Biological sample analytical instrument

• US 10,632,444 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LGC Genomics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Douglas Scientific LLC
• Inventors: Whalen, Mark, Gervais, Charles, Sanborn, Anthony, Haug, Andrew, Cook, Darren, Rai, Satish, Mische, Hans A., Judice, Stephen A., Shaffer, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hobbs, Michael L
• Application Number:
  US14/760,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20150352512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,297 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00313 the reactor vessels being formed by arrays of wells in blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00495 Means for heating or cooling the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0812 Bands; Tapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1894 Cooling means; Cryo cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6846 Common amplification features
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0403 Sample carriers with closing or sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1034 Transferring microquantities of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6456 Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones

Abstract

A method for processing a biological material sample includes dispensing a sample into wells of an array tape from a sample plate, dispensing a reagent into the wells of the array tape from a reagent plate, and sealing the sample and the reagent in the array tape. The method further includes cooling the array tape and detecting biological material in the wells of the array tape.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing a biological material sample, the apparatus comprising:

a dispensing system configured and arranged for dispensing a sample and a reagent into a matrix of wells of a tape;

a sealing system configured and arranged for sealing the sample and the reagent in the tape, the sealing system comprising;

a sealing mechanism located adjacent a cooling system,

the cooling system positioned directly below the sealing mechanism on an opposite side of the tape from the sealing mechanism, the cooling system, configured and arranged for cooling the sample as the tape is sealed by the sealing mechanism; and

an amplification and detection system for detecting biological material in the matrix of wells of the tape; and

wherein the cooling system comprises a Peltier plate mounted directly to the underside of a groove plate, the Peltier plate configured and arranged to supply cooling via conduction and convection as the tape moves over the groove plate and while the tape is stopped.

2. An apparatus for processing a biological material sample, the apparatus comprising:

a dispensing system configured and arranged for dispensing a sample and a reagent into a matrix of wells of a tape;

a sealing system configured and arranged for sealing the sample and the reagent in the tape, the sealing system comprising;

a sealing mechanism located adjacent a cooling system,

the cooling system positioned directly below the sealing mechanism on an opposite side of the tape from the sealing mechanism, the cooling system, configured and arranged for cooling the sample as the tape is sealed by the sealing mechanism; and

wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a weighted roller, wherein thermal transfer between the tape and the cooling system occurs when the weighted roller pushes the tape to a groove plate to seal the tape in preparation for incubation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sealing system further comprises a pressure plate configured to provide additional pressure to the tape and improve thermal conduction between the tape and the cooling system.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure plate comprises rollers, the rollers configured to allow the tape to move freely under the pressure plate while maintaining pressure at an interface including the tape and groove plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure plate is configured to be adapted to receive a mixer attachment, the mixer attachment including an electrical motor and eccentric cam configured to vibrate the tape providing mixing enhancement within the wells of the tape.