends vertically up one edge of the second upright wall 220 , and the motor 234 is coupled to the guide rail 238 by a rail coupling 240 .
  • Alternatives to the threaded rod and the internal thread drive for moving the distributor head 314 vertically are encompassed in this disclosure and include, for example, a rack and pinion or a belt drive system.
  • a sensor 246 extends below the distributor head 314 .
  • Sensor 246 may be a slotted optical sensor with the prongs thereof forming a transmitted-receiver pair. An optical signal between the spaced prongs is broken when the prongs enter the openings 216 , thereby sending a signal to a control system that the distributor head 314 is at its lowermost position.
  • Other types of sensors may be used for indicating a down position for the distributor head 314 , including, for example, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • Data and power are communicated between the rotary distributor 312 and the module 400 by means of a coiled cable 244 that can accommodate rotation of the rotary distributor 312 with respect to the frame 202 by, for example, 180° in either direction.
  • the distributor head 314 is rotated a few degrees by the rotary drive system 212 of the rotary distributor 312 , the hook 318 is extended by the hook actuator system 316 , and the head 314 is rotated in an opposite direction to engage the manipulating structure 166 of the MRD 160 .
  • the distributor hook 318 is then retracted, and the MRD 160 is pulled into the distributor head 314 .
  • the distributor head 314 is rotated a few degrees by the rotary drive system 212 , the hook is extended by the hook actuator system 316 , and the head 314 is then rotated in the opposite direction to engage the manipulating hook 764 of the reagent card 760 .
  • the distributor hook 318 is then retracted, and the reagent card 760 is pulled into the distributor head 314 .
  • the receptacle handoff module 602 is configured to transfer a receptacle, such as the MRD 160 , between the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 and the rotary distributor 312 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • Both the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 and the rotary distributor 312 of the processing extension module 400 manipulate the MRD 160 using a hook or other similar device to engage the manipulating structure 166 of the MRD 160 . Therefore, after the MRD 160 is disengaged by the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 , the MRD 160 can be positioned and oriented in such a manner as to present the manipulating structure 166 to the rotary distributor 312 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the handoff module 602 performs this function.
  • the receptacle handoff module 602 comprises a receptacle yoke 604 configured to receive and hold an MRD 160 placed into the yoke 604 by the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 .
  • the yoke 604 is mounted on a handoff module bracket 606 , attached to and extending from the bottom panel 208 of the frame 202 , so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation.
  • the yoke 604 is coupled to a handoff module motor 680 attached to the bracket 606 .
  • Motor 680 may be a stepper motor for precise motion control and may include a rotary encoder 682 for providing rotational position feedback of the receptacle yoke 604 to a controller.
  • a sensor 684 which may be a slotted optical sensor comprising an optical transmitter-receiver pair, is mounted to the bracket 606 and detects a home flag 686 extending from the yoke 604 for providing rotational position feedback.
  • Other types of sensors may be used for providing position or orientation feedback, including proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the housing 604 is rotated to present the manipulating structure 166 of the MRD 160 to the rotary distributor 312 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the handoff module 602 may be passively actuated by the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the handoff module rotation may be tied to the rotation of the rotary distributor 312 (e.g., via a cable, belt, gear, or other means) such that when the rotary distributor 312 rotates to the handoff position, the handoff module 602 would spin around to face the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the handoff module 602 When the rotary distributor 312 rotates away from the handoff module 602 , the handoff module 602 would rotate back toward the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 .
  • the MRD storage stations 608 , 610 , 612 are located on the receptacle processing deck 600 of the processing extension module 400 and serve as temporary locations for MRDs in the processing extension module 400 .
  • Storage stations 608 , 610 , 612 include a number of slots 614 , each configured to receive an MRD 160 .
  • the storage stations 608 , 610 , 612 are arranged in an arc, thereby accommodating the rotational path of motion of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • Providing additional storage for MRDs within processing extension module 400 provides the advantage of enhancing workflow by permitting flexibility in the timing that any particular MRD, or contents thereof, is/are utilized within processing extension module 400 . This permits MRDs that may arrive in processing extension module 400 later to be processed out of order, for example, to address urgent needs in a laboratory.
  • each magnetic elution slot 620 (two in the illustrated embodiment) and the reagent card loading stations 640 are supported on a bracket 642 attached to frame 202 .
  • the purpose of each magnetic elution slot 620 is to hold an MRD 160 and apply magnetic force to the contents of the MRD to pull the magnetic beads to the side walls of each receptacle vessel 162 while the fluid transfer pipettor 410 aspirates the eluate fluid from the receptacle vessels 162 .
  • Each magnetic elution slot 620 comprises a block 622 within which is formed a slotted opening 624 .
  • An MRD 160 placed within the slotted opening 624 is supported within the opening 624 by the connecting rib structure 164 of the MRD 160 resting on the top of bracket 642 .
  • the manipulating structure 166 extends out of the opening 624 , and a cutout 632 in each side wall of the block 622 enables the hook 318 of the rotary distributor 312 to move laterally into or laterally out of the MRD manipulating structure 166 of an MRD 160 located within the slotted opening 624 .
  • Magnets 628 are attached to or embedded within one or both walls defining the slotted opening 624 . Individual magnets 628 may be provided for each receptacle vessel 162 of the MRD 160 , as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 , or a single magnet may be provided for a receptacle that comprises one or more individual receptacle vessels.
  • the reagent card loading stations 640 are defined by spaced-apart hold-down features 644 extending above the bracket 642 and a backstop 646 defining a back end of each reagent card loading station 640 .
  • a reagent card 760 is inserted between the hold-down features 644 , under a lateral flange, and are pushed into the loading station 640 until the back end of the reagent card 760 contacts the backstop 646 .
  • reagent card trash chute 428 is supported on the bracket 642 .
  • reagent card trash chute 428 includes an entrance structure, defined by side walls 434 , 436 and a top panel 438 , through which a reagent card 760 is inserted into the trash chute 428 .
  • Sidewalls 434 , 436 are attached to the top of the bracket 642 and are bent or flared outwardly at their forward edges to provide a funneling entrance to the trash chute 428 .
  • Resilient tabs 442 extend down from the top panel 438 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 inserts the card 760 into the trash chute 428 between the side walls 434 , 436 .
  • the reagent card 760 is inserted into the trash chute 428 , there is a clearance between the top panel 438 and the top of the reagent card 760 .
  • the resilient tabs 442 bear against the top of the reagent card 760 and hold the card 760 down within the trash chute 428 .
  • the angle the resilient tabs 442 permits the card 760 to be pushed into the of the trash chute 428 , but resists movement of the card 760 out of the trash chute.
  • a cut-out 648 is formed in the bracket 642 , so the previously-inserted card 760 eventually falls from the trash chute 428 and, guided by a guide ramp 444 extending down from the bracket 642 , into a trash bin located below the trash chute 428 .
  • reagent card changer 700 Details of a reagent card changer 700 are shown in FIGS. 15-17 .
  • the purpose of the reagent card changer 700 is to provide fully independent reagent card loading and test execution whereby an operator may place reagent cards in a card input device and/or remove reagent cards from the card input device while previously loaded reagent cards are stored within a storage chamber, which may be temperature controlled, and are available for access by the instrument independently of the status of the card input device.
  • the reagent card changer is configured to move cards between the card input device and the storage chamber,
  • the card input device comprises a card carousel drawer 702 which may be pulled open from the processing extension module 400 and which contains a rotatable card carousel 704 .
  • the card carousel 704 includes a number of card stations 706 , each of which is adapted to receive and carry a reagent card 760 and which are defined by radially inner dividers 708 and radially outer dividers 710 . As can be seen in FIGS.
  • the card stations 706 of the card carousel 704 are arranged about the outer perimeter of the card carousel 704 , but the elongated card stations 706 , and reagent cards 760 carried thereby, are not oriented in a radial direction with respect to the center of the carousel 704 .
  • Each card station 706 is oriented at an angle (e.g. 5-20°) with respect to a true radial orientation.
  • This configuration of reagent cards optimizes the placement of reagent cards 760 on the carousel 704 , thereby enabling the carousel 704 to carry the maximum number of reagent cards 760 and providing access of identifiable indicia present on each reagent card 760 to the barcode reader 774 .
  • a gap 712 between each inner divider 708 —outer divider 710 pair enables an operator to insert his or her fingers into the gap 712 to thereby grasp the sides of the reagent card 760 for placing the card into the card station 706 or for removing the card 760 from the card station 706 .
  • Each card station 706 of the card carousel 704 also includes an alignment block 714 at a radially inner end of the card station 706 .
  • the alignment block 714 disposed within the rear recess 770 of the reagent card 760 helps to maintain the proper alignment and position of the reagent card 760 within the card station 706 .
  • the card carousel drawer 702 includes a carousel frame 716 , preferably disposed on a track that enables the frame 716 to be slid into or out of the module 400 as a drawer.
  • the frame 716 includes a drawer front 720 .
  • the card carousel 704 is rotatably disposed within the frame 716 , which may include a circular recess 722 shaped so as to conform to the carousel 704 .
  • Carousel 704 is motorized to effect powered rotation of the carousel.
  • the card carousel drawer 702 may include a motor (not shown) that is coupled, for example by a belt and pulley arrangement (not shown), to the carousel 704 to effect powered rotation of the carousel 704 .
  • the motor may be mounted to the carousel frame 716 and move in and out with the carousel drawer 702 , connected to the module 400 by a flex cable.
  • Carousel drawer 704 may include one or more position sensors for detecting when the carousel is in an open or closed position and communicating a corresponding signal to the system controller. Such sensor(s) may include optical sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the card carousel drawer 702 may also include a software-controlled lock.
  • the card carousel drawer 702 preferably also includes one or more sensors for tracking the positions of the card station 706 .
  • the card carousel 704 may include a home flag, such as a tab and an optical sensor that detects the position of the tab at a specified rotational position of the carousel 704 .
  • Other types of sensors may be used for indicating a home position, including proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.
  • the motor driving the carousel 704 may be a stepper motor including a rotary encoder for generating signals corresponding to a rotational position of the carousel 704 .
  • the processing extension module 400 may include a machine card reader configured to read a machine code provided on each reagent card 760 providing information regarding the reagent card, such as the identity of the assay reagents carried within the card, manufacturer, lot number, expiration date, etc.
  • the machine code may also include a unique identifier specifically identifying that particular reagent card 760 .
  • the machine code reader apparatus may comprise a barcode reader 774 configured to read a barcode label 772 disposed on the reagent card 760 .
  • Barcode label 772 may be a two dimensional or one dimensional barcode.
  • a scanning slot 718 formed in the carousel frame 716 provides an opening through which the barcode reader 774 may read a label 772 on the reagent card 760 .
  • the orientation of the reagent card 760 carried in the card station 706 of the card carousel 704 may be set at an angle with respect to a true radial orientation, and the shape of the outer dividers 710 , being generally trapezoidal in shape, creates a clearance opening through which the barcode reader 774 can read the barcode label 772 disposed on the reagent card 760 .
  • the barcode reader 772 provides an indication where each reagent card 760 is positioned within each card station 706 of the card carousel 704 .
  • a barcode scanner is exemplified, the use of other technologies such as RFID and QR codes are contemplated.
  • Each card station 706 may include a station empty barcode disposed on a side of each outer divider 710 that will be read by the barcode reader 774 if a reagent card 760 is not positioned within the card station 706 .
  • the card input device comprises an alternative card carousel 730 shown in FIG. 18 .
  • Carousel 730 is not carried on drawer configured to be pulled out of the module 400 , but instead, includes radially oriented card stations 732 arranged about the perimeter of the carousel 730 and is accessible through a slot in front of the processing extension module 400 which may be covered by a door that is openable by the operator.
  • Powered rotation of the card carousel 730 may be provided by a carousel drive system that may include a motor 734 having an output drive wheel 736 that is coupled to a drive pulley 739 of the carousel 730 by means of a drive belt 738 .
  • Motor 734 may comprise a stepper motor having a rotary encoder, and a home flag may be provided on the carousel 730 to detect and monitor the rotational position of the carousel 730 and thus each card station 732 .
  • FIG. 18 also shows an exemplary embodiment of a reagent card storage chamber represented by reference number 740 .
  • the storage chamber 740 is disposed beneath the card carousel 730 .
  • the card carousel drawer 702 would be disposed within the module 400 above the storage chamber 740 and would be movable with respect thereto.
  • Storage chamber 740 includes a housing 742 that defines a temperature controlled chamber therein.
  • the desired storage temperature may be as low as 4° C., but could be any temperature at or below ambient temperature, e.g., 15° C.
  • the module control the humidity level of the air circulating within the temperature controlled chamber.
  • the module is optionally equipped to collect condensed water, and route it outside the cooled storage area for disposal.
  • Housing 742 may be insulated and may be cooled by peltier devices that can be mounted directly onto the housing 742 or by peltier devices coupled to a heat exchanger that cools a fluid, such as water or a refrigerant, which is circulated around the housing 742 .
  • the storage chamber 740 is cooled by two separate peltier devices mounted directly onto the housing 742 , each at different temperatures or temperature ranges.
  • the first peltier device is held at a temperature close to the freezing temperature of water.
  • the second peltier is provided at a location within the storage chamber 740 distant or adjacent to that of the first peltier and is provided at a temperature higher than that of the first peltier, e.g., 15° C.
  • the second peltier is in operable communication with a temperature sensor within the storage chamber 740 , positioned near the top of the storage chamber 740 .
  • the second peltier would operate based on the measured temperature to maintain a predetermined temperature in the storage chamber 740 .
  • a fan may be provided within the storage chamber 740 to cause air circulation within the storage chamber 740 through the fan, and past the first and second peltiers.
  • air passes the first peltier which is held at a very low temperature, the air will cool, thus decreasing its capacity to hold moisture which moisture will condensate on the peltier or another designated element. Therefore, this dual peltier embodiment provides both a temperature and humidity controlled environment, which is beneficial for increasing the shelf-life of lyophilized reagents which are vulnerable to rapid degradation in the presence of increased temperatures and atmospheric moisture.
  • the housing 742 should be provided with a liquid collection and drainage system or other means for handling condensing liquid inside the housing 742 .
  • a liquid collection and drainage system or other means for handling condensing liquid inside the housing 742 .
  • Such a system may, for example, include piping for directing the collected condensate away from the housing 742 and to a drain or an evaporator.
  • a storage carousel 744 is rotatably mounted within the housing 742 , for example, on shaft 745 .
  • Storage carousel 744 includes a plurality of card stations 746 disposed around the perimeter thereof and positioned on one or more levels of the carousel 744 .
  • storage carousel 744 includes card stations 746 on two levels, one above the other.
  • the carousel drive system may include a motor 748 , which may be a stepper motor, having an output drive wheel 750 coupled by means of a drive belt 752 to a drive pulley 749 of the card carousel 744 .
  • Motor 748 may be located outside the housing 742 —to keep heat generated by the motor 748 from heating the storage chamber 742 —and the drive belt 752 may extend through an opening in the housing 742 .
  • a drive pulley coupled to the carousel 744 may be located outside the housing 740 .
  • the motor 748 may include a rotary encoder, and the card carousel 744 may include a home flag for monitoring the rotational position of each of the card stations 746 of the card carousel 744 .
  • the barcode of each reagent card 760 is read by a barcode reader 774 and the identity and other information provided by the barcode is associated with a particular card station 706 , 732 of the carousel.
  • the reagent cards may be scanned externally of the module 400 , for example, by a hand operated barcode scanner, prior to the reagent card being placed into the card input device.
  • reagent cards 760 have been placed into the card input device, such as carousel 704 or carousel 730 , card carousel drawer 702 is shut or a door in front of the carousel access opening is closed.
  • the rotary distributor 312 removes one or more reagent cards 760 from the card carousel 704 , 730 and moves the reagent card 760 into a card station 746 of the storage carousel 744 of the storage chamber 740 . As shown in FIG.
  • the carousel frame 716 of the card carousel drawer 702 includes a card access slot 724 through which the rotary distributor 312 can access the manipulating hook 764 of a reagent card 760 disposed within the card station 706 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 can be configured to provide powered and controlled vertical, i.e., z-axis, motion. It is preferable that access to the card access slot 724 by the rotary distributor 312 is controlled by a door when the input carousel 704 or 730 is temperature controlled.
  • a reagent card 760 is present in the storage chamber 740 , it is available to be utilized in a PCR assay.
  • the carousel of the storage chamber 740 rotates to a position where a reagent card 760 containing the specific unit dose reagents for that particular assay is accessible by the rotary distributor 312 .
  • a reagent card 760 containing the specific unit dose reagents for that particular assay is accessible by the rotary distributor 312 .
  • Such assess will be through a door to maintain a tightly controlled temperature environment in the storage chamber 740 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 will access the reagent card 760 through the door and move it to a reagent card loading station 640 for reconstitution of one or more lyophilized reagents contained on the reagent card 760 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 When the reagent card 760 is empty, or when the reagents of one or more wells on the reagent card 760 have been reconstituted and removed, the rotary distributor 312 will again move the reagent card 760 . If there are reagents remaining in the card the rotary distributor 312 will transfer the card back to the storage chamber 740 . If the card contains no more reagents, or is otherwise designated as inappropriate for continued use (e.g., contaminated or expired reagents), the rotary distributor 312 will transfer the reagent card 760 to either a waste chute 426 or back to the card input carousel 704 or 730 for removal.
