Tray and dry reagent station for sample preparation instrument

Abstract

A tray for use in a sample preparation instrument is described. The tray includes a body configured to mount on a platform in the sample preparation instrument. The tray includes a plurality of wells formed on the body. Each well of the plurality of wells configured to hold a tube containing a dry reagent. Each well of the plurality of wells includes a depth that covers a bottom portion of the tube. An anti-rotation mechanism prevents rotation of the tube inside the well when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation. A raised border obscures a middle portion of the tube from a rear perspective as the tray rotates about the axis of rotation.

Description

TRAY AND DRY REAGENT STATION FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION INSTRUMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is being filed as a PCT international application and claims the benefit of and priority7to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 655,390, filed June 3, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Sample preparation for flow cytometry' typically involves several steps to ensure accurate and reliable analysis of cells or particles. For example, sample preparation may include processing a sample of cells obtained from tissue culture, blood, or other biological sources to isolate certain cells or particles of interest. This may involve techniques such as centrifugation, filtration, or cell sorting. In some instances, staining is performed where the cells or particles are labeled with fluorescent dyes or antibodies specific to target molecules. This step allows for the identification and quantification of different cell types or biomarkers.

[0003] Sample preparation can also include washing to remove excess unbound dyes or antibodies to reduce background noise and ensure accurate measurements. In some examples, the stained cells are suspended in a buffer suitable for flow cytometryanalysis. The buffer should maintain cell viability and provide optimal conditions for laser interrogation. Generally, quality control is performed to assess the sample quality and staining efficiency using control samples or beads with known characteristics. This helps ensure the reliability7and reproducibility7of the flow cytometry data. By following these steps, researchers can prepare samples that yield precise and meaningful results when analyzed using flow cytometry.SUMMARY

[0004] In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a tray for a sample preparation instrument. In one possible configuration, the tray includes anti-rotation mechanisms that prevent rotation of tubes inside wells when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation, and a raised border that obscures a portion of the tubes from a rear perspective. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the follow ing aspects.

[0005] One aspect relates to a tray for use in a sample preparation instrument, the tray comprising: a body configured to mount on a platform in the sample preparation instrument; a plurality of wells formed on the body, each w ell of the plurality7of wellsconfigured to hold a tube containing a dry reagent, the each well of the plurality of wells including: a depth that covers a bottom portion of the tube; an anti-rotation mechanism that prevents rotation of the tube inside the well when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation; and a raised border that obscures a middle portion of the tube from a rear perspective as the tray rotates about the axis of rotation.

[0006] Another aspect relates to a dry reagent station for a sample preparation instrument, the dry reagent station comprising: a platform; a tray for mounting on the platform, the tray comprising: a body; a plurality of wells formed on the body, each well of the plurality of wells configured to hold a tube, and each w ell of the plurality of wells including: a depth that covers a bottom portion of the tube; an anti-rotation mechanism that prevents rotation of the tube inside the well when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation; and a raised border that obscures a middle portion of the tube from a rear perspective as the tray rotates about the axis of rotation.

[0007] A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combination of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of the described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view' of an example of a sample preparation instrument.

[0010] FIG. 2 is cross-sectional planar view7of the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an isometric view' of a dry reagent station in the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 4 is an isometric view' of the dry reagent station of FIG. 3 with dry reagent trays removed therefrom.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view7of an example of a dry' reagent tray that can be housed in the dry reagent station of FIG. 3 for use in the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the dry reagent tray of FIG. 5.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the dry reagent tray of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 8 is an elevated side view of the dry reagent tray of FIG. 5.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a view of a dry reagent tube inside a well of the dry reagent tray ofFIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the dry reagent tube inside the well of the dry7reagent tray of FIG. 5.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the dry reagent tube inserted inside the well of the dry reagent tray of FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a cap for sealing the dry' reagent tube of FIG. 9.

[0021] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an example of a cap mitigation part mounted above the tray of FIG. 5 to prevent dry' reagent tubes with hard-caps attached thereto from being fully inserted into the wells of the tray.

[0022] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the cap mitigation part of FIG. 13 preventing dry reagent tubes with hard-caps attached thereto from being fully inserted into the wells of the tray.

[0023] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an example of a tray that can be used in a liquid reagent station and / or a dry' reagent station of the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example of a sample preparation instrument 100 that can be used to prepare samples for analysis and testing. The sample preparation instrument 100 can share similar aspects with the instrument described in U.S. Patent Application Number 17 / 127,439, filed on December 18, 2020, entitled SAMPLE PREPARATION INSTRUMENT, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0025] The sample preparation instrument 100 includes a specimen input station 102 that receives an input cassette 104 that can be inserted into the sample preparation instrument 100 by a user. The input cassette 104 hold one or more specimen tubes 106. In some examples, each specimen tube 106 comprises a different specimen (e g., a specimen from a different patient).

[0026] Each specimen tube 106 includes a unique machine-readable label that can be scanned to identify a specimen within the tube. For example, the user can use an external scanner 112 to scan the machine-readable label attached to each specimen tube106. The specimen machine-readable labels can include a barcode, a QR code, RF ID, and the like.

[0027] As further shown in FIG. 1, the sample preparation instrument 100 includes a touchscreen display 110 that allows a user to enter inputs such as to select workflows for processing the specimens held in the one or more specimen tubes 106. Once entered, the sample preparation instrument 100 processes the specimens held in the one or more specimen tubes 106 according to the workflow entered on the touchscreen display 110.

[0028] FIG. 2 is cross-sectional planar view of the sample preparation instrument 100. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample preparation instrument 100 includes a transfer station 114 that operates to move one or more probes above components inside the sample preparation instrument 100. The transfer station 1 14 can include a gantry powered by one or more step motors to move the probes above one or more reagent stations including a lysing reagent housing 140, a liquid reagent housing 142, and a dry' reagent station 144. The transfer station 114 can further move the probes above reaction plate wells 150 in a reaction station 148.

[0029] The one or more probes can aspirate, transport, and dispense various substances including samples of specimens from the specimen tubes 106 held in the specimen input station 102, labeling reagents stored in the liquid reagent housing 142 or the dry reagent station 144, lytic reagents stored in the lysing reagent housing 140, diluent reagents stored on a cart below the sample preparation instrument 100, buffers stored in separate containers (not shown), and other substances for mixing with the samples of the specimens. The probes can pierce capped or sealed tubes, vials, cartridges, bottles, or other similar containers to aspirate the substances within, and / or to dispense the substances therein. The sample preparation instrument 100 can include a probe wash station for w ashing the probes.

[0030] The probes can dispense the substances into the reaction plate w ells 150 held in the reaction station 148. After a desired mixture is complete, the probes can be used to aspirate the mixture from a reaction plate well 150, and thereafter transfer and dispense the mixture into an output tube 126 held on a tube tray 124 in an output station 120. The tube tray 124 is configured to hold a plurality of output tubes 126 for processing a plurality of sample specimens.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the sample preparation instrument 100 can further include a waste container 168, a condensate collector 170, and a diluent reagentcontainer 172. Waste associated with the sample preparation process is dispensed to the waste container 168. The condensate collector 170 collects condensation resulting from a cooling of the labeling reagents. Diluent reagent held in the diluent reagent container 172 can be used in several steps in the preparation process, including to estimate cell concentration, reconstitute dry reagent, and other steps. The waste container 168, the condensate collector 170, and the diluent reagent container 172 can be housed in a separate cart that is not physically located inside the sample preparation instrument 100, but is connected to the system with fluidic tubing and electrical connections.

