Method for Introducing A Fluid Into A Reaction Receptacle Contained Within A Temperature-Controlled Environment

• US 20080102527A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: SCHNEIDER, Robert, AMMANN, Kelly, SMITH, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,309,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/43
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/5255 by moving sample containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0437 Cleaning cuvettes or reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0455 Coaxial carousels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.

Claims

1. A method for providing a fluid to a reaction receptacle contained within a temperature-controlled environment, said method comprising the automated steps of:

placing said reaction receptacle within a temperature-controlled incubator;

positioning said reaction receptacle beneath a hole formed in said enclosure, said hole being sized to receive a pipette therethrough; and

providing a fluid to said reaction receptacle through said hole while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature within said incubator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature within said incubator varies by no more than about 0.5°

C. during the providing step.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature within said incubator varies by no more than about 0.1°

C. during the providing step.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said hole is one of a plurality of holes formed in said incubator, each hole being sized to receive a pipette therethrough, and wherein a fluid is introduced sequentially into each of a plurality of reaction receptacles through said holes while maintaining a substantially uniform temperature within said incubator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said plurality of reaction receptacles comprise an integrally formed unit.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of performing an amplification procedure within said reaction receptacle, said fluid comprising a reagent for performing said amplification procedure.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the automated step of agitating said reaction receptacle within said incubator to thereby agitate the contents of said reaction receptacle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the temperature within said incubator does not vary by more than about 0.1°

C. during the amplification procedure.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising transporting said reaction receptacle within said incubator on a receptacle carrier and monitoring the position of said receptacle carrier to determine when a reaction receptacle carried thereby is in the location situated beneath said hole in said incubator.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the automated step of adjusting the temperature of the contents of said reaction receptacle to the approximate temperature of said incubator prior to placing said reaction receptacle into said incubator.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction receptacle is placed within said incubator through a receptacle access opening formed in said incubator, and wherein said incubator includes a closure mechanism constructed and arranged to be movable between a closed position preventing access to said incubator through said receptacle access opening and an open position permitting access to said incubator through said receptacle access opening.