Method of automated calibration and diagnosis of laboratory instruments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9482652-B2
Application number	US-201314023111-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2013
Priority date	Sep 1, 2005
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

Method and system providing an automated workflow for installing and/or calibrating laboratory equipment. The workflow empowers an end user to perform installation and calibration thereby reducing the costs associated with such activities. The automated workflow taught herein, can greatly reduce the incidence of calibration error by providing for verification of certain events during the calibration process.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A non-transitory computer storage medium containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor to perform:
providing a laboratory instrument adapted to image a multi-well plate;
performing a plurality of calibration tests sequentially on the laboratory instrument, wherein an expert knowledge system automates the sequence of calibration tests;
verifying the progress of the calibration tests by applying at least one expert knowledge based test; and
reporting the status of the calibration test as a result of the at least one expert knowledge based test.

2. The computer storage medium of claim 1 containing instructions for performing method steps for calibrating a laboratory instrument, wherein the multi-well plate contains fluorescent dyes.

3. The computer storage medium of claim 1 containing instructions for performing method steps for calibrating a laboratory instrument, wherein verifying the progress comprises applying at least one expert knowledge based test to verify that a correct multi-well plate was installed.

4. A non-transitory computer storage medium containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor to perform:
providing a laboratory instrument adapted to image a multi-well plate;
analyzing data generated using the multi-well plate on the laboratory instrument, wherein the data analysis is automated with an expert knowledge system;
verifying the progress of the data analysis by applying at least one expert knowledge based test; and
reporting the status of the data analysis as a result of the at least one expert knowledge based test.

5. A non-transitory computer storage medium containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor to perform:
providing a laboratory instrument adapted to image a multi-well plate;
performing a plurality of instrument function tests on the laboratory instrument, wherein the instrument function tests are automated with an expert knowledge system;
verifying the progress of the instrument function test by applying at least one expert knowledge based test; and
reporting the status of the instrument function test as a result of the at least one expert knowledge based test.

Assignees

• Applied Biosystems Llc

Inventors

• Desimas Bruce E
• Dow Leslie A

Classifications

• G01D18/002

  Automatic recalibration (G01D18/008 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01N31/00 Primary

  Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods · CPC title

• Y10S707/99942

  Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation · CPC title

• Y10T436/10

  Composition for standardization, calibration, simulation, stabilization, preparation or preservation; processes of use in preparation for chemical testing · CPC title

• G01N33/00 Primary

  Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00 · CPC title