Sample processing method using tube strips and tube strip holder

摘要

An automated process for converting samples includes: receiving tube strips having a number of sample tubes and samples therein, transferring multiple tube strips to a tube strip holder, dispensing sample conversion buffer into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a first time, centrifuging the tube strip holder, removing a liquid supernatant from each tube, simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube, dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a second time, heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a third time, heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time, and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate.

主权项

1. An automated process for converting biological samples into an output format suitable for further analysis, the process comprising:
receiving a plurality of tube strips in one or more tube strip racks, each tube strip having a plurality of sample tubes with a respective sample in each tube; transferring a group of tube strips from the one or more tube strip racks to a tube strip holder, the tube strip holder having plurality of wells configured to each hold at least one tube strip; dispensing a sample conversion buffer into each sample tube in the group of tube strips; shaking the tube strip holder a first time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; centrifuging the tube strip holder to simultaneously centrifuge the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; removing a liquid supernatant from each sample tube in the tube strip holder; moving the tube strip holder to an inspection station; simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube in the tube strip holder to determine whether a pellet has formed in each tube in the tube strip holder; dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a second time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a third time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time to simultaneously incubate the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time to simultaneously mix the contents of each sample tube in the tube strip holder; and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate.