Sample preparation for flow cytometry

Abstract

A sample preparation instrument includes a pod-arm module and a reagent module that includes a housing defining an interior cavity and a lid attached to the housing. The sample preparation instrument receives an instruction to prepare a cocktail having predefined volumes of reagents, and automatically generates the reagent cocktail by controlling the pod-arm module to move one or more probes to aspirate the predefined volumes of the reagents and to dispense the predefined volumes of the reagents into at least one designated container while maintaining a refrigerated and dark environment inside the reagent module.

Description

SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR FLOW CYTOMETRYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is being filed today as a PCT International application and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 701,995, filed on October 1, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Sample preparation for flow cy tometry' 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 samples 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 cytometry7analysis. The buffer should maintain cell viability7and provide optimal conditions for laser interrogation. Generally, quality7control is performed to assess the sample quality7and staining efficiency using control samples or beads with known characteristics. This helps ensure the reliability and reproducibility of the flow cytometry data. By following these steps, researchers can prepare samples that yield precise and meaningful results when analyzed using flow7cytometry7.SUMMARY

[0004] In general terms, the present disclosure relates to preparing a reagent cocktail for use in sample preparation. In one possible configuration, the reagent cocktail is prepared in a refrigerated environment that is shielded from light and contaminants. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.

[0005] One aspect relates to a sample preparation instrument, comprising: a podarm module that moves one or more probes in three-dimensions above one or moremodules within the sample preparation instrument; a reagent module including: a housing defining an interior cavity; a lid attached to the housing, the lid when closed maintaining a dark environment inside the interior cavity; a refrigeration unit providing refrigeration inside the interior cavity; and a carousel placed inside the interior cavity, the carousel holding a plurality of containers including containers each containing a reagent and at least one designated container, and the plurality of containers each including a cap that is pierceable by the one or more probes of the pod-arm module; and a processing circuitry with a memory for storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to: receive an instruction to prepare a reagent cocktail having predefined volumes of the reagents contained in the containers of the reagent module; and automatically generate the reagent cocktail by controlling the pod-arm module to move the one or more probes to aspirate the predefined volumes of the reagents from the containers in the reagent module and to dispense the predefined volumes of the reagents into the at least one designated container while maintaining the refrigerated and dark environment inside the reagent module.

[0006] 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

[0007] 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.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example of a sample preparation instrument that can be used to prepare samples for analysis and testing.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an example of a pod-arm module of the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an example of a liquid antibody module of the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a carousel being placed inside the liquid antibody module of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example of a first type of carousel that can be placed inside the liquid antibody module of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an example of a second type of carousel that can be placed inside the liquid antibody module of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an example of a pierceable cap attached to a first type of the containers that can be held on the first and second types of carousels of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of an example of a lid of the liquid antibody module of FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of a probe of the pod-arm module of FIG. 2 being inserted through a pierceable cap of a container in the liquid antibody module of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a method of automatically preparing a reagent cocktail that can be used by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1 to prepare samples of specimens.

[0018] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example of an operation of the method of FIG. 10 in more detail.

[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 16 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 18 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 19 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 21 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 22 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 23 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1 .

[0031] FIG. 24 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 25 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 26 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 27 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 28 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 29 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 30 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 31 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 32 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 33 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0041] FIG. 34 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1 .

[0042] FIG. 35 illustrates a graphical user interface that can be displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 36 schematically illustrates an example of a computing device for implementing aspects of the sample preparation instrument of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] 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 be used to prepare samples for flow cytometry analysis. The sample preparation instrument 100 shares 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.

[0045] The sample preparation instrument 100 includes a specimen transport module 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. Each of the specimen tubes 106 can hold a different specimen (e.g., a specimen from a different patient).

[0046] Each of the specimen tubes 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 108 to scan the machine-readable label attached to each specimen tube 106. The machine-readable labels can include barcodes, quick-response (QR) codes, and the like.

[0047] 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 1 10.

[0048] The sample preparation instrument 100 includes a pod-arm module 112 for transferring the specimens, samples, and reagents from one location to another. For example, the pod-arm module 112 can move one or more probes above one or more stations or modules within the sample preparation instrument 100 including the specimen transport module 102, a cell wash module 114, dry reagent carousels 1 16, a liquid antibody module 118, a reaction plate module 120, a prep reagent module 122, and an output module 124. The sample preparation instrument 100 can further include a syringe pump bank 126 and a cell wash buffer bottle 128.

[0049] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an example of the pod-arm module 1 12. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pod-arm module 112 includes a robotic arm 202 that moves one or more probes 204 in three-dimensions including left and right (X-axis motion parallel to the front of the sample preparation instrument 100), front and back (Y -axis motion parallel to the sides of the sample preparation instrument 100). and up and down (Z-axis motion) above modules within the sample preparation instrument 100. In the example shown, the pod- arm module 112 includes three of the probes 204 for transferring the specimens, samples, and reagents. The probes 204 move together in the x and y axes, but each probe is capable of independent z-axis motion. The probes 204 are connected to precision syringe pumps via fluidic lines.

[0050] The robotic arm 202 can include a gantry powered by one or more electronic motors to move the probes 204 above one or more stations or modules within the sample preparation instrument 100. The one or more probes 204 of the pod-arm module 112 can aspirate, transport, and dispense various substances including samples of specimens from the specimen tubes 106 held in the specimen transport module 102, labeling reagents stored in the liquid antibody module 118 or the dry reagent carousels 116, lytic reagents stored in the prep reagent module 122. and other substances for mixing with the samples of the specimens. The probes 204 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.

[0051] The probes 204 can dispense the substances into reaction plate wells held in the reaction plate module 120. After a desired mixture is complete, the probes can be used to aspirate the mixture from a reaction plate well, and thereafter transfer and dispense the mixture into an output tube held on a tray in the output module 124. The tray in the output module 124 is configured to hold a plurality’ of output tubes for processing a plurality of sample specimens.

