High throughput processing system and method of using

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.

1 . A high throughput processing system, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of rotational robots, wherein each of the rotational robots has a reach which defines a work perimeter associated with that rotational robot;   (b) at least one device associated with each of the work perimeters, wherein at least one of the work perimeters has two or more devices exclusively within the reach of the rotational robot associated with that work perimeter;   (c) one or more transfer stations associated with at least a first work perimeter and a second work perimeter, for transferring one or more samples from the first work perimeter to the second work perimeter; and   
       (d) storage compartments that provide storage capacity for at least 350,000 samples. 
     
     
         2 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer station transfers the one or more samples by transferring a sample holder from a first work perimeter to a second work perimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer station comprises a fluid transfer device which transfers samples from a sample holder in the first work perimeter to a sample holder in the second work perimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises between 2 and 10 rotational robots. 
     
     
         5 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the devices are selected from the group consisting of a fluid transfer device, a mixer, an incubator, a storage compartment, a thermocycler, a plate carousel, an automatic sample processor, a detector, and a replating station. 
     
     
         6 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the devices comprises a fluid transfer device. 
     
     
         7 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid transfer device comprises an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a pin tool, a syringe, and a pump. 
     
     
         8 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the devices comprises an incubator or storage compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises storage compartments that provide storage capacity for at least 700,000 samples. 
     
     
         10 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 9 , wherein the storage compartments provide storage capacity for at least 1,400,000 samples. 
     
     
         11 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the devices comprises a detector which detects one or more readouts of assay results. 
     
     
         12 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the system can perform assays of at least 100,000 samples in one day. 
     
     
         13 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 12 , wherein the system can perform assays of at least 350,000 samples in one day. 
     
     
         14 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 13 , wherein the system can perform assays of at least 700,000 samples in one day. 
     
     
         15 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the devices comprises a positioning device that comprises at least a first alignment member that is positioned to contact an inner wall of a multiwell plate when the multiwell plate is in a desired position on the device. 
     
     
         16 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 15 , wherein the positioning device further comprises a pusher that can move the multiwell plate in a first direction to bring at least a first inner wall of the multiwell plate into contact with one or more of the alignment members. 
     
     
         17 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 16 , wherein the positioning device further comprises a second pusher that can move the multiwell plate in a second direction to bring a second inner wall of the multiwell plate into contact with one or more alignment members that are positioned to contact the second inner wall of the multiwell plate when the multiwell plate is in a desired position on the device. 
     
     
         18 . The high throughput processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller operably coupled to the high throughput processing system.