System and method for automated reagent verification

1. A method for user guided initiating of an instrument, the method comprising:

receiving a run plan via a user interface of the instrument, the run plan identifying a test to be performed by the instrument and parameters associated with the test, the test to utilize a set of consumables;

indicating on the user interface, based on the run plan, the set of consumables to be used by the instrument when implementing the run plan;

detecting the presence of a consumable of the set of consumables using a vision system including a camera;

determining with the vision system that the consumable is a used consumable, the used consumable including a set of reagent containers;

determining with the vision system a number of unused reagent containers of the set of reagent containers, wherein determining a number of unused reagent containers includes determining a number of used reagent containers by detecting foil piercings of the used reagent containers with the vision system based on a comparison of pixel values of an image acquired by the vision system with the camera to expected values;

determining whether the number of unused reagent containers is sufficient to perform the run plan;

indicating the presence of the used consumable via the user interface; and

detecting a position of a latch with the vision system, the latch to hold an associated reagent container of the set of reagent containers in place when in a locked position, wherein detecting the locked position includes detecting a set of indicators on the outer surface of the associated latch with the vision system.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

indicating another consumable to be provided;

detecting the presence of the other consumable; and

indicating the presence of the other consumable.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a nucleic acid sequencing instrument.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising indicating through the user interface the used consumable is to be replaced when the number of unused reagent containers is insufficient to implement the run plan.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the locked position includes detecting a change in how many of the visual indicators of the latch are detected.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reading a code of a second consumable of the set of consumables with the vision system and indicating the presence of the second consumable via the user interface when the code is correct.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining with an RFID system the presence of a second consumable and indicating via the user interface the presence of the second consumable.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting with the vision system a lid disposed on the consumable and indicating via the user interface the presence of the lid.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of consumables includes a reagent strip, a tray of pipette tips, and a microwell array.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instrument includes an instrument deck on to which consumables of the set of consumables are to be located.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the instrument includes a reagent storage cabinet to store another consumable of the set of consumables.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the instrument includes a three-axis pipetting robot having access to the instrument deck.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the camera acquires images of an area of the instrument deck.