Consumable elements for use with fluid processing and detection systems
One embodiment describes an automated and flexible system to analyze probe arrays. It comprises a plurality of arrays mounted on pegs that are moved by an instrument handling robot to liquid reaction stations.
1 . An automated and flexible system for conducting hybridization experiments comprising:
a plurality of pegs holding nucleic acid arrays removably mounted on a strip;
an automated robot for moving a strip to selected location;
at least one tray containing wells in rows, the wells having reagents to interact with an array on the peg, each row being associated with a different process step; and
a system to align the peg with the wells on the tray.
2 . The system in accordance with claim 1 where the strip has four pegs.
3 . The system in accordance with claim 1 where the strip is removably mounted to a plate.
4 . The system in accordance with claim 1 where the strip is encased.
5 . The system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a bar code reader to identify strips or trays.
6 . The system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising operatively connections to a hybridization station and scanning station.
7 . A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the system to align the pegs with the wells on the tray, comprises:
a set of fiducial features operatively connected to the tray; and
a set of sensors operatively connected to the automated robot to determine a position for the tray relative to the robot.
8 . A system in accordance with claim 1 for controlling the temperature of a wash solution comprising:
a heater block whose shape is tailored to give the same temperature in all the wells;
a temperature probe to measure the heater block temperature;
a temperature probe to measure the room temperature; and
a calibrated look up table to adjust for differences between the heater block temperature and the temperature of liquid in the wells based on room temperature.
9 . A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is more than one strip that is held together with a system which comprises; a base plate; a snapfit bracket; and a lid.
10 . An automated and flexible system for conducting hybridization experiments comprising:
a plurality of pegs holding nucleic acid arrays removably mounted on a plurality of strips, the strips are held together with a system which comprises; a base plate; a snapfit bracket; and a lid;
an automated robot for moving a strip to selected location;
at least one tray containing wells in rows, the wells having reagents to interact with an array on the peg, each row being associated with a different process step, comprising a wash step having a heater block whose shape is tailored to give the same temperature in all the wells; a temperature probe to measure the heater block temperature; a temperature probe to measure the room temperature; and a calibrated look up table to adjust for differences between the heater block temperature and the temperature of liquid in the wells based on room temperature; and
a system to align the pegs with the wells on the tray, comprising a set of fiducial features operatively connected to the tray; and a set of sensors operatively connected to the automated robot to determine a position for the tray relative to the robot.