US 12,442,033 B2
Method for receiving and storing reagent packs in an instrument
David Aaron Buse, San Diego, CA (US); David Opalsky, San Diego, CA (US); Jason F. Rhubottom, Oceanside, CA (US); Norbert D. Hagen, Carlsbad, CA (US); and Jennifer Tidd, Vista, CA (US)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/750,680.
Application 18/230,549 is a division of application No. 17/877,776, filed on Jul. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,761,027, issued on Sep. 19, 2023.
Application 17/668,775 is a division of application No. 17/036,730, filed on Sep. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,279,967, issued on Mar. 22, 2022.
Application 18/750,680 is a continuation of application No. 18/230,549, filed on Aug. 4, 2023, granted, now 12,173,352.
Application 17/877,776 is a continuation of application No. 17/668,775, filed on Feb. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,434,521, issued on Sep. 6, 2022.
Application 17/036,730 is a continuation of application No. 17/033,395, filed on Sep. 25, 2020, granted, now 11,788,115.
Application 17/033,395 is a continuation of application No. 16/829,230, filed on Mar. 25, 2020, granted, now 10,889,851, issued on Jan. 12, 2021.
Application 16/829,230 is a continuation of application No. 15/675,206, filed on Aug. 11, 2017, granted, now 10,711,297, issued on Jul. 14, 2020.
Application 15/675,206 is a continuation of application No. 14/213,900, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, granted, now 9,732,374, issued on Aug. 15, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/784,994, filed on Mar. 14, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0344113 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. C12Q 1/6806 (2018.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC C12Q 1/6806 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50825 (2013.01); B01L 3/565 (2013.01); B01L 7/5255 (2013.01); C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); G01N 35/04 (2013.01); B01L 3/527 (2013.01); B01L 2200/026 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0689 (2013.01); B01L 2300/046 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0418 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0436 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated method for performing an amplification reaction, the method comprising:
a) combining a fluid sample together with one or more amplification reaction reagents in a reaction receptacle using a first automated pipettor, thereby forming a reaction mixture;
b) inserting a receiving end of a probe of the first automated pipettor into an open top end of a cap, such that the probe of the first automated pipettor engages the cap in a frictional fit;
c) while the cap is engaged by the first automated pipettor in a frictional fit, inserting a lower portion of the cap into an open end of the reaction receptacle, thus forming a capped reaction receptacle containing the reaction mixture, wherein the capped reaction receptacle is attached to the probe of the first automated pipettor;
d) with the first automated pipettor, transporting the capped reaction receptacle attached to the probe of the first automated pipettor to a first access port at a fixed first location of a centrifuge;
e) at the first access port, ejecting the capped reaction receptacle from the probe of the first automated pipettor, thereby placing the capped reaction receptacle in the centrifuge;
f) subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation;
g) after step f), removing the capped reaction receptacle from a second access port at a fixed second location of the centrifuge different from the first location and placing the capped reaction receptacle in a thermal cycler; and
h) in the thermal cycler, subjecting the reaction mixture to one or more temperature cycles.