Abstract: A diagnostic system is configured to perform first and second, different nucleic acid amplification reactions. The system includes a bulk reagent container compartment configured to store first bulk reagent container containing a first bulk reagent for performing sample preparation processes with a first subset and a second subset of a plurality of samples and a second bulk reagent container containing a second bulk reagent for performing the first nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system includes a unit-dose reagent compartment storing a unit-dose reagent pack including unit-dose reagents for performing the second nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: A cap that is securable to a vial includes a plug configured for insertion into an open end of the vial. An upper portion of the cap defines a probe recess with an open top end and configured to receive a distal end of a probe of a pipettor inserted into the open top end, to frictionally secure the cap to an end of the probe. The cap includes a radially-oriented annular surface with one or more locking members depending from a periphery of the annular surface. The locking members are spaced from the plug and each locking member includes a radial locking groove and a radial locking ridge beneath the radial locking groove. A lip of the vial snaps into the radial locking groove above the radial locking ridge to secure the cap to the vial when the plug is inserted into the open end of the vial.

Abstract: Method for calibrating or monitoring performance of an optical measurement device that includes using a robotic arm to move a reference device having an optical reference material into a signal-detecting position of the optical measurement device. With the optical measurement device, detecting an emission emitted by the optical reference material of the reference device in the signal-detecting position. Then generating a reference signal representing a characteristic of the emission detected by the optical measurement device and comparing the reference signal to an expected reference signal for the emission to calibrate or monitor the performance of the optical measurement device.

Abstract: A processing module is configured to extend the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles. The module includes a container transport configured to transport a container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to a substance transfer device of the analyzer. A receptacle distribution system is configured to receive a receptacle from the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and to move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer. A substance transfer device of the module is configured to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module. A reagent card exchanger provides an input device for inserting reagent cards into and removing reagent cards from the module, stores reagent cards within the module, and transfers reagent cards to different location within the module.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an emission signal from each of a plurality of emission signal sources includes one or more excitation sources configured to generate an excitation light of an excitation wavelength and one or more associated emission detectors configured to detect light of an emission wavelength. A transmission fiber is associated with each of the emission signal sources. A carrier is configured to move the one or more excitation sources and the one or more emission detectors relative to the transmission fibers to sequentially place each emission detector and associated excitation source in an operative position with respect to each transmission fiber. Each transmission fiber transmits both the excitation light from the excitation source and the corresponding emission light to the associated emission detector.

Abstract: Optical reference devices for calibrating or monitoring the performance of an optical measurement device, such as a fluorometer, are made from thermoplastics from the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family of semi-crystalline thermoplastics, including polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The reference device may be made as a master reference device having a known emission output—as determined by a standard optical measurement device—that is used to calibrate other optical measurement devices against the standard. The reference device may be made in the shape of a receptacle vial so that the reference device can be placed in the receptacle holding structure of an instrument in which the optical measurement device is installed and used to calibrate or monitor the optical measurement device within the instrument. The reference device may be part of the probe of a pipettor or pick and place mechanism or it may be a cap that can be secured to the end of such a probe.

Abstract: One or more temperature cycles are applied to the contents of a processing vial closed by an interlocked cap within a thermal cycler. The processing vial and the interlocked cap are transferred from the thermal cycler to a storage compartment within the instrument with a transfer mechanism with a probe engaged with the cap. In the storage compartment, the processing vial and interlocked cap are moved to an access opening in the instrument and are removed from the instrument through the access opening.

Abstract: An optical signal detection module includes an optical measurement device (OMD) configured to detect an optical emission signal from an emission signal source placed in a signal-detecting position of the OMD. The optical signal detection module also includes a cover moveable between a closed position covering the signal-detecting position and an open position not covering the signal-detecting position. The cover includes an optical reference material that emits a reference emission detectable by the OMD. The cover is configured so that, when the cover is in the closed position, the inner surface is in the signal-detecting position of the OMD so that the OMD detects the reference emission. The optical signal detection module can also include a drive assembly coupled to the cover and configured to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. In some embodiments, the OMD can include a fluorometer.

Abstract: A thermally conductive receptacle holder includes a plurality of wells that each receive a receptacle. A cross-brace is mounted to a support to exert a force onto an outer surface of a compressive housing such that the compressive housing exerts a force onto the receptacle holder. An optical fiber associated with each well provides optical communication between the receptacle well and an excitation signal source and/or an emission signal detector.

Abstract: A receptacle cap includes a probe recess configured to receive a probe inserted therein to thereby frictionally secure the receptacle cap to the probe, and a closed lower end of the receptacle is insertable into an open end of a reaction receptacle to close the reaction receptacle. The receptacle cap and the reaction receptacle include interlocking features for securing the receptacle cap to the reaction receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing nucleic acid amplification reactions includes a thermally-conductive receptacle holder that includes multiple receptacle wells. Each well can receive a receptacle and has a through-hole extending from an inner surface of the well to an outer surface of the holder. The apparatus includes multiple optical fibers, and each optical fiber has a first end in optical communication with an associated well and a second end in optical communication with an excitation signal source and/or an emission signal detector. The first end of each optical fiber is moveable with respect to the through-hole. A cover is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the receptacle holder, and the first end of each optical fiber moves with respect to the through-hole of the associated well as the cover moves to the open or closed position or when the cover moves into or out of contact with any receptacles within the wells.