  • a further alternative for scanning each reagent card 760 is for the rotary distributor 312 to present each reagent card 760 to a barcode scanner as each reagent card is removed from the card input carousel and before placing the reagent card 762 into the storage carousel 744 .
  • Reagent identity control is maintained after the bar code (or other machine code) is read on the reagent card 760 by monitoring the position of each card station 706 , 732 of carousel 704 , 730 and each card station 746 on the storage carousel 744 and associating the reagent card identity—from the bar code—with the card station position.
  • the card carousels 704 , 730 rotate independently of the storage carousel 744 of the storage chamber 740 to allow an operator to load and unload reagent cards 760 from the card carousel 704 , 730 while the module 400 (i.e., rotary distributor 312 ) independently accesses reagent cards 760 stored in the storage carousel 744 for assay processing.
  • the module 400 i.e., rotary distributor 312
  • the reagent card changer 700 preferably stores at least 28 to 30 or more reagent cards 760 .
  • the process extension module 400 may further include a charged field generator to electrostatic forces to position and hold the lyophilized reagent 768 present in the reagent card 760 at the bottom of each of the mixing wells 762 of the reagent card.
  • the reagent 768 may be held at the bottom of the associated mixing well 768 with a previously-imparted electrostatic force, as noted above, the inclusion of a mechanism, such as a charged field generator, to actively pull the lyophilized reagent 768 down to the bottom of the mixing well 762 at the time that the reagent is reconstituted will ensure its positioning in the correct spot in the mixing well during reconstitution.
  • the charged field generator is positioned below the reagent card loading station 702 , 730 .
  • a charged field generator device could be provided in the card carousel 704 , 730 present in the card loading drawer and/or the storage carousel 744 present in the card storage chamber 740 .
  • the charge field generator device may be located under or operatively coupled to the card station 706 , 732 or the card station 746 below the card 760 , as providing a charge field generator device within the card storage chamber will have an enhanced electrostatic effect due to the lower temperature and low humidity.
  • compartment 590 can house a standard 96 well plate.
  • the plate is located such that both pipettor arms 408 , 416 can access the 96 well plate location.
  • the expansion space has access to the front (via a drawer mechanism) so that the operator can load and unload the plate.
  • the expansion space can also be accessed from the side of the instrument.
  • a drive system e.g., comprising a motor-driven belt, may be provided for translating a well plate or other container or component into or out of the processing extension module 400 .
  • Compartment 590 can be utilized as an area for collecting vial/cap assemblies that have undergone a PCR and/or melting assay to provide for the ability to perform additional assays (e.g., ELISAs) on the sample contained in the vial/cap assembly.
  • additional assays e.g., ELISAs
  • an arrangement of vial/cap assemblies in the format of a 96 well plate has advantages if further processing of the samples is desired since the 96 well plate size is compatible with a variety of known sample processing and molecular assay instruments.
  • the analyzer 100 is used for the sample preparation portion of the PCR assay. Specimens and TCR, which may include magnetic beads, are loaded onto the analyzer 100 . Elution buffer bottles 502 , 504 are loaded on the processing extension module 400 then the processing extension module 400 automatically moves these bottles into a space within the analyzer 100 that can be accessed by a reagent pipettor of the analyzer 100 .
  • the analyzer recognizes that PCR will be initiated.
  • a receptacle transport mechanism of the analyzer pulls a new MRD from an input queue and places it into a sample dispense position within the analyzer 100 .
  • TCR and specimen are transferred from a reagent container and specimen tube, respectively, to each receptacle vessel 162 the MRD 160 by a pipettor within the analyzer 100 .
  • the contents of the MRD 160 are then incubated for a prescribed period at a prescribed temperature, and then the MRD is transferred to a magnetic wash station for a magnetic wash procedure.
  • the MRD 160 is moved by the receptacle transport apparatus to an amplification reagent dispense position within the analyzer 100 .
  • the analyzer pipettor then adds elution fluid to each receptacle vessel 162 of the MRD 160 to separate target (specimen) material from the magnetic particles, and the analyzer mixes the contents before sending the MRD 160 to the processing extension module 400 .
  • the processing extension module 400 places the MRD into one of a series of MRD parking slots. When signaled by the system controller, the processing extension module 400 moves the MRD to a magnetic elution slot to separate the eluted magnetic particles and target material, and the PCR pipettor begins the PCR process.
  • the pipettor first dispenses oil to all processing vials queued for test.
  • the pipettor then aspirates eluate/specimen from the MRD and then aspirates reconstitution reagent solution from a reconstitution reagent cartridge or reservoir and dispenses them to a reagent card lyophilized-reagent well.
  • the reconstitution reagent and lyophilized reagent may be drawn into and released from the pipette tip one or more times to ensure adequate and rapid reconstitution.
  • the lyophilized-reagent reconstitutes and the reconstituted mixture is then pipetted to the processing vial and is then capped.
  • the reconstituted mixture, sample, and oil may be drawn into and released from the pipette tip one or more times to ensure adequate mixing.
  • the capped vial is transferred to the centrifuge and then to thermocycler for PCR amplification and fluorometric detection.
  • Results may be displayed on an instrument monitor or user interface and either printed or communicated to the LIS.
  • the analyzer 100 is configured to perform one or more isothermal processes on sample material contained within an MRD.
  • such an isothermal process may be performed on the contents of the MRD prior to sending the MRD to the processing extension module 400 to perform PCR on a portion of the MRD content material, as discussed above.
  • the MRD may be transferred back to the analyzer 100 to perform an isothermal process on the remaining MRD contents.
  • FIGS. 41-43 Details of operation and a process embodying aspects of the present disclosure are shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 41-43 .
  • the following processes are exemplary. Other processes may be performed and/or the processes shown herein and described below may be modified, e.g., by omitting and/or reordering certain steps.
  • a sample eluate preparation process that can be performed using the analyzer 100 and the processing extension module 400 described above is represented by flow chart 800 in FIG. 41 .
  • a reaction receptacle is moved to a location at which reaction materials can be added to the receptacle.
  • the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 moves an MRD 160 from the input module 102 to one of the load stations 104 , 106 or 108 .
  • a fluid transfer apparatus of the analyzer 100 transfers reaction materials to the receptacle.
  • a robotic pipettor of the analyzer 100 transfers a target capture reagent (“TCR”) (e.g., 500 ⁇ l), sample fluid (e.g., 360 ⁇ l), and target enhancer reagent (“TER”) (e.g., 140 ⁇ l) into each receptacle vessel 162 of the MRD 160 .
  • TCR target capture reagent
  • sample fluid e.g., 360 ⁇ l
  • TER target enhancer reagent
  • step S 806 the reaction materials added to the receptacle in step S 804 are mixed.
  • the TCR, sample fluid, and TER added to the vessels 162 of MRD 160 are mixed, e.g., by oscillating the MRD 160 at a high frequency (e.g., 60 seconds at 16 Hz).
  • step S 808 the receptacle is moved into an environment that will promote the desired chemical and/or biological reaction.
  • the receptacle distributor 150 removes the MRD 160 from the load station 104 and transfers the MRD 160 to one of the incubators 112 , 114 , 116 (referred to as the AT Binding Incubator “ATB Incubator” in FIG. 41 ) to incubate the contents of the MRD 160 at a prescribed temperature for a prescribed period of time (e.g., 1800 seconds at 63° C.).
  • the MRD 160 may first be placed in one of the temperature ramping stations 110 (e.g., 300 seconds at 65° C.) to elevate the temperature of the MRD 160 and its contents to a temperature that is closer to that of the incubator into which the MRD 160 will be transferred so as to minimize temperature fluctuations within the incubator.
  • the temperature ramping stations 110 e.g. 300 seconds at 65° C.
  • step S 810 the receptacle distributor 150 removes the MRD 160 from one of the incubators and transfers the MRD 160 to another incubator (referred to as the “High Temp Incubator” in FIG. 41 ) that is at a different (e.g., higher or lower) temperature than the first incubator to continue to incubate the contents of the MRD 160 at a prescribed temperature for a prescribed period of time (e.g., 600 seconds at 43.7° C.).
  • a prescribed temperature e.g. 600 seconds at 43.7° C.
  • step S 812 the receptacle distributor 150 removes the MRD from the second temperature incubator and returns the MRD 160 to another incubator at a different temperature, which may be the same incubator (e.g., the “ATB Incubator”) the MRD was placed into in step S 808 .
  • a different temperature which may be the same incubator (e.g., the “ATB Incubator”) the MRD was placed into in step S 808 .
  • the receptacle distributor 150 may remove the MRD 160 from the incubator and transfer the MRD 160 to a chiller module 122 (referred to as a “Chiller Ramp” in FIG. 41 ), maintained at a predetermined temperature.
  • the receptacle distributor 150 removes the MRD 160 from a chiller module 122 after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 830 seconds), and transfers the MRD 160 to a magnetic parking station comprising magnets for attracting magnetic particles within each receptacle vessel 162 to the walls of the receptacles 162 to pull the particles out of suspension.
  • a predetermined period of time e.g. 830 seconds
  • step S 818 after a prescribed period of time within the magnetic parking station (e.g., 300 second), the receptacle distributor 150 removes the MRD 160 from the magnetic parking station and transfers the MRD 160 to a magnetic separation wash station 118 or 120 .
  • step S 820 a magnetic wash procedure is performed on the contents of the MRD 160 placed into the magnetic wash station.
  • One exemplary embodiment of the magnetic separation procedure involves a number magnetic dwells during which the contents of the receptacle are exposed to a magnetic force for a predetermined period of time, and after each magnetic dwell, while the contents are still exposed to the magnetic force, the fluid contents are aspirated from the receptacle, leaving the magnetic particles behind in the receptacle.
  • three magnetic dwells of 120 seconds each are performed.
  • the magnetic force is removed from the contents of the receptacle.
  • an amount of wash fluid e.g., 1000 ⁇ l of wash buffer
  • the receptacle distributor 150 retrieves the MRD 160 from the magnetic separation wash station 118 or 120 and moves the MRD 160 to one of the load stations 104 , 106 or 108 .
  • an amount of elution buffer e.g., 50-110 ⁇ l
  • a fluid transfer apparatus such as a robotic pipettor
  • step S 824 following the addition of the elution buffer, the contents of the MRD 160 are mixed by agitating the MRD 160 .
  • step S 826 the MRD 160 is transferred from the analyzer 100 to a magnetic elution slot 620 the processing extension module 400 .
  • the receptacle distributor 150 of the analyzer 100 retrieves the MRD 160 from the load station 104 , 106 or 108 and transfers the MRD 160 to an end of the transport track assembly 154 closest to the processing extension module 400 .
  • the distribution head 152 of the receptacle distributor 150 places the MRD into the receptacle handoff module 602 of the processing extension module 400 .
  • the receptacle handoff module 602 then rotates the MRD 160 and presents it to the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 extends its hook 318 and engages the manipulation structure 166 of the MRD 160 by rotating a few degrees to place the hook 318 into the manipulation structure 166 and then withdraws the hook 318 to pull the MRD 160 into the distributor head 314 of the rotary distributor 312 .
  • the rotary distributor 312 then rotates to align the MRD 160 carried therein with one of the magnetic elution slots 620 of the TCR module 400 (or optionally MRD storage 608 ).
  • the rotary distributor 312 then extends its hook 318 to push the MRD 160 into the magnetic elution slot 620 and rotates a few degrees to remove the hook 318 from the manipulation structure 166 .
  • process 830 shown in FIG. 42 The process next proceeds to process 830 shown in FIG. 42 .
  • a reaction mixture preparation process is represented by flow chart 830 .
  • One or more of the steps of process 830 may proceed in parallel with one or more of the steps of process 800 shown in FIG. 41 .
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 of the processing extension module 400 picks up a disposable tip 584 from a disposable tip tray 582 carried in one of the tip drawers 580 .
  • step S 834 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 transfers an amount of oil (e.g., 15 ⁇ l) from an oil bottle carried in the reagent bottle drawer 500 to one or more processing vials 464 held in the vial/cap trays 460 of the processing vial/cap drawer 440 .
  • an amount of oil e.g. 15 ⁇ l
  • step S 836 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 moves to a trash chute 426 to strip the disposal pipettor tip 584 therefrom and discard the tip into the trash chute 426 . Fluid transfer pipettor 410 then returns to the disposable tip tray 582 and picks up another disposable pipettor tip 584 .
  • fluid transfer pipettor 410 transfers an amount of reconstitution reagent (e.g., 20 ⁇ l) from a reconstitution reagent bottle held in the reagent bottle drawer 500 to a mixing well 762 of a PCR reagent card 760 that was previously transferred by the rotary distributor 312 from the storage chamber 742 to a reagent card loading station 640 .
  • the pipettor 410 before the reconstitution reagent is dispensed into the mixing well 762 , the pipettor 410 performs a level sense at the foil 766 prior to piercing the foil 766 with the pipette tip 584 . The level-sense performed on the foil of the card to “calibrate” the height of the card relative to the pipettor. It is important that the pipettor tip go to the bottom of the mixing well accurately for reagent aspiration.
  • step S 840 the fluid within the mixing well 762 is mixed to dissolve the lyophilized reagent 768 .
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 mixes the fluid within the mixing well 762 by alternately aspirating the fluid into the pipettor tip 584 and dispensing the fluid back in the well 762 one or more times to dissolve the lyophilized reagent 768 .
  • step S 842 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 transfers an amount, (e.g., 20 ⁇ l) of the reconstituted reagent from the mixing well 762 of the PCR reagent card 760 (referred to as “Mastermix” in FIG. 42 ), into a vial 464 .
  • an amount e.g. 20 ⁇ l
  • step S 844 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 moves to the trash chute 426 and strips the pipettor tip 584 into the trash chute. The fluid transfer pipettor 410 then moves to the disposable tip tray 582 and picks up a new disposable pipette tip 584 .
  • Block “B” in FIG. 42 represents the integration of process 800 shown in FIG. 41 with process 830 shown in FIG. 42 .
  • An MRD 160 containing a sample mixture (which, in this exemplary embodiment, was purified in a magnetic separation procedure) and an elution buffer is held in a magnetic elution slot 620 , having been placed there in step S 826 of process 800 .
  • the MRD 160 is held in the magnetic elution slot 620 for dwell period of at least 120 seconds.
  • step S 846 of process 830 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 transfers an amount of eluate (e.g., 5 ⁇ l) from the MRD 160 held in the elution slot 620 to the processing vial 464 to which oil and reagent were added in steps S 834 and S 842 , respectively.
  • an amount of eluate e.g., 5 ⁇ l
  • step S 848 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 moves back to the trash chute 426 and strips the disposal pipettor tip 584 into the trash chute.
  • Block “C” in FIG. 43 represents the integration of process 830 shown in FIG. 43 with process 850 shown in FIG. 43 .
  • step S 852 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 picks up a processing vial cap 476 from the cap well 440 of the cap/vial tray 460 by inserting the pipettor probe 422 (without a disposable pipette tip thereon) into the cap 476 (see e.g., 4002 , 26 ).
  • the fluid transfer pipettor 410 picks up the cap 476 , which is held onto the pipettor probe 422 by friction, and inserts the cap 476 into the processing vial 464 held in the processing vial well 474 until the cap 476 locks with the vial 464 to form a cap/vial assembly (see e.g., FIG. 25 ).
  • step S 854 the fluid transfer pipettor 410 transfers the cap/vial assembly held to the pipettor probe 422 by friction to the centrifuge 588 , where a stripping apparatus removes the cap/vial assembly from the pipettor probe 422 to deposit the cap/vial assembly into the centrifuge 588 .
  • Step 856 following a specified period of time in the centrifuge, the vial transfer pipettor 418 inserts its pipettor probe 422 into the cap 476 of the cap/vial assembly held in the centrifuge 588 and removes the cap/vial assembly from the centrifuge 588 and transfers the cap/vial assembly to an incubator module, such as the thermocycler 432 .
  • a stripping apparatus removes the cap/vial assembly from the pipettor probe 422 of the vial transfer pipettor 418 .
  • an incubation process is performed.
  • the incubation process may include PCR thermocycling comprising multiple cycles of temperatures varying between 95° C. for denaturation, 55° C. for annealing, and 72° C. for synthesis.
  • an emission signal from the contents of the processing vial may be monitored.
  • fluorescence monitoring at one or more colored wavelengths during each PCR cycle may be measured using a signal detecting apparatus, such as a fluorometer, operatively integrated with the thermocycler 432 .
  • Periodic fluorescence intensity measurements at each wavelength may be made at regular intervals to generating fluorescence time series data for later processing and analysis.
  • step S 860 following the PCR process of step S 858 , the vial transfer pipettor 418 retrieves the cap/vial assembly from the thermocycler 432 and transfers the cap/vial assembly to a trash chute 424 where the cap/vial assembly is stripped from the pipettor probe 422 into the trash chute 424 , or the cap/vial assembly is transported to an output card in the storage/expansion module.
  • Hardware components include computing and control modules (e.g., system controller(s)), such as microprocessors and computers, configured to effect computational and/or control steps by receiving one or more input values, executing one or more algorithms stored on non-transitory machine-readable media (e.g., software) that provide instruction for manipulating or otherwise acting on the input values, and output one or more output values.
  • computing and control modules e.g., system controller(s)
  • microprocessors and computers configured to effect computational and/or control steps by receiving one or more input values, executing one or more algorithms stored on non-transitory machine-readable media (e.g., software) that provide instruction for manipulating or otherwise acting on the input values, and output one or more output values.
  • Such outputs may be displayed or otherwise indicated to a user for providing information to the user, for example information as to the status of the instrument or a process being performed thereby, or such outputs may comprise inputs to other processes and/or control algorithms.
  • Data input components comprise elements by which data is input for use by the control and computing hardware components.
  • Such data inputs may comprise positions sensors, motor encoders, as well as manual input elements, such as graphic user interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, microphones, switches, manually-operated scanners, voice-activated input, etc.
  • Data output components may comprise hard drives or other storage media, graphic user interfaces, monitors, printers, indicator lights, or audible signal elements (e.g., buzzer, horn, bell, etc.).
  • Software comprises instructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable media which, when executed by the control and computing hardware, cause the control and computing hardware to perform one or more automated or semi-automated processes.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
US14/212,261 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions Abandoned US20160032358A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/212,261 US20160032358A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions
US16/011,229 US11098343B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-18 Systems and methods for performing assays

