Systems and methods for automated analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10775401-B2
Application number	US-201715460157-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2017
Priority date	Mar 15, 2016
Publication date	Sep 15, 2020
Grant date	Sep 15, 2020

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of continuously analyzing biological samples by an automated sample analysis system, comprising:
loading the biological samples into a sample loading area comprising two or more sample loading positions;
loading sample preparation (SP) cartridges into a SP cartridge loading area comprising two or more SP cartridge loading positions;
transporting, with a robotic SP cartridge handler, the SP cartridges from the SP cartridge loading area to one of two or more positions of a SP cartridge bulk reagent filling station;
filling SP cartridges with bulk reagents from the SP cartridge bulk reagent filling station;
transporting the SP cartridges from the bulk reagent filling station to one of two or more positions of a SP cartridge sample filling station;
pipetting, with a robotic pipettor, the biological samples from the sample loading area into the SP cartridges at the SP cartridge sample filling station;
transporting the SP cartridges from the SP cartridge sample filling station to one of two or more positions of a sample preparation station;
preparing the biological samples in the SP cartridges for analysis of an analyte present in the biological samples by isolating the analyte present in the biological samples at the sample preparation station;
combining the analyte with assay reagents to form assay mixtures; and
performing, in a sample analysis station comprising two or more sample analysis units, analyte detection assays on the assay mixtures to analyze the samples,
wherein, without ceasing operation of the system, an operator of the system has continuous access to the system for replenishment or removal of biological samples, bulk reagents, commodities, and waste.

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising performing two or more different analyte detection assays, wherein the system provides random access to any of the two or more different analyte detection assays.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein biological samples loaded into the system are present in sample tubes.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the sample tubes are present in sample tube racks, and wherein loading biological samples into the system comprises loading sample tube racks into one of two or more lanes of a sample loading station of the system.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the system comprises from 2 to 20 lanes of the sample loading station for sample tube racks.

6. The method according to claim 4 , comprising reading sample identification information present on the sample tubes as the sample tube racks are loaded into the system.

7. The method according to claim 4 , comprising reading sample tube rack identification information present on the sample tube racks upon loading of the sample tube racks into the system.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a pipette tip storage area where pipette tips are stored.

9. The method according to claim 8 , comprising picking up, using the robotic pipettor, a disposable pipette tip from the pipette tip storage area, aspirating a biological sample from a sample tube present at the sample introduction area, and dispensing the biological sample into a first well of the SP cartridge.

10. The method according to claim 9 , comprising aspirating, using the robotic pipettor, an isolated sample from a second well of the SP cartridge and dispensing the isolated sample into an assay reagent well.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the assay reagent well is a well of an assay reagent plate.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the assay reagent well comprises lyophilized assay reagents.

13. The method according to claim 11 , comprising transferring, using the robotic pipettor, a mixture that comprises the isolated sample and assay reagents from the assay reagent plate to a reaction vessel.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the reaction vessel is present in the SP cartridge.

15. The method according to claim 13 , comprising picking up, using the robotic pipettor, a reaction vessel cap and capping the reaction vessel.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the system comprises a sample analysis station comprising two or more sample analysis units.

17. The method according to claim 16 , comprising picking up, using the robotic pipettor, the capped reaction vessel and transporting the capped reaction vessel to a well of one of the sample analysis units of the sample analysis station.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein performing analyte detection assays comprises performing nucleic acid detection assays.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein performing nucleic acid detection assays comprises performing real-time nucleic acid amplification and detection.

20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein preparing the biological samples in the SP cartridges for analysis comprises isolating nucleic acids present in the samples.

21. The method according to claim 20 , wherein isolating nucleic acids present in the biological samples comprises capturing the nucleic acids using magnetic particles.

22. The method according to claim 1 , comprising disposing liquid waste generated during operation of the system into a liquid waste storage area.

23. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the liquid waste storage area comprises a liquid waste chute and a liquid waste container.

24. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the liquid waste storage area is present in a drawer, and the liquid waste chute is in communication with the liquid waste container only when the drawer is closed.

25. The method according to claim 1 , comprising disposing solid waste generated during operation of the system into a solid waste storage area.

26. The method according to claim 25 , wherein the solid waste storage area comprises two or more solid waste storage containers.

27. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the SP cartridges are loaded into a cartridge loading area comprising a cartridge storage unit, wherein the cartridge storage unit comprises one or more SP cartridge elevators.

Assignees

• Abbott Molecular Inc

Inventors

• Bryant Jason E
• Casazza Daniel P
• Harris Daniel J
• Johnson Brett W
• Nana Sonal Sadaria
• Patno Timothy J
• Pawlowski Frank
• Peters David M
• Skinner Joseph P
• Talmer Mark

Classifications

• G01N35/0099 Primary

  comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J) · CPC title

• G01N2035/1051

  for transporting containers, e.g. retained by friction · CPC title

• G01N2035/1048

  using the transfer device for another function · CPC title

• G01N2035/0405

  manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers · CPC title

• G01N35/00732

  Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers · CPC title