Gen-probe, Inc.

Jennifer L Tidd

David Opalsky

David A Buse

Norbert D Hagen

Jason F Rhubottom

Ankur Shah

James T Tuggle

Patrick Lynn Peterson

Anne-Laure Shapiro

Ankur H Shah

David Aaron Buse

Ann-Laure Shapiro

Timothy J Scheer

Alberto A Lio

An automated method for performing an amplification reaction includes the automated steps of combining a fluid sample together with one or more amplification reaction reagents in a reaction receptacle using a first automated pipettor, thereby forming a reaction mixture, transporting the reaction receptacle to a first location of a centrifuge, subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation, after subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation, removing the reaction receptacle from a second location of the centrifuge different from the first location and placing the reaction receptacle in a thermal cycler, and in the thermal cycler, subjecting the reaction mixture to one or more temperature cycles.

Method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument

A diagnostic system is configured to perform first and second, different nucleic acid amplification reactions. The system includes a bulk reagent container compartment configured to store first bulk reagent container containing a first bulk reagent for performing sample preparation processes with a first subset and a second subset of a plurality of samples and a second bulk reagent container containing a second bulk reagent for performing the first nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system includes a unit-dose reagent compartment storing a unit-dose reagent pack including unit-dose reagents for performing the second nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system is configured to perform the sample preparation process using the first bulk reagent on the first and second subsets of the samples, perform the first nucleic acid amplification reaction using the second bulk reagent on the first subset of the samples, and perform the second nucleic acid amplification reaction using the unit-dose reagents on the second subset of the samples.

Diagnostic systems and methods

A processing module is configured to extend the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles. The module includes a container transport configured to transport a container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to a substance transfer device of the analyzer. A receptacle distribution system is configured to receive a receptacle from the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and to move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer. A substance transfer device of the module is configured to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module. A reagent card exchanger provides an input device for inserting reagent cards into and removing reagent cards from the module, stores reagent cards within the module, and transfers reagent cards to different location within the module.

Systems and methods for performing assays

One or more temperature cycles are applied to the contents of a processing vial closed by an interlocked cap within a thermal cycler. The processing vial and the interlocked cap are transferred from the thermal cycler to a storage compartment within the instrument with a transfer mechanism with a probe engaged with the cap. In the storage compartment, the processing vial and interlocked cap are moved to an access opening in the instrument and are removed from the instrument through the access opening.

Method for processing the contents of a processing vial within an instrument

An automated method for analyzing a plurality of samples within a housing of a self-contained system. The system is loaded with a plurality of samples, after which a first assay is performed on a first sample subset and a second assay performed on a second sample subset. The two assays include exposing the samples to a target capture reagent having a solid support for directly or indirectly immobilizing a target nucleic acid that may be present in one or more of the samples. The two assays may be performed with the same or different target capture reagents and target nucleic acids, but the receptacles for performing the exposing step have substantially identical geometries. Following the exposing step, an amplification reaction for amplifying a region of the target nucleic acid is performed with each sample. The amplification reactions of the two assays are performed in receptacles having different geometries.

Automated method for analyzing samples

A diagnostic system performs a first nucleic acid amplification reaction and a second, different nucleic acid amplification reaction. The diagnostic system includes a compartment configured to store at least a first bulk reagent container comprising a first bulk reagent for performing a sample preparation process, and a second bulk reagent container comprising a second bulk reagent for performing the first reaction. The system including a compartment configured to store at least one unit-dose pack comprising a plurality of unit-dose reagents for performing the second reaction. The diagnostic system is configured to perform the sample preparation process using the first bulk reagent on each of a plurality of samples provided to the diagnostic system. The system is configured to perform the first reaction using the second bulk reagent on a first sample subset, and perform the second reaction using the plurality of first unit-dose reagents on a second sample subset.

Growing community of inventors

Vista, CA, United States of America

Jennifer L Tidd