Abstract:
A lyophilization nest and method of using the same is described herein. In various embodiments, the lyophilization nest is configured to support one or more receptacles each supporting one or more substances within an interior space of the lyophilization nest. The interior space may be in fluid communication with the exterior of the lyophilization nest through one or more vent holes extending through a surface of the lyophilization nest. Each of the one or more vent holes have a corresponding sealing element configured to selectively form an air-tight seal within the vent holes, such that a controlled environment may be maintained within the interior space when the ambient conditions surrounding the lyophilization nest are not lyophilization conditions. The one or more sealing elements may be operable while the lyophilization nest is positioned within a sealed lyophilizer by depressing the sealing elements into corresponding vent holes to form the air-tight seal.
Abstract:
A nucleic acid diagnostic system includes a unit-dose reagent compartment storing at least one unit-dose pack, one or more unit-dose pack loading stations for holding a unit-dose pack at a location that permits a substance transfer device to dispense a reconstitution reagent into each well of the pack, a unit-dose pack distributor configured to transfer a unit-dose pack from the unit-dose reagent compartment to one of the unit-dose pack loading stations, and an electrostatic generator disposed within the housing of the unit-dose reagent compartment and/or adjacent the one or more unit-dose pack loading stations. The electrostatic generator imparts an electrostatic charge to each of the wells of the unit-dose pack and/or to a lyophilized reagent pellet within each well so that the electrostatic charge positions and holds each lyophilized reagent pellet at a bottom of each respective well of the unit-dose pack.
Abstract:
Receptacles containing a reaction mixture are transported to receptacle wells of a thermally conductive receptacle holder, and the temperature of the holder is cycled with a thermoelectric device situated between a support and a first side of the holder while a first force is applied onto a second side of the holder. Optical communication between each well and an excitation signal source and an emission signal detector is established to determine whether an emission signal is emitted from any of the receptacles during temperature cycling as an indication of the presence of a target nucleic acid. The thermoelectric device may be situated between an upright portion of the support and the first side of the holder. A second force may be applied onto a top end of each receptacle in the holder by a cover moveable with respect to the receptacles between an open position and a closed position.
Abstract:
A cap that is securable to a vial includes a plug configured for insertion into an open end of the vial. An upper portion of the cap defines a probe recess with an open top end and configured to receive a distal end of a probe of a pipettor inserted into the open top end, to frictionally secure the cap to an end of the probe. The cap includes a radially-oriented annular surface with one or more locking members depending from a periphery of the annular surface. The locking members are spaced from the plug and each locking member includes a radial locking groove and a radial locking ridge beneath the radial locking groove. A lip of the vial snaps into the radial locking groove above the radial locking ridge to secure the cap to the vial when the plug is inserted into the open end of the vial.
Abstract:
A method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument. The method includes the steps of dispensing a fluid into a processing vial with a disposable pipette tip frictionally fitted onto a probe of a pipettor, stripping the disposable pipette tip from the probe of the pipettor, and then engaging a cap in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor. While the cap is engaged in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor, coupling the cap to the processing vial to form a cap/vial assembly, where the cap seals the processing vial. The pipettor moves the cap/vial assembly from a first location of an instrument to a second location of the instrument. At the second location of the instrument, the cap/vial assembly is ejected from the probe of the pipettor, thereby depositing the cap/vial assembly at the second location.
Abstract:
A lyophilization nest and method of using the same is described herein. In various embodiments, the lyophilization nest is configured to support one or more receptacles each supporting one or more substances within an interior space of the lyophilization nest. The interior space may be in fluid communication with the exterior of the lyophilization nest through one or more vent holes extending through a surface of the lyophilization nest. Each of the one or more vent holes have a corresponding sealing element configured to selectively form an air-tight seal within the vent holes, such that a controlled environment may be maintained within the interior space when the ambient conditions surrounding the lyophilization nest are not lyophilization conditions. The one or more sealing elements may be operable while the lyophilization nest is positioned within a sealed lyophilizer by depressing the sealing elements into corresponding vent holes to form the air-tight seal.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a portion of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.
Abstract:
System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.
Abstract:
System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.
Abstract:
An optical signal detection module includes an optical measurement device (OMD) configured to detect an optical emission signal from an emission signal source placed in a signal-detecting position of the OMD. The optical signal detection module also includes a cover moveable between a closed position covering the signal-detecting position and an open position not covering the signal-detecting position. The cover includes an optical reference material that emits a reference emission detectable by the OMD. The cover is configured so that, when the cover is in the closed position, the inner surface is in the signal-detecting position of the OMD so that the OMD detects the reference emission. The optical signal detection module can also include a drive assembly coupled to the cover and configured to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. In some embodiments, the OMD can include a fluorometer.