Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating
Inventors
Weston, Brad • Mitchell, Jeffrey
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12115266-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating are disclosed herein. An example method includes washing an aspiration and dispense device. The example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing the aspiration and dispense device into the alternating electromagnetic field. The example method includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the alternating electromagnetic field. In the example method, the washing is to occur in concert with the heating.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to systems and methods for reducing biological carryover and cross contamination in automated medical diagnostic and pipetting equipment. It uses an aspiration and/or dispense device such as a pipettor probe and exposes a biological sample carried by a sample carrier to an alternating electromagnetic field generated by flowing current through an induction coil, whereby exposure adjusts a property of the biological sample.
A moveable arm raises or lowers the sample carrier relative to the induction coil so that exposure to the alternating electromagnetic field changes with position. The method further adjusts the flow of current through the induction coil responsive to the raising or lowering of the sample carrier. The disclosed property adjustment includes deactivation or denaturation of biological entities and denaturing of carbonized proteins on device surfaces.
The disclosure also includes arrangements that coordinate heating with wash operations and in-process washing, including prewash and postwash washing concepts and cooling associated with wash steps. It further describes detecting a change in the alternating electromagnetic field responsive to a presence of at least a portion of the sample carrier in the field, and architectures using a frequency generator and resonant tank circuit (LRC) with a transformer and feedback/controller adjusting frequency and/or current responsive to impedance, field, temperature, and presence of the probe.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present: one method claim and one apparatus claim. Together they cover generating an alternating electromagnetic field with an induction coil, exposing a biological sample on a sample carrier to the field while moving the carrier relative to the coil, and adjusting the coil current responsive to that motion.
Alternating electromagnetic field exposure with movable carrier position
Generating an alternating electromagnetic field by flowing current through an induction coil; exposing, via a moveable arm, a sample carrier to the alternating electromagnetic field to cause a property of a biological sample to be adjusted; raising or lowering, via the moveable arm, the sample carrier relative to the induction coil.
Current flow adjustment responsive to raising or lowering of the carrier
Adjusting the flow of current through the induction coil responsive to the raising or lowering of the sample carrier.
Alternating electromagnetic field exposure apparatus with controlled carrier motion
Means for generating an alternating electromagnetic field; means for moving a sample carrier to cause the sample carrier to be exposed to the alternating electromagnetic field to cause a property of a biological sample to be adjusted, and to raise or lower the sample carrier relative to the means for generating.
Responsive current control in the apparatus
Means for controlling to adjust a flow of current through the means for generating responsive to the raising or lowering of the sample carrier.
The independent claims define both a method and an apparatus that combine induction-coil generation of an alternating electromagnetic field, position-based exposure of a biological sample carried by a sample carrier using a moveable arm that raises or lowers relative to the coil, and feedback of the carrier position into current control of the induction coil to adjust a property of the biological sample.
Stated Advantages
Reduces biological carryover and cross contamination in automated medical diagnostic/pipetting equipment.
Denatures or deactivates biological entities on device surfaces by denaturing carbonized proteins.
Lower risk of electrical shorting and improved electrical isolation compared with electrostatic induction.
Localized or targeted heating of device portions by adjusting how much of the probe is exposed to the field.
Documented Applications
Reducing biological carryover and cross contamination in automated medical diagnostic and pipetting equipment using an aspiration or dispense device such as a pipettor probe.
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