[0032] As show n in FIG. 1, the output station 120 includes a handle 122 that allows the user to pull the output station 120 outside of the sample preparation instrument 100 to access the tube tray 124. When the tube tray 124 is accessible, the user can remove from the tube tray 124 output tubes 126 containing processed samples, or can add empty output tubes to the tube tray 124.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an isometric view' of the dry7reagent station 144. As show n in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dry reagent station 144 includes different types of dry reagent trays for holding different ty pes of dry reagent containers. For example, the dry reagent station 144 includes a first dry reagent tray 152 that holds one or more cartridges 156 containing dry7reagents.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridges 156 each contain a plurality of w ells 158 that each contain a predetermined amount and type of dry reagent. For example, each of the cartridges 156 can include 12 wells, and the first dry reagent tray 152 can hold six of the cartridges 156, such that the first dry reagent tray 152 includes a total of 72 dry reagent w ells. Each of the plurality7of well 158 can be covered with a seal 160 that is pierceable by a probe of the transfer station 114. As an illustrative example, the seal 160 can be made of pierceable aluminum foil.

[0035] In the example showTi in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dry reagent station 144 further includes a second dry7reagent tray 154 that includes a plurality7of w ells 504. As will be described in more detail below in view of FIGS. 5-14, each of the plurality of wells 504 can hold a dry reagent tube 900 (see FIG. 9) containing a predetermined amount and type of ry reagent.

[0036] In the example shown in the figures, the second dry reagent tray 154 includes 25 of the wells 504 for holding 25 of the dry reagent tubes 900. The quantity7of the wells 504 on the second dry reagent tray 154 may vary in alternative examples such that the second dry reagent tray 154 can include more than 25 of the wells 504 forholding more than 25 of the dry reagent tubes 900, or the second dry reagent tray 154 may include fewer than 25 of the wells 504.

[0037] In some examples, the dry reagent tubes 900 are made of a durable and transparent material such as polystyrene, or other similar materials. In some examples, the dry reagent tubes 900 are DURAClone® tubes available from Beckman Coulter®, Inc.

[0038] In some examples, the dry reagent tubes 900 are covered with a seal 906 (see FIG. 12) that is pierceable by a probe of the transfer station 114. The seal 906 prolongs the stability' of dry reagent held inside the dry reagent tube 900. The seal 906 can be made of the same material as the seal 160 of the cartridges 156. For example, the seal 906 can be made of an aluminum foil.

[0039] In some instances, the dry reagent station 144 can house one of the first dry reagent tray 152 and one of the second dry reagent tray 154, as show n in the example of FIG. 2. In other instances, the dry reagent station 144 can house tw o of the first dry reagent trays 152. In yet further examples, the dry reagent station 144 can house two of second dry reagent trays 154. Thus, the first and second dry reagent trays 152, 154 can be interchangeably used as desired by a user of the sample preparation instrument 100. For example, the user can replace one of the first dry reagent trays 152 with one of the second dry reagent trays 154, or alternatively, can replace one of the second dry reagent trays 154 with one of the first dry reagent trays 152.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the dry reagent station 144 includes one or more scanners 162 that scan machine-readable labels on the cartridges 156 held on the first dry reagent tray 152 and machine-readable labels on the dry reagent tubes 900 held in the wells 504 on the second dry reagent tray 154 for tracking remaining tests and reagent lots used to prepare samples.

[0041] The transfer station 114 can lower a probe to pierce through a seal 160 above a well 158 on a cartridges 156 held on the first dry reagent tray 152 or through a seal 906 on a dry reagent tube 900 held on the second dry reagent tray 154. The transfer station 114 can then use the probe to dispense a fluid in either the well 158 of the cartridge 156 or the dry reagent tube 900 on the second dry reagent tray 154. For example, the transfer station 114 can use the probe to dispense a sheath fluid into a w ell 158 of the cartridge 156 to resuspend the dry reagent in the sheath fluid. As another example, the transfer station 114 can use the probe to dispense a blood sample directly into a dry reagent tube 900 on the second dry reagent tray 154.

[0042] The transfer station 114 can use the probe to aspirate the resuspended reagent from the well 158 or the dry reagent tube 900. Staining and lysing can occur inside the dry reagent tube 900. When the stain and lyse process is completed in the dry reagent tube 900, the prepared sample can be transferred from the dry reagent tube 900 to a reaction plate well 150 in the reaction station 148. In some examples, the prepared sample in the dry reagent tube 900 can be transferred directly to an output tube 126 in the output station 120.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the dry reagent station 144 with the first dry reagent tray 152 and the second dry reagent tray 154 removed therefrom. As show n in FIG. 4, the dry reagent station 144 includes platforms 164 on which the first dry reagent tray 152 or the second dry reagent tray 154 can be mounted on. The platforms 164 include projections 166 to align the first and second dry reagent trays 152, 154, and to prevent rotation of the first and second dry reagent trays 152, 154 relative to the platforms 164.

