Apparatus, method and computer program product for automated high-throughput sampling and data acquisition
First Claim
1. A method for acquiring data from a sample, comprising the steps of:
- (a) transferring at least an initial portion of a sample into an analytical instrument;
(b) causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the initial portion of the sample;
(c) while the analytical instrument is acquiring data, measuring one or more properties of the initial portion of the sample;
(d) determining whether the initial portion of the sample meets one or more decision criteria based on the one or more properties measured; and
(e) in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have failed to meet any of the one or more decision criteria, causing the analytical instrument to cease acquiring data from the initial portion of the sample, or in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have met all of the one or more decision criteria transferring an additional portion of the sample into the analytical instrument and causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the additional portion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a method, apparatus and computer program product for acquiring data from a sample, a sample or at least an initial portion thereof is transferred into an analytical instrument and the analytical instrument acquires data from the sample. While the analytical instrument is acquiring data, one or more properties of the sample are measured or the status of the system or instrumentation is considered. A determination is made as to whether the sample of the associated system or instrumentation meets one or more decision criteria (273) based on the one or more properties measured or on the status information obtained. A valve assembly (60) is_also provided that is adjustable to at least three modes operation, a sample injection/needle rinse mode, a sample loop load/instrument flush mode, and a sample loop flush/instrument flush mode.
55 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for acquiring data from a sample, comprising the steps of:
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(a) transferring at least an initial portion of a sample into an analytical instrument;
(b) causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the initial portion of the sample;
(c) while the analytical instrument is acquiring data, measuring one or more properties of the initial portion of the sample;
(d) determining whether the initial portion of the sample meets one or more decision criteria based on the one or more properties measured; and
(e) in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have failed to meet any of the one or more decision criteria, causing the analytical instrument to cease acquiring data from the initial portion of the sample, or in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have met all of the one or more decision criteria transferring an additional portion of the sample into the analytical instrument and causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the additional portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for acquiring data from a sample, the steps comprising:
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(a) causing at least an initial portion of a sample to be transferred into an analytical instrument;
(b) causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the initial portion of the sample;
(c) while the analytical instrument is acquiring data, measuring one or more properties of the initial portion of the sample;
(d) determining whether the initial portion of the sample meets one or more decision criteria based on the one or more properties measured; and
(e) in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have failed to meet any of the one or more decision criteria, causing the analytical instrument to cease acquiring data acquisition from the initial portion of the sample, or in response to determining the initial portion of the sample to have met all of the one or more decision criteria transferring an additional portion of the sample into the analytical instrument and causing the analytical instrument to acquire data from the additional portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for acquiring data from a sample, comprising the steps of:
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(a) loading a sample into a sample reservoir from a sample conduit;
(b) while the sample is being loaded, flushing an injection conduit;
(c) injecting at least a portion of the sample through the injection conduit into an analytical instrument;
(d) while the sample is being injected, flushing the sample conduit;
(e) flushing the sample reservoir;
(f) while the sample reservoir is being flushed, flushing the injection conduit; and
(g) repeating steps (a), (b), (c), and (d). - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A valve assembly for use in sample data acquisition, comprising:
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(a) a sample loop; and
(b) a valve comprising an aspiration/dispensing port, a sampling port, a waste port, a pump-side port, and an instrument-side port, the valve being selectively adjustable to at least first, second and third positions, the first position defining a sample injection flow path and a sampling probe flushing path, the second position defining a sample loop loading flow path and an instrument flushing flow path, and the third position defining a sample loop flushing flow path. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. A valve assembly for use in sample data acquisition, comprising:
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(a) a sample loop;
(b) a valve structure comprising an aspiration/dispensing port, a sampling port, a waste port, a pump-side port, and an instrument-side port;
(c) a valve body selectively adjustable to at least first, second and third positions, wherein the first position defines a sample injection flow path and a sampling probe flushing path, the second position defines a sample loop loading flow path and an instrument flushing flow path, and the third position defines a sample loop flushing flow path. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A sample analysis system comprising:
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(a) a robotic assembly;
(b) a sampling probe movably mounted to the robotic assembly;
(c) a sample loop; and
(d) a valve assembly mounted to the robotic assembly and comprising an aspiration/dispensing port, a sampling port, a waste port, a pump-side port, and an instrument-side port, the valve assembly being selectively adjustable to at least first, second and third positions, the first position defining a sample injection flow path and a sampling probe flushing path, the second position defining a sample loop loading flow path and an instrument flushing flow path, and the third position defining a sample loop flushing flow path. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification