Multi-well tray

• US 9,566,582 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Buse, David, Knight, Byron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Lyle
• Assistant Examiner(s): KILPATRICK, BRYAN T
• Application Number:
  US14/837,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20150362515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 : capillary forces
• 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: B01L 3/50825 : Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 : using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 : with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 : for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 : Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0207 : characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 : Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/36 : with moulded compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/50 : Non-integral frangible members applied to, or inserted in, preformed openings, e.g. tearable strips or plastic plugs B65D53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2539/003 : provided with sealing flanges or ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0017 : Injection-molded plastic closures for "Champagne"- or "Sekt"-type bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0029 : Plastic closures other than those covered by groups B65D39/0011 - B65D39/0023
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00287 : movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6091 : Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/026 : having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 : Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 : with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis

Abstract

System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Claims

1. A single piece multi-well tray for use in an automated instrument and comprising:

an elongated base having a first end and a second end, said base comprising a top surface and opposed side walls extending from the top surface to a bottom surface, a first end wall extending between said side walls, and an arm extending outwardly from the first end of the base and configured to be engaged by a transport mechanism for transporting the tray within the instrument, wherein the arm comprises a bridge extending outwardly from the first end wall and a post having one end attached to the bridge and an opposite end that is not attached to the bridge and wherein the post extends from the bridge so as to define a gap between the opposite end of the post and the first end wall;

a plurality of wells depending from the top surface and disposed between the opposed side walls, each having an opening at the top surface, wherein the wells are arranged in at least one row extending between the first end and the second end of the base, and wherein the wells do not extend below the bottom surface of the side walls; and

snap fingers disposed at the second end of the base and configured to grasp an element of the instrument for securing the tray to the element, wherein the snap fingers comprise opposed spaced-apart tabs defining a slot therebetween configured to receive the element of the instrument.

2. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the post extends in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a plane of the top surface.

3. The multi-well tray of claim 1, further comprising at least one frangible seal secured to the top surface and covering the opening of a corresponding well.

4. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein each well comprises a side wall and a bottom wall, and at least one of the wells further comprises one or more features selected from the group consisting of a plurality of bumps, a concave groove, a convex ridge, and a set of grooves and/or ridges comprising a crisscross pattern formed on an inner surface of the bottom wall.

5. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein at least one of the wells comprises one or more retention features selected from the group consisting of a tapered ring insert, a collar, and a fingered collar, wherein the one or more retention features are disposed within the well and are sized to retain a lyophilized reagent within the well.

6. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein a perimeter wall of the base defines the opposed side walls and a front end wall.

7. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the wells are arranged in two parallel rows of wells.

8. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the snap fingers comprise a portion of the bottom surface.

9. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the opposed tabs are oriented in a direction extending from the second end of the base toward the first end of the base.

10. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the opposed tabs flare away from each other at their ends.

11. The multi-well tray of claim 9, wherein the opposed tabs flare away from each other at their ends.

12. The multi-well tray of claim 1, wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall with the opposed tabs extending inwardly from the second end wall, wherein the first end of the base comprises the first end wall, and wherein the second end of the base comprises the second end wall.

13. The multi-well tray of claim 9, wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall with the opposed tabs extending inwardly from the second wall, wherein the first end of the base comprises the first end wall, and wherein the second end of the base comprises the second end wall.

14. The multi-well tray of claim 10, wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall with the opposed tabs extending inwardly from the second wall, wherein the first end of the base comprises the first end wall, and wherein the second end of the base comprises the second end wall.

15. The multi-well tray of claim 11, wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall with the opposed tabs extending inwardly from the second wall, wherein the first end of the base comprises the first end wall, and wherein the second end of the base comprises the second end wall.