METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING AUTOMATED MOVEMENT OF A MAGNET IN AN INSTRUMENT FOR PERFORMING A MAGNETIC SEPARATION PROCEDURE

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a fluid transfer device comprising one or more aspirator probes, each aspirator probe having a distal end, and each distal end being adapted to have a conduit mounted thereon; and a slide comprising one or more conduit-stripping elements, each stripping element being associated with a corresponding aspirator probe, and each stripping element being adapted to remove a conduit from the distal end of the associated aspirator probe, wherein the slide is movable between a first position and a second position in the apparatus, such that when the slide is in the first position, no stripping element is in a position to engage the associated aspirator probe to strip the conduit mounted thereon, and when the slide is in the second position, each stripping element is in a position to engage the associated aspirator probe to strip the conduit mounted thereon.