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361784994P 2013-03-14 2013-03-14
US14/212,261 US20160032358A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/011,229 Continuation US11098343B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-18 Systems and methods for performing assays

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20160032358A1 true US20160032358A1 (en) 2016-02-04

Family

ID=50489438

Family Applications (22)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/212,261 Abandoned US20160032358A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for improved thermocycling of low volume nucleic acid amplification reactions
US14/213,900 Active US9732374B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for analyzing a plurality of samples
US15/675,206 Active US10711297B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-08-11 Automated method for analyzing samples
US16/011,229 Active 2034-09-30 US11098343B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-18 Systems and methods for performing assays
US16/016,152 Active 2034-07-31 US10975416B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-22 Method for processing the contents of a processing vial within an instrument
US16/363,671 Abandoned US20190284612A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-03-25 System and method for conducting an assay
US16/829,230 Active US10889851B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-03-25 Method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument
US29/751,801 Active USD982177S1 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-23 Vial with cap
US29/751,803 Active USD971435S1 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-23 Reagent pack
US17/033,395 Active 2035-03-09 US11788115B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-25 Interlocking cap and vial
US17/036,730 Active US11279967B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-29 System and method for conducting an assay
US17/036,307 Active US11136617B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-29 Interlocking cap and vial
US17/146,110 Active 2034-07-29 US11840722B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2021-01-11 Diagnostic systems and methods
US17/668,775 Active US11434521B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-02-10 Method for conducting an assay
US17/842,535 Active US11761026B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-06-16 Diagnostic system and method
US17/847,096 Active US11746373B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-06-22 Processing vial and cap
US17/877,776 Active US11761027B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-07-29 System and method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
US17/877,832 Active US11732288B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-07-29 Assembly having reagent pack loading station
US17/878,491 Active US11834701B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-08-01 Reagent pack changer
US17/878,580 Active US11732289B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-08-01 Receptacle distribution system
US18/230,549 Pending US20230383333A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-08-04 Method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
US18/385,300 Pending US20240060114A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-10-30 Method for reconstituting a reagent

Family Applications After (21)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/213,900 Active US9732374B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-03-14 Method for analyzing a plurality of samples
US15/675,206 Active US10711297B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-08-11 Automated method for analyzing samples
US16/011,229 Active 2034-09-30 US11098343B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-18 Systems and methods for performing assays
US16/016,152 Active 2034-07-31 US10975416B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-06-22 Method for processing the contents of a processing vial within an instrument
US16/363,671 Abandoned US20190284612A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-03-25 System and method for conducting an assay
US16/829,230 Active US10889851B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-03-25 Method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument
US29/751,801 Active USD982177S1 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-23 Vial with cap
US29/751,803 Active USD971435S1 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-23 Reagent pack
US17/033,395 Active 2035-03-09 US11788115B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-25 Interlocking cap and vial
US17/036,730 Active US11279967B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-29 System and method for conducting an assay
US17/036,307 Active US11136617B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-09-29 Interlocking cap and vial
US17/146,110 Active 2034-07-29 US11840722B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2021-01-11 Diagnostic systems and methods
US17/668,775 Active US11434521B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-02-10 Method for conducting an assay
US17/842,535 Active US11761026B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-06-16 Diagnostic system and method
US17/847,096 Active US11746373B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-06-22 Processing vial and cap
US17/877,776 Active US11761027B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-07-29 System and method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
US17/877,832 Active US11732288B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-07-29 Assembly having reagent pack loading station
US17/878,491 Active US11834701B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-08-01 Reagent pack changer
US17/878,580 Active US11732289B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-08-01 Receptacle distribution system
US18/230,549 Pending US20230383333A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-08-04 Method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
US18/385,300 Pending US20240060114A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-10-30 Method for reconstituting a reagent

