System and method for treatment of samples on solid supports

• US 6,824,738 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEXUS Biosystems, Inc. (Azenta, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc. (Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Inventors: Neeper, Rob, Lillig, John
• Primary Examiner(s): WARDEN, JILL ALICE
• Application Number:
  US09/549,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/100, 422/102, 422/103, 422/64, 422/67, 422/72, 422/63, 436/45, 436/174, 436/175, 436/177, 436/178, 436/180, 435/285.4, 435/288.7, 435/303.1
• US Class Current: 422/72
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00504 combined with carousels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 arranged in a two-dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.

Claims

1. An automated system for treatment of a plurality of chemical or biological samples attached to solid supports comprising:

a sample/collection container, wherein the sample/collection container comprises an assembly of a sample container and a collection container, each container has a plurality of wells formed therein, wherein the sample container has a plurality of drains functionally connected to the sample wells by a bridge portion for transferring, under centrifugal force, a solution from each sample well in the sample container upward from each sample well, across the corresponding bridge portion, through the drain tube and into a corresponding collection well of the collection container, wherein the solid supports remain in the sample wells of the sample container;

a centrifuge having a chamber and a rotor with a plurality of loading positions for retaining a plurality of sample/collection containers;

at least one dispensing station disposed at least partially in the chamber for dispensing a treatment solution into the plurality of sample/collection containers; and

a computer control unit for controlling and monitoring each of the centrifuge and the at least one dispensing station.

2. The automated system of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature control subsystem for controlling a temperature of the samples;

wherein the computer control unit further controls the temperature control subsystem.

3. The automated system of claim 2, wherein the temperature control subsystem comprises at least one heat lamp disposed outside of the chamber and a window is disposed in a side of the chamber to transmit heat from the at least one heat lamp into the chamber.

4. The automated system of claim 3, wherein the temperature control subsystem includes a plurality of heat plates for receiving heat from the at least one heat lamp and transferring the heat to each sample/collection container.

5. The automated system of claim 4, wherein each heat plate comprises a thermally-conductive material for providing uniform heat diffusion.

6. The automated system of claim 4, further comprising a temperature sensor in contact with at least one heat plate of the plurality of heat plates for sensing the temperature of the heat plate.

7. The automated system of claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor provides a feedback signal for controlling operation of the at least one heat lamp.

8. The automated system of claim 3, wherein the temperature control subsystem further comprises a plurality of heating elements attached to the chamber.

9. The automated system of claim 1, further comprising:

a vacuum subsystem for reducing a pressure within the chamber;

wherein the computer control unit further controls the vacuum subsystem.

10. The automated system of claim 9, wherein the vacuum subsystem comprises a plurality of pumps and a condenser for capturing vapors removed from the chamber.

11. The automated system of claim 1, further comprising a gas supply subsystem for purging the chamber.

12. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the sample/collection container is encoded with a unique identity and further comprising:

an identification system including a scanner for reading the unique identity of the sample/collection container;

wherein the computer control unit further controls the identification system.

13. The automated system of claim 12, wherein the sample/collection container comprises an assembly of a sample container and a collection container, each container of the assembly having a separate unique identity.

14. The automated system of claim 13, wherein the identification station includes a positioner for positioning the scanner for reading each separate unique identity of the assembly.

15. The automated system of claim 12, wherein the unique identity is encoded in an optical bar code disposed on at least one surface of the sample/collection container and the scanner is a bar code scanner.

16. The automated system of claim 12, wherein the unique identity is encoded in an RF tag disposed on or embedded in the sample/collection container and the scanner is an RF transmitter/receiver.

17. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells comprises 96 wells.

18. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the solid supports are selected from the group consisting of loose beads, tubes, pins, crowns, disks, balls, cubes, blocks, and porous containers containing resin particles or beads.

19. The automated system of claim 1, wherein each well in the sample container is configured as a column with a plurality of porous plugs disposed therein for retaining the solid support and a biological sample therebetween.

20. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the sample/collection container comprises a plurality of wells, each well having a first inner diameter at an upper portion and a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter at a lower portion, wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than the solid support so that the solid support is retained in the well above the lower portion.

21. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the variable-speed centrifuge operates at a first speed during cleavage and at a higher second speed during transfer and/or concentration of a cleaved sample.

22. The automated system of claim 21, wherein the first speed is selected to minimize creep.

23. The automated system of claim 22, wherein the first speed is on the order of 20 to 30 r.p.m.

24. The automated system of claim 21, wherein the second speed is selected to reduce bumping.

25. The automated system of claim 24, wherein the second speed is on the order of 800 r.p.m.

26. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing station comprises two dispensing stations for dispensing a first solution and a second solution.

27. The automated system of claim 26, wherein the samples are synthesized chemical compounds and the first solution is trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

28. The automated system of claim 27, wherein the second solution is dichloromethane (DCM).

29. The automated system of claim 26, wherein the samples are biological samples and the first and second solutions are selected from the group consisting of a detergent, buffering solution, deionized water, and eluting reagent.

30. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the computer control unit comprises a PC and a control network.

31. The automated cleavage system of claim 1, further comprising a venting system for removing vapors generated during evaporation of a treatment solution.

32. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the centrifuge is a variable speed centrifuge.