Apparatus and method for automated sample preparation and adaptor for use in the apparatus
Inventors
Stankus, Philip • Duesbury, Paul • BLAD, Torbjorn • Wisniewski, Craig • ALLAIN, Jean-Pierre
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10330694-B2
Publication Date
2019-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is provided an automated biological-sample-processing system comprising a pipette, a column of solid-phase material to which nucleic acid binds, a transport apparatus, an air-piston apparatus and an adaptor for coupling the pipette to the transport apparatus and to the air-piston apparatus, in which the adaptor is removably engageable with the transport apparatus and the air-piston apparatus for movement with the transport apparatus during processing of the sample, is couplable to the pipette so that the transport apparatus is controllable to position the pipette and so that the air-piston apparatus is controllable to draw a liquid into the pipette and to expel the liquid from the pipette, and is engageable with the column, in which the adaptor comprises a filter for preventing liquid or aerosol transfer between the pipette or column and the air-piston apparatus.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an automated system for processing a biological-sample using a pipette and a hollow column having solid-phase material therein to which nucleic acid binds. The system includes an air-piston apparatus with a cylinder, a piston movably received in the cylinder, and an air-piston motor coupled to the piston, together with a transport apparatus with a transport motor configured to transport the air-piston apparatus. Control circuitry is coupled to the air-piston motor and the transport motor to coordinate motion of the air-piston apparatus and the transport apparatus while processing the sample.
The system uses a disposable adaptor removably and sealingly engaged with the cylinder of the air-piston apparatus. The adaptor comprises a filter preventing transfer of liquid or aerosol into the cylinder and a protruding sealing ring to form gas-tight seals. Responsive to control of the transport motor, the transport apparatus moves the adaptor to engage the protruding sealing ring of the adaptor with the pipette to form a first gas-tight seal, then moves the adaptor sealed to the pipette relative to a liquid comprising the sample.
Responsive to control by the control circuitry, the air-piston motor drives the piston in the cylinder to draw air into the cylinder and draw the liquid into the pipette via the adaptor, and then expels air from the cylinder and expels the liquid from the pipette into the column via the adaptor. The transport apparatus disengages the adaptor from the pipette and moves the adaptor to engage the protruding sealing ring with the column having the solid-phase material therein to form a second gas-tight seal. Responsive to control by the control circuitry, the air-piston motor drives the piston to expel air from the cylinder through the adaptor to push the liquid in the column into the solid phase material, and a testing device that engages with the adaptor amplifies a specific, isolated nucleic acid within the sample.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains two independent claims: one for an automated system for nucleic-acid processing and amplification, and one for a corresponding automated method. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features are coordinated air-piston actuation, transport-based adaptor coupling to form gas-tight seals between pipette/adaptor/column, and integration of a testing device to amplify a specific nucleic acid within the sample.
Automated air-piston and transport processing platform with control circuitry
The system includes an air-piston apparatus with a cylinder, a piston movably received in the cylinder, and an air-piston motor coupled to the piston, a transport apparatus with a transport motor coupled to the air-piston apparatus, and control circuitry coupled to the air-piston motor and the transport motor, configured to process the biological sample.
Disposable adaptor with filter and protruding sealing ring forming gas-tight seals
An adaptor is removably and sealingly engaged with the cylinder of the air-piston apparatus, the adaptor comprising a filter preventing transfer of liquid or aerosol into the cylinder and a protruding sealing ring.
Transport-controlled adaptor engagement to form first and second gas-tight seals
Responsive to control of the transport motor, the transport apparatus moves the adaptor to engage the protruding sealing ring with the pipette to form a first gas-tight seal, moves the adaptor sealed to the pipette relative to a liquid comprising the sample, disengages the adaptor from the pipette, and moves the adaptor to engage the protruding sealing ring with the column having the solid-phase material therein to form a second gas-tight seal.
Air-piston motor liquid draw and push into a hollow column solid-phase
Responsive to control, the air-piston motor drives the piston to draw air into the cylinder and draw the liquid into the pipette via the adaptor, then drives the piston to expel air from the cylinder and expel the liquid from the pipette into the column via the adaptor, and to expel air through the adaptor to push the liquid in the column into the solid phase material.
Testing device configured to amplify a specific nucleic acid with adaptor engagement
A testing device engages with the adaptor and amplifies a specific, isolated nucleic acid within the sample.
Automated method coordinating transport, piston drawing, and expelling into solid phase
A method comprising providing an air-piston apparatus and a transport apparatus with control circuitry, providing an adaptor with a filter and a protruding sealing ring, moving the adaptor to form a first gas-tight seal with the pipette, moving the adaptor relative to a liquid comprising the sample, driving the piston to draw liquid into the pipette and expel liquid into the column, disengaging the adaptor from the pipette, moving the adaptor to form a second gas-tight seal with the column, driving the piston to push the liquid into the solid phase material, and providing a testing device configured to amplify a specific nucleic acid within the sample with the adaptor engaged.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is the coordinated use of an air-piston apparatus and a transport apparatus to move a disposable adaptor between a pipette and a hollow nucleic-acid binding column to form first and second gas-tight seals, thereby drawing and expelling liquid via the adaptor into a solid-phase material, with a testing device configured to amplify a specific nucleic acid.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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