Abstract:
The present invention relates to a structure for performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample, the structure comprising: a process step performance lane (62) accepting a container (15) for the sample where at least a process step for determining the item of interest is performed on the sample in the container (15); and a process step avoidance lane (64) accepting the container (15) where the at least one process step for determining the item of interest is avoided. Also disclosed there is a method of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a container (15) for the sample in a process step performance lane (62) where at least a process step for determining the item of interest is performed on the sample in the container (15); and positioning the container (15) in a process step avoidance lane (64) where the at least one process step for determining the item of interest is avoided.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide methods of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample. In one embodiment, a container for holding the sample is accepted in a process lane where a process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. The process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. A physical length of the process lane is selectively varied.
Abstract:
A reaction vessel suitable for multiple assay utilization within an automated, continuous and random access analytical system which allows for kitting of sample and reagents and physical transfer of the kitted reaction vessel to a process carousel is disclosed. The reaction vessel comprises multiple wells of various volume capacities, the multiple wells having openings on the same plane and depths extending from said plane. The reaction vessel has at least one cuvette, which extends substantially below the multiple wells and has an opening on the same plane as the multiple wells. The reaction vessel further comprises a transfer projection on a well bottom portion of the well on a first end portion of the reaction vessel, the cuvette projecting downward from a second end portion of the reaction vessel.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously performing at least two assays, said assays comprising a plurality of activities, for a plurality of liquid samples on a continuous analytical system, said method comprising the steps of: combining an aliquot of a first liquid sample with at least one reagent in a first reaction container to form a first assay reaction mixture for said first liquid sample; combining an aliquot of a second liquid sample with at least one reagent in a second reaction container to form a second assay reaction mixture for said second liquid sample; incubating said first and said second assay reaction mixtures at least one time; performing activities associated with each assay other than said combining and said incubating on the first and second assay reaction mixtures to complete each assay, said other activities including analyzing the incubated assay reaction mixtures; and scheduling the steps of said combining, said incubating, and said performing activities other than said combining and said incubating associated with each of the assays according to a predetermined protocol, said protocol specifying: (a) what activities are to be performed for a given assay; (b) an order in which said activities of (a) are to be performed; (c) at least one incubation period between said activities of (a), said at least one incubation period comprising a nominal period of time for the performance of an incubating step between activities of (a) and a specified window of time for varying the duration of the nominal period between activities of (a) to optimize performance; (d) how said activities of (a) are to be performed; and (e) duration of said activities of (a).
Abstract:
A bubble flushing aspirating and dispensing syringe having precision and volumetric accuracy, particularly for use in an automated, continuous and random access analytical system, is disclosed. The syringe comprises a piston (124) within a bore (128), the bore having seal means at a first end and a closed end (130) at a second end, wherein the piston forms an annulus (138) with the bore wall and seal means, and is capable of reciprocating therein. Fluid inlet (134) and fluid outlet (136) means are in communication with the annulus (138) and bore, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet means being located between the seal means and the bore closed end. A fluid source is in communication with the inlet means and a fluid conduit is in communication with the outlet means and an open-ended release tip. A drive means is connected to the piston for reciprocating the piston within the bore. As a result, fluid from the inlet, when connected to a fluid supply, flows through the annulus (138) around the sides of the piston and out through the fluid outlet to the open-ended tip, thereby creating a cross-flow pattern in the annulus (138) around the piston as it reciprocates in the bore to flush bubbles through the outlet.
Abstract:
A test sample container assembly for loading a plurality of test samples onto a test sample carousel of an automated analytical system and an automated, continuous and random access analytical system containing such test sample container assembly and capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assays of a plurality of liquid samples are disclosed. The test sample container assembly comprises (i) a housing with two parallel curved sides, said sides having the same radius of curvature as the test sample carousel, (ii) a top shelf with at least two openings for receiving test sample containers, (iii) a bottom parallel to and spaced apart from the top shelf defining with the curved surfaces therebetween a cavity, and (iv) wherein said bottom portion and said curved surfaces define a cavity therebetween wherein the at least two openings provide a predefined vertical alignment and the test sample container openings are presented in a plane parallel with the plane of the assembly shelf.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of operating an automated, continuous and random access analytical system capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assays in a plurality of liquid samples, comprising the following steps: introducing sample cups, reagent packs, and reaction vessels for performing said assays onto concentric carousels of a front end carousel, the reaction vessels being introduced to an outer carousel; identifying the reagent packs and sample cups; scheduling the assays; aligning the sample cups and reagent packs with a reaction vessel at a kitting station by rotating the respective carousels; kitting a unit dose disposable in a reaction vessel having multiple independent open chambers in accordance with the scheduled assay by transfer of the sample from the sample cup to a reaction vessel chamber and transfer of specific reagents to separate reaction vessel chambers from the reagent pack; transferring the kitted reaction vessel to a process carousel which is maintained under controlled environment conditions; pipetting the sample and various reagents into a reaction well of the reaction vessel, the amounts of reagent, sequencing of transfer and time spacing therebetween being predetermined by assay scheduling; incubating the pipetted sample and reagent mix; identifying and transferring the incubated mixture in the reaction well to one of at least two assay analytical stations; performing an analysis by reading the prepared reaction mixture and calibrating the reading; and recording the resulting assay reading analysis.
Abstract:
The invention relates a method of constructing at least a first structure and a second structure both for determining an item of interest in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) defining an effective length representing a total distance traveled by a reaction container during determination of an item of interest in a sample; (b) constructing the first structure for determining an item of interest in a sample, the first structure having a first process lane having a first physical length and a first means for moving the reaction container the effective length along the first process lane during determination of an item of interest in a sample disposed within the reaction container; and (c) constructing the second structure for determining an item of interest in a sample, the second structure having a second process lane having a second physical length different from the first physical length and a second means for moving the reaction container the effective length along the second process lane during determination of an item of interest in sample disposed within the reaction container.
Abstract:
Methods of constructing a structure for determining an item of interest in a sample are provided. According to one method, an effective length of movement of a container (15) for holding the sample in a process lane (28) where a process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container (15) is determined. The process lane (28) is constructed such that the process lane (28) meets at least one of a predetermined throughput and a predetermined physical dimension. Elements are arranged along the process lane (28) such that the container (15) moves the effective length during performance of a determination of an item of interest.
Abstract:
The structure embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path (10). The process path (10) comprises a process lane (28) including a process step performance lane (62) where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane (64) where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover (24) is operatively connected with the process path (10) for moving a container (15) holding the sample along the process path (10). A first pipetting system (198) is operatively associated with the process path (10) for introducing the sample to the container (15). A second pipetting system (132, 134) is operatively associated with the process path (10) for introducing a reagent to the container (15). A device (86) is operatively connected with the process path (10) and is selectively engagable with the container (15) for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container (15). A second prime mover (44) is operatively connected with the process path (10) for selectively positioning the container (15) in a selected one of the process step performance lane (62) and the process step avoidance lane (64). A reader (138) is operatively connected with the process path (10) for determining the item of interest in the sample based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent. The method embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. In one method, a process path (10) comprising a process lane (28) including a process step performance lane (62) where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane (64) where the process step is avoided is provided. A container (15) holding the sample is moved along the process path (10). The sample is introduced to the container (15). A reagent is introduced to the container (15). The sample and the reagent are mixed in the container (15). The container (15) is selectively positioned in a selected one of the process step performance lane (62) and the process step avoidance lane (64). The item of interest in the sample is determined based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.