Method and apparatus for automated pre-treatment and processing of biological samples
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders;
a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders;
at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent;
at least one reagent mixer;
at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank;
at least one temperature controller;
at least one distributed controller; and
at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and
wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus;
and wherein the network is connected to a proprietary network;
and wherein processing of each biological sample is conducted according to a respective sequence of protocol steps;
wherein a first biological sample, on a first sample holder, for which the processing is completed may be removed from the apparatus simultaneous with the processing of a second biological sample on a second sample holder;
and wherein a first reagent container may be removed or replaced simultaneous with the processing of the at least one biological sample.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuous workflow processing of biological samples. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a probe for dispensing one or more reagents from one or more reagent containers onto one or more biological sample carriers. The method and apparatus includes processing each biological sample according to a respective sequence of protocol steps which may be ordered by a scheduler protocol. The method and apparatus also includes network capability for connectivity with additional equipment for receiving or transmitting pertinent data via the network.
158 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders; a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders; at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent; at least one reagent mixer; at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank; at least one temperature controller; at least one distributed controller; and at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus; and wherein the network is connected to a proprietary network; and wherein processing of each biological sample is conducted according to a respective sequence of protocol steps; wherein a first biological sample, on a first sample holder, for which the processing is completed may be removed from the apparatus simultaneous with the processing of a second biological sample on a second sample holder; and wherein a first reagent container may be removed or replaced simultaneous with the processing of the at least one biological sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising the following elements:
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a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders; a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders; a means for dispensing at least one reagent onto at least one biological sample holder; a means for mixing at least one reagent; a means for pre-treatment of the at least one biological sample; means for delivering fluid to the at least one probe and a means for delivering fluid to the means for pre-treatment; and at least one temperature controller; a first controller that receives instructions from a second controller; and a means for scheduling tasks; wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus; and wherein the network is connected to a proprietary network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. An automated method of processing a plurality of biological samples in an apparatus comprising:
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applying at least one reagent from a plurality of reagents to at least one first biological sample according to a sequence of steps in a first protocol; wherein at least one second biological sample can be added to or removed from the apparatus prior to completion of the first protocol; and wherein at least one second reagent can be added to or removed from the apparatus prior to completion of the first protocol; wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders; a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders; at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent; at least one reagent mixer; at least one processing tank for at least one biological sample; at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank; at least one temperature controller; at least one distributed controller; and at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus; and wherein the network is connected to a proprietary network. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification