Sample processing units, systems, and related methods

A sample processing unit, comprising:

• at least one cuvette configured to contain at least one sample comprising at least one magnetically responsive particle;
• at least one magnet that generates, or is configured to generate, at least one magnetic field, which magnet is in a substantially fixed position;
• at least a first motor operably connected to the cuvette, which first motor is configured to rotate the cuvette around a central longitudinal axis of the cuvette;
• at least one support member operably connected to the first motor;
• and,
• at least a second motor operably connected to the support member, which second motor is configured to rotate the cuvette between at least first and second positions, wherein at least the first position is within magnetic communication with the magnet when the magnet generates the magnetic field.

A sample processing system, comprising:

• at least one sample processing unit that comprises:
• at least one cuvette configured to contain at least one sample comprising at least one magnetically responsive particle;
• at least one magnet that generates, or is configured to generate, at least one magnetic field, which magnet is in a substantially fixed position;
• at least a first motor operably connected to the cuvette, which first motor is configured to rotate the cuvette around a central longitudinal axis of the cuvette;
• at least one support member operably connected to the first motor;
• and
• at least a second motor operably connected to the support member, which second motor is configured to rotate the cuvette between at least first and second positions, wherein at least the first position is within magnetic communication with the magnet when the magnet generates the magnetic field;
• at least one carrier mechanism operably connected to the sample processing unit, which carrier mechanism is configured to move the sample processing unit to one or more locations;
• at least one material transfer component configured to transfer material to and/or from the cuvette;
• and,
• at least one controller operably connected to the sample processing unit, the carrier mechanism, and/or the material transfer component, which controller is configured to effect one or more of:
• the magnet to generate the magnetic field, the first motor to rotate the cuvette, the second motor to rotate the cuvette between the first and second positions, the carrier mechanism to move the sample processing unit to the one or more locations, or the material transfer component to transfer the material to and/or from the cuvette.

A method of processing a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) providing at least one sample processing unit that comprises:
• at least one cuvette that contains at least one sample comprising at least one magnetically responsive particle comprising at least one captured first component;
• at least one magnet that is in a substantially fixed position;
• at least a first motor operably connected to the cuvette, which first motor is configured to rotate the cuvette around a central longitudinal axis of the cuvette;
• at least one support member operably connected to the first motor;
• and
• at least a second motor operably connected to the support member, which second motor is configured to rotate the cuvette between at least first and second positions, wherein the magnet is capable of magnetically communicating with the cuvette when the cuvette is at least in the first position;
• (b) moving the cuvette into the first position using the second motor such that a magnetic field generated by the magnet causes the magnetically responsive particle to move and/or be retained proximal to a surface of the cuvette;
• and,
• (c) removing at least a second component from the cuvette, thereby processing the sample.