Method for incubating the contents of a receptacle

• US 8,709,814 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ammann, Kelly G., Schneider, Robert E., Smith, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Brian R
• Application Number:
  US13/448,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20120301924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 422 63- 681, 422552-554, 422/108, 422/109, 436 43- 54, 436/174, 436/180, 435/6.1, 435/91.1, 435/91.2
• US Class Current: 436/43
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• 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: B01L 7/5255 by moving sample containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0437 Cleaning cuvettes or reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0455 Coaxial carousels
• 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: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• 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 436/115831 Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

In a computer-controlled, automated method, a nucleic acid amplification procedure is performed within a prescribed incubation temperature range within an instrument that comprises at least one thermal element situated at a first location of the instrument and an amplification incubator situated at a second, spaced-apart location of the instrument. A receptacle and its contents are exposed to the thermal element for a predetermined period of time at the first location, such that the temperature of the contents of the receptacle is adjusted to approximate the incubation temperature. The receptacle is then moved from the first location and into the amplification incubator, and, in the amplification incubator, a nucleic acid contained in the contents of the receptacle is subjected to the nucleic acid amplification procedure.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled method for performing a nucleic acid amplification procedure at an incubation temperature that is within a prescribed temperature range, the method being performed within an instrument that comprises at least one thermal element situated at a first location of the instrument and an amplification incubator situated at a second, spaced-apart location of the instrument, and the method comprising the automated steps of:

(a) at the first location of the instrument, exposing a receptacle and its contents to the thermal element for a predetermined period of time, such that the temperature of the contents of the receptacle is adjusted to approximate the incubation temperature;

(b) moving the receptacle from the first location and into the amplification incubator which is at the incubation temperature when the receptacle is moved therein, wherein the receptacle is moved into the amplification incubator through a receptacle access opening in a housing of the amplification incubator, and wherein the amplification incubator includes a door that is movable between a closed position preventing access to the amplification incubator through the receptacle access opening and an open position permitting access to the amplification incubator through the receptacle access opening; and

(c) while the receptacle is within the amplification incubator, subjecting a nucleic acid contained in the contents of the receptacle to the nucleic acid amplification procedure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal element causes the temperature of the contents of the receptacle to be adjusted in step (a) by thermoelectric heating or cooling.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal element causes the temperature of the contents of the receptacle to be adjusted in step (a) by resistive heating.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second locations are distinct positions on a processing deck of the instrument.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is one of a plurality of integrally formed receptacles.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising an automated step of dispensing reagents for performing the nucleic acid amplification procedure into the receptacle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reagents are dispensed into the receptacle while the receptacle is disposed within the amplification incubator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature within the amplification incubator does not vary by more than about 0.1°

C. during the nucleic acid amplification procedure.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to moving the receptacle from the first location to the amplification incubator, an automated step of moving the receptacle into a stabilizing incubator and retaining the receptacle within the stabilizing incubator for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the stabilizing incubator at a stabilizing temperature.