Gravity-assisted mixing methods
First Claim
1. A system for mixing substances comprising:
- a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers, including a first chamber directly connected to an at least partially compressible second chamber; and
an analyzer supporting the receptacle in an operative position and comprising;
one or more actuators constructed and arranged to apply a compressive force to the second chamber, the receptacle being positioned in the analyzer so that gravity will draw a fluid from the first chamber into the second chamber when fluid communication is established between the first and second chambers, wherein the analyzer does not include an actuator constructed and arranged to apply a compressive force to the first chamber;
an optical detector positioned adjacent to the first chamber and configured to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the first chamber; and
a controller programmed to control operation of the one or more actuators and to cause the one or more actuators to;
(a) apply a compressive force to the second chamber, thereby displacing at least a portion of the contents of the second chamber into the first chamber;
(b) remove the compressive force from the second chamber, thereby allowing the displaced contents to flow by gravity from the first chamber to the second chamber without applying a compressive force to the first chamber; and
(c) repeat steps (a) and (b) one or more times.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector.
402 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for mixing substances comprising:
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a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers, including a first chamber directly connected to an at least partially compressible second chamber; and an analyzer supporting the receptacle in an operative position and comprising; one or more actuators constructed and arranged to apply a compressive force to the second chamber, the receptacle being positioned in the analyzer so that gravity will draw a fluid from the first chamber into the second chamber when fluid communication is established between the first and second chambers, wherein the analyzer does not include an actuator constructed and arranged to apply a compressive force to the first chamber; an optical detector positioned adjacent to the first chamber and configured to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the first chamber; and a controller programmed to control operation of the one or more actuators and to cause the one or more actuators to; (a) apply a compressive force to the second chamber, thereby displacing at least a portion of the contents of the second chamber into the first chamber; (b) remove the compressive force from the second chamber, thereby allowing the displaced contents to flow by gravity from the first chamber to the second chamber without applying a compressive force to the first chamber; and (c) repeat steps (a) and (b) one or more times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification