Assay Preparation Plates, Fluid Assay Preparation and Analysis Systems, and Methods for Preparing and Analyzing Assays

• US 20120183441A1
• Filed: 02/14/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Luminex Corporation (DiaSorin S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Luminex Corporation (DiaSorin S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Schilffarth, Adam Richard, Deicher, William, Pempsell, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/396,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20120183441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.05
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/043 magnetic forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• 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: H02N 15/00 Holding or levitation devices using magnetic attraction or repulsion, not otherwise provided for electric or magnetic devices for holding work on machine tools B23Q3/15 ; monorail vehicle propulsion or suspension B60L13/00; sliding or levitation devices for railway systems B61B13/08; material handling devices associated with conveyors incorporating devices with electrostatic or magnetic grippers B65G47/92; separating thin or filamentary articles from piles using magnetic force B65H3/16; delivering thin or filamentary articles from magnetic holders by air blast or suction B65H29/24; bearings using magnetic or electric supporting means F16C32/04; relieving bearing loads using magnetic means F16C39/06; magnets H01F7/00; dynamo-electric clutches or brakes H02K49/00 ; electric furnaces with simultaneous levitation and heating H05B6/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive

Abstract

A fluid assay preparation and analysis system is provided which includes a pipette disposed above an assay plate receiving area, a magnet disposed below the assay plate receiving area in approximate alignment with the pipette, and an actuator configured to move the magnet proximate the assay plate receiving area. A method for preparing and analyzing an assay includes injecting a sample into a sample well of an assay preparation plate and inserting the assay preparation plate into a fluid assay analysis system. The method further includes mixing the sample with one or more reagents in an assay plate receiving area of the system and subsequently aspirating the prepared assay into an examination chamber of the system.

Claims

1. A fluid assay preparation and analysis system, comprising:

an assay plate receiving area;

a pipette disposed above the assay plate receiving area;

an assay plate disposed in the assay plate receiving area, where the assay plate comprises a magnet and an actuator configured to move the magnet to and from a position proximate to a well in the assay plate;

a mechanism configured to move the assay plate in the assay plate receiving area such that different wells of the assay plate are aligned with the pipette at different times;

an examination chamber coupled to the pipette via a fluidic line;

an illumination system configured to illuminate the examination chamber;

a detection system configured to collect light emitted or scattered from assay particles introduced into the examination chamber via the pipette and the fluidic line, wherein the detection system is further configured to generate signals representative of a degree of light gathered; and

an examination system for analyzing the generated signals.

2. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, further comprising a storage medium with program instructions which are executable by a processor for selectively activating the actuator.

3. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, wherein the fluid assay preparation and analysis system comprises a flow cytometer.

4. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, wherein the fluid assay preparation and analysis system comprises a static imaging optical system.

5. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of magnets, wherein the magnet is one of the plurality of magnets.

6. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 5, wherein at least some of the plurality of magnets are uniformly positioned relative to the wells.

7. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 5, wherein the actuator is one of a plurality of actuators respectively configured to move the plurality of magnets proximate and remote relative to the wells.

8. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of magnets comprise one or more assemblies of magnets.

9. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 8, wherein the actuator is configured to collectively move the one or more assemblies such that the plurality of magnets are proximate or remote relative to the wells.

10. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, wherein the magnet is disposed below the array of wells.

11. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, wherein the magnet is juxtaposed to one or more wells of the assay plate.

12. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, further comprising:

a probe sensor; and

a circuit coupling the probe sensor to the actuator, wherein the circuit is configured to activate the actuator when a probe is detected by the probe sensor.

13. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 1, wherein some of the wells of the assay plate comprise reagents for preparing an assay.

14. The fluid assay preparation and analysis system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the reagents is a set of magnetic particles.

15. The assay preparation plate of claim 1, further comprising removable inserts disposed within the assay preparation plate.