Method of using a multi-well tray

1. A method for reconstituting a lyophilized reagent in an automated instrument, the method comprising:

(A) moving an automated pipettor over an unused pipette tip and lowering the automated pipettor into engagement with the pipette tip;

(B) simultaneously with, prior to, or after step (A), moving a multi-well tray into a dispensing position, wherein the multi-well tray comprises:

wherein the base of the multi-well tray further comprises

(1) an elongated base having a first end and a second end, said base comprising a top surface, opposed side walls extending from the top surface to a bottom surface, a first end wall extending between said side walls, and an arm extending outwardly from the first end of the base and configured to be engaged by a transport mechanism, wherein the arm comprises a bridge and a post having one end attached to the bridge and an opposite end that is not attached to the bridge and wherein the post extends from the bridge so as to define a gap between the opposite end of the post and the first end wall;

(2) a plurality of wells depending from the top surface, each well having an opening at the top surface, wherein the wells are arranged in at least one row extending between the first end and the second end of the base;

(3) a lyophilized reagent contained within one or more of the wells; and

(4) snap fingers disposed at the second end of the base and configured to grasp an element of the instrument for securing the tray to the element;

and wherein the moving step comprises engaging the post of the multi-well tray with an automated transport mechanism and effecting movement of the multi-well tray with movement of the transport mechanism;

(C) engaging the snap fingers of the multi-well tray with the element;

(D) lowering the pipette tip with the automated pipettor into a container of diluent and drawing a predetermined amount of diluent from the container into the pipette tip;

(E) moving the pipette tip with the automated pipettor over the multi-well tray in the dispensing position and positioning the pipette tip over the well containing the lyophilized reagent;

(F) dispensing the diluent drawn into the pipette tip into the well containing the lyophilized reagent to thereby reconstitute the lyophilized reagent; and

(G) after a sufficient period of time for the lyophilized reagent to be reconstituted by the diluent, drawing the reconstituted reagent from the well.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-well tray further comprises retention features disposed within one or more of the wells, wherein the retention features are sized to retain a lyophilized reagent within the well.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the retention features are selected from the group consisting of a tapered ring insert, a collar, and a fingered collar, wherein the one or more retention features are disposed within the well and are sized to retain a lyophilized reagent within the well.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (E) further includes puncturing a frangible seal covering the well containing the lyophilized reagent.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (F) comprises the step of repeatedly aspirating the contents of the well containing the lyophilized reagent into the pipette tip and dispensing the contents of the pipette tip into the well to mix the contents of the well.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each well comprises a side wall and a bottom wall, and at least one of the wells further comprises one or more features selected from the group consisting of a plurality of bumps, a concave groove, a convex ridge, and a set of grooves and/or ridges comprising a crisscross pattern formed on an inner surface of the bottom wall.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wells are arranged in two parallel rows of wells.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automated pipettor is moved by a robotic arm.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (G) comprises lowering the pipette tip with the automated pipettor into the well and drawing the reconstituted reagent into the pipette tip.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wells are disposed between the opposed side walls and are arranged in at least one row extending between the first end and the second end of the base, and wherein the wells do not extend below the bottom surface of the side walls.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a perimeter wall of the base defines the opposed side walls and the first end wall.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base is defined by a perimeter wall that defines the opposed side walls, the first end wall, and a second end wall, and wherein the snap fingers comprise opposed spaced-apart tabs defining a slot therebetween configured to receive the element of the instrument with the opposed tabs extending inwardly from the second end wall, wherein the first end of the base comprises the first end wall, and wherein the second end of the base comprises the second end wall.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the snap fingers comprise a portion of the bottom surface.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the snap fingers comprise opposed spaced-apart tabs defining a slot therebetween configured to receive the element of the instrument.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the opposed tabs are oriented in a direction extending from the second end of the base toward the first end of the base.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the opposed tabs flare away from each other at their ends.