Sample processing

Abstract

A method for automated processing of a sample using a first pipette tip container (110) having a first pipette tip comprises the steps of: removing the first pipette tip (160) from the first pipette tip container (110); feeding the sample into the first pipette tip container (110); processing the sample in the first pipette tip container (110). A rack (100) comprises at least one first pipette tip container (110) having a first pipette tip (160), wherein the rack (100) comprises means for identifying an alignment of an orientation of the rack (100) in a rack receptacle of an apparatus for automated processing of a sample. A transport arrangement comprises at least two racks (100), wherein at least one bottom region of a pipette tip container (110) of a first rack (100) is in direct contact with a releasable covering, in particular a tear-off film of a second rack (100).

Claims

1. A method for automated processing of a sample using a first pipette tip container having a first pipette tip, comprising the following steps, carried out in sequence: removing the first pipette tip from the first pipette tip container; and thereafter feeding the sample into the first pipette tip container; and thereafter processing the sample in the first pipette tip container.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pipette tip is moved by a pipetting robot.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is fed into the first pipette tip container with a pipette tip.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the sample is fed into the first pipette tip container with a the first pipette tip.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing of the sample comprises diluting the sample.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing of the sample comprises drawing up and discharging same by means of a pipette tip, for thoroughly mixing the sample.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after processing of the sample, the sample is at least partially removed from the pipette tip container.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, after processing of the sample, the sample is at least partially removed from the pipette tip container with a pipette tip or a syringe of an autosampler.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, after processing of the sample, the sample is bioanalytically analyzed.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, the sample is analyzed in immunoassays.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, after processing of the sample, the sample is analyzed in immunoassays with ELISA.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after use, the pipette tip is disposed of in a pipette tip container.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, after use, the pipette tip is disposed of the first pipette tip container.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample after processing is disposed of in a pipette tip container.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the sample after processing is disposed of in the first pipette tip container.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first pipette tip container together with a plurality of further pipette tip containers forms a rack, wherein the pipette tip is moved with the pipetting robot in such a manner that the pipette tip moves exclusively over pipette tip containers that are no longer used.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first pipette tip container together with a plurality of further pipette tip containers forms a rack, wherein the rack is inserted into a rack receptacle of a device for automated processing of a sample, and wherein an orientation of the rack relative to the rack receptacle is determined.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the orientation is determined with reference to a barcode on the rack.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the orientation is determined with reference to a 2D barcode on the rack.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the orientation is determined with reference to a mechanical coding.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the orientation is determined with reference to a Poka-Yoke shaping.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings used for explaining the exemplary embodiment:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sequence of a method for processing a sample;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic oblique view from above of a rack for use in a method for processing a sample;

(4) FIG. 3a shows a schematic oblique view from below of a first end side of a rack for use in a method for processing a sample;

(5) FIG. 3b shows a view according to FIG. 3a of an end side of the rack opposite the first end side; and

(6) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the rack along a longitudinal axis of the pipette tip container, at a right angle to the end sides.

(7) In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

(8) Ways of Implementing the Invention

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sequence of a method for processing a sample. In a first variant, the method proceeds as follows: Step 1: a first pipette tip is removed from a first pipette tip container with a pipetting robot. Step 2: the pipetting robot moves with the first pipette tip to a sample container, removes a sample and moves back to the first pipette tip container. Step 3: the pipetting robot discharges the sample into the first pipette tip container. Step 4: the sample is processed in the first pipette tip container. Step 5: the processed sample is analyzed. Step 6: the residue of the processed sample and the pipette tip are disposed of in the first pipette tip container.

(10) In a second variant, the sample is removed with a second pipette tip and discharged into the first pipette tip container.

(11) In a third variant, the sample is transferred from the sample container into the first pipette tip container without use of a pipette tip.

(12) In a fourth variant, the processing of the sample in step 4 comprises diluting the sample with a solvent. For this purpose, the solvent is removed from a solvent container with a pipette tip and discharged into the first pipette tip container. In order to thorough mix the diluted sample, after the solvent is discharged the mixture is repeatedly drawn up and discharged.

(13) Following the processing of the sample, the processed sample is subjected in a step 5 preferably to an analysis. For the analysis, the processed sample in a fifth variant is first of all analyzed bioanalytically, in particular by means of ELISA, and assessed, preferably visually. Furthermore, chromatograph separation can also be provided, in particular by means of HPLC or GC. The analysis can be carried out by means of detectors known to a person skilled in the art, in particular a spectrometer (for example a UV/Vis detector), mass spectrometer, etc. A person skilled in the art knows further detectors.