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (22) US20160032358A1 (ja)
EP (3) EP4049757A3 (ja)
JP (12) JP6316931B2 (ja)
CN (9) CN108441404B (ja)
AU (3) AU2013202805B2 (ja)
CA (4) CA2913705C (ja)
HK (1) HK1220161A1 (ja)
WO (1) WO2014153193A2 (ja)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160299056A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample testing systems and methods with automated cleaning
US20170162973A1 (en) * 2014-07-30 2017-06-08 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Detection of a plug coupled to a connector housing
US20170176481A1 (en) * 2015-12-18 2017-06-22 Abbott Laboratories Systems and Methods for Automated Analysis
US20180124153A1 (en) * 2016-11-01 2018-05-03 International Business Machines Corporation On-premises and off-premises communication
CN108504542A (zh) * 2018-05-24 2018-09-07 南京岚煜生物科技有限公司 全自动核酸提取扩增诊断一体机
WO2018175985A1 (en) 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Cover assembly and related methods of use
WO2018175923A2 (en) 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for capacitive fluid level detection, and handling containers
US20180292126A1 (en) * 2017-04-10 2018-10-11 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Drawer assembly for a laboratory instrument
US10107806B2 (en) * 2015-06-26 2018-10-23 Grifols, S.A. Apparatus for the automatic performance of immunohaematology analysis on gel cards
WO2019014124A1 (en) 2017-07-10 2019-01-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated RECEPTACLE SUPPORTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CAPACITIVE FLUID LEVEL DETECTION
WO2019014239A1 (en) 2017-07-10 2019-01-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS USING SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT PARAMETERS
WO2019148169A1 (en) 2018-01-29 2019-08-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analytical systems and methods
US10379130B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2019-08-13 Abbott Laboratories Reaction vessel exchanger device for a diagnostic analyzer
WO2020014400A1 (en) 2018-07-10 2020-01-16 Gen-Probe Incorporated Methods and systems for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids
US10760115B2 (en) * 2014-11-18 2020-09-01 Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation Specimen disrupting method and specimen disrupting apparatus
US10889851B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2021-01-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument
USD922588S1 (en) 2011-10-12 2021-06-15 Abbott Rapid Diagnostics International Unlimited Company Isothermal nucleic acid amplification meter
US11282587B2 (en) 2017-12-29 2022-03-22 Clear Labs, Inc. Automated priming and library loading device
WO2024073659A1 (en) 2022-09-30 2024-04-04 Biotheranostics, Inc. Biomarker assay to select breast cancer therapy

Families Citing this family (75)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016116482A1 (en) 2015-01-23 2016-07-28 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh Loading device for loading a reagent rotor of an analytical instrument with reagent vessels and analytical instrument
ES2736031T3 (es) 2015-04-07 2019-12-23 Hoffmann La Roche Sistema de gestión de reactivos
CA3170197A1 (en) * 2015-06-09 2016-12-15 Gen-Probe Incorporated Methods and devices for calibrating and/or monitoring optical measurement devices
JP6981975B2 (ja) 2015-07-23 2021-12-17 メソ スケール テクノロジーズ エルエルシー 消耗品データ統合管理システム及びプラットフォーム
FR3047082B1 (fr) * 2016-01-25 2018-02-16 Arteion Systeme de convoyage de supports pour recipients d’echantillons de liquide biologique, et systeme d’analyse automatique comprenant un tel systeme de convoyage
EP4328592A3 (en) 2016-02-19 2024-06-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Laboratory automated instruments, systems, and methods
JP2019513235A (ja) * 2016-03-15 2019-05-23 アボット モレキュラー インク． 自動分析のためのシステム及び方法
WO2017180873A1 (en) 2016-04-14 2017-10-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Assemblies for storing sample processing consumables, sample processing instruments, and methods
CN105969638B (zh) * 2016-06-23 2018-11-30 浙江爱易生物医学科技有限公司 一种可调节荧光定量pcr仪
CN109642857B (zh) * 2016-07-22 2022-03-04 阿尔法韦士曼公司 用于超速离心机的流体处理系统及方法
JP2019520560A (ja) 2016-07-26 2019-07-18 ヒューレット−パッカード デベロップメント カンパニー エル．ピー．Ｈｅｗｌｅｔｔ‐Ｐａｃｋａｒｄ Ｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔ Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ， Ｌ．Ｐ． マイクロ流体装置
CN106367307A (zh) * 2016-08-30 2017-02-01 冯晓均 一种自动化核酸定量分析装置及分析方法
CN206147157U (zh) * 2016-11-15 2017-05-03 浙江超前通信设备有限公司 光缆接头盒
WO2018102663A1 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-06-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Laboratory automated instruments, systems, and methods for transporting sample receptacle carriers
US10427162B2 (en) * 2016-12-21 2019-10-01 Quandx Inc. Systems and methods for molecular diagnostics
FR3061053A1 (fr) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-29 9349 3039 Quebec Inc Appareil de reconditionnement de piece lourde et procede
CN107063815A (zh) * 2017-03-14 2017-08-18 骏实生物科技(上海)有限公司 一种用于医疗检测设备的自动染洗装置
CN106771297B (zh) * 2017-03-21 2018-04-17 杭州电子科技大学 基于无菌检测流程的全自动样品分装机构
EP3600664B1 (en) 2017-03-21 2022-05-04 Gen-Probe Incorporated Fluid receptacles
AU2018237575B2 (en) 2017-03-24 2023-08-31 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for mixing contents of containers and related methods of use
US20200103430A1 (en) 2017-03-31 2020-04-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Labels, receptacles, systems, and methods for automatic sample processing
USD855204S1 (en) * 2017-04-20 2019-07-30 Biomerieux, Inc. Dual test tube
WO2018208752A1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2018-11-15 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Sample rack handler and rotation assembly for a sample analysis system
US11644475B2 (en) 2017-05-10 2023-05-09 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Sample rack for sample analysis system
EP3622302A1 (en) * 2017-05-12 2020-03-18 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Receptacle terminal
HRP20220615T1 (hr) * 2017-06-30 2022-06-24 Inscripta, Inc. Postupci, moduli, instrumenti i sustavi za automatiziranu obradu stanica
EP3658898B1 (en) 2017-07-26 2024-05-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Optical signal detection modules and methods
CN107523494B (zh) * 2017-09-26 2020-12-04 北京龙基高科生物科技有限公司 一种流体系统及具有该流体系统的核酸测序系统
CA3074927A1 (en) * 2017-09-30 2019-04-04 Inscripta, Inc. Flow through electroporation instrumentation
CN111699242A (zh) * 2017-10-11 2020-09-22 上海仁度生物科技有限公司 自动化核酸样品制备、检测和分析系统
CN108008140B (zh) * 2017-11-27 2021-01-15 深圳市国赛生物技术有限公司 一种体外诊断分析系统
US11920119B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2024-03-05 Global Life Sciences Solutions Usa Llc Systems and methods for bioprocessing
CA3089925A1 (en) * 2018-02-09 2019-08-15 Global Life Sciences Solutions Usa Llc Bioprocessing vessel
US11932842B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2024-03-19 Global Life Sciences Solutions Usa Llc Bioprocessing apparatus
CN110271856B (zh) * 2018-03-15 2024-03-29 北京慧荣和科技有限公司 混合容器转移系统及艾姆斯实验仪
CN108786954B (zh) * 2018-06-11 2024-05-14 迈克医疗电子有限公司 试剂仓和样本分析仪
EP3588099A1 (en) * 2018-06-26 2020-01-01 Tecan Trading Ag Positioning assembly for a laboratory apparatus
JP7040392B2 (ja) * 2018-10-03 2022-03-23 株式会社島津製作所 試料注入装置および試料注入装置の調整方法
WO2020142347A2 (en) 2018-12-31 2020-07-09 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for filling multi-well cartridges with solid reagents
WO2020181231A2 (en) 2019-03-07 2020-09-10 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for transporting and holding consumables in a processing instrument
WO2020205264A1 (en) 2019-03-29 2020-10-08 Gen-Probe Incorporated Disposable pipette tip management
CN210530776U (zh) * 2019-04-12 2020-05-15 四川宏华石油设备有限公司 双层固控系统
JP7346590B2 (ja) 2019-05-03 2023-09-19 ジェン－プローブ・インコーポレーテッド 液体廃棄物を管理するためのシステムおよび方法
CA3176696C (en) 2019-05-03 2024-06-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Receptacle transport system for an analytical system
US11008627B2 (en) 2019-08-15 2021-05-18 Talis Biomedical Corporation Diagnostic system
KR20210033197A (ko) * 2019-09-18 2021-03-26 엘지전자 주식회사 액체통에 담긴 액체의 수위를 산출하는 로봇 및 방법
CN112858703B (zh) * 2019-11-28 2024-04-05 深圳市帝迈生物技术有限公司 血液分析仪、试剂瓶存储装置
US20220412999A1 (en) 2019-12-02 2022-12-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and methods for lab automation data sharing
CN118142601A (zh) * 2019-12-20 2024-06-07 贝克曼库尔特有限公司 热循环仪系统和用液体处理系统的热循环仪系统对反应器皿进行加热的方法
CA3176901A1 (en) 2020-04-23 2021-10-28 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated processing of samples carried in sample containers and grouping sample containers according to assays to be performed on samples contained therein
WO2021219067A1 (zh) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-04 杭州杰毅生物技术有限公司 流水线核酸处理设备和流水线分子诊断设备
WO2021231935A1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 Meso Scale Technologies, Llc. Integrated consumable data management system and platform
WO2021241997A1 (en) * 2020-05-29 2021-12-02 Seegene, Inc. Automated analysis system, method and storage media
CN114381359A (zh) * 2020-10-19 2022-04-22 成都瀚辰光翼生物工程有限公司 基因检测设备
US20230393163A1 (en) 2020-10-21 2023-12-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Fluid container management system
US20220127668A1 (en) * 2020-10-26 2022-04-28 Veritas Diagnostic Llc Microfluidic platform and a method for electrostatically-enhanced, excitation-modulated reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis
CN112387318B (zh) * 2020-10-30 2022-07-05 深圳市千代机电设备有限公司 一种移液机器人及移液方法
DE102020134608A1 (de) 2020-12-22 2022-06-23 Landeskuratorium der Erzeugerringe für tierische Veredelung in Bayern (LKV) eingetragener Verein Flüssigkeitsprobennahmevorrichtung
GB2603567A (en) * 2021-02-03 2022-08-10 D Silver Joshua Viral load tester and applications thereof
CN112630459B (zh) * 2021-03-09 2021-07-02 季华实验室 一种移动扩增底座的三维上样装置
CN113025467B (zh) * 2021-04-15 2022-08-09 杭州安誉科技有限公司 一种核酸检测过程中脱氧核糖核酸提取装置
MX2023012662A (es) 2021-04-29 2023-11-07 Abbott Lab Analisis de acidos nucleicos de alto rendimiento de muestras biologicas.
CN117501130A (zh) * 2021-06-15 2024-02-02 美国西门子医学诊断股份有限公司 监测诊断实验室系统中的物品的装置和方法
GB2607918A (en) * 2021-06-16 2022-12-21 Stratec Se Carrier for consumables in automated analyzer systems and system comprising said carrier
EP4370935A1 (en) 2021-07-14 2024-05-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for efficiently transferring receptacles out of a receptacle storage area
CN113856786B (zh) * 2021-10-29 2022-10-11 江苏睿玻生物科技有限公司 枪头的自动运输组件、自动运输方法以及移液系统
WO2023073667A1 (en) * 2021-11-01 2023-05-04 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Consumables container loading/unloading system and method of loading/unloading consumables containers for automated analyzer
CN114015557B (zh) * 2021-11-29 2023-11-14 南通市第一老年病医院(上海大学附属南通医院、南通市第六人民医院、南通市肺科医院) 一种新冠核酸样本半自动提取装置
WO2023141147A1 (en) 2022-01-21 2023-07-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Jig for positioning and securing a first console with respect to a second console
USD970036S1 (en) 2022-05-05 2022-11-15 Singular Genomics Systems, Inc. Reagent cartridge
USD979093S1 (en) 2022-05-05 2023-02-21 Singular Genomics Systems, Inc. Reagent cartridge
US20230378920A1 (en) 2022-05-17 2023-11-23 Qorvo Us, Inc. Low noise amplifier (lna) with distortion and noise cancellation
CN114995548A (zh) * 2022-06-28 2022-09-02 中国人民解放军空军军医大学 一种兼具升降温功能的宽程多阶温度控制装置
GB2621626A (en) * 2022-08-19 2024-02-21 Oribiotech Ltd A modular bioprocessing system
LU103025B1 (en) * 2022-09-27 2024-03-28 Stratec Se Drawer for bulk liquid supply

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3635394A (en) * 1969-07-30 1972-01-18 Rohe Scientific Corp Automated clinical laboratory
US5475610A (en) * 1990-11-29 1995-12-12 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction with close temperature control
US6660228B1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2003-12-09 Cepheid Apparatus for performing heat-exchanging, chemical reactions
US20050003425A1 (en) * 1992-03-11 2005-01-06 Jan Zavada MN gene and protein
US7141213B1 (en) * 1996-07-05 2006-11-28 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Automated sample processing system
US20080025454A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2008-01-31 Westinghouse Electric Sweden Ab Method for Operating a Reactor of a Nuclear Plant
US20120291872A1 (en) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-22 Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc. Lab Members and Liquid Handling Systems and Methods Including Same

