US 6,281,005 B1 · Automated nucleic acid compaction device

Abstract

An automated nucleic acid compaction device for analyzing and compacting a nucleic acid complex into unimolecular nucleic acid particles. Broadly, the device includes a container support and agitation system; a measuring and testing system; and a dispensing system; all controlled by a control system. The control system controls the support and agitation system and the dispensing system based either on a predetermined formulation or by analysis of feedback data provided by the measuring and testing system. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a real-time measuring and mixing instrument operating in a closed loop system. The preferred embodiment also comprises a monitoring system including a submersible probe which is positioned in the batch solution to provide data to a controller. Once a desired level of nucleic acid compaction is reached, as detected by the monitoring system, the controller stops the dispensing and mixing agitating systems.

Claims59

Dependent claims

A device for compacting nucleic acid complexes to a desired state or size, said device comprising:

a support for supporting a batch solution;
a dispenser for dispensing an additive solution to the batch solution, the additive solution or the batch solution containing the nucleic acid, and after addition of the additive solution the batch solution contains nucleic acid complexes;
a monitor coupled to a submersible probe and a measurement apparatus for monitoring the batch solution to determine whether nucleic acid complexes in the batch solution have reached the desired state or size, wherein said submersible probe is adapted to be placed in the batch solution, said measurement apparatus is connected to said probe for generating measurement data regarding the state or size of the nucleic acid complexes;
a processor coupled to said measurement apparatus whereby said processor receives measurement data and calculates whether the nucleic acid complexes have reached a threshold size;
and
a controller coupled to said processor and said dispenser to control dispensing of the additive solution in response to a signal from said processor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated nucleic acid compaction device

Life of this patent

Automated nucleic acid compaction device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims59