Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enabling enhanced, selective agitation of liquid containing a solid-phase reagent. The apparatus includes at least one liquid-bearing container, a circular tray, and a motor. The liquid-bearing container(s) includes at least one internal baffle that imparts turbulent agitation to the liquid when flowing from one end of the container to an opposite end. The circular tray is adapted for selective rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotary circular tray assembly includes container-receiving stations that selectively retain a respective liquid-bearing container in an inclined or pitched orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. The motor creates centrifugal force, which causes liquid in the container(s) to travel from the first end of the container to the second end of the container via the internal baffle(s), agitating the liquid and the solid-phase portions of the reagent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process liquid in a metering line of an instrument. In one aspect, a temperature-controlled liquid delivery apparatus has a pre-flux member operable to control a first temperature set point SP1 of the process liquid in a flow path between a feed tank and a metering apparatus, a metering line connecting the metering apparatus and a probe, and a line flux member directly thermally coupled to the metering line and operable to control a second temperature set point SP2 of the process liquid contained in the metering line. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A sample tube transport system that includes a track adapted to provide a path for one or more carriers between a plurality of modules. The system includes at least one upper conveyor system having an upper belt configured to wrap around a first upper pulley and a second upper pulley, and a plurality of upper magnets affixed to the upper belt to move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the upper belt. The at least one lower conveyor system includes a lower belt spaced vertically below the upper belt and configured to wrap around the first lower pulley and the second lower pulley, and a plurality of lower magnets affixed to the lower belt. Each of the plurality of lower magnets are positioned to attract and move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the lower belt.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process liquid in a metering line of an instrument. In one aspect, a temperature-controlled liquid delivery apparatus has a pre-flux member operable to control a first temperature set point SP1 of the process liquid in a flow path between a feed tank and a metering apparatus, a metering line connecting the metering apparatus and a probe, and a line flux member directly thermally coupled to the metering line and operable to control a second temperature set point SP2 of the process liquid contained in the metering line. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A sample tube transport system that includes a track adapted to provide a path for one or more carriers between a plurality of modules. The system includes at least one upper conveyor system having an upper belt configured to wrap around a first upper pulley and a second upper pulley, and a plurality of upper magnets affixed to the upper belt to move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the upper belt. The at least one lower conveyor system includes a lower belt spaced vertically below the upper belt and configured to wrap around the first lower pulley and the second lower pulley, and a plurality of lower magnets affixed to the lower belt. Each of the plurality of lower magnets are positioned to attract and move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the lower belt.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: A self dispensing reagent cartridge includes a vessel with a movable piston at one end and a puncturable self sealing septum at an opposite end. A hollow needle is located in alignment with the septum. The vessel is moved toward the needle to enable the needle to puncture the septum. The piston is then moved toward the septum to enable a predetermined amount of liquid in the vessel to be transferred outwardly of the vessel through the needle in an amount corresponding to the piston stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enabling enhanced, selective agitation of liquid containing a solid-phase reagent. The apparatus includes at least one liquid-bearing container, a circular tray, and a motor. The liquid-bearing container(s) includes at least one internal baffle that imparts turbulent agitation to the liquid when flowing from one end of the container to an opposite end. The circular tray is adapted for selective rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotary circular tray assembly includes container-receiving stations that selectively retain a respective liquid-bearing container in an inclined or pitched orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. The motor creates centrifugal force, which causes liquid in the container(s) to travel from the first end of the container to the second end of the container via the internal baffle(s), agitating the liquid and the solid-phase portions of the reagent.

Abstract: A self dispensing reagent cartridge includes a vessel with a movable piston at one end and a puncturable self sealing septum at an opposite end. A hollow needle is located in alignment with the septum. The vessel is moved toward the needle to enable the needle to puncture the septum. The piston is then moved toward the septum to enable a predetermined amount of liquid in the vessel to be transferred outwardly of the vessel through the needle in an amount corresponding to the piston stroke.

Abstract: A random access, high-throughput system and method for preparing a biological sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are disclosed. The system includes a nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus and a PCR apparatus. The nucleic acid isolation/purification apparatus magnetically captures nucleic acid (NA) solids from the biological sample and then suspends the NA in elution buffer solution. The PCR testing apparatus provides multiple cycles of the denaturing, annealing, and elongating thermal cycles. More particularly, the PCR testing apparatus includes a multi-vessel thermal cycler array that has a plurality of single-vessel thermal cyclers that is each individually-thermally-controllable so that adjacent single-vessel thermal cyclers can be heated or cooled to different temperatures corresponding to the different thermal cycles of the respective PCR testing process.

Abstract: The valve sealing system for a reagent package includes an annular cylindrical gasket seated in a channel formed in the package. A rocker valve on the package pivots relative to the annular cylindrical gasket which surrounds an opening to the chamber of the reagent package. The annular channel includes a radially inner peripheral channel sidewall, a radially outer peripheral channel sidewall, and a bottom portion. An inclined peripheral wall portion of the channel intersects one of the channel sidewalls at an obtuse angle and the bottom portion of the channel. When the rocker valve is in a valve closed position it engages the annular cylindrical gasket to provide a substantially leak-tight seal.

Abstract: The sample preparation device includes a vessel, such as a sample tube, having a bottom end with a bottom opening. A valve for control of the flow of any liquid outwardly of the vessel through the bottom opening is located at the bottom end of the vessel. The valve includes a deflectable membrane positioned against the bottom opening to close the bottom opening when the valve is in its normally closed condition. The membrane is deflectable away from the bottom opening when the valve is in an open condition to permit any liquid in the vessel to flow through the bottom opening to an outlet port of the valve for dispensation into a suitable collection vessel.