Structure and method for handling magnetic particles in biological assays

• US 8,211,301 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Inventors: Safar, Scott G., Galitz, Charles M., Herchenbach, Stephen L., Dunn, Chadwick M., McDowell, Larry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reifsnyder, David A
• Application Number:
  US12/660,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20100227387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/91.2, 435/287.2, 435/287.3, 435/6.1, 422/509, 422/527, 210/222
• US Class Current: 210/222
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/06 Filters making use of electricity or magnetism ultrafiltration, microfiltration B01D61/14; electrodialysis, electro-osmosis B01D61/42; devices comprising filters and magnetic separators B03C1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/02 acting directly on the substance being separated
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/0332 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/288 disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/26 for use in medical or biological applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00564 Handling or washing solid phase elements, e.g. beads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• 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 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Magnetic handling structure (1a) comprising a retractable magnet (4) and a probe (3) for the manipulation of magnetic particles in biological samples and methods of handling magnetic particles in biological samples.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first process path for isolating a nucleic acid, the first process path including temperature assembly and a magnetic assembly;

an array of first containers positioned on the first process path, the first containers configured to receive a sample to be processed on the first process path;

wherein each of the temperature assembly and the magnetic assembly are configured to receive the array of first containers;

a second process path for amplification of nucleic acids, wherein the second process path is positioned vertically below the first process path; and

a second container positioned on the second process path, the second container configured to receive an isolated item of interest from a sample processed on the first process path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a horizontal surface upon which the first process path is mounted, wherein the horizontal surface includes an opening adapted for the transfer of the second container to the second process path.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second process path is enclosed in a chamber containing a vent, and the apparatus includes a pressure source fluidly connected with the chamber for causing air to flow from the chamber through the vent.