Method and apparatus for performing a magnetic separation purification procedure on a sample solution

A device for performing a magnetic separation purification procedure on a solution which includes magnetically responsive particles and is contained in a reaction receptacle, said device comprising:

• a receptacle carrier unit constructed and arranged to receive and releasably hold the reaction receptacle;
• a magnet moving structure which includes at least one magnet, said magnet moving structure being constructed and arranged to move said magnet between a first position and a second position with respect to the reaction receptacle, wherein said magnet attracts the magnetically responsive particles to an inner surface of the reaction receptacle adjacent to said magnet when said magnet is in the second position, and wherein the attraction of the magnetically responsive particles to said magnet is greater when said magnet is in the second position than when said magnet is in the first position;
• a fluid transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to dispense fluid into and withdraw fluid from the reaction receptacle;
• and
• a carrier agitator mechanism operatively coupled to said receptacle carrier unit and constructed and arranged to impart a cyclic motion to said receptacle carrier unit to agitate and mix the solution contained in the reaction receptacle.

A method for performing a magnetic separation purification procedure on a sample solution which includes magnetically responsive particles and is contained in a reaction receptacle, said method comprising:

• moving at least one magnet from a first position to a second position with respect to the reaction receptacle, wherein the magnet attracts the magnetically responsive particles to an inner surface of the reaction receptacle adjacent to the magnet when the magnet is in the second position, and wherein the attraction of the magnetically responsive particles to the magnet is greater when the magnet is in the second position than when the magnet is in the first position;
• aspirating the sample solution from the reaction receptacle while the magnet is in the second position;
• dispensing a wash solution into the reaction receptacle;
• and
• agitating the wash solution by imparting a cyclic motion to the reaction receptacle while the magnet is in the first position, wherein
• the reaction receptacle is maintained in a substantially fixed location throughout the magnetic separation purification procedure including said moving, aspirating, dispensing, and agitating steps.