System and method of aspirating and dispensing reagent
AssigneeVentana Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Richards, Anthony Ford, Vince Rizzo, Darin McDaniel, Kurt Reinhardt, Wayne Showalter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for aspirating and dispensing reagents are provided. Aspirating of reagents is accomplished by a probe, a vial insert and reagent vial according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the vial insert. Dispensing of reagents is accomplished by a probe and a probe dispense and wash station according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the probe dispense and wash station.
Claims44
Aspirating reagent device comprising:
- a probe having at one end a shaped surface with a hole;
- tubing connected to the hole of the probe;
- and
- a vial insert having an upper surface that is shaped, the upper surface having a hole;
- wherein at least a portion of shaped surface of the probe engages with at least a portion of the upper surface of the vial insert.
Dispensing reagent device comprising:
- a probe having at one end a shaped surface with a hole;
- tubing connected to the hole of the probe;
- and
- a probe dispense station having an upper surface that is shaped, the upper surface having a hole;
- wherein at least a portion of shaped surface of the probe mates with at least a portion of the upper surface of the probe dispense station.
Reagent aspirate system comprising:
- probe having a hole;
- tubing connected to the hole of the probe;
- means for moving fluid within the tubing;
- reagent vial having an opening;
- vial insert abutting the opening of the reagent vial, the vial insert also engaging the probe;
- and
- means for moving the probe to engage the vial insert.
Reagent dispense system comprising:
- probe having a hole;
- tubing connected to the hole of the probe;
- means for moving fluid within the tubing;
- vial dispense station having an upper surface for engaging the probe;
- and
- means for moving the probe to engage the vial dispense station.
Method of aspirating reagent from a reagent vial comprising the steps of:
- providing a probe having a lower surface, a vial insert with an upper surface and a reagent vial with an opening wherein the vial insert is placed in the opening;
- engaging the lower surface of the probe with the upper surface of the vial insert to form a seal between at least a portion of the lower surface of the probe with at least a portion of the upper surface of the vial insert;
- withdrawing reagent from the reagent vial;
- and
- disengaging the lower surface of the probe from the upper surface of the vial insert.
Method of dispensing reagent comprising the steps of:
- providing a probe having a lower surface, a probe dispense station with an upper surface and tubing connected to the probe dispense station;
- engaging the lower surface of the probe with the upper surface of the probe dispense station to form a seal between at least a portion of the lower surface of the probe with at least a portion of the upper surface of the vial insert;
- dispensing reagent through the tubing;
- and
- disengaging the lower surface of the probe from the upper surface of the probe dispense station.
Method of cleaning a probe and probe dispense station comprising the steps of:
- providing the probe having a lower surface, the probe dispense station with an upper surface and tubing connected to the probe dispense station;
- engaging the lower surface of the probe with the upper surface of the probe dispense station to form a seal between at least a portion of the lower surface of the probe with at least a portion of the upper surface of the vial insert;
- cleaning at least the lower surface of the probe and the upper surface of the probe dispense station;
- and
- disengaging the lower surface of the probe from the upper surface of the probe dispense station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.