US 12,485,422 B2
Tray for transfering solid reagents to a multi-well cartridge
Reza Bashar, San Diego, CA (US); and Andrew Kindred, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/745,420.
Application 18/745,420 is a continuation of application No. 17/419,839, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2019/068570, filed on Dec. 26, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/786,717, filed on Dec. 31, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0408602 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/527 (2013.01) [B01L 2200/021 (2013.01); B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0647 (2013.01); B01L 2200/16 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0609 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); B01L 2300/12 (2013.01); B01L 2300/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for simultaneously transferring a plurality of solid reagents to multiple cartridges, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) dispensing a plurality of solid reagents onto a top surface of a tray comprising a top surface having a plurality of depressions formed therein, each depression being configured to receive and hold a single one of the solid reagents, and a barrier wall projecting above and substantially surrounding the top surface, wherein the barrier wall includes a discontinuity at a first end of the tray;
(b) changing a plane of the tray so that each depression receives one of the solid reagents;
(c) removing any excess solid reagents through the discontinuity in the barrier wall at the first end of the tray;
(d) aligning each of multiple cartridges with a subset of the depressions, each cartridge including a plurality of wells, and each well being associated with one of the depressions;
(e) inverting the tray and the aligned cartridges so the solid reagents are simultaneously deposited into the wells of the cartridges;
(f) removing the cartridges from the tray;
(g) sealing the wells of the cartridges with a moisture barrier; and
(h) deionizing the top surface of the tray prior to step (a).