Family Cites Families (353)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US132208A (en) * 1872-10-15 Improvement in the manufacture of graduated glass-ware
DE1575122C3 (de) * 1967-06-22 1975-02-13 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler & Hinz Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Halter für vorwiegend zylindrische Gefäße
US3653528A (en) 1970-03-03 1972-04-04 West Co Stopper for medicament flasks
DE2333434C3 (de) 1973-06-30 1978-04-06 Istvan D. Dr. 5024 Pulheim Bartos Verfahren zur Durchführung serologischer Untersuchungen nach dem Prinzip der Komplementbindungsreaktion und gebrauchsfertige Schnelltestpackung hierfür
CA1035260A (en) 1974-08-12 1978-07-25 Baxter Travenol Laboratories Collection and processing tube
DE2806089A1 (de) 1978-02-14 1979-08-16 Heraeus Christ Gmbh Behaelter fuer fluessigkeiten, insbesondere biologische fluessigkeiten wie blut zur verwendung in einem messgeraet
USD265508S (en) * 1980-05-27 1982-07-20 Panlmatic Company Combined bottle neck clamp and tube holder
US4338936A (en) 1980-10-27 1982-07-13 Byron Nelson Device and method for delivering solid medication to an eye
US4799599A (en) * 1982-07-30 1989-01-24 Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp. Specimen cup and cap assembly for clinical analyzer
JPS60501339A (ja) 1983-01-10 1985-08-22 ジエン−プロ−ブ　インコ−ポレィテッド 生物を検出、同定又は定量する方法およびキット
US4683202A (en) 1985-03-28 1987-07-28 Cetus Corporation Process for amplifying nucleic acid sequences
US4683195A (en) 1986-01-30 1987-07-28 Cetus Corporation Process for amplifying, detecting, and/or-cloning nucleic acid sequences
US5656493A (en) 1985-03-28 1997-08-12 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation System for automated performance of the polymerase chain reaction
DE3785591T2 (de) 1986-01-10 1993-09-02 Amoco Corp Kompetitiver homogener test.
US4800159A (en) 1986-02-07 1989-01-24 Cetus Corporation Process for amplifying, detecting, and/or cloning nucleic acid sequences
CA1308372C (en) 1986-08-11 1992-10-06 Geneva Ruth Davis Nucleic acid probe sandwich assay methods and compositions
JPH07119769B2 (ja) * 1986-10-01 1995-12-20 株式会社日立製作所 自動分析装置
US5750338A (en) 1986-10-23 1998-05-12 Amoco Corporation Target and background capture methods with amplification for affinity assays
US5541308A (en) 1986-11-24 1996-07-30 Gen-Probe Incorporated Nucleic acid probes for detection and/or quantitation of non-viral organisms
US4753358A (en) * 1987-03-02 1988-06-28 Promega Corporation Vial cap coupling device
IL86724A (en) 1987-06-19 1995-01-24 Siska Diagnostics Inc Methods and kits for amplification and testing of nucleic acid sequences
USD308724S (en) * 1987-07-22 1990-06-19 Genesis Industries Incorporated Short mastitis cannula
CA1340843C (en) 1987-07-31 1999-12-07 J. Lawrence Burg Selective amplification of target polynucleotide sequences
JPS6472071A (en) 1987-09-14 1989-03-16 Toshiba Corp Reagent vessel for automatic chemical analysis apparatus
WO1989004487A1 (en) 1987-11-13 1989-05-18 Armin Gilak Immunological separation and detection process for multiple determinations
US4829006A (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-05-09 Difco Laboratories Centrifugation vial and cluster tray
CA1340807C (en) 1988-02-24 1999-11-02 Lawrence T. Malek Nucleic acid amplification process
US5130238A (en) 1988-06-24 1992-07-14 Cangene Corporation Enhanced nucleic acid amplification process
US7172863B1 (en) 1988-12-09 2007-02-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae
US4967763A (en) 1989-03-13 1990-11-06 Becton, Dickinson And Company Platelet stable blood collection assembly
US5234809A (en) 1989-03-23 1993-08-10 Akzo N.V. Process for isolating nucleic acid
NL8900725A (nl) 1989-03-23 1990-10-16 Az Univ Amsterdam Werkwijze en combinatie van middelen voor het isoleren van nucleinezuur.
KR100242252B1 (ko) 1989-07-11 2000-03-02 다니엘 엘. 캐시앙 핵산서열의 증폭방법
CA2020958C (en) 1989-07-11 2005-01-11 Daniel L. Kacian Nucleic acid sequence amplification methods
US5219727A (en) 1989-08-21 1993-06-15 Hoffmann-Laroche Inc. Quantitation of nucleic acids using the polymerase chain reaction
JPH0385454A (ja) * 1989-08-30 1991-04-10 Shimadzu Corp 自動分析装置
US5346672A (en) 1989-11-17 1994-09-13 Gene Tec Corporation Devices for containing biological specimens for thermal processing
US5427930A (en) 1990-01-26 1995-06-27 Abbott Laboratories Amplification of target nucleic acids using gap filling ligase chain reaction
US5154318A (en) 1990-03-02 1992-10-13 Lampard Lucille B Infants pacifier and feeder apparatus
JPH0439088U (ja) 1990-07-26 1992-04-02
US6703236B2 (en) 1990-11-29 2004-03-09 Applera Corporation Thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction with close temperature control
US5119560A (en) 1991-01-07 1992-06-09 Apothecary Products, Inc. Medicine dosage device
JPH074220B2 (ja) * 1991-01-16 1995-01-25 倉敷紡績株式会社 プラスミド自動分離装置
US5994056A (en) 1991-05-02 1999-11-30 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Homogeneous methods for nucleic acid amplification and detection
US5846717A (en) 1996-01-24 1998-12-08 Third Wave Technologies, Inc. Detection of nucleic acid sequences by invader-directed cleavage
KR940008323B1 (ko) 1991-10-16 1994-09-12 삼성전자 주식회사 반도체장치의 층간접속방법
EP0555798B1 (en) 1992-02-13 1999-05-06 Becton, Dickinson and Company Hydrated celite and purification of DNA
US5540890A (en) * 1992-03-27 1996-07-30 Abbott Laboratories Capped-closure for a container
US5960160A (en) * 1992-03-27 1999-09-28 Abbott Laboratories Liquid heater assembly with a pair temperature controlled electric heating elements and a coiled tube therebetween
US5376313A (en) * 1992-03-27 1994-12-27 Abbott Laboratories Injection molding a plastic assay cuvette having low birefringence
US5250261A (en) 1992-05-22 1993-10-05 Eastman Kodak Company Cam-operated doors for an incubator
CA2136764A1 (en) 1992-05-29 1993-12-09 Ronald L. Marshall Ligase chain reaction starting with rna sequences
EP0648338A1 (en) * 1992-07-01 1995-04-19 Behring Diagnostics Inc. Automated analytical instrument having a fluid sample holding tray transport assembly
JPH0634546A (ja) 1992-07-17 1994-02-08 Tosoh Corp 蛍光検出器
CA2100020C (en) 1992-07-17 2001-09-11 Walter Blumenfeld Methods and apparatus for detecting bacterial growth by spectrophotometric sampling of a fiber-optic array
DE4230645C2 (de) 1992-09-12 1996-03-07 Bernd Hansen Ampulle
US5804144A (en) 1993-04-21 1998-09-08 Labsystems Oy Piston pipette
EP0636413B1 (en) * 1993-07-28 2001-11-14 PE Corporation (NY) Nucleic acid amplification reaction apparatus and method
US5588949A (en) 1993-10-08 1996-12-31 Heartport, Inc. Stereoscopic percutaneous visualization system
US5374395A (en) * 1993-10-14 1994-12-20 Amoco Corporation Diagnostics instrument
US5925517A (en) 1993-11-12 1999-07-20 The Public Health Research Institute Of The City Of New York, Inc. Detectably labeled dual conformation oligonucleotide probes, assays and kits
US5538848A (en) 1994-11-16 1996-07-23 Applied Biosystems Division, Perkin-Elmer Corp. Method for detecting nucleic acid amplification using self-quenching fluorescence probe
WO1995014768A2 (en) 1993-11-29 1995-06-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for extracting nucleic acids from a wide range of organisms
DE4412286A1 (de) 1994-04-09 1995-10-12 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh System zur kontaminationsfreien Bearbeitung von Reaktionsabläufen
US5766889A (en) 1994-06-08 1998-06-16 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Method for determining the characteristics of the concentration growth of target nucleic acid molecules in polymerase chain reaction sample
US5686271A (en) 1994-06-09 1997-11-11 Gamera Bioscience Corporation Apparatus for performing magnetic cycle reaction
US6800452B1 (en) 1994-08-08 2004-10-05 Science Applications International Corporation Automated methods for simultaneously performing a plurality of signal-based assays
US5705628A (en) 1994-09-20 1998-01-06 Whitehead Institute For Biomedical Research DNA purification and isolation using magnetic particles
JP2955613B2 (ja) * 1994-09-21 1999-10-04 株式会社日立製作所 分析装置
JP3630493B2 (ja) 1995-03-20 2005-03-16 プレシジョン・システム・サイエンス株式会社 分注機を利用した液体処理方法およびその装置
DE69610304T2 (de) 1995-05-05 2001-04-05 Perkin Elmer Corp Methoden and reagentien fuer die kombination einer pcr-amplifizierung mit einem hybridisierungs-assay
FR2733996B1 (fr) * 1995-05-12 1997-06-20 Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics Procede d'identification bacterienne et de determination de la sensibilite de bacteries a des antibiotiques et appareil et consommables pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
US6140678A (en) 1995-06-02 2000-10-31 Siliconix Incorporated Trench-gated power MOSFET with protective diode
US6153425A (en) 1995-07-13 2000-11-28 Xtrana, Inc. Self-contained device integrating nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection
EP0843176B1 (en) 1995-07-31 2013-06-12 Precision System Science Co., Ltd. Analysis system comprising a container and a liquid sucking/discharging line
US5673790A (en) 1995-08-09 1997-10-07 Schramm; James J. Sharps disposal service
DE19536789A1 (de) 1995-10-02 1997-04-03 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Gefäß für Flüssigkeiten
US5776784A (en) * 1996-01-11 1998-07-07 Dade International Inc. Apparatus and method for reagent separation in a chemical analyzer
US5935524A (en) 1996-05-07 1999-08-10 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Holder for fluorometric samples
ATE295427T1 (de) 1996-06-04 2005-05-15 Univ Utah Res Found Überwachung der hybridisierung während pcr
US5885529A (en) * 1996-06-28 1999-03-23 Dpc Cirrus, Inc. Automated immunoassay analyzer
DE19645892C2 (de) 1996-11-07 1999-02-18 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler Deckelgefäß
US7387216B1 (en) * 1996-07-17 2008-06-17 Smith James C Closure device for containers
US5785925A (en) 1996-08-29 1998-07-28 Saigene Corporation Centrifuge tube phase separation plug
US6312886B1 (en) 1996-12-06 2001-11-06 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Brittanic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Reaction vessels
US6143496A (en) 1997-04-17 2000-11-07 Cytonix Corporation Method of sampling, amplifying and quantifying segment of nucleic acid, polymerase chain reaction assembly having nanoliter-sized sample chambers, and method of filling assembly
US5786182A (en) 1997-05-02 1998-07-28 Biomerieux Vitek, Inc. Dual chamber disposable reaction vessel for amplification reactions, reaction processing station therefor, and methods of use
US6534273B2 (en) 1997-05-02 2003-03-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated Two-step hybridization and capture of a polynucleotide
DE69808272T2 (de) 1997-05-02 2003-07-31 Gen Probe Inc Reaktion behälter apparat
US5772652A (en) * 1997-05-14 1998-06-30 Comar, Inc. Stab cap for a vial having a puncturable seal
AU2003200640B2 (en) * 1997-09-17 2005-10-06 Qiagen North American Holdings, Inc. Apparatuses and methods for isolating nucleic acid
CA2247589C (en) 1997-10-02 2007-01-09 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Automatic handling of sample cups closed with a screwable cap
DE19746169A1 (de) * 1997-10-18 1999-04-22 Dade Behring Marburg Gmbh Kappe für einen Reagenzbehälter
US6830731B1 (en) 1998-01-05 2004-12-14 Biosite, Inc. Immunoassay fluorometer
DE69825142T2 (de) 1998-05-01 2005-08-11 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Vorrichtung zur gleichzeitigen Überwachung von Reaktionen, die in einer Vielzahl von Reaktionsgefässen stattfinden
US8337753B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2012-12-25 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having a receptacle mixing mechanism
EP1930078A1 (en) 1998-05-01 2008-06-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for agitating the contents of a container
GB9809414D0 (en) * 1998-05-02 1998-07-01 Scottish Crop Research Inst Method
ATE278471T1 (de) 1998-05-04 2004-10-15 Hoffmann La Roche Thermozyklierapparat mit einem automatisch positionierbaren deckel
GB9812768D0 (en) 1998-06-13 1998-08-12 Zeneca Ltd Methods
JP3140422B2 (ja) * 1998-07-31 2001-03-05 オリンパス光学工業株式会社 自動分析装置
USD439673S1 (en) 1998-10-06 2001-03-27 Sorenson Bioscience Multi-well microcentrifuge tube
US20020012916A1 (en) * 1998-10-14 2002-01-31 Gundling Gerard J A method of reducing contamination in an essay vessel
US5973138A (en) 1998-10-30 1999-10-26 Becton Dickinson And Company Method for purification and manipulation of nucleic acids using paramagnetic particles
US6224573B1 (en) 1999-01-15 2001-05-01 Nexmed Holdings, Inc. Medicament dispenser
USD445895S1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2001-07-31 Maersk Medical A/S Funnel for a catheter
ATE468175T1 (de) * 1999-03-25 2010-06-15 Alphahelix Molecular Diagnosti Homogenisierung von kleinvolumigen mischungen durch zentrifugierung und erhitzen
WO2000060362A1 (en) * 1999-04-08 2000-10-12 Chung Chang Young Apparatus for fast preparation and analysis of nucleic acids
US6326147B1 (en) 1999-05-13 2001-12-04 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and user interfaces for performing automated biological assay preparation and macromolecule purification
US6657169B2 (en) 1999-07-30 2003-12-02 Stratagene Apparatus for thermally cycling samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity
USD447798S1 (en) * 1999-11-09 2001-09-11 Abbott Laboratories Combined pharmaceutical container and cap
SE9904539D0 (sv) * 1999-12-10 1999-12-10 Alphahelix Ab Method and device for the handling of samples and reagents
US6699713B2 (en) 2000-01-04 2004-03-02 The Regents Of The University Of California Polymerase chain reaction system
US6403037B1 (en) 2000-02-04 2002-06-11 Cepheid Reaction vessel and temperature control system
FI108232B (fi) * 2000-02-16 2001-12-14 Bio Nobile Oy Menetelmä aukon sulkemiseksi ja avaamiseksi
JP2001305137A (ja) * 2000-04-20 2001-10-31 Eiji Ishikawa 特異的複合体の固定化方法および測定方法
US6746648B1 (en) * 2000-06-15 2004-06-08 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Method and system for transporting and storing multiple reagent packs and reagent packs used therein
US6442440B1 (en) 2000-06-24 2002-08-27 Dade Behring Inc. Computer interface module having a flat menu
