Systems and methods for multi-analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016377640-A1
Application number	US-201615161547-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 23, 2016
Priority date	Sep 25, 2011
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

First claim

1 - 8 . (canceled)

9 . A method of performing three or more assays for detecting a plurality of analytes in a biological sample from a subject, comprising:
receiving the biological sample and a cartridge in a biological sample processing system, wherein: a) the cartridge comprises:
a plurality of components selected from the group consisting of: sample vessels, reagent units, assay units, liquid absorbing pad, and all reagents for performing the three or more assays; and
b) the biological sample processing system comprises:
a sample handling system;
at least three assay units for performing the three or more assays to detect a plurality of analytes in the biological sample,
a thermal control unit comprising a temperature control for the nucleic acid amplification;
and at least two detection units;
aliquoting at least a diluted portion of the sample into one of the components while the cartridge remains inside the biological sample processing system; decoupling one or more components from the cartridge while the cartridge remains inside the biological sample processing system to form one or more decoupled components; using a tracking processing routine to track locations of a plurality of components inside the biological sample processing system; and performing in the biological sample processing system the three or more assays, wherein the three or more assays are performed at least partially in parallel and comprises leaving one or more decouple components of the cartridge at a location in the device separate from the cartridge; detecting the plurality of analytes with the at least one detection unit in the biological sample processing system; and after detecting the plurality of analytes, returning any decoupled components back to the cartridge while the cartridge remains inside the biological sample processing system.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the biological sample is a blood sample.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the blood sample obtained from the subject is about 500 μl or less.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the three or more assays are performed from a single blood sample obtained from the subject.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the blood sample is a plasma sample.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the biological sample processing system further comprises a cytometer.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the biological sample processing system further comprises a cartridge and a housing.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking an exact distance that a component has moved in the biological sample processing system.

17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein if one of the components has not yet reached its destination, the tracking processing routine tracks a distance that said one of the components has traveled on its journey wherein, even if an error occurs, a precise location of the component is known and is usable for determining the next steps.

18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking an amount of time an item has been centrifuged is tracked, even if the centrifuge process has not yet been completed.

19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking what each assay unit contains.

20 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking location and history of each assay unit.

21 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking a location of each assay unit may be tracked.

22 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking diluents and/or various types of diluents in the system.

23 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tracking processing routine comprises tracking wash solutions and/or various types of wash solutions in the system.

Assignees

• Theranos Inc

Inventors

• Balwani Sunny
• Young Daniel
• Anekal Samartha
• Holmes Elizabeth A

Classifications

• G01N2035/00138

  Slides · CPC title

• G01N2035/00306

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

• G01N2035/00237

  Handling microquantities of analyte, e.g. microvalves, capillary networks · CPC title

• G01N2035/0493

  Locating samples; identifying different tube sizes · CPC title

• G01N35/026

  having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes · CPC title