Granted Patent B2

US 12,442,033 · App. 18/750,680 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Inventors: David Aaron Buse (San Diego, CA); David Opalsky (San Diego, CA); Jason F. Rhubottom (Oceanside, CA); Norbert D. Hagen (Carlsbad, CA); Jennifer Tidd (Vista, CA)

Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED

C12Q1/6806B01L3/50825B01L3/565B01L7/5255C12Q1/686G01N35/04B01L3/527B01L2200/026B01L2200/0689B01L2300/046G01N2035/0418G01N2035/0436

Abstract

Claims (17)

1. An automated method for performing an amplification reaction, the method comprising:

a) combining a fluid sample together with one or more amplification reaction reagents in a reaction receptacle using a first automated pipettor, thereby forming a reaction mixture;

b) inserting a receiving end of a probe of the first automated pipettor into an open top end of a cap, such that the probe of the first automated pipettor engages the cap in a frictional fit;

c) while the cap is engaged by the first automated pipettor in a frictional fit, inserting a lower portion of the cap into an open end of the reaction receptacle, thus forming a capped reaction receptacle containing the reaction mixture, wherein the capped reaction receptacle is attached to the probe of the first automated pipettor;

d) with the first automated pipettor, transporting the capped reaction receptacle attached to the probe of the first automated pipettor to a first access port at a fixed first location of a centrifuge;

e) at the first access port, ejecting the capped reaction receptacle from the probe of the first automated pipettor, thereby placing the capped reaction receptacle in the centrifuge;

f) subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation;

g) after step f), removing the capped reaction receptacle from a second access port at a fixed second location of the centrifuge different from the first location and placing the capped reaction receptacle in a thermal cycler; and

h) in the thermal cycler, subjecting the reaction mixture to one or more temperature cycles.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second access ports are positioned opposite each other.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step e) occurs as another capped reaction receptacle is being removed from the second access port of the centrifuge.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a position of the capped reaction receptacle within the centrifuge and determining when the capped reaction receptacle is positioned at the second access port.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising tracking the position of the capped reaction receptacle with a rotary encoder of a stepper motor.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising tracking the position of the capped reaction receptacle with a rotational position indicator.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein step g) is performed with a vial transfer arm.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein step g) is performed with a second automated pipettor.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cap and the reaction receptacle of the capped reaction receptacle are engaged in a snap fit.

Assignments (4)

Continuity (10)

References Cited (198)