Systems and methods for fluid handling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020230596-A1
Application number	US-201916712664-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 12, 2019
Priority date	Sep 25, 2011
Publication date	Jul 23, 2020
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 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A sample processing apparatus for use with a biological sample and/or a reagent, comprising:
a support rack; a housing; a display screen mounted on the housing; a control unit having a processor that is programmed to execute computer-readable commands; and a plurality of modules coupled to the support rack; each of said modules containing the following:
at least one optical detector;
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising a heater.

22 . A sample processing apparatus for use with a biological sample and/or a reagent, comprising:
a support rack; a housing; a display screen mounted on the housing; a control unit having a processor that is programmed to execute computer-readable commands; and a plurality of modules coupled to the support rack; each of said modules containing the following:
at least one optical detector;
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising a heater;
a sample preparation unit using a lysing process.

23 . A sample processing apparatus for use with a biological sample and/or a reagent, comprising:
a support rack; a housing; a display screen mounted on the housing; a control unit having a processor that is programmed to execute computer-readable commands; and a plurality of modules coupled to the support rack; each of said modules containing the following:
at least one optical detector;
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising a heater;
a mixing chamber.

24 . The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a lysing unit.

25 . The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising at least one pipette body having a pipette nozzle configured to connect with a tip that is removable from said pipette nozzle, wherein the pipette has a height, width, and length each of which dimension does not exceed 20 cm.

26 . The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the pipette body has a height which does not exceed 7 cm.

27 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor of the control unit is programmed to regulate the independent movement of at least one of said first pipette body and said second pipette body.

28 . The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a first pipette body and a second pipette body are independently movable and independently controllable in relation to the other.

29 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a processor programmed to regulate the independent movement of at least one of said positive displacement pipette body and said air displacement pipette head body

30 . The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the control unit executes computer-executable commands to monitor and evaluate performance of the one or more stations at any given addressable location, and based on said evaluation send instructions to said system to alter or maintain the performance of the one or more stations.

31 . The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said evaluation identifies malfunctioning of the one or more modules wherein sending said instructions to said system effects correction of said malfunctioning in real time.

32 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the processor of the control unit is programmed to regulate the independent movement of at least one of said first pipette head body and said second pipette body.

33 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein each modules further contains a cartridge receiving location.

34 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the display screen comprises a touch screen.

Assignees

• Theranos Ip Co Llc

Inventors

• Holmes Elizabeth A
• Roy Joy
• Frankovich John Kent

Classifications

• B01L2200/028

  Modular arrangements · CPC title

• B01L2200/0689

  Sealing · CPC title

• B01L2200/16

  Reagents, handling or storing thereof · CPC title

• B01L2300/0829

  Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates · CPC title

• B01L3/5021

  Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes · CPC title