US 11,774,332 B2
Method of sample preparation for maldi and automated system therefor
Timothy Wiles, Ocean Isle Beach, NC (US); and John D. Mantlo, Sykesville, MD (US)
Assigned to BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed by BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed on May 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/747,563.
Application 16/570,006 is a division of application No. 15/504,549, granted, now 10,458,887, issued on Oct. 29, 2019, previously published as PCT/US2015/045506, filed on Aug. 17, 2015.
Application 17/747,563 is a continuation of application No. 16/570,006, filed on Sep. 13, 2019, granted, now 11,385,145.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/038,509, filed on Aug. 18, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2022/0364965 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 1/38 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 1/40 (2006.01); G01N 1/44 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); H01J 49/04 (2006.01); G01N 15/06 (2006.01); H01J 49/40 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/38 (2013.01) [G01N 1/2813 (2013.01); G01N 1/4022 (2013.01); G01N 1/44 (2013.01); G01N 35/00722 (2013.01); G01N 35/1016 (2013.01); G01N 2001/4027 (2013.01); G01N 2015/0693 (2013.01); H01J 49/0413 (2013.01); H01J 49/0418 (2013.01); H01J 49/0468 (2013.01); H01J 49/40 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated system for preparing a biological sample for evaluation by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry the automated system comprising:
a heater for drying the sample, a processor in communication with an automated apparatus that prepares a biological sample for an evaluation by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry wherein the processor:
i) provides instructions to the automated apparatus which is adapted to obtain a biological sample from a culture media; and
ii) provides instructions to the automated apparatus that combines a volume of a diluent determined by the processor with the biological sample to provide a diluted sample;
the automated apparatus comprising a nephelometer that measures a concentration of the diluted sample wherein the nephelometer communicates with the processor;
wherein the processor receives the measured concentration of the diluted sample and determines if the measured concentration of the diluted sample is within a predetermined range, and, if the processor determines that the diluted sample is within the predetermined range, the processor provides instructions to the automated apparatus to apply a first predetermined volume of diluted sample to a substrate adapted to deliver a sample to a device configured to perform mass spectrometry;
wherein, if the processor determines that a measured sample concentration of the diluted sample is higher than the predetermined range, the processor provides instructions to the automated apparatus to apply a second predetermined volume of sample to the substrate adapted to deliver the sample to the device configured to perform mass spectrometry;
wherein, if the processor determines that a measured sample concentration of the diluted sample is lower than the predetermined range the processor provides instructions to the automated apparatus to:
i) apply a third predetermined volume of the sample to a substrate adapted to deliver the sample to the device configured to perform mass spectrometry;
ii) dry the sample;
iii) apply a second application of the third predetermined volume of the sample over the dried sample on the substrate; and
iv) dry the sample;
v.) apply a third application of the third predetermined volume of the sample of the dried sample on the substrate;
vi) dry the sample;
vii) apply a fourth application of the third predetermined volume of the dried sample on the substrate;
viii) dry the sample;
wherein the processor then instructs the automated system to apply a matrix over the applied sample, the matrix being adapted for use in the mass spectrometer; and
the automated system further comprising a transport mechanism for placing the prepared sample in a mass spectrometry device for testing.