Method and apparatus for controlling magnetic particles by pipetting machine

A system for controlling a sample distributor, comprising:

• means for entering specification information for controlling the sample distributor, the specification information including at least one operation condition for specifying:
• whether a magnetic particle is attracted to an inner sidewall of a liquid passage of the sample distributor by a magnetic field;
• and
• a selection from among:
• a specification of whether a suction and discharge operation is performed by the sample distributor, a position of the suction and discharge operation, a time of the suction and discharge operation, an order of the suction and discharge operation, a number of times of the suction and discharge operation, a quantity of the suction and discharge operation, and a speed of the suction and discharge operation;
• means for analyzing the specification information;
• means for generating a processing pattern for the sample distributor based upon the analysis of the specification information;
• means for generating instructions for executing the processing pattern;
• and
• means for executing the instructions for the processing pattern.

A method of controlling magnetic particles by a sample distributor, comprising:

• passing a liquid containing suspended magnetic particles through a separation region of a pipette of the sample distributor, wherein the separation region comprises a liquid passage connecting a front end portion and a reservoir portion of the pipette;
• applying a magnetic field to the separation region from outside the liquid passage of the pipette to attract the magnetic particles to an inner sidewall surface of the liquid passage to separate the magnetic particles from the liquid;
• entering specification information including at least one operation condition for specifying:
• whether the magnetic particles are attracted to the inner sidewall surface by the magnetic field;
• and
• a selection from among:
• a specification of whether a suction and discharge operation is performed by the sample distributor, a position of the suction and discharge operation, a time of the suction and discharge operation, an order of the suction and discharge operation, a number of times of the suction and discharge operation, a quantity of the suction and discharge operation, and a speed of the suction and discharge operation;
• analyzing the specification information entered to determine required processing;
• determining a processing pattern which the sample distributor follows based on the specification information;
• and
• giving instructions for execution of processing to the sample distributor, or the sample distributor and a container feeding device, according to the determined processing pattern.

A control apparatus for controlling magnetic particles by a sample distributor, comprising:

• a pipette having a front end portion, a reservoir portion, a liquid passage connecting the front end portion and the reservoir portion, and a separation region in the liquid passage subjected to an action of a magnetic field;
• a sample distribution unit for applying a negative or positive pressure to the interior of the pipette to draw or discharge a magnetic substance-suspended liquid into or from the pipette;
• a magnetic field source;
• a magnetic field source driving device for driving the magnetic field source to apply or remove a magnetic field to or from the separation region from outside the liquid passage;
• a control device for controlling the sample distribution unit and the magnetic field source driving device;
• a specification information input means for inputting specification information including at least one operation condition for specifying:
• whether the magnetic particles are attracted to an inner sidewall of the liquid passage by the magnetic field;
• and
• a selection from among:
• a specification of whether a suction and discharge operation is performed by the sample distributor, a position of the suction and discharge operation, a time of the suction and discharge operation, an order of the suction and discharge operation, a number of times of the suction and discharge operation, a quantity of the suction and discharge operation, and a speed of the suction and discharge operation;
• a specification content analyzing means for determining, based on the specification information, a processing pattern that the sample distributor must follow;
• and
• a processing pattern execution instructing means for giving instructions for executing the processing to the sample distributor according to the determined processing pattern.

A control apparatus for controlling magnetic particles by a sample distributor, comprising:

• a pipette tip comprising a front end portion having a diameter that is tapered off toward the front end, a reservoir portion with a greater diameter than the front end portion, a liquid passage narrower than the reservoir portion and larger than the front end portion to connect the front end portion and the reservoir portion, and a separation region in the liquid passage subjected to an action of a magnetic field;
• a sample distributor unit comprising a nozzle removably fitted into an opening of the reservoir portion of the pipette tip, to apply a negative or positive pressure into the pipette tip to draw or discharge a liquid into or from the pipette tip;
• a magnetic field source arranged so that it can be brought close to or away from an outside surface of the liquid passage;
• a magnetic driving device for bringing the magnetic field source close to or away from the liquid passage;
• and
• a control device for controlling an operation and a movement of the sample distributor unit, an attaching and a detaching of the pipette tip to and from the nozzle, and a bringing of the magnetic field source close to or away from the pipette tip, according to a specification information which is entered into the control apparatus, the specification information including at least one operation condition for specifying:
• whether the magnetic particles are attracted to an inner surface of the liquid passage by the magnetic field;
• and
• a selection from among:
• a specification of whether a suction and discharge operation is performed by the sample distributor, a position of the suction and discharge operation, a time of the suction and discharge operation, an order of the suction and discharge operation, a number of times of the suction and discharge operation, a quantity of the suction and discharge operation, and a speed of the suction and discharge operation.