Method of using a multi-well tray

• US 9,817,011 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2017
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• 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:
  US15/430,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20170153264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• 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 method for reconstituting a lyophilized reagent in an automated instrument, the method comprising:

(A) moving an automated pipettor over an unused pipette tip and lowering the automated pipettor into engagement with the pipette tip;

(B) simultaneously with, prior to, or after step (A), moving a multi-well tray into a dispensing position, wherein the multi-well tray comprises;

wherein the base of the multi-well tray further comprises

(1) an elongated base having a first end and a second end, said base comprising a top surface, 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, wherein the arm comprises a bridge 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;

(2) a plurality of wells depending from the top surface, each well 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;

(3) a lyophilized reagent contained within one or more of the wells; and

(4) 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;

and wherein the moving step comprises engaging the post of the multi-well tray with an automated transport mechanism and effecting movement of the multi-well tray with movement of the transport mechanism;

(C) engaging the snap fingers of the multi-well tray with the element;

(D) lowering the pipette tip with the automated pipettor into a container of diluent and drawing a predetermined amount of diluent from the container into the pipette tip;

(E) moving the pipette tip with the automated pipettor over the multi-well tray in the dispensing position and positioning the pipette tip over the well containing the lyophilized reagent;

(F) dispensing the diluent drawn into the pipette tip into the well containing the lyophilized reagent to thereby reconstitute the lyophilized reagent; and

(G) after a sufficient period of time for the lyophilized reagent to be reconstituted by the diluent, drawing the reconstituted reagent from the well.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-well tray further comprises retention features disposed within one or more of the wells, wherein the retention features are sized to retain a lyophilized reagent within the well.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the retention features are 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.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (E) further includes puncturing a frangible seal covering the well containing the lyophilized reagent.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (F) comprises the step of repeatedly aspirating the contents of the well containing the lyophilized reagent into the pipette tip and dispensing the contents of the pipette tip into the well to mix the contents of the well.

6. The method 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.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wells are arranged in two parallel rows of wells.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated pipettor is moved by a robotic arm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein step (G) comprises lowering the pipette tip with the automated pipettor into the well and drawing the reconstituted reagent into the pipette tip.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wells are disposed between the opposed side walls and 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.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a perimeter wall of the base defines the opposed side walls and the first end wall.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, the first end wall, and a second end wall, and wherein the snap fingers comprise opposed spaced-apart tabs defining a slot therebetween configured to receive the element of the instrument 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 method of claim 1, wherein the snap fingers comprise a portion of the bottom surface.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the snap fingers comprise opposed spaced-apart tabs defining a slot therebetween configured to receive the element of the instrument.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the opposed tabs are oriented in a direction extending from the second end of the base toward the first end of the base.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the opposed tabs flare away from each other at their ends.