JP2002010777A (ja) 2000-06-30 2002-01-15 Precision System Science Co Ltd 反応容器、反応装置および反応液の温度制御方法
JP2002098704A (ja) * 2000-09-25 2002-04-05 Olympus Optical Co Ltd 細菌類の自動分析装置
AU2002213345A1 (en) 2000-10-13 2002-04-22 Irm, Llc High throughput processing system and method of using
DE10105753C1 (de) 2001-02-08 2002-03-28 Merck Patent Gmbh Verschluß für Reagenzbehälter
US7157047B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2007-01-02 Pss Bio Instruments, Inc. Device for containing, reacting and measuring, and method of containing, reacting and measuring
ATE457200T1 (de) 2001-03-09 2010-02-15 Gen Probe Inc Durchlässige haube
US7635488B2 (en) 2001-03-13 2009-12-22 Dbv Technologies Patches and uses thereof
US6755384B2 (en) 2001-04-18 2004-06-29 Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. Flexible platform for liquid handling robots
US20020155587A1 (en) 2001-04-20 2002-10-24 Sequenom, Inc. System and method for testing a biological sample
US7458483B2 (en) * 2001-04-24 2008-12-02 Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Assay testing diagnostic analyzer
EP1427528B1 (en) * 2001-05-30 2006-05-24 Biolex, Inc. Plate and method for high throughput screening
US6923530B2 (en) 2001-06-13 2005-08-02 Nu-Kote International, Inc. Fused filter screen for use in ink jet cartridge and method of assembling same
US6890488B2 (en) 2001-06-22 2005-05-10 Matrix Technologies, Inc. Apparatus for sealing test tubes and the like
WO2003001889A2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-09 Meso Scale Technologies, Llc. Assay plates reader systems and methods for luminescence test measurements
EP1416041A4 (en) 2001-07-06 2004-08-04 Prec System Science Co Ltd REACTION CONTAINER AND REACTION DEVICE
WO2003106612A1 (ja) 2002-06-17 2003-12-24 プレシジョン・システム・サイエンス株式会社 反応容器及び反応産物抽出装置
KR20040045829A (ko) * 2001-10-19 2004-06-02 모노젠, 인크. 바이알 내의 시료를 혼합하기 위한 장치 및 방법
US7270785B1 (en) * 2001-11-02 2007-09-18 Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Automated molecular pathology apparatus having fixed slide platforms
US20030124599A1 (en) 2001-11-14 2003-07-03 Shiping Chen Biochemical analysis system with combinatorial chemistry applications
USD473646S1 (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-04-22 Microsurgical Technology, Inc. Irrigation/aspiration instrument connector
US20050271553A1 (en) 2002-01-04 2005-12-08 Applera Corporation Petal-array support for use with microplates
US20030225477A1 (en) 2002-03-19 2003-12-04 Tom Gilman Modular equipment apparatus and method for handling labware
US11249095B2 (en) * 2002-04-15 2022-02-15 Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Automated high volume slide processing system
ES2556242T3 (es) * 2002-04-26 2016-01-14 Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Aparato de patología molecular automatizado que tiene plataformas de portaobjetos fijas
US20030215357A1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-11-20 Nigel Malterer Automated processing system and method of using same
JP4532264B2 (ja) 2002-05-17 2010-08-25 ベクトン・ディキンソン・アンド・カンパニー 自動システム及び自動処理方法並びに核酸自動抽出方法
US20030219754A1 (en) 2002-05-23 2003-11-27 Oleksy Jerome E. Fluorescence polarization detection of nucleic acids
JP2006510872A (ja) * 2002-05-28 2006-03-30 オウトジエノミクス・インコーポレーテツド 統合された試料処理プラットフォーム
US7491367B2 (en) 2002-06-04 2009-02-17 Applera Corporation System and method for providing a standardized state interface for instrumentation
CA2492064C (en) * 2002-06-20 2016-03-15 Vision Biosystems Limited Biological reaction apparatus with draining mechanism
DE60336365D1 (de) 2002-07-15 2011-04-28 Ricoh Co Ltd Externes Additif für elektrophotographische Toner; Toner zur Entwicklung elektrostatischer Bilder, Zwei-Komponenten Entwickler, Bilderzeugungsverfahren und Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung
WO2004029195A2 (en) 2002-09-24 2004-04-08 U.S. Government As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Portable thermocycler
US6877992B2 (en) 2002-11-01 2005-04-12 Airborn, Inc. Area array connector having stacked contacts for improved current carrying capacity
EP1419820A1 (en) 2002-11-14 2004-05-19 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Method, system and reaction vessel for processing a biological sample contained in a liquid
EP1426447A1 (en) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-09 Roche Diagnostics GmbH Method for the detection of pathogenic gram positive bacteria selected from the genera Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Streptococcus
CN1231571C (zh) * 2003-01-22 2005-12-14 广州市光机电工程研究开发中心 核酸自动提取机
DE10308362A1 (de) 2003-02-27 2004-09-09 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh System zum automatischen Öffnen von Reagenzgefäßen
DE20303538U1 (de) 2003-03-05 2003-05-15 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh Gefässsystem zur Bearbeitung und/oder Aufbewahrung von Flüssigkeiten
US7051901B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2006-05-30 Hickert Paul R Air barrier device for protecting liquid fluids in opened containers
US7148043B2 (en) 2003-05-08 2006-12-12 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Systems and methods for fluorescence detection with a movable detection module
US20040228765A1 (en) 2003-05-14 2004-11-18 Witty Thomas R. Point of care diagnostic platform
WO2004106947A2 (en) 2003-05-23 2004-12-09 Johns Hopkins University Steady state free precession based magnetic resonance
AU2004243070B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2010-04-15 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Localized temperature control for spatial arrays of reaction media
JP4135567B2 (ja) * 2003-06-10 2008-08-20 松下電器産業株式会社 キャップ取り外し装置
FI20030867A (fi) 2003-06-10 2004-12-11 Wallac Oy Optinen mittausmenetelmä ja laboratoriomittauslaite
EP1496365B1 (de) * 2003-07-11 2014-06-04 Tecan Trading AG Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Transportieren von Objekten
US7846395B2 (en) 2003-07-16 2010-12-07 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Container closure and device to install and remove closure
CN1826218B (zh) * 2003-07-18 2010-09-22 Dade白令公司 自动多检测器分析仪
US7381370B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2008-06-03 Dade Behring Inc. Automated multi-detector analyzer
US7185288B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2007-02-27 Dade Behring Inc. Operator interface module segmented by function in an automatic clinical analyzer
EP1508527A1 (de) 2003-08-20 2005-02-23 H. Obrist & Co. AG Verschlussdeckel und Bausatz zum Herstellen einer Verschlussanordnung an eine Tube
US20050042138A1 (en) * 2003-08-20 2005-02-24 Sysmex Corporation Sample analyzer, nucleic acid detector and nucleic acid detection method
GB0319671D0 (en) * 2003-08-21 2003-09-24 Secr Defence Apparatus for processing a fluid sample
AU2004271210A1 (en) 2003-09-09 2005-03-17 Biogenex Laboratories Sample processing system
US7087437B2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2006-08-08 Vici Gig Harbor Group, Inc. Direct vial surface sorbent micro extraction device and method
AU157690S (en) 2003-11-21 2005-03-09 Saika Tech Institute Foundation Solidus extracting cartridge
CN1667418B (zh) 2004-03-10 2010-10-06 马杰 多功能测量、分析和诊断便携式装置
USD505202S1 (en) * 2004-03-11 2005-05-17 Medical Components, Inc. Catheter hub
EP1582875A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-05 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Analyser with a lift system
US20050221504A1 (en) 2004-04-01 2005-10-06 Petruno Patrick T Optoelectronic rapid diagnostic test system
US7842504B2 (en) * 2004-04-02 2010-11-30 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Method for increasing throughput in an automatic clinical analyzer by duplicating reagent resources
WO2005118772A1 (ja) 2004-06-02 2005-12-15 Arkray, Inc. 核酸増幅用容器、核酸調製キット、および核酸分析装置
US20050282266A1 (en) 2004-06-21 2005-12-22 Chun-Nan Teng Polymerase chain reactor
WO2006005371A1 (en) 2004-07-13 2006-01-19 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Microfluidic device for performing a plurality of reactions and uses thereof
WO2006008006A1 (en) * 2004-07-23 2006-01-26 Bayer Technology Services Gmbh Sterile freezing, drying, storing, assaying and filling process (sfd-saf process) (pellet freeze-drying process for parenteral biopharmaceuticals)
TWI392863B (zh) 2004-08-05 2013-04-11 Universal Bio Research Co Ltd 反應容器、反應容器液體導入裝置、液體導入反應測定裝置及液體導入裝置
SG158913A1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2010-02-26 Enigma Diagnostics Ltd Method for carrying out a multi-step reaction, breakable container for storing reagents and method for transferring solid reagent using an electrostatically charged wand
GB0501623D0 (en) * 2005-01-26 2005-03-02 Enigma Diagnostics Ltd Reaction method
GB0502556D0 (en) * 2005-02-08 2005-03-16 Lab901 Ltd Analysis instrument
EP1866653A4 (en) 2005-03-07 2009-08-26 Novx Systems Inc ANALYSIS MACHINE
WO2006099255A2 (en) 2005-03-10 2006-09-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods to perform assays for detecting or quantifying analytes within samples
WO2006102296A2 (en) * 2005-03-22 2006-09-28 Applera Corporation High density plate filler
JP2008536128A (ja) 2005-04-09 2008-09-04 セル バイオサイエンシズ，インコーポレイテッド 自動化微小体積アッセイシステム
US7910067B2 (en) * 2005-04-19 2011-03-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample tube holder
US7998751B2 (en) * 2005-04-26 2011-08-16 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing small liquid samples in an automated clinical analyzer
WO2006128098A2 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Applera Corporation Cytometric system including nucleic acid sequence amplification, and method
US20070009564A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2007-01-11 Mcclain James B Drug/polymer composite materials and methods of making the same
JP2008245523A (ja) * 2005-07-14 2008-10-16 Nisshinbo Ind Inc 試料中に含まれる動物種を判定するための方法及びキット
US7727473B2 (en) * 2005-10-19 2010-06-01 Progentech Limited Cassette for sample preparation
BRPI0619244A2 (pt) 2005-11-30 2011-09-20 Biocorp Rech Et Dev dispositivo de tampar para um recipiente, processo de montagem de um dispositivo, e, recipiente
DE202005019472U1 (de) 2005-12-13 2006-02-23 Eppendorf Ag Laborgerät mit einer Bedienvorrichtung
DE102005062052B4 (de) 2005-12-22 2009-06-04 Sartorius Stedim Biotech Gmbh Einwegbioreaktor für die Kultivierung von Zellen in einem Nährstoffmedium
DE202006001995U1 (de) 2006-02-07 2006-06-08 Sarstedt Ag & Co. Probengefäß zur Aufnahme von kleinen Flüssigkeitsmengen für Analysen
JP2007222105A (ja) * 2006-02-24 2007-09-06 Yamazaki Baking Co Ltd 加工食品中の菌種の同定方法
US9551635B2 (en) 2006-03-09 2017-01-24 Biogenex Laboratories Inc. Sample processing system
EP1832880B1 (en) * 2006-03-10 2016-01-13 Sysmex Corporation Parts supply device, sample analyzing device, parts supply method
US7998708B2 (en) 2006-03-24 2011-08-16 Handylab, Inc. Microfluidic system for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides in parallel
DK3088083T3 (en) * 2006-03-24 2018-11-26 Handylab Inc Method of carrying out PCR down a multi-track cartridge
JP2007287019A (ja) 2006-04-19 2007-11-01 Pacific Ind Co Ltd タイヤ監視用無線回路及びタイヤ監視システム
US20070248494A1 (en) 2006-04-24 2007-10-25 Mokelke Michael F Multi-Mode Modular Method and Apparatus for Micro-titer Plate Analysis
EP1850136A1 (en) * 2006-04-28 2007-10-31 F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Shaker device for analyzer apparatus and analyzer comprising such a device
DE102006021404A1 (de) 2006-05-08 2007-11-15 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh Flüssigkeitsbehälter mit Entnahmekamin
DE102006025011A1 (de) 2006-05-26 2007-11-29 Rwth Aachen Mikrotiterplatte und deren Verwendung
CN101479040B (zh) 2006-06-28 2012-06-13 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 具有可移除模块和远程数据传递系统的一次性测定设备
EP1878496A1 (en) 2006-07-14 2008-01-16 Roche Diagnostics GmbH Apparatus for performing nucleic acid analysis
USD583481S1 (en) * 2006-08-11 2008-12-23 Sysmex Corporation Cuvette
JP4336360B2 (ja) * 2006-09-20 2009-09-30 株式会社アイディエス 検体前処理搬送装置
JP4861787B2 (ja) * 2006-10-10 2012-01-25 シスメックス株式会社 試薬収容具および試薬容器保持具
EP3604553A3 (en) 2006-11-03 2020-04-29 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Random access system for polymerase chain reaction testing
USD620603S1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2010-07-27 Biokit S.A. Reagent container pack
US8865457B2 (en) 2007-03-15 2014-10-21 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Active, micro-well thermal control subsystem
DE102007014418A1 (de) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Eric Schliemann Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum dosierten Ausbringen eines Mediums
US7985375B2 (en) * 2007-04-06 2011-07-26 Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc. Sample preparation system and method for processing clinical specimens
US8703492B2 (en) * 2007-04-06 2014-04-22 Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc. Open platform hybrid manual-automated sample processing system
WO2008123882A1 (en) * 2007-04-06 2008-10-16 Richard Obiso Sample preparation system for processing of clinical specimens
JP5038004B2 (ja) * 2007-04-12 2012-10-03 キヤノン株式会社 分析装置
US20080287585A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-20 Brown Larry R Compositions and Reaction Tubes with Improved Thermal Conductivity
EP2425894B1 (en) * 2007-06-21 2016-12-28 Gen-Probe Incorporated Instruments and method for exposing a receptacle to multiple thermal zones
US8133671B2 (en) 2007-07-13 2012-03-13 Handylab, Inc. Integrated apparatus for performing nucleic acid extraction and diagnostic testing on multiple biological samples
US20090136385A1 (en) 2007-07-13 2009-05-28 Handylab, Inc. Reagent Tube
US20110129825A1 (en) 2007-08-03 2011-06-02 Melba Stinnett Ketchum Compositions, methods and systems for the simultaneous determination of parentage, identity, sex, genotype and/or phenotype and breed determination in animals
JP5403573B2 (ja) 2007-08-09 2014-01-29 国立大学法人山口大学 肺炎原因菌検出用プライマーセット
EP2030687A1 (de) 2007-08-13 2009-03-04 Hamilton Bonaduz AG Verschlussanordnung mit Schnappmechanismus
