Automated system and method for simultaneously performing a plurality of signal-based assays

• US 20040202577A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leidos, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: McNeil, John Austin, Velicelebi, Gonul, Karlton, David Philip, Akong, Michael Anthony, Mierzeski, Donald James
• Granted Patent: US 7,427,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.08
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00315 Microtiter plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00695 Synthesis control routines, e.g. using computer programs
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00702 Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0093 random access not determined by physical position
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5302 Apparatus specially adapted for immunological test procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5304 Reaction vessels, e.g. agglutination plates for solid-phase systems G01N33/543
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0092 Scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive

Abstract

An automated detection system includes a robotic fluid handling system for performing a plurality of assays; a detection system for imaging the assays as they are performed; and a computer control, data acquisition, and data analysis system for controlling the operation of the fluid-handling and detection system and for collecting and analyzing imaging data. The automated detection system comprises a pipettor for simultaneously distributing a predetermined amount of a liquid and a signal-generating element to each of the plurality of wells; an excitation source for simultaneously exposing the wells to excitation radiation; a detector for simultaneously detecting signal emitted from each of the wells over a period of time comprising a single imager for optically imaging the plurality of wells simultaneously; and computerized controller for simultaneously coordinating the pipettor, the excitation source, and the detector. Further, a method for performing simultaneous assays includes the steps of simultaneously distributing a predetermined amount of a liquid solution to each of a plurality of samples, simultaneously exposing the wells to excitation radiation, simultaneously detecting signals emitted from the wells using a detector comprising a single imaging means, and simultaneously controlling and coordinating the distribution, excitation, and detection using a computerized controller.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simultaneously performing a plurality of fluorescence assays using a plurality of plates each containing a plurality of wells, a bar code being associated with each of the plurality of plates, the apparatus comprising:

a scanner for automatically scanning each of the bar codes responsive to running a set of assays, the scanner generating first data representing each of the bar codes and each of the plates;

a memory for storing second data representing a contents of the plurality of plates and representing each of the bar codes; and

a relational database for relating each of the plates with its associated bar code and with its contents according to the first data and the second data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second data represents a contents of each of the plurality of wells.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a plurality of slots for holding the plurality of plates; and

a sensor for sensing which of the slots are empty,

wherein the relational database relates which of the slots are empty responsive to the third data.