[0052] Referring back to FIG. 1 , the output module 124 includes a handle 132 that allows a drawer 130 to be pulled to bring the output module 124 outside the sample preparation instrument 100 to access the output tubes on the tray in the output module 124. When the drawer 130 is pulled out. a user can remove from the output module 124 output tubes that contain processed samples, or can add empty output tubes to the output module 124.

[0053] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an example of the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid antibody module 118 includes a housing 300 that defines an interior cavity- 302 where a carousel 400 is placed inside the liquid antibody module 118. The carousel 400 holds a plurality of containers including containers that each contain a liquid reagent and at least one designated container for generating a reagent cocktail, as will be described in more detail further below. The liquid antibody module 118 supports two types of carousels 400.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid antibody module 1 18 includes a lid 304 attached to the housing 300. The lid 304 yvhen closed maintains a dark environment inside the interior cavity 302 for shielding the contents of the containers held on the carousel 400 from exposure to light.

[0055] The liquid antibody module 118 further includes a refrigeration unit 306 that provides refrigeration inside the interior cavity 302 for maintaining a stable temperature of the contents of the containers held on the carousel 400 when placed inside the interior cavity 302. In some examples, the refrigeration unit 306 is controlled to maintain a temperature between about 2°C and about 8°C inside the interior cavity 302 when the lid 304 is closed.

[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a carousel 400 being placed inside the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in FIG. 4, the carousel 400 is loaded into the interior cavity 302 by aligning a hole 312 in the carousel 400 with a pin 314 in a hub 310 of the liquid antibody module 118 allowing the carousel 400 to drop into position. As further shown in FIG. 4, the liquid antibody module 118 includes an electric motor 308 that is connected to the hub 310. The electric motor 308 is controlled to spin the carousel 400 in a clockwise direction and / or in a counterclockwise direction about a central axis C of the carousel (see FIGS. 5 and 6). As further shown in FIG. 4, the refrigeration unit 306 includes a fan 316 that circulates air inside the interior cavity 302 for maintaining the stable temperature inside the liquid antibody module 118.

[0057] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an example of a first type of carousel 400a that can be placed inside the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the first type of carousel 400a can hold up to 53 of a first type of the containers 402a.

[0058] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an example of a second type of carousel 400b that can be placed inside the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in FIG. 6, the second type of carousel 400b can hold up to 43 of the first type of the containers 402a and up to 10 of a second type of the containers 402b inside the liquid antibody module 118. The first and second types of carousel 400a, 400b are interchangeable with one another such that the first type of carousel 400a can be removed from the interior cavity 302 of the liquid antibody module 118 for replacement by the second type of carousel 400b, and conversely, the second type of carousel 400b can be removed from the interior cavity 302 for replacement by the first type of carousel 400a.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the carousels 400a, 400b each include a first row of holders 404 for holding the containers on the carousel, and a second row of holders 406 for holding the containers on the carousel. The holders in both the first and second rows of holders 404, 406 hold the containers on the carousels 400a. 400b via friction or by other means.

[0060] In both of the first and second types of the carousels 400a, 400b, the first row of holders 404 is positioned inward relative to the second row of holders 406 in a radial direction orthogonal to a central axis C of the carousels 400a, 400b. Also, in both of the first and second types of the carousels 400a, 400b, the first row of holders 404 is positioned above the second row of holders 406 in an axial direction parallel to the central axis C of the carousels 400a. 400b.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the first row of holders 404 of the first type of the carousel 400a includes twenty-one holders for holding twenty-one of the first type of the containers 402a. The second row of holders 406 of the first type of the carousel 400a includes thirty -two holders for holding thirty -two of the first type of the containers 402a. The quantity and orientation of the holders on the first and second rows of holders 404, 406 may vary such that the first type of the carousel 400a can include more than fifty -three holders or fewer than fifty -three holders for holding more than or fewer than a quantity of fifty -three of the first type of the containers 402a.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the first row of holders 404 of the second type of the carousel 400b includes a quantity of eleven holders for holding eleven of the first type of the containers 402a and a quantity of ten holders for holding ten of the second type of the containers 402b. The second row7of holders 406 of the second type of the carousel 400b includes a quantity of thirty-two holders for holding thirty-two of the first type of the containers 402a. The quantity and orientation of the holders on the first and second rows of holders 404, 406 may vary such that the second type of the carousel 400b can include more than forty7-three holders or fewer than forty7-three holders for holding more than or few er than a quantity of forty -three of the first type of the containers 402a, and can include more than ten holders or fewer than ten holders for holding more than or fewer than a quantity of ten of the second type of the containers 402b.

[0063] As will be described in more detail further below7, the sample preparation instrument 100 automatically dispenses custom defined reagent cocktails into one or more designated containers held on a carousel 400a, 400b inside the liquid antibody module 118. The custom defined reagent cocktails are stored inside the interior cavity 302 of the liquid antibody module 118 where the lid 304 and the refrigeration unit 306 maintain a dark and refrigerated environment. The sample preparation instrument 100 uses the custom defined reagent cocktails to prepare samples from one or morespecimens for analysis by one or more ty pes of analysis instruments such as flow cytometers.

[0064] In some examples, the sample preparation instrument 100 tracks a remaining volume inside the containers 402a, 402b. For example, the sample preparation instrument 100 can subtract a usage volume and a small buffer for inaccessible volume from an initial fill volume for determining the remaining volume inside the containers 402a. 402b. In some examples, the one or more probes 204 can be equipped with a liquid level sensor such as a capacitive liquid level sensor that detects a change in state when immersed in a liquid to determine presence of a liquid (e.g., liquid reagent or cocktail) at particular levels within a container 402a, 402b.

