Methods and systems of performing an assay

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11733251-B2
Application number	US-202016741808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2020
Priority date	Feb 1, 2019
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for performing an assay, comprising:
an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space;
an imaging system disposed within the space;
an actuator disposed within the space, the actuator to receive a well plate having wells, the actuator to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells, wherein the imaging system is positioned underneath the actuator;
a dispenser disposed within the space, the dispenser comprising:
a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound, the reservoir holder comprising a block;
a pump to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir;
an outlet, the pump to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells;
a base comprising a rail, a first base portion, and a second base portion, the reservoir holder movably coupled to the base such that the block of the reservoir holder interacts with the rail to linearly guide the reservoir holder relative to the base;
an adjuster adapted to change a relative position of the outlet and a first one of the wells;

a threaded adjuster that extends through the reservoir holder and includes an end that is driven against a surface of the base to adjust the reservoir holder relative to the base; and
a controller, in response to the imaging system being positioned to obtain image data of the first one of the wells, the controller configured to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data;
wherein the first base portion comprises the rail and the second base portion comprises the surface against which the threaded adjuster is driven, the first base portion comprising a slot through which a fastener extends to couple the first base portion and the second base portion, the slot enabling fore-aft adjustment of the first base portion relative to the second base portion.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet comprises a single-well dispensing pipette.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adjuster comprises a manual adjuster.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir holder carries the pump.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a tab that extends from the reservoir holder, the tab defining an aperture through which the outlet extends to secure the outlet relative to the reservoir holder.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a lock nut that surrounds the threaded adjuster, the lock nut to be tightened against the reservoir holder to secure a position of the reservoir holder.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second base portion comprises opposing walls that defines a channel that receives an end of the first base portion to guide the fore-aft movement of the first base portion.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second base portion comprise a first sub-base portion and a second sub-base portion, the first sub-base portion comprises a radial slot through which a fastener extends to couple the first sub-base portion and the second sub-base portion, the radial slot enabling radial adjustment of the first sub-base portion, the first base portion, and the reservoir holder relative to the second sub-base portion.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second sub-base portion is coupled to the imaging system via a fastener.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following (a) to (c):
(a) the space is approximately or less than 4.5 cubic feet,
(b) the imaging system comprises a microscope, or
(c) the actuator comprises a motorized XY microscope stage.

Assignees

• Amgen Inc

Inventors

• Sarich Brandon Zachary
• Berke Michael R
• Li Chuck Z
• Pearson Thomas Clark

Classifications

• G01N35/00029 Primary

  provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides (G01N35/028 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01N35/00693

  Calibration · CPC title

• G01N35/1002

  Reagent dispensers · CPC title

• G01N2035/00306

  Housings, cabinets, control panels (details) · CPC title

• G01N2035/00346

  Heating or cooling arrangements · CPC title