[0044] The dry reagent station 144 includes one or more motors to rotate either one or both of the platforms 164 to rotate the second dry reagent trays 154 about an axis of rotation AR when the second dry reagent trays 154 are mounted on either one or both of the platforms 164. The motors rotate the second dry reagent trays 154 back and forth about the axis of rotation AR to mix the dry reagents with a fluid such as a blood sample. In some examples, the motors that rotate the platforms 164 about the axis of rotation AR include stepper motors.

[0045] As an example, the second dry reagent trays 154 can be rotated about 120 degrees or about 180 degrees back and forth in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to facilitate mixing. As an example, after dispensing a sample and / or lyse into a dry reagent tube 900, the second dry reagent tray 154 can be rotated back-and- forth to mix the sample and / or lyse with the dry reagent inside the dry reagent tube 900. The rotational velocity, rotational acceleration, and angular rotation of the second dry reagent tray 154 for mixing the sample and / or lyse with the dry reagent inside the dryreagent tube 900 can be set based on empirical data.

[0046] In an alternative example, a vortexer can be added to the dry reagent station 144 to physically spin the dry reagent tube 900 to mix the sample and the dry reagent (e.g., lyse, antibodies, and the like). In further examples, fluidic mixing can be performed to repeatedly aspirate and dispense a fluid such as sheath fluid to resuspendthe dry reagent until thoroughly mixed in a well 158 of a cartridge 156 on the first dry reagent tray 152.

[0047] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example of the second dry reagent tray 154 that can be housed in the dry reagent station 144 for use in the sample preparation instrument 100. FIG. 6 is a top view of the second dry reagent tray 154. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the second dry reagent tray 154. FIG. 8 is an elevated side view of the second dry reagent tray 154. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the second dry reagent tray 154 includes a body 502 that mounts on a platform 164 in the dry reagent station 144 of the sample preparation instrument 100. In some examples, the body 502 is made of polypropylene, or similar plastic materials.

[0048] The second dry reagent tray 154 includes a plurality of wells 504 formed on the body 502. Each well of the plurality of wells configured to hold a dry reagent tube 900 containing a dry7reagent. In the example illustrated in the figures, the body 502 of the second dry reagent tray 154 includes 25 wells for holding a maximum of 25 dry7reagent tubes. The quantity7of the wells 504 on the body 502 may vary in alternative examples such that the second dry reagent tray 154 can include more than 25 of the wells 504, or may include fewer than 25 of the wells 504.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the body 502 includes a groove 510 that is configured to receive the projection 166 of the platform 164 to align the second dryreagent tray 154 with the platform 164. Also, by having the projection 166 received in the groove 510, the second dry7reagent tray 154 is prevented from rotating relative to the platform 164 when the platform 164 rotates about the axis of rotation AR such as when mixing fluids with the dry reagents.