TWM331969U (en) 2007-09-19 2008-05-11 Don Liang Liquid handling device, and pipette and a series of containers applied in the device of the same
JP2009089046A (ja) 2007-09-28 2009-04-23 Fujifilm Corp 画像データ処理方法及び撮影装置
CL2008003007A1 (es) 2007-10-12 2009-10-02 Bigtec Private Ltd Un micro chip con capas de ceramicas de coccion conjunta a baja temperatura (ltcc) formando una camara de reaccion, anillos conductores que rodean a la camara de reaccion y un calentador que suministra calor a los anillos, el metodo de fabricacion del micro chip y un micro dispositivo de reaccion en cadena de polimerasa (pcr).
US8222048B2 (en) 2007-11-05 2012-07-17 Abbott Laboratories Automated analyzer for clinical laboratory
WO2009061897A1 (en) 2007-11-07 2009-05-14 Primera Biosystems, Inc. Quantification of nucleic acid molecules using multiplex pcr
JP2011506926A (ja) 2007-12-06 2011-03-03 エージェンシー フォー サイエンス， テクノロジー アンド リサーチ 化学反応を実施しモニターするための一体型装置
CN101457204A (zh) * 2007-12-10 2009-06-17 广达电脑股份有限公司 自动化遗传物质处理系统及方法
JP5049769B2 (ja) * 2007-12-25 2012-10-17 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ 自動分析装置および検体処理システム
USD583058S1 (en) 2008-01-23 2008-12-16 Short David A Kidney stone collection device
JP2009201444A (ja) * 2008-02-29 2009-09-10 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 核酸分析装置
EP2098599A1 (en) 2008-03-05 2009-09-09 Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts Composition comprising an oligonucleotide mixture for the detection of contaminations in cell cultures
US20100015690A1 (en) * 2008-07-16 2010-01-21 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Use of fluid aspiration/dispensing tip as a microcentrifuge tube
ES2390171T3 (es) * 2008-07-21 2012-11-07 Becton, Dickinson And Company Dispositivo de separación de fases de densidad
ES2402227T3 (es) * 2008-07-25 2013-04-29 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Un sistema de laboratorio de almacenamiento y recuperación y un método para la manipulación de tubos de muestras de laboratorio
EP2148206B1 (en) * 2008-07-25 2015-11-18 F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ag A laboratory system for handling sample tube racks, an alignmemt element for sample tube racks and a rack tray receiver assembly
WO2010033604A2 (en) 2008-09-18 2010-03-25 X-Bar Diagnostic System, Inc. Fully automated portable dna detection system
US9156010B2 (en) * 2008-09-23 2015-10-13 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Droplet-based assay system
CA2738317C (en) * 2008-09-24 2020-01-14 Straus Holdings Inc. Imaging analyzer for testing analytes
JP2010078510A (ja) * 2008-09-26 2010-04-08 Sysmex Corp 分析装置
JP5373560B2 (ja) * 2008-11-17 2013-12-18 シスメックス株式会社 搬送装置及びこれを用いた検体分析装置
USD686724S1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2013-07-23 Spiracur Inc. Reduced pressure therapy device
WO2010114842A1 (en) 2009-03-30 2010-10-07 Ibis Biosciences, Inc. Bioagent detection systems, devices, and methods
AU2010234808A1 (en) 2009-03-31 2011-09-22 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Temperature adjustment device
EP2415855A4 (en) 2009-03-31 2014-03-05 Kanagawa Kagaku Gijutsu Akad HIGH-SPEED GENERATOR WITH LIQUID FLOW
CA2662546A1 (en) 2009-04-15 2010-10-15 Spartan Bioscience Inc. Tube for dna reactions
CN103154735B (zh) * 2009-05-11 2018-10-02 连接Dx股份有限公司 用于检测分析物的方法和组合物
WO2010132885A2 (en) 2009-05-15 2010-11-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method and apparatus for effecting transfer of reaction receptacles in an instrument for multi-step analytical procedures
US8309036B2 (en) 2009-05-15 2012-11-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for separating viscous materials suspended from a pipette
CA2761276C (en) 2009-05-15 2017-06-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method and apparatus for effecting automated movement of a magnet in an instrument for performing a magnetic separation procedure
JP5690724B2 (ja) * 2009-06-04 2015-03-25 ユニバーサル・バイオ・リサーチ株式会社 検体検査装置およびその方法
WO2010144859A2 (en) 2009-06-12 2010-12-16 Life Technologies Corporation Devices and methods for automated sample preparation, assay, and analysis
JP2011050699A (ja) 2009-09-04 2011-03-17 Daiwa Tokushu Glass Kk バイアルとこれに用いる密封装置
US10288632B2 (en) * 2009-09-21 2019-05-14 Pocared Diagnostics Ltd. System for conducting the identification of bacteria in biological samples
EP2504107B1 (en) * 2009-11-24 2019-11-06 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Automated, refrigerated specimen inventory management system
JP5587629B2 (ja) * 2010-02-04 2014-09-10 パナソニックヘルスケア株式会社 インキュベーター
GB201005704D0 (en) 2010-04-06 2010-05-19 It Is Internat Ltd Improvements in systems for chemical and/or biochemical reactions
JP5249988B2 (ja) * 2010-05-07 2013-07-31 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ 核酸増幅装置及びそれを用いた核酸検査装置
CN102329725A (zh) 2010-06-16 2012-01-25 三星泰科威株式会社 光透射温度控制装置、生物诊断设备和方法
JP5786295B2 (ja) 2010-06-22 2015-09-30 ソニー株式会社 核酸等温増幅反応用マイクロチップ及びその製造方法並びに核酸等温増幅方法
CN103675303B (zh) * 2010-07-23 2016-02-03 贝克曼考尔特公司 传感器系统
US8631966B2 (en) * 2010-08-23 2014-01-21 Starplex Scientific Inc. Specimen container with cap having a snap-fit partially open position
WO2012033994A2 (en) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Hamilton Storage Technologies, Inc. Sample storage cassette for ultra-low or cryogenic temperatures
EP2619302B1 (en) * 2010-09-24 2020-05-13 Covaris, Inc. Method and apparatus for fragmenting nucleic acids
US8460620B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2013-06-11 Becton, Dickinson And Company Specimen collection container assembly
WO2012096430A1 (en) 2011-01-11 2012-07-19 Seegene, Inc. Detection of target nucleic acid sequences by pto cleavage and extension assay
CN102147405B (zh) * 2011-01-12 2013-08-21 深圳市亚辉龙生物科技有限公司 一种全自动生化免疫分析仪
EP2678664B1 (en) 2011-02-24 2019-08-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
CN102155971B (zh) * 2011-03-22 2012-08-29 中国工程物理研究院核物理与化学研究所 用于液体样品的自动取样称量装置
CN102253228B (zh) * 2011-04-29 2013-04-10 河北科技大学 全自动化学发光免疫分析装置
US20140120546A1 (en) 2011-06-14 2014-05-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of processing a sample for analysis
EP2546655B1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2019-12-04 F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG Instrument and process for the automated processing of liquid samples
CH705468A1 (de) * 2011-09-06 2013-03-15 Tecan Trading Ag Kammersystem und Probenbehälter mit Einlass.
AU2012305682B2 (en) * 2011-09-09 2015-08-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated sample handling instrumentation, systems, processes, and methods
DE102011055899B4 (de) * 2011-11-30 2013-11-21 Andreas Hettich Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Handhaben von Probenbehältern
ITBO20110766A1 (it) * 2011-12-28 2013-06-29 Silicon Biosystems Spa Dispositivi, apparato, kit e metodo per il trattamento di un campione biologico
USD672881S1 (en) * 2012-01-18 2012-12-18 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Reagent pack
ES2654215T3 (es) * 2012-01-30 2018-02-12 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Unidad de manipulación de gradillas de muestras
US9108199B2 (en) 2012-06-01 2015-08-18 LPG. Consulting, Inc. Automatic test tube recapper
AU2013202808B2 (en) * 2012-07-31 2014-11-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for performing multiplex thermal melt analysis
AU2013202793B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2014-09-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated System, method and apparatus for automated incubation
US20140193857A1 (en) * 2012-09-12 2014-07-10 Cypho, Inc. Centrifuge tube droplet generator
JP2014085149A (ja) * 2012-10-19 2014-05-12 Toshiba Corp サンプルラック移動支持機構および自動分析装置
USD687567S1 (en) 2012-10-22 2013-08-06 Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc. Tube strip for automated processing systems
ES2747428T3 (es) * 2012-11-12 2020-03-10 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products Gmbh Estación de reactivos para un aparato de análisis automático
USD739527S1 (en) * 2012-12-14 2015-09-22 Conmed Corporation Connector
AU2013202778A1 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-10-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems, methods, and apparatuses for performing automated reagent-based assays
AU2013202805B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-07-16 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for extending the capabilities of a diagnostic analyzer
USD762873S1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-08-02 Becton, Dickinson And Company Process tube
USD709624S1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-07-22 Becton, Dickinson And Company Process tube
US9381320B2 (en) 2013-03-18 2016-07-05 Becton, Dickinson And Company Multiple-use intravenous catheter assembly septum and septum actuator
USD723181S1 (en) 2013-07-09 2015-02-24 Daikyo Seiko, Ltd. Microtube
CN107076770B (zh) * 2014-07-28 2019-07-12 道格拉斯科学有限责任公司 用于分析生物样本和试剂的仪器
USD766427S1 (en) * 2014-12-06 2016-09-13 Evgenii Kurov Hygiene article
USD771805S1 (en) * 2014-12-23 2016-11-15 Robert Brooker Medical device support bracket
USD769456S1 (en) * 2015-02-20 2016-10-18 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Reagent pack
US10670618B2 (en) * 2015-02-26 2020-06-02 Hitachi High-Tech Corporation Automated analysis device, and lid opening/closing mechanism
CA2980595C (en) * 2015-04-09 2020-09-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample testing systems and methods with automated cleaning
EP3330715B1 (en) * 2015-07-27 2022-02-16 Hitachi High-Tech Corporation Automated analyzer
KR102408787B1 (ko) * 2015-08-03 2022-06-15 젠-프로브 인코포레이티드 제어된 환경을 유지하는 장치
JP6496211B2 (ja) * 2015-08-12 2019-04-03 日本電子株式会社 検体ラック搬送装置及び自動分析システム
ITUB20153260A1 (it) * 2015-08-27 2017-02-27 Paolo Gobbi Frattini S R L Tappo di chiusura ermetica per flacone sterile sigillato di contenimento di sostanze attive medicinali o nutrizionali, idoneo per la connessione sterile con un contenitore di soluzione liquida diluente, e sistema di connessione sterile utilizzante detto tappo di chiusura.
FR3047082B1 (fr) * 2016-01-25 2018-02-16 Arteion Systeme de convoyage de supports pour recipients d’echantillons de liquide biologique, et systeme d’analyse automatique comprenant un tel systeme de convoyage
EP3211428A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-30 Roche Diagnostics GmbH Transport device unit for a laboratory sample distribution system
FR3048510B1 (fr) * 2016-03-01 2020-01-31 Arteion Systeme d’analyse automatique pour diagnostic in vitro
USD805636S1 (en) 2016-05-17 2017-12-19 Mark Pike Saliva ejector valve tip
FI128856B (en) * 2016-06-29 2021-01-29 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Method for attaching a sample vessel rack to an apparatus, sample vessel rack and apparatus for a sample vessel rack
WO2018091938A1 (en) * 2016-11-18 2018-05-24 Sm Research Inc. Biologic sample preparation system and related method
JP1581773S (ja) 2016-12-08 2017-07-24
US11167282B2 (en) * 2017-01-31 2021-11-09 HighRes Biosolutions, Inc. Auto-pipetting apparatus and method
USD849937S1 (en) * 2017-02-23 2019-05-28 Nordson Corporation Cross tube connector
US10473650B2 (en) * 2017-03-01 2019-11-12 Leadway (Hk) Limited Reagent mixing and conveying device and reagent mixing method
JP6784196B2 (ja) * 2017-03-03 2020-11-11 株式会社島津製作所 前処理装置及びその前処理装置を備えた分析システム
AU2018240553B2 (en) * 2017-03-24 2023-03-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Cover assembly and related methods of use
JP6684961B2 (ja) * 2017-03-24 2020-04-22 株式会社日立ハイテク 自動分析装置
JP6808574B2 (ja) * 2017-04-27 2021-01-06 日本電子株式会社 容器収容ユニット及び自動分析装置
US11644475B2 (en) * 2017-05-10 2023-05-09 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Sample rack for sample analysis system
USD938612S1 (en) * 2017-06-16 2021-12-14 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Sample rack
US11565266B2 (en) * 2017-08-09 2023-01-31 Hitachi High-Tech Corporation Automatic analyzer
USD861157S1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2019-09-24 Reciprocal Labs Corporation Usage monitoring attachment for an inhaler
WO2019044648A1 (ja) * 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ 接続モジュール及び干渉回避方法
JP6956617B2 (ja) * 2017-12-12 2021-11-02 株式会社日立製作所 ホルダ搬送装置
CN109975277A (zh) * 2017-12-28 2019-07-05 深圳市新产业生物医学工程股份有限公司 化学发光检测仪及其检测方法
JP6994959B2 (ja) * 2018-01-17 2022-01-14 日本電子株式会社 容器収容ユニット及び自動分析装置
USD927685S1 (en) * 2018-01-18 2021-08-10 Gen-Probe Incorporated Receptacle
WO2019147274A1 (en) * 2018-01-26 2019-08-01 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Dispenser platforms
WO2019159609A1 (ja) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-22 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ 自動分析装置
USD936825S1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2021-11-23 Hu-Friedy Mfg Co., Llc Capnography fitting
JP6876650B2 (ja) * 2018-03-30 2021-05-26 日本電子株式会社 自動分析装置および自動分析方法
JP6965831B2 (ja) * 2018-05-29 2021-11-10 株式会社島津製作所 検体抽出用ジグ
USD902429S1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-11-17 Quest Diagnostics Investments Llc Vial for sampling assembly
JP6740301B2 (ja) * 2018-08-31 2020-08-12 シスメックス株式会社 搬送システム、検体分析装置、検体ラック、および搬送規制方法
US10780439B2 (en) * 2018-08-31 2020-09-22 Industrial Technology Research Institute Magnetic screwdriver device
US11504653B2 (en) * 2018-11-30 2022-11-22 Hans-Werner Heinrich Biological material collection and separation system
WO2020170834A1 (ja) * 2019-02-20 2020-08-27 株式会社日立ハイテク 制御システムおよび当該制御システムを搭載した自動分析装置
JP6882352B2 (ja) * 2019-02-22 2021-06-02 シスメックス株式会社 容器ラック、検体分析装置及び検体分析方法
WO2020186045A1 (en) * 2019-03-14 2020-09-17 Biomeme, Inc. Vial caps for biological processing or analysis
JP7292999B2 (ja) * 2019-06-25 2023-06-19 キヤノンメディカルシステムズ株式会社 試薬容器及び自動分析システム
USD930184S1 (en) * 2019-07-18 2021-09-07 Spectrum Solutions L.L.C. Sample collection device
CN210886074U (zh) * 2019-10-12 2020-06-30 苏州天隆生物科技有限公司 一种用于自动化核酸检测的pcr反应耗材
USD931494S1 (en) * 2019-10-24 2021-09-21 Life Technologies Corporation Reagent tube
USD946169S1 (en) * 2020-05-01 2022-03-15 Life Technologies Corporation Piercer for use by automated laboratory equipment
USD942035S1 (en) * 2020-09-09 2022-01-25 Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. Removable sampling port for a drain bag

