Systems and Methods for Biological Analysis

• US 20140213487A1
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Freudenthal, Jacob K., Dahlhoff, Geoffrey, Maher, Kevin, Chen, Ming Song, Lim, Gary, Danehy, Ronald, Cheng, Francis T., Wu, Ruoyun, Lee, Thiam Chye, Chappell, Gary A., Lim, Chee Kiong, Fonseca, Jorge, Fortescue, David, Shen, Ming, Soh, Woon Liang, Dere, Jeff, Straub, Theodore E., Boo, Kuan Moon, Lau, Soo Yong
• Granted Patent: US 10,323,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 506/39
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/023 adapted for different sizes of tubes, tips or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1844 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50857 using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples
• 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: C12Q 1/686 Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]

Abstract

A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also includes a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further includes an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples. The optical system, in particular, can comprise a single field lens, an excitation source, an optical sensor, and a plurality of filter components. The excitation source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The field lens can be a bi-convex lens.

Claims

1. A biological analysis system comprising:

an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples;

a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures; and

an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples, wherein the optical system comprises;

a single field lens;

an excitation source;

an optical sensor; and

a plurality of filter components.

2. The biological analysis system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sample holders are selected from the group consisting of a 96-well block, a 384-well block, a low-density array, and a through-hole array.

3. The biological analysis system of claim 1, wherein the optical system is further configured to confirm that the sample holder is properly positioned on the interchangeable assembly.

4. The biological analysis system of claim 1, wherein the sample holder further comprises an identifier that references a data file storing data related to the sample holder, and wherein the optical system is further configured to image the identifier to confirm that the correct sample holder is positioned on the interchangeable assembly.

5. The biological analysis system of claim 1, wherein the excitation source is one or more light emitting diodes.

6. The biological analysis system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control system configured to maintain the excitation source within a defined temperature range.

7. The biological analysis system of claim 6, wherein the temperature control system comprises a fan configured to operate intermittently to maintain the excitation source within a defined temperature range.

8. The biological analysis system of claim 1, wherein the field lens is a bi-convex lens.

9. The biological analysis system of claim 2, wherein the sample holder is a through-hole array.

10. The biological analysis system of claim 9, wherein the through-hole array comprising 48 locations, each location including a subarray having dimensions of 8 through holes by 8 through holes.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. A biological analysis system comprising:

a block assembly configured to accommodate one or more cases, wherein each case is configured accommodate a sample holder that receives a plurality of samples;

a cover comprising;

a frame having a contact surface;

a platen;

a sealing material configured to contact the block assembly to form an enclosed volume of air between the sample holders and the platen; and

a heat source configured to heat the enclosed volume of air to prevent (a) condensation on the one or more cases and (b) thermal non-uniformity of the sample holders when the sample holders are cycled through a series of temperatures.

17. The biological analysis system of claim 16, wherein the sealing material is a gasket formed to the contact surface of the frame.

18. The biological analysis system of claim 17, wherein the gasket is configured and arranged to contact the block assembly and not contact the sample holders.

19. The biological analysis system of claim 16, wherein the block assembly further comprises a carrier shaped to accommodate the one or more cases, wherein the sealing material is arranged to form to the carrier.

20. The biological analysis system of claim 16, wherein the one or more cases include a thermally conductive material.

21. The biological analysis system of claim 20, wherein the thermally conductive material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, graphite, zinc, berilum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.

22. The biological analysis system of claim 16, wherein the platen comprises one or more transparent plates each positioned directly above a corresponding sample holder.

23. The biological analysis system of claim 22, wherein each one of the one or more transparent plates have substantially the same dimensions as the corresponding sample holder.

24. The biological analysis system of claim 22, wherein the one or more transparent plates are positioned at an angle relative to the sample holder to prevent reflection of light passing through the one or more transparent plates.

25. The biological system of claim 22, wherein the transparent plates are glass plates.

26-37. -37. (canceled)