Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Peter A Bourdelle

Allen S Reichler

Raymond Francis Cracauer

Hugh V Cottingham

Michael L Lamos

David J Antol

Scott D Hildebrand

The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing a biological process and is particularly useful for processes which include amplicon decontamination and nucleic acid amplification steps. The apparatus includes a sample well for introduction and removal of a liquid biological sample, at least one reaction chamber containing dried reagents in fluid communication with the sample well, a pneumatic chamber in pneumatic communication with the reaction chamber and sample well, and a pneumatic port in the pneumatic chamber for connection of the apparatus to a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing means which causes the flow of the liquid sample within the apparatus.

Nucleic acid amplification method and apparatus

An apparatus for containing a liquid biological sample and for performing a biological process thereon comprises a sample area for receiving the sample, at least one reaction area in fluid communication with the sample area, a pneumatic area in pneumatic communication with the reaction area and the sample area, and a pneumatic port in the pneumatic area for connection of the apparatus to a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette. The pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette provides for controlled flow of the liquid biological sample between the sample area and the reaction area. To reduce evaporative loss of the sample from the apparatus, a sample tower is provided in fluid communication with the sample area. A similar tower may be provided at the pneumatic port to reduce evaporative loss through the pneumatic area. A restricted orifice between the sample tower and the sample area holds the liquid sample in place during removal of the sample from the apparatus, counteracting the tendency of the liquid bolus to flow back toward the reaction area due to capillary forces. Also disclosed is a novel sealing arrangement which provides an effective pneumatic seal between the pneumatic port and a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette without requiring the apparatus to include a separate 'O' ring or other type of discrete sealing device.

Nucleic acid amplification apparatus

An automated system is provided for carrying out nucleic acid based assays on a plurality of liquid samples with little or no intervention by a human operator. The system includes at least one reaction station adapted to hold and apply controlled amounts of heat to a plurality of reaction devices in which the liquid samples are receivable. Each of the reaction devices includes a sample area for receiving a liquid sample, a reaction area into which the liquid sample is movable to carry out a nucleic acid decontamination or amplification reaction on the sample, and a pneumatic port for allowing air to be aspirated from and dispensed into the reaction device to move the sample between the sample area and the reaction area. A robotically controlled aspiration and dispensing head is adapted to move into contact with the pneumatic ports of the reaction devices, and to aspirate air from and dispense air into the pneumatic ports of the reaction devices in order to move the liquid samples between the sample and reaction areas of the reaction devices. A programmable control system is provided for causing the robotically controlled aspiration and dispensing head to move into contact with the pneumatic ports of the reaction devices, and to aspirate air from and dispense air into the reaction devices in order to cause the desired movement of the liquid samples within the reaction devices. The robotically controlled aspiration and dispensing head is also adapted to transfer the liquid samples to and from the reaction devices using disposable pipettes, and to introduce liquid reagents into the reacted samples after the samples have been transferred from the reaction devices to separate assay devices. A robotically controlled wash head is also provided to aspirate and dispense wash fluids and reagent fluids from the assay devices.

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Glen Rock, PA, United States of America

Peter A Bourdelle