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:
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.