[0065] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an example of a pierceable cap 700 attached to a first type of the containers 402a that can be held on the first and second types of carousels 400a, 400b. The pierceable cap 700 can be used to replace non-pierceable caps initially provided with the first and second types of the containers 402a, 402b. The pierceable cap 700 prevents exposure of a reagent or reagent cocktail inside the container 402a to the atmosphere such that the pierceable cap 700 mitigates contamination by dirt or other ty pes of debris or contaminants.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the pierceable cap 700 includes a barrier 702 that is configured to be pierced by the one or more probes 204 of the pod-arm module 112. For example, the pod-arm module 112 applies a force in the Z-axis direction that causes a tip of a probe 204 to pierce the barrier 702, which allows the probe 204 to enter the container 402a to aspirate a liquid reagent from the container 402a or to dispense a liquid reagent into the container 402a.

[0067] The pierceable cap 700 can be color-coded (e.g., blue or yellow) to make it easy to inspect and ensure that all of the non-pierceable caps, which can have a different color (e.g., white and black), have been replaced for the containers 402a, 402b prior to placing the carousel 400a, 400b inside the liquid antibody module 118. In some examples, the pierceable caps 700 for use on the first type of the containers 402a have a first color (e.g., yellow) and the pierceable caps 600 for use on the second type of the containers 402b have a second color (e g., blue).

[0068] All of the containers 402a, 402b (including containers containing liquid reagents and containers designated for dispensing custom defined reagent cocktails) have machine-readable labels 704 such as one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and thelike that are scanned by a scanner of the sample preparation instrument 100 to identify the containers 402a, 402b and their locations on the carousels 400a, 400b when placed inside the liquid antibody module 118.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a top view of an example of the lid 304 of the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in FIG. 8, the lid 304 includes a first aperture 802 and a second aperture 804. The first aperture 802 is aligned with the first row of holders 404 on the carousel 400, and the second aperture 804 is aligned with the second row of holders 406 on the carousel 400. As further shown in FIG. 8, the lid 304 includes a hinge 806 about which the lid can pivot to open and close.

[0070] The sample preparation instrument 100 generates a reagent cocktail by controlling the electric motor 308 to rotate the carousel 400 about the central axis C to align a center of a pierceable cap 700 of a first container in the first row of holders 404 with the first aperture 802. The pod-arm module 112 moves a probe 204 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to align the probe 204 with the first aperture 802, and to then move the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to push a tip of the probe 204 through the first aperture 802 and through the barrier 702 of the first container such that the probe 204 is able to aspirate a liquid from the first container or to dispense a liquid into the first container, as needed to generate the reagent cocktail.

[0071] Also, the sample preparation instrument 100 controls the electric motor 308 to rotate the carousel 400 about the central axis C to align a center of a pierceable cap 700 of a second container in the second row' of holders 406 with the second aperture 804. The pod-ann module 112 moves the probe 204 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to align the probe 204 with the second aperture 804, and to then move the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to push the tip of the probe 204 through the second aperture 804 and through the barrier 702 of the second container such that the probe 204 is able to aspirate a liquid from the second container or to dispense a liquid into the second container, as needed to generate the reagent cocktail.

[0072] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of a probe 204 of the pod-arm module 112 being inserted through a pierceable cap 700 of a container 402a when held on a carousel (not shown in FIG. 9) inside the liquid antibody module 118. As shown in FIG. 8, the container 402a is held at an angle a relative to the probe 204 of the pod-arm module 112. The angle a allow s the probe 204 of the pod-arm module 112 to reach a lowest area of the container 402a such that the probe 204 can more easily aspirate the contents in the container 402a to minimize the dead volume of the container 402a, andthereby mitigate waste of the liquid reagent contained inside the container 402a. Thus, by holding the container 402a at the angle a relative to the probe 204, the carousels 400a, 400b improve the efficiency of the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0073] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a method 1000 of automatically preparing a reagent cocktail that can be used by the sample preparation instrument 100 to prepare samples of specimens. The method 1000 can be performed by the sample preparation instrument 100. The samples of the specimens prepared by the sample preparation instrument 100 using the reagent cocktail can be analyzed by one or more type of instruments such as flow cytometers.

[0074] The method 1000 includes an operation 1002 of receiving an instruction to prepare the reagent cocktail to have predefined volumes of the reagents contained in the containers 402 of the liquid antibody module 118 or elsewhere on the sample preparation instrument 100. The instructions can be received via one or more user inputs on the touchscreen display 110 of the sample preparation instrument 100. For example, a user can select the reagent cocktail from a plurality of predefined reagent cocktails displayed on the touchscreen display 110, and the user can then submit the instruction to automatically prepare the reagent cocktail.

[0075] Alternatively, the user can define the reagent cocktail from scratch by selecting predefined volumes of one or more reagents housed in the liquid antibodymodule 118 or elsewhere on the sample preparation instrument 100. The user can utilize the graphical user interfaces shown in FIGS. 12-35 to define the reagent cocktail from scratch. Once defined, the user can instruct the sample preparation instrument 100 to prepare the customized cocktail. As an illustrative example, the authoring or designing of reagent cocktails is performed by using a panel designer software running in a workstation computer. The authored or newly created reagent cocktail definition can then be imported to the sample preparation instrument 100 via a portable memory devices such as a USB memory- drive, or by a network connection.

