Nucleic acid extraction apparatus

• US 6,281,008 B1
• Filed: 02/01/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Daimon, Katsuya, Komai, Shigeru, Takarada, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US09/241,242
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 435/285.1, 435/286.4, 435/286.7, 435/287.2, 435/288.1, 435/306.1, 435/820, 422/63, 422/67, 422/101, 422/102
• US Class Current: 435/306.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/049 Valves integrated in closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1013 by using magnetic beads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0436 with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs
• 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: Y10S 435/82 Subcellular parts of microorganisms

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus for extracting nucleic acids from nucleic acid-containing samples. The nucleic acid extraction apparatus of the invention comprises (1) a group of extraction vessels each comprising a reactor tube in which a sample, a reagent solution, and a magnetic carrier are admixed and reacted, a drain cup for pooling an unwanted component solution, and a nucleic acid recovery tube all as secured to a support, (2) a distribution means for introducing a solution into each of the extraction vessels, (3) a stirring means for mixing the solution and magnetic carrier in the reactor tube, (4) a holding means for holding the magnetic carrier stationary within the vessel, (5) a discharging means for discharging the solution from the reactor tube while the magnetic carrier is held stationary, (6) a heating means for heating the solution and magnetic carrier in the reactor tube, and (7) a transfer means for serially transferring the vessels to the given positions.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising:

(1) a group of extraction vessels each comprising a reactor tube in which a sample, a reagent solution and a magnetic carrier are admixed and reacted, a drain cup for pooling an unwanted component solution and a nucleic acid recovery tube, all as secured to a supporting plate,

(2) a distribution means for dispensing a sample or other solution into each of said extraction vessels,

(3) a stirring means for stirring the sample solution and magnetic carrier within the extraction vessel,

(4) a holding means for holding said magnetic carrier stationary in a position within the extraction vessel,

(5) a discharging means for discharging the sample solution from the reactor tube into the drain cup or nucleic acid recovery tube while said magnetic carrier is held stationary within the reactor tube,

(6) a heating means for heating the sample solution containing the magnetic carrier in said extraction vessel, and

(7) a transfer means for transferring said extraction vessel to the required positions where said distribution means, stirring means, holding means, discharging means, and heating means are respectively disposed.

2. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising:

(1) a vessel stand adapted to support a group of extraction vessels each comprising a reactor tube to be filled with a magnetic carrier, a sample and a reagent solution, a drain cup and a nucleic acid recovery tube, all as secured to a supporting plate;

(2) a distribution means for dispensing a sample or other solution into the reactor tube of said extraction vessel installed on said vessel stand;

(3) a stirring means for stirring the magnetic carrier, sample, and reagent solution within the reactor tube;

(4) a holding means for holding the magnetic carrier stationary within the reactor tube;

(5) a discharging means for discharging the solution in the reactor tube into the drain cup or nucleic acid recovery tube while the magnetic carrier is held stationary within the reactor tube;

(6) a heating means for heating the reactor tube containing at least said magnetic carrier;

(7) a transfer means for transferring the vessel stand carrying the extraction vessels horizontally; and

(8) a control means for controlling said respective means.

3. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control means has a function to control the transfer means in such a manner the vessel stand may be transferred to any of the positions where said distribution means, stirring means, holding means, discharging means, and heating means are respectively disposed.

4. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a means for transferring the extraction vessels and installing them in an array on the vessel stand.

5. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the extraction vessel for installing in the vessel stand comprising:

a reactor tube, a drain cup, and a nucleic acid recovery tube as secured to a supporting plate,

a channel cover adapted to provide a connecting path between the nucleic acid recovery tube and the reactor tube as mounted in a top opening of said recovery tube,

a cover with a hole for connection of an exhaust nozzle as mounted air-tight in a top opening of said drain cup,

a rotary element comprising a piercing pipe for insertion and connection of a distribution nozzle, a valve passageway adapted to provide a connecting path between the reactor tube and the drain cup or the recovery tube, and a rotating grip as mounted air-tight and axial-rotably in a top opening of said reactor tube, and

one end of said valve passageway being connected liquid-tight to a discharging pipe extending axially within the reactor tube and the other end being connected air-tight to a passageway communicating with the interior of the drain cup.

6. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least the nucleic acid recovery tube of the extraction vessel is detachable from the reactor tube and drain cup.

7. A vessel for nucleic acid extraction which comprises:

a reactor tube, a drain cup, and a nucleic acid recovery tube as secured to a supporting plate,

a channel cover adapted to provide a connecting path between the nucleic acid recovery tube and the reactor tube as mounted in a top opening of said recovery tube,

a cover with a hole for connection of an exhaust nozzle as mounted air-tight in a top opening of said drain cup,

a rotary element comprising a piercing pipe for insertion and connection of a distribution nozzle, a valve passageway adapted to provide a connecting path between the reactor tube and the drain cup or the recovery tube, and a rotating grip as mounted air-tight and axial-rotably in a top opening of said reactor tube, and

one end of said valve passageway being connected liquid-tight to a discharging pipe extending axially within the reactor tube and the other end being connected air-tight to a passageway communicating with the interior of the drain cup.

8. A nucleic acid extraction vessel according to claim 7 wherein at least said nucleic acid recovery tube is detachable from said reactor tube and drain cup.