# US 12,209,290 B2 · Systems and methods for analyte testing and laboratory oversight > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,209,290 B2 - Document ID: US12209290B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/319,906 - Filed: 2021-05-13 - Published: 2021-12-30 - Granted: 2025-01-28 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-18 - Assignees: Labrador Diagnostics LLC - Applicants: Labrador Diagnostics LLC - Inventors: Elizabeth A. Holmes; Timothy Smith; Samartha Anekal; James R. Wasson; Daniel L. Young; Chinmay Pangarkar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12209290B2 ## CPC - C12Q 1/70: involving virus or bacteriophage {(immunoassay for viruses G01N33/56983)} - G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} - B01L 3/52: {Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent (B01L3/02 takes precedence; storing or dispensing test elements G01N33/4875; automated reagent dispensing G01N35/1002)} - B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples} - G01N 33/54388: {based on lateral flow} - G01N 33/56983: {Viruses} - G01N 35/1011: {Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device} - G01N 35/1065: {Multiple transfer devices} - B01L 2400/043: magnetic forces - G01N 21/59: Transmissivity (G01N21/25 takes precedence) - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 21/76: Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence - G01N 35/00871: {Communications between instruments or with remote terminals} - G01N 2035/00366: {Several different temperatures used} - G01N 2035/00425: {Heating or cooling means associated with pipettes or the like, e.g. for supplying sample/reagent at given temperature} - G01N 2035/00495: {Centrifuges} - G01N 2035/0436: {with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs} - G01N 2333/11: Orthomyxoviridae, e.g. influenza virus - G01N 2469/20: Detection of antibodies in sample from host which are directed against antigens from microorganisms - Y10T 436/111666: Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor - Y10T 436/113332: with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising analyte testing on one or more types of samples. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: providing a sample processing unit comprising a liquid handling device comprising pipette assemblies, each of said pipette assemblies is independently actuatable in a vertical direction to access a sample, inserting a cartridge into the sample processing unit, the cartridge containing at least two types of reagents; picking up a magnet tool in the sample processing unit using a piston assembly in one of the pipette assemblies of the liquid handling device to interface with the magnet tool to pick up the magnet tool from a resting location in the sample processing unit outside of the pipette assemblies by extending a piston out of a nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies to engage a proximal end of the magnet tool and retract the magnet tool back into the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies, wherein the proximal end engaged by the magnet tool is retractable upward into the nozzle and the magnet tool is extendable outward from the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies and detachable from the piston after use; and using one of the pipette assemblies of the sample processing unit to remove one or more of said reagents from the cartridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing at least two types of pipette tips for transporting the sample or at least one or more of the reagents. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the liquid handling device to engage at least two contact points on a vessel in the cartridge to move the vessel from the cartridge to another location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the sample by utilizing a centrifuge in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising individually aspirating and dispensing fluids from each of said pipette assemblies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising imaging the sample by utilizing a luminometer in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising imaging the sample by utilizing a fluorometer in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the sample by utilizing a spectrophotometer in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising imaging the sample by performing microscopy in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the sample by utilizing a thermal control system comprising a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of heaters in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising imaging the sample by utilizing a camera in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 12 A method comprising: providing a sample processing unit comprising a liquid handling device comprising pipette assemblies, each of said pipette assemblies is independently actuatable in a vertical direction to access a sample, inserting a cartridge into the sample processing unit, the cartridge containing at least two types of reagents; picking up a magnet tool in the sample processing unit using a piston assembly in one of the pipette assemblies of the liquid handling device to interface with the magnet tool to pick up the magnet tool from a resting location in the sample processing unit outside of the pipette assemblies by extending a piston out of a nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies to engage a proximal end of the magnet tool and retract the magnet tool back into the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies, wherein the proximal end engaged by the magnet tool is retractable upward into the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies and the magnet tool is extendable outward from the nozzle and detachable from the piston after use; using one of the pipette assemblies of the sample processing unit to remove one or more of said reagents from the cartridge; and performing nucleic acid amplification on the sample in the sample processing unit. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: providing a sample processing unit comprising a liquid handling device comprising pipette assemblies, each of said pipette assemblies is independently actuatable in a vertical direction to access a sample, inserting a cartridge into the sample processing unit, the cartridge containing at least two types of reagents; picking up a magnet tool in the sample processing unit using a piston assembly in one of the pipette assemblies of the liquid handling device to interface with the magnet tool to pick up the magnet tool from a resting location in the sample processing unit outside of the pipette assemblies by extending a piston out of a nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies to engage a proximal end of the magnet tool and retract the magnet tool back into the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies, wherein the proximal end engaged by the magnet tool is retractable upward into the nozzle of the one of the pipette assemblies and the magnet tool is extendable outward from the nozzle and detachable from the piston after use; using one of the pipette assemblies of the sample processing unit to remove one or more of said reagents from the cartridge; and sonicating the sample by utilizing a sonicator in the sample processing unit.