[0076] The custom defined reagent cocktail can be stored locally on a memory of the sample preparation instrument 100, on cloud memory storage, or on a portable memory device (e.g., a thumb drive, a memory stick, a pen drive, and the like) such that the custom defined cocktail can be selected during future occasions for preparation by the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0077] The method 1000 includes an operation 1004 of automatically generating the reagent cocktail by controlling the pod-arm module 112 to move a probe 204 toaspirate the predefined volumes of the reagents and to dispense the predefined volumes of the reagents into at least one designated container while maintaining the refrigerated and dark environment inside the liquid antibody module 118. For example, the pod-arm module 112 can move the probe 204 to aspirate a first reagent from a first container, to dispense the first reagent into a designated container, to aspirate a second reagent from a second container, to dispense the second reagent into the designated container, and so on until all of the predefined volumes of the reagents have been dispensed into the designated container. Once all of the predefined volumes of the reagents have been dispensed into the designated container, the sample preparation instrument 100 then controls the pod-arm module 112 to fluidically mix the reagent cocktail.

[0078] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example of the operation 1004 of the method 1000 in more detail. In this example, the operation 1004 includes a step 1102 of aligning a pierceable cap 700 of a first container on a carousel 400 inside the interior cavity' 302 with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 when closed. Step 1102 can include controlling the electric motor 308 to move the carousel 400 such as by rotating the carousel 400 in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction to align the pierceable cap 700 of a first container with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304.

[0079] The operation 1004 includes a step 1104 of moving the probe 204 into the first container by pushing the probe 204 through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and through the pierceable cap 700 of the first container. Step 1104 can include controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction such that the probe 204 is aligned with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and the pierceable cap 700 of the first container, and then controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to insert the probe through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and the pierceable cap 700 of the first container. The pod- arm module 112 applies enough force in the Z-axis direction for the tip of the probe 204 to pierce the barrier 702 of the pierceable cap 700, which allows the probe 204 to enter the first container.

[0080] The operation 1004 includes a step 1106 of aspirating a predefined volume of a first reagent from the first container. Step 1106 can include controlling a precision syringe pump that is fluidically connected to the probe 204 on the pod-arm module 112 to aspirate the predefined volume of the first liquid reagent from the first container.Step 1106 can include using the probe 204 to aspirate between about 30pl to about 2000pl of the first liquid reagent.

[0081] The operation 1004 includes a step 1108 of removing the probe 204 from the first container. Step 1108 can include controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to remove the probe 204 from the first container by retracting the probe 204 through the pierceable cap 700 of the first container and through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 such that the probe 204 is removed from the container.

[0082] The operation 1004 includes a step 1110 of moving the carousel 400 such that a pierceable cap 700 of a designated container is aligned with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 of the liquid antibody module 118. The designated container is selected for dispensing the reagent cocktail. Step 1110 can include controlling the electric motor 308 to move the carousel 400 such as by rotating the carousel 400 in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction to align the pierceable cap 700 of the designated container with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304.

[0083] The operation 1004 includes a step 1112 of moving the probe 204 into the designated container through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and the pierceable cap 700 of the designated container. Step 1112 can include controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the X-axis direction and the Y -axis direction such that the probe 204 is aligned with the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and the pierceable cap 700 of the designated container, and then controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to insert the probe through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 and the pierceable cap 700 of the designated container. The pod-arm module 112 applies enough force in the Z-axis direction for the tip of the probe 204 to pierce the barrier 702 of the pierceable cap 700, which allows the probe 204 to enter the designated container.

[0084] The operation 1004 includes a step 1114 of dispensing the predefined volume of the first liquid reagent into the designated container. Step 1114 can include controlling the precision syringe pump that is fluidically connected to the probe 204 on the pod-arm module 112 to dispense the predefined volume of the first liquid reagent into the designated container. Step 1114 can include dispensing between about 30pl to about 2000pl of the first liquid reagent.

[0085] The operation 1004 includes a step 1116 of removing the probe 204 from the designated container. Step 1116 can include controlling the movement of the probe 204 in the Z-axis direction to remove the probe 204 from the designated container by retracting the probe 204 through the pierceable cap 700 of the designated container and through the first aperture 802 or the second aperture 804 on the lid 304 such that the probe 204 is removed from the container.

[0086] After the probe 204 is removed from the designated container, the operation 1004 can include a step 1118 of washing of the probe 204 to void cross-contamination from one antibody vial to another inside the liquid antibody module 118.

[0087] The operation 1004 includes a step 1120 of determining whether the reagent cocktail includes additional predefined volumes of the reagents. When the reagent cocktail includes additional predefined volumes of the reagents (i.e., "Yes" in step 1120), the operation 1004 repeats the steps 1102-1120 for a second liquid reagent, a third liquid reagent, and so on until all of the predefined volumes of the reagents have been dispensed into the designated container for generating the reagent cocktail. The predefined volumes of the first liquid reagent, the second liquid reagent, the third liquid reagent, and so on can be the same or different.

[0088] When the reagent cocktail does not include additional predefined volumes of the reagents (i.e., “No” in step 1120). the operation 1004 proceeds to a step 1122 of mixing the predefined volumes of the reagents in the designated container. Step 1122 can include controlling the precision syringe pump that is fluidically connected to the probe 204 to aspirate the reagent cocktail from the designated container and to dispense the reagent cocktail back into the designated container. In some examples, the fluidic mixing is performed by aspirating and dispensing the reagent cocktail at least two times into the designated container.

[0089] The sample preparation instrument 100 can repeat the steps 1102-1122 to automatically generate a plurality7of reagent cocktails by dispensing combinations of predefined volumes of the reagents into a plurality7of the designated containers. For example, steps 1102-1122 can be repeated to generate two or more reagent cocktails into two or more of the designated containers. The two or more of the reagent cocktails can include reagent cocktails having the same combination of reagents with the same predefined volumes of the reagents, or can include cocktails having different combinations of reagents and / or having different predefined volumes of the reagents. Thus, the reagent cocktails may differ from one another.

[0090] Further, steps 1102-1122 are performed while maintaining the refrigerated and dark environment inside the liquid antibody module 118. For example, performing the steps 1102-1122 does not cause light to enter into the liquid antibody module 118 where the liquid reagents and reagent cocktails are stored. Further, the temperature of the liquid reagents and reagent cocktails is maintained between about 2°C and about 8°C inside the liquid antibody module 118.

[0091] Referring back to FIG. 10. the method 1000 can include an operation 1006 of performing quality control of the reagent cocktail. The quality control can be performed for all reagent cocktails before using the reagent cocktails to prepare samples from specimens.

[0092] In some examples, the quality control that is performed in operation 1006 includes preparing a first panel for a specimen using a current designated container of the reagent cocktail, preparing a second panel for the specimen using a new designated container of the reagent cocktail, and comparing analyses of the first and second panels. When there are more than one new designated container on board, a user interface displayed on the touchscreen display 110 can request that the user select which new designated container from a new lot of designated containers should be used for performing the quality control.

[0093] The quality control of the new designated container of the reagent cocktail passes when analysis of the first and second panels match or are substantially similar such that the contents in the new' designated container correspond with the contents of the current designated container of the reagent cocktail. Alternatively, the quality' control of the new designated container of the reagent cocktail fails w hen the analysis of the first and second panels do not match or are not substantially similar such that the contents in the new designated container do not correspond w ith the contents of the current designated container of the reagent cocktail.

[0094] In some examples, the analysis for the quality control that is performed in operation 1006 is performed by a flow cytometer that is separate from the sample preparation instrument 100. In some alternative examples, the sample preparation instrument 100 and the flow cytometer are integrated in a single instrument such that the preparation of the reagent cocktail and the quality' control of the reagent cocktail can occur on the single instrument.

[0095] In alternative examples, the sample preparation instrument 100 performs quality control without having to automatically prepare the panel twice. Instead, samplepreparation instrument 100 can allow the user to assign the panel as many times as desired by the user, and for each time the panel is assigned, the user selects a designated container from a lot of designated containers for a given reagent cocktail to use to prepare the panel. This example allows the user of the sample preparation instrument 100 to override pre-existing rules that typically require the sample preparation instrument 100 to deplete a current designated container of a reagent cocktail before using a new designated container of the reagent cocktail.

[0096] In alternative examples, the sample preparation instrument 100 performs quality control by creating a special panel that consists of only one output tube. When the panel is assigned to a specimen and gets scheduled for preparation, the sample preparation instrument 100 chooses a current designated container for the given reagent cocktail to prepare the output tube of the panel, and creates additional output tubes using each new designated container of the reagent cocktail found on board. This avoids the user from having to choose which designated container from a lot of designated containers of a reagent cocktail to use to prepare the panel.

[0097] In yet some further examples, the liquid level sensor on the probe 204 can be used to perform quality control. For example, the liquid level sensor can detect whether a new designated container for a given reagent cocktail has correct volume based on the parameter inputs selected for generating the reagent cocktail by the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0098] When the detected volume of the reagent cocktail in the new designated container differs from an expected volume for the reagent cocktail by more than a threshold amount, the sample preparation instrument 100 determines that the new designated container for the reagent cocktail fails quality control. For example, when the detected volume is less than the expected volume, this may suggest that a reagent is missing from the reagent cocktail, or that an individual volume of a reagent is insufficiently low such that the reagent cocktail is incorrectly constituted.

[0099] In further examples, volume detection can also be applied to the input reagents (not only the designated container for the reagent cocktail). In such examples, then a detected volume in container of a reagent that will be transferred to the designated container to constitute the reagent cocktail is less than a volume that is required to be transferred to constitute the reagent cocktail, this indicates that there is not enough volume of the reagent to complete the reagent cocktail. In such instances, an error message can be displayed on the touchscreen display 110.

[0100] When the detected volume is more than the expected volume, this may suggest that an individual volume of a reagent may exceed the volume for that reagent assigned to the reagent cocktail such that the reagent cocktail is incorrectly constituted. As yet another example, when the detected volume is more than the expected volume, this may suggest that the designated container was not empty when loaded onto the carousel 400 of the liquid antibody module 118 such that the reagent cocktail in the designated container is incorrectly constituted.

[0101] As further shown in FIG. 10, the method 1000 can include an operation 1008 of preparing samples of specimens by using the reagent cocktail. In some examples, the samples are prepared for flow cytometry analysis by a flow cytometer instrument. Operation 1008 can include adding one aliquot of the reagent cocktail to a sample instead of adding the reagents individually every time a sample is prepared by the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0102] FIGS. 12-35 illustrate graphical user interfaces that are displayed by a panel designer software for designing reagent cocktails for preparation by the sample preparation instrument 100. The graphical user interfaces can be used to create a customized reagent cocktail by assigning reagents, individual volumes of the reagents per test, a default number of tests per reagent cocktail, a desired stability for the reagent cocktail (e.g., in days), a name for the reagent cocktail, one or more designated container for dispensing the reagent cocktail, and other relevant parameter inputs for defining the customized reagent cocktail.

[0103] The graphical user interfaces shown in FIGS. 12-35 can be displayed on a display or monitor of a w orkstation computer that is separate from the sample preparation instrument 100. The workstation computer can include the panel designer softw are installed thereon. The workstation computer can communicate the customized reagent cocktails to the sample preparation instrument 100 over a local network such as by using any type of wired or wireless connections or any combinations thereof for transferring the customized reagent cocktails onto a memory of the sample preparation instrument 100. Alternatively, the workstation computer can export the customized reagent cocktails to a portable memory device (e g., a thumb drive, a memory stick, a pen drive, and the like) that can be inserted into the sample preparation instrument for transferring the customized reagent cocktails onto the memory of the sample preparation instrument 100. Alternatively, in some examples, the graphical userinterfaces are displayed on the touchscreen display 110 of the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0104] Once loaded onto the memory of the sample preparation instrument 100, a user interface workflow is displayed on the touchscreen display 110 allowing a user to select one or more of the customized reagent cocktails for automatic preparation by the sample preparation instrument 100. Every reagent component of the one or more customized reagent cocktails will need to be on-board in sufficient quantities in order for the sample preparation instrument 100 to be able to prepare the one or more customized reagent cocktails. Also, the user will need to load one or more empty containers into the liquid antibody module 118 that will be used as the designated containers for dispensing the one or more customized reagent cocktails.

[0105] The user interface workflow displayed on the touchscreen display 110 allows the user to select the one or more customized reagent cocktails for automatic generation by the sample preparation instrument 100 and to select a number of tests to be prepared by each of the one or more customized reagent cocktails. The user interface workflow provides a “prepare” button that when pressed or otherwise selected on the touchscreen display 110 causes the sample preparation instrument 100 to automatically prepare the one or more customized reagent cocktails.

[0106] Since the one or more customized reagent cocktails are prepared in the sample preparation instrument 100, the one or more customized reagent cocktails are immediately recognized as available for sample preparation. Thus, after the one or more customized reagent cocktails have been generated, the sample preparation instrument 100 can readily use the one or more customized reagent cocktails to prepare samples such as for flow cytometry analysis.

[0107] The sample preparation instrument 100 can automatically prepare multiple reagent cocktails of either the same type or different types as requested by a user. For example, the user can select multiple reagent cocktails of the same or different type, and then press the prepare button on the touchscreen display 110. Thereafter, all of the selected reagent cocktails are automatically prepared by the sample preparation instrument 100. This is advantageous over preparing one reagent cocktail at a time because the user is freed up from having to come back to the sample preparation instrument 100 to prepare a next reagent cocktail every time a reagent cocktail is completed. Before initiating preparation of the reagent cocktails, the sample preparation instrument 100 validates that all of the consumables needed to prepare thereagent cocktails are on-board. When at least one consumable is missing, the sample preparation instrument 100 issues an alert to notify the user that the sample preparation instrument 100 is not able to prepare the requested reagent cocktails due to an insufficient volume of the consumable.

[0108] The sample preparation instrument 100 automatically prepares multiple reagent cocktails sequentially. For example, the sample preparation instrument 100 can be programmed to prepare a first reagent cocktail before it can begin to prepare a second reagent cocktail.

[0109] In alternative examples, the sample preparation instrument 100 can be programmed to automatically prepare multiple reagent cocktails simultaneously. For example, when first and second reagent cocktails include a common reagent, the sample preparation instrument 100 can aspirate the common reagent and then dispense a first predefined volume of the reagent in a first designated container for the first reagent cocktail and dispense a second predefined volume of the reagent in a second designated container for the second reagent cocktail. In this example, the volume of the reagent aspirated by the sample preparation instrument is the sum of the first and second predefined volumes. The time to produce multiple reagent cocktails is reduced by reducing the movements of the pod-arm module 112 such as when at least two reagent cocktails share one or more common reagents such that the pod-arm module 112 does not have to aspirate the common reagent each time for each of the reagent cocktails. Instead, the pod-arm module 112 can aspirate the common reagent once, and can then dispense the common reagent in multiple designated containers for simultaneously preparing the multiple reagent cocktails.

[0110] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface 1200 that displays a popup window 1202 when “cocktail” is selected. The pop-up window 1202 can be used to select a reagent cocktail such as from a new panel, from a new panel from template, or from an open panel.[OHl] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface 1300 that can be used to define a customized reagent cocktail such as by assigning reagents, individual volumes of the reagents per test, a name for the reagent cocktail, a desired stability for the reagent cocktail (e.g., in days), a default number of tests per designated container of the reagent cocktail, and comments that are relevant for defining the customized reagent cocktail.

[0112] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a user interface 1400 that allows confirmation of the details of the reagent cocktail following selection of the "Ok" icon on the user interface 1300 of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface 1500 that allows edits of the details of the reagent cocktail shown on the user interface 1400 of FIG. 14.

[0113] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface 1600 that provides a list of options relevant to operation of the sample preparation instrument 100. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a user interface 1700 that lists reagent cocktails that have been stored on a memory of the sample preparation instrument 100 in response to selection of “cocktails” on the user interface 1600. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a user interface 1800 that lists designated containers and their position on the carousel 400 inside the liquid antibody module 118 that have a given reagent cocktail in response to selection of “Cocktail 1” on the user interface 1700. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a user interface 1900 that identifies details of the given reagent cocktail in response to selection of a toggle button 1802 on the user interface 1800. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a user interface 2000 that identifies details of the reagent components of the given reagent cocktail in response to selection of a composition button 1902 on the user interface 1900.

[0114] FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a user interface 2100 that displays a warning 2102 for a given reagent cocktail located in a designed container on position U1 1 of the carousel 400. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a user interface 2200 that displays details for the warning 2102 when selected on the user interface 2100 of FIG. 21. In this example, the details of the warning state that the reagent cocktail cannot be prepared by the sample preparation instrument 100 because there is an expired reagent, and / or there is an insufficient volume of a reagent, and / or that quality control has not been performed for a reagent, and / or that a reagent is not onboard.

[0115] FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a user interface 2300 that displays a popup window 2302 that a reagent cocktail is ready for preparation when none of the component reagents are expired, have an insufficient volume, or are not missing quality control.

[0116] FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a user interface 2400 that lists a plurality of reagent cocktails that are in the process of being imported onto the sample preparation instrument 100. FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a user interface 2500 thatlists reagent cocktails with a reagent cocktail that has been successfully imported onto the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0117] FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a user interface 2600 that lists reagent cocktails that are published. FIG. 27 illustrates an example of a user interface 2700 that displays details of a published reagent cocktail. Published means that all users of the sample preparation instrument 100 can prepare the reagent cocktail. When a reagent cocktail is first imported into the sample preparation instrument 100. the reagent cocktail is in a development mode. The only users who can prepare the reagent cocktail in the development mode are users with “development’’ or higher privileges (i . e.. “reagent cocktail developers”). Once the reagent cocktail developers have done sufficient testing with a newly created reagent cocktail, these users can publish the reagent cocktail such that it is made available for all users to prepare using the sample preparation instrument 100. The reagent cocktail developers can delete the published reagent cocktails from a memory' of the sample preparation instrument 100 by selection of a delete icon 2602, 2702.

[0118] FIG. 28 illustrates an example of a user interface 2800 that lists reagent cocktails that have not been published. FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a user interface 2900 that displays details of an unpublished reagent cocktail. The unpublished reagent cocktails can be deleted from a memory of the sample preparation instrument 100 by selection of a delete icon 2802, 2902.

[0119] FIG. 30 illustrates an example of a custom defined reagent enrollment user interface 3000. This user interface allows users to enroll empty designated containers with machine-readable labels attached thereto. Once an empty designated container is assigned to a reagent cocktail and a save icon 3002 is selected, the empty designated container is shown in a cocktail preparation screen as available for preparing the reagent cocktail. The user interface includes a manually filled button 3004 to allow the user, if desired, to manually prepare the reagent cocktail inside the designated container. The manually filled button 3004 notifies software on the sample preparation instrument 100 that the empty designated container is no longer available for filling because the empty designated container was manually filled by the user.

[0120] FIG. 31 illustrates another example of a user interface 3100 that allows entry of details for a custom defined reagent. In this example, a toggle icon 3102 for selecting whether or not the custom defined reagent was manually filled in a container402 is toggled from no to yes to indicate that the custom defined reagent was manually filled into the container 402.

[0121] FIG. 32 illustrates another example of a user interface 3200 that shows quality control statuses 3202 for one or more lots of a reagent cocktail. For example, the quality control statuses 3202 indicate that quality control was performed for one lot (i.e., “lot 100”) while quality control was not performed for another lot (i.e., “lot 101”).

[0122] FIG. 33 illustrates another example of a user interface 3300 that shows quality control statuses 3302 that include additional details such as product identification (ID) for a lot of a reagent cocktail.

[0123] FIG. 34 illustrates another example of a user interface 3400 that shows quality control statuses 3402 that include additional details such as identification (ID) of a container 402 having a lot of a reagent cocktail.

[0124] FIG. 35 illustrates another example of a user interface 3500 that shows quality control statuses 3502 that include additional details such as enrollment date, expiration date, number of tests, number of remaining tests, and a lot number for a lot of a reagent cocktail on the sample preparation instrument 100.

[0125] FIG. 36 schematically illustrates an example of a computing device 3600 that can be used to implement aspects of the sample preparation instrument 100. Examples of the computing device 3600 can include a controller or other devices configured to process digital instructions.

[0126] The computing device 3600 includes one or more processing devices 3602. Examples of the one or more processing devices 3602 include central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, and other types of electronic computing circuits. The one or more processing devices 3602 can be part of a processing circuitry having a memory for storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry', cause the processing circuitry' to perform the functions described herein.

[0127] The computing device 3600 includes a system memory 3604, and a system bus 3606 that couples various system components including the system memory 3604 to the one or more processing devices 3602. The system bus 3606 is one of any number of types of bus structures or architectures. The system memory 3604 can include a read only memory' (ROM) 3608 and a random access memory (RAM) 3610. A basic input / output system (BIOS) 3612 containing the basic routines that act to transferinformation within computing device 3600, such as during start up, can be stored in the system memory 3604.

[0128] The computing device 3600 can have one or more secondary storage devices 3614 such as a hard disk drive for storing digital data. The one or more secondary7storage devices 3614 are connected to the system bus 3606 by a secondary' storage interface 3616. The one or more secondary storage devices 3614 and associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile and non-transitory storage of computer readable instructions including application programs and program modules, data structures, and other data for execution by the one or more processing devices 3602 of the computing device 3600.

[0129] Additional types of computer readable storage media such as the ROM 3608 and / or the RAM 3610 can provide nonvolatile and non-transitory storage of computer readable instructions including application programs and program modules, data structures, and other data for execution by the one or more processing devices 3602 of the computing device 3600.

[0130] The computing device 3600 typically includes at least some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media includes any available media that can be accessed by the one or more processing devices 3602. By way of example, the computer readable media can include both computer readable storage media and computer readable communication media.

[0131] The computer readable storage media can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable, media implemented in any device configured to store information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Examples of the computer readable storage media can include, without limitation, random access memory, read only memory', electrically erasable programmable read only7memory, flash memory or other memory technology, or any other medium that can be used to store data that can be accessed by the one or more processing devices 3602.

[0132] The computer readable communication media can embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more characteristics set in a manner as to encode information in the signal. The computer readable communication media can include wired media such as a wirednetwork or a direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as Wi-Fi, radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of the computer readable communication media.

[0133] A number of program modules can be stored in the system memory 3604, including an operating system 3618, application programs 3620, program modules 3622 (such as software engines), and program data 3624. One or more of these program modules can alternatively be stored in the secondary storage device 3614.

[0134] A user can provide inputs to the computing device 3600 through one or more input devices 3626. Examples of the input devices 3626 can include a mouse 3628, a keyboard 3630, a microphone 3632. and a touch sensor 3634 (such as a touchpad or touch sensitive display). Additional types of the input devices 3626 are contemplated. The input devices 3626 are often connected to the one or more processing devices 3602 through an input / output interface 3636 that is coupled to the system bus 3606. The input devices 3626 can be connected by any number of input / output interfaces, such as a parallel port, serial port, game port, or a universal serial bus. Wireless communication between input devices and the input / output interface 3636 is possible as well, and includes BLUETOOTH® wireless technology, Wi-Fi, 802.11a / b / g / n, and / or other wireless communications protocols.

[0135] The touchscreen display 110 can include a liquid crystal display device, a touch sensitive display device, and the like. The touchscreen display 110 connects to the system bus 3606 via an interface such as a video adapter 3640. In addition to the touchscreen display 110, the computing device 3600 can include various other peripheral devices such a printer.

[0136] When used in a local area networking environment or a wide area networking environment (such as the Internet), the computing device 3600 is typically connected to a network 3644 through a network interface 3642, such as an Ethernet interface. Other possible examples use other communication devices. For example, some examples of the computing device 3600 include a modem for communicating across the network 3644.

[0137] The computing device 3600 is an example of programmable electronics, which may include one or more such computing devices. When multiple computing devices are included, such computing devices can be coupled together with a suitable data communication network so as to collectively perform the various functions, methods, or operations disclosed herein.

[0138] 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 sample preparation instrument, comprising: a pod-arm module that moves one or more probes in three-dimensions above one or more modules within the sample preparation instrument; a reagent module including: a housing defining an interior cavity; a lid attached to the housing, the lid when closed maintaining a dark environment inside the interior cavity; a refrigeration unit providing refrigeration inside the interior cavity: and a carousel placed inside the interior cavity, the carousel holding a plurality of containers including containers each containing a reagent and at least one designated container, and the plurality of containers each including a cap that is pierceable by the one or more probes of the pod-arm module; and a processing circuitry with a memory for storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to: receive an instruction to prepare a reagent cocktail having predefined volumes of the reagents contained in the containers of the reagent module; and automatically generate the reagent cocktail by controlling the pod-arm module to move the one or more probes to aspirate the predefined volumes of the reagents from the containers in the reagent module and to dispense the predefined volumes of the reagents into the at least one designated container while maintaining the refrigerated and dark environment inside the reagent module.

2. The sample preparation instrument of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: fluidically mix the reagent cocktail once the predefined volumes of the reagents are dispensed into the at least one designated container by aspirating and dispensing the reagent cocktail one or more times into the at least one designated container.

3. The sample preparation instrument of claim 1, further comprising: a touchscreen display that allows a user to select the reagent cocktail for preparation.

4. The sample preparation instrument of claim 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: display a graphical user interface for assigning reagents, individual volumes of the reagents per test, a default number of tests per reagent cocktail, a desired stability for the reagent cocktail, a name for the reagent cocktail, and one or more designated containers for dispensing the reagent cocktail by the sample preparation instrument.

5. The sample preparation instrument of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: store locally on a memory of the sample preparation instrument the assignment of the reagents, the individual volumes of the reagents per test, the default number of tests per reagent cocktail, the desired stability for the reagent cocktail, the name for the reagent cocktail, and the one or more designated containers for dispensing the reagent cocktail.

6. The sample preparation instrument of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry', further cause the processing circuitry to: align a cap of a first container held on the carousel inside the interior cavity of the reagent module with an aperture on the lid of the reagent module: lower a probe into the first container through the aperture on the lid and the cap of the first container, wherein the cap is pierceable by the probe; aspirate a predefined volume of a first reagent from the first container; remove the probe from the first container; move the carousel such that a cap of the designated container is aligned with the aperture or another aperture on the lid of the reagent module; lower the probe into the designated container through the aperture or the another aperture on the lid and the cap of the designated container; dispense the first reagent into the designated container; and remove the probe from the designated container.

7. The sample preparation instrument of claim 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to:align a cap of a second container held on the carousel inside the interior cavity of the reagent module with the aperture or the another aperture on the lid; lower the probe into the second container through the aperture or the another aperture on the lid and the cap of the second container, wherein the cap is pierceable by the probe; aspirate a predefined volume of a second reagent from the second container; remove the probe from the second container; move the carousel such that the cap of the designated container is aligned with the aperture or the another aperture on the lid of the reagent module; lower the probe into the designated container through the aperture or the another aperture on the lid and the cap of the designated container; dispense the second reagent into the designated container; and remove the probe from the designated container.

8. The sample preparation instrument of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: perform fluidic mixing by: aspirating a mixture of the first and second reagents from the designated container; and dispensing the mixture of the first and second reagents into the designated container.

9. The sample preparation instrument of claim 7 or 8, wherein the predefined volumes of the first reagent and the second reagent are the same or different.

10. The sample preparation instrument of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: automatically generate a plurality of reagent cocktails by dispensing one or more combinations of the predefined volumes of the reagents into a plurality of the designated containers.

11. The sample preparation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: perform qualify control by:preparing a first panel for a specimen using a current designated container of the reagent cocktail; and preparing a second panel for the specimen using a new designated container of the reagent cocktail.

12. The sample preparation instrument of claim 11, wherein the quality control of the new designated container of the reagent cocktail passes when the analyses of the first and second panels match, and the quality control of the new designated container of the reagent cocktail fails when the analyses of the first and second panels do not match.

13. The sample preparation instrument of any of claims 1-12. wherein the refrigeration unit maintains a temperature between about 2°C and about 8°C inside the reagent module.

14. The sample preparation instrument of any of claims 1-13. wherein the carousel holds the containers at an angle relative to the one or more probes of the pod-arm module.

15. The sample preparation instrument of any of claims 1-14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the processing circuitry to: prepare samples of specimens using the reagent cocktail.

Images