Abstract: A cap that is securable to a vial includes a plug configured for insertion into an open end of the vial. An upper portion of the cap defines a probe recess with an open top end and configured to receive a distal end of a probe of a pipettor inserted into the open top end, to frictionally secure the cap to an end of the probe. The cap includes a radially-oriented annular surface with one or more locking members depending from a periphery of the annular surface. The locking members are spaced from the plug and each locking member includes a radial locking groove and a radial locking ridge beneath the radial locking groove. A lip of the vial snaps into the radial locking groove above the radial locking ridge to secure the cap to the vial when the plug is inserted into the open end of the vial.

Abstract: A system for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay comprises a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with one or more receptacle wells, each conforming to an outer surface of a lower portion of a vial. A through-hole extends from an inner surface of each well to an outer surface of the holder. A thermal element is positioned proximal to the holder for altering a temperature of the holder. A signal detection module is configured to generate an excitation signal directed through the through-hole of the well and detect an optical emission from a fluid contained in the vial supported by the well. At least one well supports a capped vial containing a reagent for a nucleic acid amplification assay and including an opaque cap sealing an open end of the vial. The lower portion of the vial is contained within a well, and the cap is situated above a top surface of the holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing nucleic acid amplification reactions includes a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with front and back surfaces. The front surface includes a row of receptacle wells, and an outer surface of each well has a frustoconical shape, an inner surface of each well receives a receptacle, and each well has a through-hole extending between the inner and outer surfaces thereof. One or more thermal elements in contact with the back surface of the holder alter a temperature(s) of the holder. The apparatus includes multiple optical fibers, and each optical fiber provides optical communication between one of the wells and an excitation signal source and/or an emission signal detector. A first end of each optical fiber is disposed outside, within, or extends through the through-hole of a corresponding well, and a second end of each optical fiber is in optical communication with the excitation signal source and/or the emission signal detector.

Abstract: A method of measuring a time-varying signal emission, the method including subjecting the contents of a receptacle to a thermal cycling process. During the thermal cycling process, measuring a signal emission from the contents of the receptacle at regular time intervals and recording the measured signal emission and a time stamp at each time interval. Also during the thermal cycling process, determining a temperature of the thermal cycling process at regular time intervals and recording the determined temperature and a time stamp at each time interval. The measured signal emissions are synchronized with a specific temperature of the thermal cycling process by comparing the time stamps of the measured emission signals with the time stamps of the determined temperatures.

Abstract: A method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument. The method includes the steps of dispensing a fluid into a processing vial with a disposable pipette tip frictionally fitted onto a probe of a pipettor, stripping the disposable pipette tip from the probe of the pipettor, and then engaging a cap in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor. While the cap is engaged in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor, coupling the cap to the processing vial to form a cap/vial assembly, where the cap seals the processing vial. The pipettor moves the cap/vial assembly from a first location of an instrument to a second location of the instrument. At the second location of the instrument, the cap/vial assembly is ejected from the probe of the pipettor, thereby depositing the cap/vial assembly at the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing nucleic acid amplification reactions includes a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with multiple receptacle wells. Each well has a through-hole extending from an inner surface of the well to an outer surface of the holder. A cover is rotatable between an open position and a closed position relative to the holder and is configured to exert a force onto any receptacles in the wells when the cover is in the closed position. The apparatus includes multiple optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers provides optical communication between one of the wells and an excitation signal source and/or an emission signal detector. A thermal element is positioned between a thermally-conductive support and the receptacle holder.

Abstract: Receptacles containing a reaction mixture are transported to receptacle wells of a thermally conductive receptacle holder, and the temperature of the holder is cycled with a thermoelectric device situated between a support and a first side of the holder while a first force is applied onto a second side of the holder. Optical communication between each well and an excitation signal source and an emission signal detector is established to determine whether an emission signal is emitted from any of the receptacles during temperature cycling as an indication of the presence of a target nucleic acid. The thermoelectric device may be situated between an upright portion of the support and the first side of the holder. A second force may be applied onto a top end of each receptacle in the holder by a cover moveable with respect to the receptacles between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

Abstract: A system for monitoring reactions with a plurality of receptacle vessels that includes: an incubator; a movable receptacle carrier contained within a temperature-controlled chamber of the incubator; one or more fixed fluorometers configured to measure a fluorescent emission and positioned with respect to the receptacle carrier to measure fluorescent emissions from receptacle vessels carried on the receptacle carrier into an operative position with respect to each fluorometer; one or more fluorescent reference standards mounted on the receptacle carrier; and a controller configured to control operation of the receptacle carrier and the one or more fluorometers to determine if a fluorescent emission intensity of one or more of the fluorescent reference standards deviates from an expected fluorescent emission intensity.