Rack for sample tubes and reagent holders
AssigneeHandyLab, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Duffy, Kerry Wilson, Kalyan Handique, Jeff Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.
Claims22
An apparatus for holding reagents for sample preparation, comprising:
- a horizontal member comprising a plurality of slots arranged parallel to an axis between a first side and a second side of the horizontal member, each of the plurality of slots defining an opening in the first side of the horizontal member and extending toward the second side of the horizontal member, each of the plurality of slots configured to accept a reagent holder;
- and
- two or more members supporting the horizontal member.
A housing for samples and reagent holders, comprising:
- a top surface comprising a plurality of parallel lanes extending across the top surface, each lane defining an axis upon which a first opening configured to receive a reagent holder and a second opening configured to receive a sample tube are aligned;
- at least two surfaces supporting the top surface;
- and
- a reagent holder located in the first opening of at least one of the plurality of lanes, the reagent holder comprising a process container and one or more reagent receptacles.
A method of preparing a plurality of samples for extraction of nucleic acid contained in the samples, the plurality of samples held in a housing comprising a top surface comprising a plurality of slots arranged parallel to an axis between a first side and a second side of the top surface, each of the plurality of slots defining an opening in the first side of the top surface and extending toward the second side of the top surface, the method comprising:
- sliding a first reagent holder through the opening of a first slot of the plurality of slots and toward the second side of the top surface;
- inserting a first sample tube containing a first sample into a first sample tube holder arranged in line with the first slot;
- sliding a second reagent holder through the opening of a second slot of the plurality of slots and toward the second side of the top surface;
- inserting a second sample tube containing a second sample into a second sample tube holder arranged in line with the second slot;
- and
- inserting the housing into a receiving bay of a diagnostic apparatus configured to extract nucleic acid from the first sample and the second sample independently.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.