Abstract

A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materi-als, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
• C12M 1/34 - Measuring or testing with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• G01N 33/50 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing

Abstract

A closed receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers is provided for holding liquid and dried substances. The chambers include directly connected first and second chambers. Water vapor passes from the first chamber at a faster rate than it passes from the second chamber. The first chamber contains a dried substance and the second chamber contains a liquid substance capable of altering the state or a characteristic of the dried substance.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
• G01N 1/28 - Preparing specimens for investigation
• G01N 33/50 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• C12M 1/42 - Apparatus for the treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic wave

Abstract

An instrument for processing a sample in a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers is provided. The instrument has thermal elements defining a multiple chamber thermal zone in thermal communication with the receptacle and which to transmit thermal energy between each multiple chamber thermal zone and an associated region of the receptacle. The associated region encompasses all or a portion of each of two or more but less than all chambers. A controller is programmed to control operation of the thermal elements to heat or cool the chambers. A method for heating or cooling substances within the receptacle is also provided where the receptacle is positioned in thermal communication with chamber thermal zones contained in an analyzer and thermal energy is transmitted between each multiple chamber thermal zone and the chambers to heat or cool substances contained within the chambers to a temperature different than the temperature of other chambers.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• G01N 1/28 - Preparing specimens for investigation
• G01N 33/50 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
• C12P 19/34 - Polynucleotides, e.g. nucleic acids, oligoribonucleotides

Abstract

Various embodiments of this invention provide a method of concentrating an analyte contained in a fluid sample provided to a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a first volume in a first chamber of the receptacle, the first volume comprising the fluid sample and a liquid reagent containing a solid support; (b) immobilizing the analyte on the solid support; (c) moving an aliquot of the first volume from the first chamber to a directly connected second chamber of the receptacle, wherein the volume capacity of the second chamber is less than the first volume; and (d) removing non-analyte components of the sample from the second chamber while retaining the analyte in the second chamber. Steps (c) through (d) are repeated while retaining the analyte in the second chamber thereby accumulating concentrated analyte in the second chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 1/40 - Concentrating samples
• C12M 1/34 - Measuring or testing with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• C12N 15/10 - Processes for the isolation, preparation or purification of DNA or RNA
• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor

Abstract

A method of processing a sample in a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers is provided. A sample is provided to a first chamber. In separate chambers of the receptacle, combinations are made using: at least some of the sample in the first chamber and at least some of a sample processing reagent in a second chamber of the receptacle; at least some of a substance contained in a third chamber and at least some of a substance contained in a fourth chamber; and, at least some of a substance contained in a fifth chamber and at least some of a substance contained in a sixth chamber. Afterwards, a component of the sample is combined in a chamber with at least some of each of the aforementioned combinations.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
• C12M 1/34 - Measuring or testing with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• G01N 1/28 - Preparing specimens for investigation
• G01N 33/50 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing

Abstract

A multi-chambered receptacle for use in processing a sample is provided. The receptacle has a plurality of linear paths of chambers. The chambers of each path are interconnected by a plurality of openable connections. The receptacle also has opposed members, at least one of which members comprises a flexible sheet.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/08 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
• G01N 1/28 - Preparing specimens for investigation
• G01N 33/50 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor
• C12M 1/38 - Temperature-responsive control
• C12M 1/42 - Apparatus for the treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic wave