(14) In the method, use is preferably made of racks which comprise a multiplicity of pipette tip containers having pipette tips. One possible embodiment of such a rack is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 shows a schematic oblique view from above of a rack 100 for use in a method for processing a sample.

(15) The rack 100 here comprises 8 rows of 12 pipette tip containers 110, and therefore a total of 96 pipette tip containers 110. The pipette tip containers 110 are designed substantially as elongate circular cylinders which are closed on one side. Over approximately a quarter of the overall length, adjacent to the openings 112 of the pipette tip containers 110, the latter have struts 111 between the four adjacent pipette tip containers 1110. Instead of the struts 111, the pipette tip containers 110 in this region can also be completely cast together. The openings 112 of the pipette tip containers 110 are located in a plate 120. The plate 120 is bordered by a rectangular frame 130 which is perpendicular to the plate 120. In an edge region, the frame 130 comprises an encircling flange 140 which has a greater overhang on two opposite sides of the frame 130 than on the other sides of the frame 130. In the region of the greater overhang, the flange 140 is supported on the frame 130 via ribs 150. The ribs 150 here have a triangular shape. In a region of a greater overhang, the flange 140 has a surface depression 141 in which a barcode (not illustrated) is arranged. The barcode serves for identifying the rack 100, in particular the type and dimensions of the pipette tips and of the pipette tip containers 110. Instead of a barcode (one-dimensionally or 1D) or, for example, as a QR code (two-dimensionally or 2D) or present in a further form adapted to the rack 100. In particular, any known codes can be provided.

(16) In FIG. 2 here, no pipette tips are illustrated in the pipette tip containers 110. The pipette tip containers 110 are in the form of what is referred to as a deep-well and therefore have a relatively large length with respect to a maximum inside diameter. The length of the pipette tip container 110 corresponds to around 15 times the maximum inside diameter thereof. However, the invention is not restricted to specific forms of pipette tip container. The pipette tip containers 110 can thus also have other ratios between maximum inside diameter and length.

(17) FIG. 3a shows a schematic oblique view from below of a first end side of the rack 100 for use in a method for processing a sample. In this illustration, it is apparent that, on the first end side, the flange 140 is supported on the frame 130 via two ribs 150.

(18) FIG. 3b shows a view according to FIG. 3a of an end side of the rack 100 opposite the first end side. It is apparent here that, on the second end side, the flange 140 is supported on the frame 130 via three ribs 150.

(19) The rack receptacle (not illustrated) has a recess in accordance with the external dimensions of the frame 130 such that the rack 100 can be inserted into the recess. The recess furthermore has two slots on one side and three slots on the opposite side, into which slots the ribs 150 are introduced. The rack 100 can thus be inserted in precisely one orientation into the rack receptacle.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the rack 100 along a longitudinal axis of the pipette tip container 110, at a right angle to the end sides. A pipette tip 160 is arranged in a pipette tip container 110. The pipette tip 160 has a head part 161 into which a pipetting robot can plug the pipette. The pipette tip 160 is then held on the pipette via a frictional connection and can be removed from the pipette tip container 110. The pipette tip 160 has a tip 162 which projects deeply into the pipette tip container 110. It is thus possible that, with the pipette tip 160, a sample can be virtually completely removed from the pipette tip container 110 and also, by drawing in and discharging said sample, the latter can also be thoroughly mixed.

(21) For storage and transport, a rack 100 which is filled with the pipette tips 160 has a tear-off film (not illustrated). The latter is adhesively bonded to the flange 140. The racks 100 can be packed directly in boxes without further individual packaging, wherein pipette tip containers 110 of a first rack 100 are in direct contact with a tear-off film of a second rack 100.

(22) For using the method, the tear-off film is removed from the rack 100. Since all of the pipette tip containers 110 are therefore exposed, in the method the pipetting robot is moved in such a manner that the movement does not cross over pipette tips 160 or pipette tip containers 110 that have not yet been used. Contamination of the sterile pipette tips 160 or pipette tip containers 110 is therefore avoided.

(23) In summary, it should be noted that a method for processing a sample is created according to the invention, which method can be carried out using fewer resources and with relatively little need for space.