Abstract: An apparatus for transferring receptacles between a plurality of receptacle-receiving structures disposed at different locations adjacent a transport track. The apparatus includes a receptacle carrier operatively engaged with the transport track and adapted to carry a receptacle and translate along the transport track. The receptacle carrier is further adapted to selectively stop at a transfer station with respect to any of the receptacles-receiving structures. The receptacle carrier includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move a receptacle with respect to the receptacle carrier to move a receptacle into and/or out of the receptacle carrier. The apparatus further includes a transfer position locating system to automatically determine a location of a transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each of the receptacle-receiving structures, thereby enabling the receptacle carrier to transfer a receptacle between the receptacle carrier and the receptacle-receiving structures.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking items, such as receptacles, during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, such as contents thereof and process(es) to be performed thereon, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element.

Abstract: Systems for effecting transfer of reaction receptacles between modules of an instrument for performing multi-step analytical procedures and for adjusting for variations in the positions of such modules includes a receptacle carrier supported on a track on which the carrier translates between different modules located adjacent to the track. The carrier includes a receptacle distribution head supported on a receptacle carrier carriage. The distribution head includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move receptacles into and out of the distribution head and into and out of a module. The carriage is engaged with the track and adapted for translation along the track. Drive systems effect powered translation of the carriage, powered elevation and rotation of the distribution head, and powered movement of receptacles into and out of the distribution head. A transfer position locating system automatically determines a receptacle transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each module.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking items during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element.

Abstract: System, apparatus, and method for cycling the temperature of at least one receptacle holder that is adapted for use in an automated instrument capable of performing nucleic acid-based amplification tests. Also provided are methods for conducting automated, random-access incubation processes using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.

Abstract: A System and method for self-checking a fluorometer for failure or deteriorated performance includes fluorescent reference standards mounted on a support to move with respect to one or more fixed fluorometers. The intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent reference standard is initially measured with the fluorometer, and, after a prescribed interval of usage of the fluorometer, a test measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent standard is taken with the fluorometer. The test measurement is compared to the initial measurement, and failure or deteriorated performance of the fluorometer is determined based on a deviation of the test measurement from the initial measurement.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A structure (10) for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover (40) with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element (44) adjacent each opening (42) engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.

Abstract: Systems for effecting transfer of reaction receptacles between modules of an instrument for performing multi-step analytical procedures and for adjusting for variations in the positions of such modules includes a receptacle carrier supported on a track on which the carrier translates between different modules located adjacent to the track. The carrier includes a receptacle distribution head supported on a receptacle carrier carriage. The distribution head includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move receptacles into and out of the distribution head and into and out of a module. The carriage is engaged with the track and adapted for translation along the track. Drive systems effect powered translation of the carriage, powered elevation and rotation of the distribution head, and powered movement of receptacles into and out of the distribution head. A transfer position locating system automatically determines a receptacle transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each module.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking items during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.