Sample distribution in a method for isolating analytes in fluid samples in an automated system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9383379-B2
Application number	US-201414285907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2014
Priority date	Jun 29, 2010
Publication date	Jul 5, 2016
Grant date	Jul 5, 2016

Abstract

A method is described for distributing samples within an automated analyzer from a linear arrangement of sample vessels to a processing plate in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement wherein samples are sorted, followed by transfer with a pipetting device with a linear arrangement to a processing vessel in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement and subsequent processing of samples using a second pipetting device which has a two-dimensional n×m arrangement.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A method for isolating analytes that may be present in fluid samples in an automated system, the method comprising the automated steps of:
a) loading samples on the automated system with identifiers, or identifying loaded samples according to sample type and analytical test to be performed;
b) transferring instructions from a control unit to a first and a second pipetting device comprising allocation of individual samples to a two-dimensional n×m arrangement of individual tests in a processing plate;
c) transferring said fluid samples from at least two sample vessels arranged in a linear rack to a at least two vessels of said processing plate with a first pipetting device comprising at least two pipetting units in linear arrangement, wherein said pipetting units are coupled to pipette tips;
d) combining together a solid support material and said fluid sample in a well of said processing plate for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to permit said analyte to be immobilized on the solid support material;
e) isolating the solid support material from other material present in the fluid sample in a separation station; and
f) purifying the analyte in the separation station by separating the fluid sample from the solid support material and washing the materials one or more times with a wash buffer, wherein said solid support material and said washing buffer are mixed by aspirating and dispensing with a second pipetting device, said second pipetting device comprising pipetting units in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement for coupling to pipette tips.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said wells of said processing plate are integrally formed.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said processing plate is a multiwell plate with a two-dimensional n×m arrangement of vessels.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pipette tips are replaced in a tip rack in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement following step c).

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising the step of assigning any one pipette tip in said pipette tip rack to a specific vessel of said processing plate with a two-dimensional n×m arrangement of vessels.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance between two adjacent sample vessels is different from the distance between two adjacent vessels of the processing plate, and wherein the distance between two adjacent pipetting units of the first pipetting device is adjustable.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein in step b) instructions are transferred from said control unit to a first processor for transferring samples with said first pipetting device, and instructions are transferred from said control unit to a second processor for the steps carried out by said second pipetting device.

Assignees

• Roche Molecular Systems Inc

Inventors

• Frank Paul
• Gisler Andreas
• Huesler Robert
• Knobel Rolf
• Mueller Siegfried
• Schnieper Urs
• Trueeb Heinz

Classifications

• G01N2035/1069

  by adjusting the spacing between multiple probes of a single transferring head · CPC title

• Y10T436/119163

  with aspirator of claimed structure · CPC title

• G01N35/0098 Primary

  involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation (magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C) · CPC title

• G01N2035/103

  using disposable tips · CPC title

• Y10T436/2575

  Volumetric liquid transfer · CPC title