Systems and methods for performing assays

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11098343-B2
Application number	US-201816011229-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 18, 2018
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Aug 24, 2021
Grant date	Aug 24, 2021

Abstract

A processing module is configured to extend the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles. The module includes a container transport configured to transport a container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to a substance transfer device of the analyzer. A receptacle distribution system is configured to receive a receptacle from the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and to move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer. A substance transfer device of the module is configured to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module. A reagent card exchanger provides an input device for inserting reagent cards into and removing reagent cards from the module, stores reagent cards within the module, and transfers reagent cards to different location within the module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated fluid handling system comprising:
a container drawer configured to move between an open position and a closed position, the container drawer comprising a removable container carriage configured to support at least one first container; and
a container transport configured to move the container carriage between (a) a first carriage position on the container drawer when the container drawer is at the closed position to (b) a second carriage position within the system,
wherein the container transport comprises a movable sled having a carriage hook configured to engage the container carriage, the movable sled and carriage hook being configured to pull the container carriage laterally relative to a longitudinal dimension of the drawer off the container drawer and onto the container transport,
wherein at the second carriage position, the container carriage is separated from the container drawer, and the at least one first container supported by the container carriage is accessible to a first robotic pipettor of the system, and
wherein the container drawer further comprises a lock having (a) a first lock configuration preventing relative movement between the container carriage and the container drawer and (b) a second lock configuration allowing relative movement between the container carriage and the container drawer, wherein the lock is configured to be set at the second lock configuration when the container drawer is at the closed position.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises:
a locking leg configured to extend into a lock recess formed in a bottom of the container carriage at the first lock configuration and configured to be withdrawn from the lock recess at the second lock configuration; and
a trigger leg configured to operatively engage a lock trigger at the closed position of the container drawer, thereby moving the locking leg from the first lock configuration to the second lock configuration.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container transport further comprises a motor and a belt coupling the sled to the motor.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the motor comprises a rotary encoder for monitoring and controlling the position of the motor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container transport comprises at least one sensor configured to detect a position of the sled.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container transport translates the container carriage between the first carriage position and the second carriage position.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container drawer further comprises a tray configured to support at least one second container, the container carriage being disposed at an end of the tray, and the tray and the container carriage being movable together as the container drawer moves from the open position to the closed position.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one second container is accessible to a second robotic pipettor, distinct from the first robotic pipettor.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one first container comprises a container containing an elution buffer.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one second container comprises a container containing an oil or a reconstitution buffer.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the container carriage is configured to support two first containers, each containing the elution buffer.

12. A fluid handling method for the fluid handling system of claim 1 , comprising:
(a) moving the container drawer from the open position to the closed position, the removable container carriage supporting at least one first container;
(b) using the movable sled to laterally pull the container carriage from the first carriage position on the container drawer to the second carriage position within the system; and
(c) using a first robotic pipettor to remove a fluid from the at least one first container supported by the container carriage at the second carriage position.

13. The fluid handling method of claim 12 , further comprising:
after step (c), using the automated container transport to move the container carriage from the second carriage position to the first carriage position on the container drawer.

14. The fluid handling method of claim 12 , further comprising using a second robotic pipettor separate from the first robotic pipettor to remove a second fluid from at least one second container supported by the container drawer at the closed position.

15. The fluid handling method of claim 14 , wherein the second fluid is different than the first fluid.

16. The fluid handling method of claim 14 , wherein the first fluid comprises an elution buffer, and the second fluid comprises an oil or a reconstitution buffer.

17. The fluid handling method of claim 12 , wherein step (c) further comprises using the first robotic pipettor to remove the first fluid from two first containers supported by the container carriage at the second carriage position.

Assignees

• Gen Probe Inc

Inventors

• Buse David A
• Opalsky David
• Rhubottom Jason F
• Hagen Norbert D
• Tidd Jennifer L

Classifications

• B01L3/50825 Primary

  Closing or opening means, corks, bungs · CPC title

• B01L2200/026

  Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details · CPC title

• B01L2200/0689

  Sealing · CPC title

• G01N2035/0436

  with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs · CPC title

• B01L2300/046

  Function or devices integrated in the closure · CPC title