Methods and instruments for processing a sample in a multi-chambered receptacle

US8765367B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED · US
• Qualigen Inc. · US

Inventors

• Scott S. Breidenthal · Oceanside, US
• Sara H. Fan · San Diego, US
• Richard Lee · Oceanside, US
• Norman C. Nelson · San Diego, US
• Matthew J. Scott · Oceanside, US
• Jason A. Taylor · Windham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/255
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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 materials, 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.