Automated sample handling instrumentation, systems, processes, and methods

Abstract

The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

1 . A method for processing a sample material within a sample processing instrument, said method comprising:
 (a) providing to the sample processing instrument, a sample container containing a volume of a sample material, the sample container including machine-readable indicia on a surface thereof, wherein information relating to the sample material contained in the sample container is encoded in the machine-readable indicia;   (b) with a reading device located within the sample processing instrument, automatically reading the machine-readable indicia on the sample container;   (c) providing a tubular reaction vessel to the sample processing instrument;   (d) automatically applying machine-readable indicia on a surface of the reaction vessel with a printer located within the processing instrument and configured to print the machine-readable indicia directly onto the surface of the reaction vessel, the machine-readable indicia applied to the reaction vessel including indicia relating to the machine-readable indicia read from the sample container in step (b); and   (e) with an automated substance transfer device located within the sample processing instrument, automatically transferring an amount of sample material from the sample container to the reaction vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable indicia on the sample container and the machine readable indicia applied to the reaction vessel comprise bar codes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the bar code on the sample container and the bar code applied to the reaction vessel are at least partially identical. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the sample container to the sample processing instrument comprises placing the sample container in an input rack and placing the input rack into the sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising moving the sample container with a robotic pick and place mechanism from the input rack to a sample processing station, wherein the robotic pick and place mechanism and the sample processing station are located within the sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein providing the tubular reaction vessel to the sample processing instrument comprises placing the reaction vessel in the input rack that is placed into the sample processing station. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising moving the tubular reaction vessel with the robotic pick and place mechanism from the input rack to the printer and then moving the tubular reaction vessel with the robotic pick and place mechanism from the printer to the sample processing station. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction vessel is provided with a blank label and the machine readable indicia is printed onto the blank label. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the printer is a thermal printer and the label comprises thermally sensitive print media. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information relating to the sample material comprises sample-identifying information. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information relating to the sample material comprises sample-identifying information, and wherein the machine-readable indicia applied onto the surface of the reaction vessel is at least partially identical to the machine-readable indicia on the sample container. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the machine-readable indicia applied on the surface of the reaction vessel includes additional machine-readable indicia that is different from the machine-readable indicia on the sample container, wherein information relating to one or more of time, volume, type, reagents, and errors is encoded in the additional machine-readable indicia. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically removing a cap from the sample container prior to step (e) with an uncapping device located within the sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising automatically replacing the cap on the sample container after step (e) with a capping device located within the sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically removing a cap from the tubular reaction vessel prior to step (e) with an uncapping device located within the sample processing instrument. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising automatically replacing the cap on the tubular reaction vessel after step (e) with a capping device located within the sample processing instrument.