System and methods for processing microarrays
AssigneeAffymetrix, Inc.
InventorMohsen Shirazi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device, method and system for ensuring proper orientation and installation of trays for processing biological sensors in an automated and flexible system are provided. The system comprises an instrument handling robot that transfers a plurality of arrays mounted on pegs on a strip to liquid reaction stations. In particular, the method comprises a first orientation marking on a tray and a second orientation marking on a deck, indicating the proper station in which the tray is placed for a specific process.
Claims24
A liquid handling tray for processing a plurality of nucleic acid arrays on a deck, wherein the tray comprises:
- a plurality of wells arranged in rows, the plurality of wells being able to hold a reagent that interacts with the nucleic acid arrays, wherein the wells has a volume capacity of 100 ml to 300 mls;
- a first molded feature, indicating where the tray is located on the deck, wherein the deck comprises a corresponding second molded feature such that the tray is placed on the deck by mating the first molded feature to the second molded on the deck, wherein the tray cannot be properly placed onto the deck unless the first molded feature mates to the second molded feature;
- and
- a first orientation marking, indicating where the tray is located on the deck, wherein the deck comprises a corresponding second orientation marking such that the tray is placed on the deck by matching the first orientation marking to the corresponding second orientation marking to ensure that the tray is properly placed in a specific orientation and location.
An automated and flexible liquid handling system for processing a plurality of nucleic acid arrays comprising:
- a computer system for processing and acquiring data from the nucleic acid arrays;
- a deck comprising a plurality of stations, wherein each station holds a tray for a specific process, wherein each station is labeled with a first orientation marking and a first molded feature;
- and
- a plurality of labeled trays containing a plurality of wells, wherein the wells has a volume capacity of 100 ml to 300 mls, wherein the wells contain solutions into which arrays can be dipped, wherein at least one labeled tray comprises a corresponding second orientation marking and second molded feature to ensure that the labeled tray is properly placed in a specific orientation and location, wherein the tray is properly placed into the station when the first and second orientation markings match and the first molded feature mates with the second molded feature.
A method for ensuring proper orientation and installation of a tray for processing nucleic acid arrays comprising:
- providing a computer system for processing and acquiring data from the nucleic acid arrays;
- providing a deck, wherein the deck comprises a plurality of stations, wherein each station represents a specific process step, wherein each station is a location for a corresponding labeled tray and is labeled with a first orientation marking and a first molded feature;
- providing a plurality of labeled trays comprising a plurality of wells arranged in rows, wherein the wells has a volume capacity of 100 ml to 300 mls, wherein the wells contain solutions into which arrays can be dipped, wherein at least one of the labeled trays comprises a corresponding second orientation marking and a second molded feature;
- placing the at least one of the labeled trays comprising the second orientation marking and second molded feature into a station on the deck by matching the first orientation marking with the corresponding second orientation marking and mating the first molded feature with the second molded feature on the station on the deck.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.