[0050] The body 502 includes a handle 514 for grabbing the second dry reagent tray 154 such as to place the second dry reagent tray 154 on the platform 164, or to remove the second dry7reagent tray 154 from the platform 164 inside the dry reagent station 144. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bottom of each of the wells 504 includes a hole 512. At least one advantage of the holes 512 is that the holes 512 reduce the weight of the second dry reagent tray 154 such that the try is lighter to facilitate transportation and positioning the tray7on and off the platforms 164. Also, the holes 512 help to center the dry7reagent tubes 900 into the wells 504. Also, the holes 512 allow the wells 504 to drain such as when the second dry reagent tray 154 is being washed.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the body 502 is configured to rotate back and forth about a central axis CA when the second dry reagent tray 154 is positioned on theplatform 164 of the dry' reagent station 144. As shown in FIG. 6, the wells 504 are positioned around the central axis CA and are equidistantly spaced away from the central axis CA.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a view of a dry reagent tube 900 inside a well 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154. FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the dry reagent tube 900 inside the well 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the dry reagent tube 900 inserted inside the well 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, each of the wells 504 includes a circular interior w'all that corresponds to an exterior surface of the dry' reagent tube 900. As shown in the figures, the dry reagent tube 900 has a cylindrical shape.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, each w ell 504 includes a depth D that covers a bottom portion 910 of the dry reagent tube 900. In some examples, the depth D covers about 1 / 3 of a length of the dry' reagent tube 900. At least one advantage of the depth D is that the well 504 shields the dry' reagent inside the dry reagent tube 900 from light. By blocking the light, the depth D of the well 504 can increase an onboard stability of the dry reagent for about two weeks, or more. In alternative examples, the depth D of the well 504 shields an entirety of the tube from light.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8-11, each well 504 includes an anti-rotation mechanism 506 that prevents rotation of the dry reagent tube 900 inside the well 504 and from lifting out of the well 504 when the second dry reagent tray 154 rotates back and forth about the axis of rotation AR on the platform 164 inside the dry' reagent station 144. Also, the anti-rotation mechanism 506 can prevent the dry' reagent tube 900 from lifting when the dry' reagent tube 900 includes the seal 906 and the probe of the transfer station 114 is removed from the tube.

[0055] In the example shown in the figures, the anti -rotation mechanism 506 includes a flat spring. One end of the flat spring is secured to the body 502 by a screw, while an opposite end is cantilevered inside the well 504. When the dry reagent tube 900 is inside the well 504, the flat spring applies a spring force against an exterior surface the dry reagent tube 900 which prevents the dry reagent tube 900 from rotating inside the well 504 and from lifting out of the w ell 504 w'hen the second dry reagent tray 154 rotates back and forth about the axis of rotation AR.

[0056] In alternative examples, the anti-rotation mechanism 506 includes a gasket that applies a frictional force against the exterior surface the dry reagent tube 900.Examples of the gasket can include rubber O-rings, washers, and the like. The frictionalforce against the exterior surface the dry reagent tube 900 can similarly prevent the dry' reagent tube 900 from rotating inside the well 504 and from lifting out of the well 504 when the second dry reagent tray 154 rotates back and forth about the axis of rotation AR on the platform 164.

[0057] In alternative examples, a clamp or stripper can be incorporated into the second dry reagent tray 154 to prevent the dry reagent tube 900 from lifting outside of the well 504. In yet further examples, the clamp or stripper can be mounted on the sample preparation instrument 100 adjacent to the second dry reagent tray 154 in the dry' reagent station 144.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a label 902 is attached to the dry reagent tube 900. The label 902 wraps around a portion of the dry reagent tube 900 above the well 504. The label 902 further shields the dry reagent from light, which as described above, can increase the onboard stability of the dry' reagent. The label 902 includes machine- readable code such as a barcode, a QR code, and the like. The scanner 162 in the dry reagent station can scan the machine-readable code on the label 902 to identify the contents of the dry reagent tube 900. When placed inside a well 504, the dry reagent tube 900 should be positioned such that the label 902 faces away from the central axis CA of the second dry' reagent tray 154 to allow the scanner 162 to scan the machine- readable code on the label 902 when the dry reagent tube 900 passes by the scanner 162 when rotating about the axis of rotation AR on the platform 164. The label 902 can also include human readable information that identifies the contents of the dry reagent tube 900.

[0059] As further shown in the figures, the body 502 includes a raised border 508 that obscures a middle portion 912 of the dry reagent tube 900 (see FIG. 11) from a rear perspective of the dry reagent tube 900 as the second dry reagent tray 154 rotates about the central axis CA. At least one advantage of the raised border 508 is that the raised border 508 partially obscures the machine-readable code on the label 902 from a rear perspective to prevent the scanner 162 from reading the machine-readable code on an opposite side of the second dry reagent tray 154 once a front portion of the dry reagent tube 900 has already passed by the scanner 162.

