Devices and methods for particle solution preparation
A method for preparing an aliquot of solution is disclosed. The method includes agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel.
1 . A method for preparing an aliquot of solution comprising a plurality of particles, the method comprising:
agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed sufficient to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle is positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel;
withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel;
transferring the aliquot of solution from the pipette onto a surface;
generating a composite image of the transferred aliquot of solution, wherein the composite image comprises a plurality of images of the transferred aliquot of solution; and
based on the generated composite image, determining a parameter of the transferred aliquot of solution.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vessel defines an opening, and wherein the baffle extends at least partially through the opening.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the baffle defines a baffle opening that is aligned with the opening of the vessel.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution comprises positioning the end of the pipette tip through the baffle opening.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the baffle is non-detachably coupled to an interior portion of the vessel.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles comprises a plurality of paramagnetic beads, and wherein the plurality of paramagnetic beads comprises one or more bar codes used to identify one or more of the plurality of paramagnetic beads in the aliquot of solution.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the composite image of the transferred aliquot of solution further comprises stitching the plurality of images of the transferred aliquot of solution into the composite image of the transferred aliquot of solution.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a parameter of the transferred aliquot of solution comprises counting the plurality of particles in the transferred aliquot of solution.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein counting the plurality of particles in the transferred aliquot of solution comprises:
detecting an edge of a particle in the composite image; and
based at least in part on detecting an edge of the particle in the composite image, determining a presence of at least one particle in the composite image.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
transmitting instructions that cause a graphical user interface to display a graphical representation of the determined parameter of the transferred aliquot of solution.