Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080286161 | Methods and Devices for Performing Chemical Reactions on a Solid Support - Apparatus and methods for carrying out biochemical processes directly on a substrate are provided. A substrate assembly includes a cartridge that removably supports a substrate in a fixed position, and a reaction containment member that is removably located on top of the substrate. The reaction containment member includes one or more cavities that form chambers directly above one or more target locations on the surface of the substrate. The chambers can be used to conduct biochemical processes directly over the substrate, as well as to perform thermal cycling of material contained inside the chamber using a heating element disposed directly on the substrate. The substrate assembly is preferably used in combination with a processing machine that dispenses materials into the chambers and that conducts biochemical reactions of materials contained within the chambers, without requiring the substrate assembly to be moved from one location to another location during the processes. | 11-20-2008 |
20100196908 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING A SIGNAL AND APPLYING THERMAL ENERGY TO A SIGNAL TRANSMISSION ELEMENT - A signal detection system configured for detecting a signal emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle is also configured to apply thermal energy to a portion of the reaction receptacle to affect a reaction occurring within the reaction receptacle. More particularly, a system for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle includes a transmission element configured for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the contents of the receptacle, a thermal element associated with the transmission element and configured to apply thermal energy to at least a portion of the receptacle, and a detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the transmission element and to generate a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector. | 08-05-2010 |
20100288395 | Method and Apparatus for Effecting Automated Movement of a Magnet in an Instrument for Performing a Magnetic Separation Procedure - Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station. | 11-18-2010 |
20120024055 | Method, System and Apparatus for Incorporating Capacitive Proximity Sensing in an Automated Fluid Transfer Procedure - A fluid transfer apparatus includes a fluid transfer probe, a fluid level detection system, and a tip detection system. The fluid level detection system is configured to detect contact by the fluid transfer probe with a fluid surface within a receptacle from a signal based on the capacitance of the fluid transfer probe. The tip detection system is configured to detect the presence or absence of a tip at a distal end of the fluid transfer probe from a signal based on the capacitance of the fluid transfer probe. | 02-02-2012 |
20120118954 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING ITEMS DURING A PROCESS - A system and method for tracking items during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element. | 05-17-2012 |
20120128451 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING TRANSFER OF REACTION RECEPTACLES IN AN INSTRUMENT FOR MULTI-STEP ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES - Systems for effecting transfer of reaction receptacles between modules of an instrument for performing multi-step analytical procedures and for adjusting for variations in the positions of such modules includes a receptacle carrier supported on a track on which the carrier translates between different modules located adjacent to the track. The carrier includes a receptacle distribution head supported on a receptacle carrier carriage. The distribution head includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move receptacles into and out of the distribution head and into and out of a module. The carriage is engaged with the track and adapted for translation along the track. Drive systems effect powered translation of the carriage, powered elevation and rotation of the distribution head, and powered movement of receptacles into and out of the distribution head. A transfer position locating system automatically determines a receptacle transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each module. | 05-24-2012 |
20120221252 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTINGUISHING OPTICAL SIGNALS OF DIFFERENT MODULATION FREQUENCIES IN AN OPTICAL SIGNAL DETECTOR - Systems and method for detecting optical signals, and for discriminating optical signals emitted by an emission moiety that is excited by an associated excitation signal from background signals and other optical noise, employing digital techniques for determining the portion of a detected optical signal having a modulation frequency corresponding to a modulation of the associated excitation signal. | 08-30-2012 |
20120261469 | CONTAMINATION CONTROL FOR LIQUID HANDLING - A structure ( | 10-18-2012 |
20130065797 | AUTOMATED SAMPLE HANDLING INSTRUMENTATION, SYSTEMS, PROCESSES, AND METHODS - The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed. | 03-14-2013 |
20130344613 | USE OF A FLUORESCENT MATERIAL TO DETECT FAILURE OR DETERIORATED PERFORMANCE OF A FLUOROMETER - A System and method for self-checking a fluorometer for failure or deteriorated performance includes fluorescent reference standards mounted on a support to move with respect to one or more fixed fluorometers. The intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent reference standard is initially measured with the fluorometer, and, after a prescribed interval of usage of the fluorometer, a test measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent standard is taken with the fluorometer. The test measurement is compared to the initial measurement, and failure or deteriorated performance of the fluorometer is determined based on a deviation of the test measurement from the initial measurement. | 12-26-2013 |
20140038170 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING THERMAL MELT ANALYSES AND AMPLIFICATIONS - The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038192 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED INCUBATION - System, apparatus, and method for cycling the temperature of at least one receptacle holder that is adapted for use in an automated instrument capable of performing nucleic acid-based amplification tests. Also provided are methods for conducting automated, random-access incubation processes using the same. | 02-06-2014 |
20140175168 | RECEPTACLE RACK HAVING AN ELECTRONIC MEMORY ELEMENT - A system and method for tracking items, such as receptacles, during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, such as contents thereof and process(es) to be performed thereon, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element. | 06-26-2014 |
20140203189 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTINGUISHING OPTICAL SIGNALS OF DIFFERENT MODULATION FREQUENCIES IN AN OPTICAL SIGNAL DETECTOR - Systems and method for detecting optical signals, and for discriminating optical signals emitted by an emission moiety that is excited by an associated excitation signal from background signals and other optical noise, employing digital techniques for determining the portion of a detected optical signal having a modulation frequency corresponding to a modulation of the associated excitation signal. | 07-24-2014 |
20140203192 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTINGUISHING OPTICAL SIGNALS OF DIFFERENT MODULATION FREQUENCIES IN AN OPTICAL SIGNAL DETECTOR - Systems and method for detecting optical signals, and for discriminating optical signals emitted by an emission moiety that is excited by an associated excitation signal from background signals and other optical noise, employing digital techniques for determining the portion of a detected optical signal having a modulation frequency corresponding to a modulation of the associated excitation signal. | 07-24-2014 |
20140209677 | METHOD FOR READING MACHINE-READABLE LABELS - A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element. A sample rack configured to hold receptacles and to be inserted into the structure below the cover includes a sample rack having receptacle-receiving pockets, each with a resilient element and a positioning feature for holding receptacles of varying sizes in a predetermined position within the receptacle receiving pocket, and a cover including features for preventing a receptacle from being pulled out of its receptacle-receiving pocket when the transfer mechanism is withdrawn from the receptacle. | 07-31-2014 |
20140263984 | INDEXING SIGNAL DETECTION MODULE - An indexing signal detection module is configured to index one or more signal detectors past each of a plurality of sources of detectable signal emissions to detect or measure a signal emitted by each source. A plurality of signal transmission conduits transmit signal emitted by the sources from a first end of each conduit to a second end of each conduit where the signal may be detected by a signal detector. A conduit reformatter is configured to secure the first ends of the respective signal transmission conduits in a first spatial arrangement corresponding to a spatial arrangement of the signal emission sources and to secure the second ends of the respective signal transmission conduits in a second spatial arrangement different from the first spatial arrangement. | 09-18-2014 |
20140373970 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING AUTOMATED MOVEMENT OF A MAGNET IN AN INSTRUMENT FOR PERFORMING A MAGNETIC SEPARATION PROCEDURE - Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station. | 12-25-2014 |