[0060] FIG. 12 is an isometric view' of a cap 904 for sealing the dry' reagent tube 900. The cap 904 is optional such that the dry reagent tube 900 can be loaded onto the second dry reagent tray 154 without the cap 904 attached thereto. The cap 904 can prolong the onboard stability' of the dry reagent inside the dry reagent tube 900 byprotecting the dry reagent from environmental conditions inside the dry reagent station 144 such as temperature and humidity. As shown in FIG. 12, the cap 904 has a cylindrical shape having a diameter DI.

[0061] The cap 904 protects the dry reagent from air while also allowing the probes of the transfer station 114 to aspirate and dispense content inside of the dry reagent tubes 900. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the cap 904 includes a seal 906 that can be pierced by a probe of the transfer station 114. As an illustrative example, the seal 906 can be made of pierceable aluminum foil. The seal 906 can be attached to the cap 904 by heat sealing.

[0062] In some alternative examples, the seal 906 is applied directly onto the dry reagent tube 900 without using the cap 904. In some further alternative examples, the cap 904 is made of a soft material that can be pierced by a probe of the transfer station 114, or that includes a resealable opening such as a slit that allows the probe to pass through to dispense or aspirate contents in the dry reagent tube 900, and that closes when the probe is removed from the tube.

[0063] FIGS. 13 and 14 are isometric views of an example of a cap mitigation part 1300 mounted above the second dry reagent tray 154. The cap mitigation part 1300 prevents dry reagent tubes 900 with hard-caps 914 attached thereto from being fully inserted into the wells 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154. The hard-caps 914 do not include the seal 906 that is pierceable by the probe of the transfer station 114. Instead, the hard-caps 914 are made of a solid material that is not pierceable. In some examples, the hard-caps 914 are made of polypropylene, or similar types of hard plastic. At least one advantage of the cap mitigation part 1300 is that it prevents damage to the transfer station 114 from attempting to pierce the hard-cap 914 with the probe. The cap mitigation part 1300 can be mounted on the second dry reagent tray 154 such that the cap mitigation part 1300 can also be used as a handle for the second dry reagent tray7154.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cap mitigation part 1300 includes a plurality of grooves 1302 that align with the plurality of wells 504 on the second dry reagent tray 154, which is positioned below the cap mitigation part 1300. The hard-caps 914 each have a diameter D2 that is larger than a diameter D3 of the grooves 1302 such that when a hard-cap 914 is attached to a dry' reagent tube 900, the dry reagent tube 900 with the hard-cap 914 attached thereto is prevented from sitting all the way down into the well 504 below7the groove 1302.

[0065] By preventing the hard-cap 914 from passing through the groove 1302, the dry reagent tube 900 with the hard-cap 914 attached thereto is raised partially outside of the well 504 causing the machine-readable code on the label 902 to be outside of a field of view of the scanner 162. When the scanner 162 is unable to scan the machine- readable code, the sample preparation instrument 100 generates an alert or error message that instructs a user to inspect the second dry reagent tray 154. The cap mitigation part 1300 provides a visual cue to the user because only the dry reagent tubes 900 with the hard-caps 914 removed therefrom are able to pass through the grooves 1302 and down into the wells 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154 below the cap mitigation part 1300. Otherwise, when the hard-caps 914 remain attached to the dry reagent tubes 900, the hard-caps 914 will protrude from a top of the cap mitigation part 1300.

[0066] When the hard-cap 914 is removed from the dry reagent tube 900, the dry reagent tube 900 drops down into the well 504, and the machine-readable code on the label 902 is within the field of view of the scanner 162 such that the sample preparation instrument proceeds to operate normally. In some examples, the diameter DI of the caps 904 (see FIG. 12) is smaller than the diameter D3 of the grooves 1302 such that the caps 904 when attached to the dry reagent tubes 900 are able to pass through the grooves 1302 allowing the dry reagent tubes 900 to fit fully in the wells 504 of the second dry reagent tray 154 below the cap mitigation part 1300.

[0067] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an example of a tray 1500 that can be used in the liquid reagent housing 142 and / or the dry reagent station 144 of the sample preparation instrument 100. In some examples, the liquid reagent housing 142 and / or the dry reagent station 144 can include a plurality of the trays 1500 positioned side by side.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, the tray 1500 has a body 1502 that includes a plurality of wells 1504. The wells 1504 are aligned along the length of the body 1502 in a single file row. The body 1502 has an elongated rectangular shape. The body 502 can be made of polypropylene, or similar plastic materials. The body 1502 includes a handle 1506 on at least one end to help facilitate gripping the tray 1500 for transport to and from the sample preparation instrument 100. In some examples, handles 1506 can be included on both ends of the tray 1500.

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 15, a vial 1508 is shown positioned inside a well 1504 of the tray 1500. The vial is positioned to have an angle relative to the body1502 of the tray 1500 which allows a probe of the transfer station 114 to aspirate a maximum volume from the vial 1508 to eliminate a dead volume of content held inside the vial 1508. In some examples, such as when positioned inside the dry reagent station 144, one or more cartridges can snap onto the tray 1500 to further increase the capacity of the tray 1500 to hold reagents and other contents.

[0070] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to be limiting in any way. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tray for use in a sample preparation instrument, the tray comprising: a body configured to mount on a platform in the sample preparation instrument; a plurality of wells formed on the body, each well of the plurality of wells configured to hold a tube containing a dry reagent, the each well of the plurality of wells including: a depth that covers a bottom portion of the tube; an anti-rotation mechanism that prevents rotation of the tube inside the well when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation; and a raised border that obscures a middle portion of the tube from a rear perspective as the tray rotates about the axis of rotation.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the anti -rotation mechanism includes a flat spring that applies a spring force against an exterior surface the tube.

3. The tray of claim 1, wherein the anti -rotation mechanism is a gasket that applies a frictional force against an exterior surface the tube.

4. The tray of claim 1. wherein the body includes a groove that is configured to receive a projection of the platform to align the tray with the platform and to prevent rotation of the tray relative to the platform when the platform rotates about the axis of rotation.

5. The tray of claim 1, wherein the body includes a handle for grabbing the tray.

6. The tray of claim 1, wherein the well includes a circular interior wall that corresponds to an exterior surface of the tube having a cylindrical shape.

7. The tray of claim 1. wherein the bottom of the well includes a hole.

8. The tray of claim 1, wherein the body includes 25 wells for holding 25 tubes.

9. A dry reagent station for a sample preparation instrument, the dry reagent station comprising:a platform; a tray for mounting on the platform, the tray comprising: a body; a plurality of wells formed on the body, each well of the plurality of wells configured to hold a tube, and each well of the plurality of wells including: a depth that covers a bottom portion of the tube; an anti-rotation mechanism that prevents rotation of the tube inside the well when the tray rotates about an axis of rotation; and a raised border that obscures a middle portion of the tube from a rear perspective as the tray rotates about the axis of rotation.

10. The dry reagent station of claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism includes a flat spring that applies a spring force against an exterior surface the tube.

11. The dry reagent station of claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism is a gasket that applies a frictional force against an exterior surface the tube.

12. The dry reagent station of claim 9. further comprising: caps for sealing a plurality of the tubes, each cap having a seal that is configured to be pierced by a probe of the sample preparation instrument.

13. The dry reagent station of claim 12, further comprising: a part mounted above the tray, the part including a plurality of grooves that align with the plurality of wells on the tray, and wherein each of the plurality of grooves prevents a tube having the cap attached thereto from being inserted into a well of the tray.

14. The dry reagent station of claim 9. further comprising: a label attached to the tube, the label including a machine-readable code that is configured to be scanned by a scanner in the dry reagent station, and wherein the raised border obscures a portion of the machine-readable code from the rear perspective of the tube.

15. The dry reagent station of claim 9. wherein the body includes a groove that is configured to receive a projection of the platform to align the tray with the platform and to prevent rotation of the tray relative to the platform when the platform rotates about the axis of rotation.

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