SAMPLE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An automated process for converting biological samples into an output format suitable for further analysis, the process comprising:
- receiving a plurality of tube strips in one or more tube strip racks, each tube strip having a plurality of sample tubes with a respective sample in each tube;
transferring a group of tube strips from the one or more tube strip racks to a tube strip holder, the tube strip holder having plurality of wells configured to each hold at least one tube strip;
dispensing a sample conversion buffer into each sample tube in the group of tube strips;
shaking the tube strip holder a first time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
centrifuging the tube strip holder to simultaneously centrifuge the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
removing a liquid supernatant from each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
moving the tube strip holder to an inspection station;
simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube in the tube strip holder to determine whether a pellet has formed in each tube in the tube strip holder;
dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube in the tube strip holder;
shaking the tube strip holder a second time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
shaking the tube strip holder a third time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder;
shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; and
transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated process for converting samples includes: receiving tube strips having a number of sample tubes and samples therein, transferring multiple tube strips to a tube strip holder, dispensing sample conversion buffer into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a first time, centrifuging the tube strip holder, removing a liquid supernatant from each tube, simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube, dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a second time, heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a third time, heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time, and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate.
10 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An automated process for converting biological samples into an output format suitable for further analysis, the process comprising:
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receiving a plurality of tube strips in one or more tube strip racks, each tube strip having a plurality of sample tubes with a respective sample in each tube; transferring a group of tube strips from the one or more tube strip racks to a tube strip holder, the tube strip holder having plurality of wells configured to each hold at least one tube strip; dispensing a sample conversion buffer into each sample tube in the group of tube strips; shaking the tube strip holder a first time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; centrifuging the tube strip holder to simultaneously centrifuge the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; removing a liquid supernatant from each sample tube in the tube strip holder; moving the tube strip holder to an inspection station; simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube in the tube strip holder to determine whether a pellet has formed in each tube in the tube strip holder; dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a second time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a third time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification