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:
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.
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.
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.