Biological analysis system and methods

Abstract

A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.

1 - 102 . (canceled) 
     
     
         103 . A biological analysis system comprising:
 a housing;   a sample block disposed within the housing and configured to receive a sample holder comprising a sample holder RFID tag;   a first RFID antenna configured during use to receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag; and   an RFID reader configured to receive the RFID data from the first RFID antenna;   wherein the first RFID antenna is spatially separated from the RFID reader.   
     
     
         104 . The biological analysis system as in  claim 103 , further comprising:
 a second RFID antenna, the second RFID antenna configured during use to receive the RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag;   wherein the RFID reader is configured to receive the RFID data from the second RFID antenna.   
     
     
         105 . The biological analysis system as in  claim 104 , further comprising at least one RFID writer configured to write data on the sample holder RFID tag. 
     
     
         106 . The biological analysis system of  claim 104 , wherein the system comprises the sample holder and the sample holder RFID tag. 
     
     
         107 . The biological analysis system as in  claim 106 , wherein:
 sample holder comprises a plurality of spatially separated reaction locations, each of the plurality of spatially separated reaction locations comprising a plurality of characteristics;   the sample holder RFID tag includes RFID data comprising data for the plurality of characteristics each of the reaction location;   wherein the RFID data comprises at least 8 kilobytes, at least 64 kilobytes, or at least 128 kilobytes.   
     
     
         108 . The biological analysis system of  claim 106 , wherein the RFID writer is configured to write assay information generated during an assay onto the sample holder RFID tag. 
     
     
         109 . The biological analysis system of  claim 108 , wherein the system is configured to use the assay information to analyze data obtained during the assay. 
     
     
         110 . The biological analysis system of  claim 106 , wherein the plurality of characteristics comprises one or more of a:
 sample holder ID;   sample holder expiration date;   sample holder part number;   sample holder barcode;   sample holder lot number;   sample holder type;   sales order number;   EDT file format;   EDF file format; or internet links or addresses.   
     
     
         111 . The biological analysis system of  claim 106 , wherein the plurality of characteristics comprises one or more of a:
 storage temperature and/or storage temperature range;   sample concentration;   sample concentration recommended range;   assay name(s) and/or locations on sample holder;   assay IDs;   suggested protocol or required protocol;   sample name;   master mix name;   master mix change;   dye name;   suggested or required filter or set of filters to be used during an assay on the sample holder;   passive reference dye;   reaction volume;   target name;   dye name;   sample name;   analysis settings;   flag setting;   sample type; or   target type.   
     
     
         112 . The biological analysis system of  claim 106 , wherein the plurality of characteristics comprises one or more of a:
 run protocol comprising one or more of a heated cover temperature, reaction volume, temperature step value, temperature stage value; or   well information for one or more wells, the information including one or more of target name, dye name, or sample name; reagent name.   
     
     
         113 . The biological analysis system of  claim 106 , wherein the RFID data on the sample holder RFID include re-writeable data comprising one or more of a:
 passive reference dye;   reaction volume;   target name;   dye name;   sample name;   analysis settings;   flag setting;   sample type;   target type;   run protocol comprising one or more of a heated cover temperature, reaction volume, temperature step value, temperature stage value; or   well information for one or more wells, the information including one or more of target name, dye name, or sample name; reagent name.   
     
     
         114 . A method for performing a biological analysis using the biological analysis system of  claim 104 , the method comprising:
 placing the sample holder into or onto the biological analysis system;   receiving from a user an initial user input to initiate an assay;   reading at least some of the RFID data using the first RFID antenna;   generating instructions to perform an assay based at least in part on the read RFID data;   (1) after receiving the initial user input, executing a set of steps to perform an assay on the sample holder without any further input or intervention from the user until the assay is completed or (2) receiving additional input and then executing a set of steps to perform an assay on the sample holder without any further input or intervention from the user until the assay is completed.   
     
     
         115 . The method as in  claim 114 , further comprising:
 providing a reagent container comprising a reagent container RFID tag;   reading information from the reagent container RFID tag; and   based at least in part on the information read from the reagent container RFID tag, generating the assay protocol.   
     
     
         116 . A method for performing a biological analysis using the biological analysis system of  claim 103 , wherein the system comprises as second RFID antenna, the method further comprising:
 placing the sample holder in or on the sample block;   verify whether at least one of the first RFID antenna or the second RFID antenna is(are) receiving RFID data or signal from the sample holder;   performing at least one of:
 if no RFID data is received by either the first RFID antenna or the 
 second RFID antenna, generating (1) a signal indicative that the sample holder does not contain an RFID tag and/or (2) a signal indicative that no sample holder is present; 
 
 if RFID data is received by at least one of the RFID antennas,
 generating at least one of (1) a signal indicative that the sample holder contains a sample holder RFID tag and/or (2) a signal indicative of an orientation of the sample holder; and 
 
 if RFID data is received by both of the RFID antennas, generating 
 (1) a signal indicative that the sample holder contains two sample holder RFID tags and/or (2) a signal indicative that two sample holders with sample a holder RFID tag are present. 
 
   
     
     
         117 . The biological analysis system as in  claim 103 , wherein an orientation of the sample holder is based on the strength of the data or signal from the RFID tag. 
     
     
         118 . A biological analysis instrument comprising:
 a proximity sensor configured determine the presence or distance of a perspective user of the instrument;   an activation and/or recognition system comprising at least one of a voice activation and/or recognition system or a face activation and/or recognition system;   a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions to:
 query the activation and/or recognition system to produce a first output; 
 determine whether the first output meets one or more first predetermined criteria; 
 query the proximity sensor to produce a second output; 
 determine whether the second output meets one or more second predetermined criteria; and start, power up, or activate the instrument if both (1) the first output meets the one or more first predetermined criteria and (2) the second output meets one or more second predetermined criteria. 
   
     
     
         119 . A method of starting, powering up, or activating the biological analysis instrument of  claim 118 , the method comprising:
 querying the activation and/or recognition system to produce the first output;   determining whether the first output meets the one or more first predetermined criteria;   querying a proximity sensor to produce a second output;   determining whether the second output meets the one or more second predetermined criteria;   starting, powering up, or activating the instrument if both (1) the first output meets the one or more first predetermined criteria and (2) the second output meets one or more second predetermined criteria.