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3635394A (en) * 1969-07-30 1972-01-18 Rohe Scientific Corp Automated clinical laboratory
US5475610A (en) * 1990-11-29 1995-12-12 The Perkin-Elmer Corporation Thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction with close temperature control
US20050003425A1 (en) * 1992-03-11 2005-01-06 Jan Zavada MN gene and protein
US7141213B1 (en) * 1996-07-05 2006-11-28 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Automated sample processing system
US6660228B1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2003-12-09 Cepheid Apparatus for performing heat-exchanging, chemical reactions
US20080025454A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2008-01-31 Westinghouse Electric Sweden Ab Method for Operating a Reactor of a Nuclear Plant
US20120291872A1 (en) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-22 Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc. Lab Members and Liquid Handling Systems and Methods Including Same

Cited By (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD922588S1 (en) 2011-10-12 2021-06-15 Abbott Rapid Diagnostics International Unlimited Company Isothermal nucleic acid amplification meter
US11834701B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-12-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated Reagent pack changer
US11279967B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-03-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for conducting an assay
US11732289B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-08-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated Receptacle distribution system
US11434521B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-09-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for conducting an assay
US11840722B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-12-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Diagnostic systems and methods
US10889851B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2021-01-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument
US11761026B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-09-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Diagnostic system and method
US11761027B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-09-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
US11732288B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2023-08-22 Gen-Probe Incorporated Assembly having reagent pack loading station
US10141673B2 (en) * 2014-07-30 2018-11-27 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Detection of a plug coupled to a connector housing
US20170162973A1 (en) * 2014-07-30 2017-06-08 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp Detection of a plug coupled to a connector housing
US10760115B2 (en) * 2014-11-18 2020-09-01 Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation Specimen disrupting method and specimen disrupting apparatus
US20160299056A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample testing systems and methods with automated cleaning
US9810622B2 (en) * 2015-04-09 2017-11-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample testing systems and methods with automated cleaning
US10656077B2 (en) 2015-04-09 2020-05-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sample testing methods with automated cleaning
US10107806B2 (en) * 2015-06-26 2018-10-23 Grifols, S.A. Apparatus for the automatic performance of immunohaematology analysis on gel cards
US10379130B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2019-08-13 Abbott Laboratories Reaction vessel exchanger device for a diagnostic analyzer
US10648995B2 (en) * 2015-12-18 2020-05-12 Abbott Laboratories Systems and methods for automated analysis
US20170176481A1 (en) * 2015-12-18 2017-06-22 Abbott Laboratories Systems and Methods for Automated Analysis
US20180124153A1 (en) * 2016-11-01 2018-05-03 International Business Machines Corporation On-premises and off-premises communication
WO2018175923A2 (en) 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for capacitive fluid level detection, and handling containers
WO2018175985A1 (en) 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Gen-Probe Incorporated Cover assembly and related methods of use
CN108686729A (zh) * 2017-04-10 2018-10-23 豪夫迈·罗氏有限公司 用于实验室仪器的抽屉组件
US10895414B2 (en) * 2017-04-10 2021-01-19 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Drawer assembly for a laboratory instrument
CN108686729B (zh) * 2017-04-10 2022-01-18 豪夫迈·罗氏有限公司 用于实验室仪器的抽屉组件
US20180292126A1 (en) * 2017-04-10 2018-10-11 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Drawer assembly for a laboratory instrument
WO2019014124A1 (en) 2017-07-10 2019-01-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated RECEPTACLE SUPPORTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CAPACITIVE FLUID LEVEL DETECTION
EP4289507A2 (en) 2017-07-10 2023-12-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analytical systems and methods for nucleic acid amplification using sample assigning parameters
EP4286055A2 (en) 2017-07-10 2023-12-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analytical systems and methods for nucleic acid amplification using sample assigning parameters
EP4282533A2 (en) 2017-07-10 2023-11-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analytical systems and methods for nucleic acid amplification using sample assigning parameters
WO2019014239A1 (en) 2017-07-10 2019-01-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS USING SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT PARAMETERS
US11568958B2 (en) 2017-12-29 2023-01-31 Clear Labs, Inc. Automated priming and library loading device
US11581065B2 (en) 2017-12-29 2023-02-14 Clear Labs, Inc. Automated nucleic acid library preparation and sequencing device
US11282587B2 (en) 2017-12-29 2022-03-22 Clear Labs, Inc. Automated priming and library loading device
WO2019148169A1 (en) 2018-01-29 2019-08-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analytical systems and methods
CN108504542A (zh) * 2018-05-24 2018-09-07 南京岚煜生物科技有限公司 全自动核酸提取扩增诊断一体机
WO2020014400A1 (en) 2018-07-10 2020-01-16 Gen-Probe Incorporated Methods and systems for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids
WO2024073659A1 (en) 2022-09-30 2024-04-04 Biotheranostics, Inc. Biomarker assay to select breast cancer therapy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
USD982177S1 (en) 2023-03-28
US11098343B2 (en) 2021-08-24
JP6824306B2 (ja) 2021-02-03
CA2903105A1 (en) 2014-09-25
CN108456715A (zh) 2018-08-28
US11834701B2 (en) 2023-12-05
US11732289B2 (en) 2023-08-22
EP3444035A1 (en) 2019-02-20
CA2913698C (en) 2018-05-15
CA2913701C (en) 2021-02-09
AU2013202805B2 (en) 2015-07-16
CN108490201B (zh) 2022-05-31
JP6564441B2 (ja) 2019-08-21
CN108490201A (zh) 2018-09-04
EP4049757A3 (en) 2022-11-30
CN108467830A (zh) 2018-08-31
US20220162677A1 (en) 2022-05-26
US11761026B2 (en) 2023-09-19
US20210017579A1 (en) 2021-01-21
US20230383333A1 (en) 2023-11-30
CA2903105C (en) 2016-06-21
JP2017060534A (ja) 2017-03-30
EP4049757A2 (en) 2022-08-31
US11136617B2 (en) 2021-10-05
JP6799625B2 (ja) 2020-12-16
JP7336483B2 (ja) 2023-08-31
AU2014236196A1 (en) 2015-12-03
WO2014153193A2 (en) 2014-09-25
US10975416B2 (en) 2021-04-13
US20210324445A1 (en) 2021-10-21
US20220315990A1 (en) 2022-10-06
US20160060680A1 (en) 2016-03-03
JP2021112217A (ja) 2021-08-05
US20220364153A1 (en) 2022-11-17
US20210017578A1 (en) 2021-01-21
JP2018015006A (ja) 2018-02-01
US11761027B2 (en) 2023-09-19
JP2019068859A (ja) 2019-05-09
CN108467830B (zh) 2022-04-29
WO2014153193A3 (en) 2014-11-27
US9732374B2 (en) 2017-08-15
US20240060114A1 (en) 2024-02-22
US11279967B2 (en) 2022-03-22
JP2019068860A (ja) 2019-05-09
CN105188938A (zh) 2015-12-23
AU2016262653B2 (en) 2018-07-05
AU2013202805A1 (en) 2014-10-02
CA2913705A1 (en) 2014-09-25
JP6316931B2 (ja) 2018-04-25
CN108441404B (zh) 2023-09-12
US20190284612A1 (en) 2019-09-19
US11434521B2 (en) 2022-09-06
US11732288B2 (en) 2023-08-22
US11788115B2 (en) 2023-10-17
JP2023011907A (ja) 2023-01-24
USD971435S1 (en) 2022-11-29
JP2019068858A (ja) 2019-05-09
JP2019071906A (ja) 2019-05-16
WO2014153193A9 (en) 2015-01-15
JP2020039365A (ja) 2020-03-19
CN108441404A (zh) 2018-08-24
JP6906592B2 (ja) 2021-07-21
EP2969223B1 (en) 2018-10-03
JP2019187450A (ja) 2019-10-31
US20170335373A1 (en) 2017-11-23
JP2018015007A (ja) 2018-02-01
AU2016262653A1 (en) 2016-12-08
US10889851B2 (en) 2021-01-12
CA2913701A1 (en) 2014-09-25
US11840722B2 (en) 2023-12-12
US20220364152A1 (en) 2022-11-17
CN108479869A (zh) 2018-09-04
US20180298427A1 (en) 2018-10-18
JP6979043B2 (ja) 2021-12-08
US11746373B2 (en) 2023-09-05
CN108456714A (zh) 2018-08-28
US20180298426A1 (en) 2018-10-18
CN108456714B (zh) 2022-07-19
CN108627662B (zh) 2022-09-30
CN108546629A (zh) 2018-09-18
CA2913698A1 (en) 2014-09-25
CN105188938B (zh) 2018-04-24
JP2016513975A (ja) 2016-05-19
JP6807416B2 (ja) 2021-01-06
EP2969223A2 (en) 2016-01-20
US20220315989A1 (en) 2022-10-06
US20220364154A1 (en) 2022-11-17
US20210079452A1 (en) 2021-03-18
US10711297B2 (en) 2020-07-14
HK1220161A1 (zh) 2017-04-28
CN108627662A (zh) 2018-10-09
US20220364155A1 (en) 2022-11-17
US20200239935A1 (en) 2020-07-30
CA2913705C (en) 2016-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11098343B2 (en) Systems and methods for performing assays

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK, USA, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HOLOGIC, INC.;BIOLUCENT, LLC;CYTYC CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:032753/0942

Effective date: 20140408

AS Assignment

Owner name: DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: CYTYC CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: HOLOGIC, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: BIOLUCENT, LLC, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, MASS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 032753/0942;ASSIGNOR:GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036128/0143

Effective date: 20150529

AS Assignment

Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:HOLOGIC, INC.;BIOLUCENT, LLC;CYTYC CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:036307/0199

Effective date: 20150529

Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:HOLOGIC, INC.;BIOLUCENT, LLC;CYTYC CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:036307/0199

Effective date: 20150529

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION