Systems, devices, and methods for ultra-sensitive detection of molecules or particles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for performing an assay, comprising:
- an assay consumable handler configured to be operatively coupled to an assay consumable having a surface comprising a plurality of assay sites, wherein the assay sites have a volume between about 10 attoliter and about 100 picoliter;
a sealer constructed and positioned to apply a sealing component to the surface of the assay consumable, wherein the sealing component is a sealing liquid;
a sample loader configured to load an assay sample into at least a portion of the plurality of assay sites of the assay consumable;
an imaging system configured to acquire an image of at least a portion of the assay sites of the assay consumable containing assay sample; and
a computer implemented control system configured to automatically operate the sealer and receive information from the imaging system related to the image.
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Abstract
Described are systems, devices, and methods which related to various aspects of assays for detecting and/or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a sample fluid. In some cases, the systems employ an assay consumable comprising a plurality of assay sites. The systems, devices, and/or methods, in some cases, are automated. In some cases, the systems, devices, and/or methods relate to inserting a plurality of beads into assay sites, sealing assay sites, imaging assay sites, or the like.
224 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for performing an assay, comprising:
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an assay consumable handler configured to be operatively coupled to an assay consumable having a surface comprising a plurality of assay sites, wherein the assay sites have a volume between about 10 attoliter and about 100 picoliter; a sealer constructed and positioned to apply a sealing component to the surface of the assay consumable, wherein the sealing component is a sealing liquid; a sample loader configured to load an assay sample into at least a portion of the plurality of assay sites of the assay consumable; an imaging system configured to acquire an image of at least a portion of the assay sites of the assay consumable containing assay sample; and a computer implemented control system configured to automatically operate the sealer and receive information from the imaging system related to the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for sealing a plurality of assay sites, comprising:
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an assay consumable handler configured to be operatively coupled to an assay consumable having a surface comprising a plurality of assay sites, wherein the assay sites have a volume between about 10 attoliter and about 100 picoliter; a sealer constructed and positioned to apply a sealing component to the surface of the assay consumable to form a plurality of sealed assay sites, wherein the contents of each sealed assay site is substantially isolated from the contents of each of the other plurality of sealed assay sites, wherein the sealing component is a sealing liquid; and a controller configured to automatically operate the sealer to apply the sealing component to the plurality of assay sites. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for inserting beads into assay sites on an assay consumable, comprising:
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an assay consumable handler configured to be operatively coupled to an assay consumable having a surface comprising a plurality of assay sites, wherein the assay sites have a volume between about 10 attoliter and about 100 picoliters; a bead loader configured to insert individual beads into individual assay sites, such that each assay site containing a bead will contain no more than one bead; a sealer constructed and positioned to apply a sealing component to the surface of the assay consumable handler, wherein the sealing component is a sealing liquid; and a controller configured to automatically operate the bead loader to insert individual beads into individual assay sites. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for performing an assay, comprising:
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an assay consumable handler configured to be operatively coupled to an assay consumable having a surface comprising a plurality of assay sites, wherein the assay sites have a volume between about 10 attoliter and about 100 picoliter; a sample loader configured to load an assay sample containing analyte molecules or particles having an unknown concentration to be measured into at least a portion of the plurality of assay sites, such that a plurality of assay sites into which assay sample is loaded contain either zero or a single analyte molecule or particle; a sealer constructed and positioned to apply a sealing component to the surface of the assay consumable, wherein the sealing component is a sealing; a detector configured to interrogate at least a portion of the assay sites containing assay sample and determine a fraction of the plurality of assay sites interrogated that contain an analyte molecule or particle; and a computer implemented system configured receive information from the detector and from the information determine a measure of the unknown concentration of the analyte molecules or particles in the assay sample. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification