Sample processing module array handling system and methods
AssigneeCepheid
InventorsRonald Chang, Steven Montgomery, Gregory Mote, Brian Bliven
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A handling system for high throughput processing of a large volume of biological samples is provided herein. Such systems can include an array support assembly that supports multiple diagnostic assay modules in an array having at least two dimensions, a loader that loads multiple diagnostic assay cartridges within the multiple diagnostic assay modules. The array support assembly can be movable relative the loader to facilitate loading and unloading so as to provide more efficient processing.
Claims30
A method of handling a plurality of biological samples with a high throughput processing system, each of the plurality of biological samples being within a diagnostic assay cartridge of a plurality of diagnostic assay cartridges, the method comprising:
- receiving each of the plurality of diagnostic assay cartridges in a high throughput processing system with a loader by releasably coupling with each of the plurality of diagnostic assay cartridges;
- and
- loading, with the loader, each of the plurality of diagnostic assay cartridges into a receiving bay of a respective diagnostic assay module of a plurality of diagnostic assay modules within an array support, the array support defining an array having at least two dimensions, each diagnostic assay module comprising a diagnostic assay system adapted for receiving a diagnostic assay cartridge of the plurality and performing a diagnostic assay on a biological sample within a respective cartridge, wherein loading comprises moving the array support relative the loader by a controller of the system coupled with an automation computer such that the diagnostic assay cartridge is loadable in any of the diagnostic assay modules within the array by the moving of the array support structure relative the loader in combination with the loader.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.