Rack for sample tubes and reagent holders

Abstract

A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

1 . An apparatus for holding reagents for sample preparation, comprising:
 a horizontal member comprising a plurality of slots arranged parallel to an axis between a first side and a second side of the horizontal member, each of the plurality of slots defining an opening in the first side of the horizontal member and extending toward the second side of the horizontal member, each of the plurality of slots configured to accept a reagent holder; and   two or more members supporting the horizontal member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sample tube holders, wherein each of the plurality of sample tube holders corresponds to a single slot. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of sample tube holders is arranged in line with a single slot. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the sample tube holders comprises a recessed portion configured to receive a bottom of a sample tube, and an aperture configured to hold an upper portion of the sample tube. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reagent holder located in at least one of the plurality of slots, the reagent holder comprising a process container and one or more reagent receptacles. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the reagent holder contains sufficient reagents to extract nucleic acids from a sample. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the reagent holder further comprises at least one pipette tip holder. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be removably received by a heater unit configured to independently heat the process chamber of each reagent holder located in the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to indicate proper placement of the apparatus in a diagnostic apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be removably oriented in a receiving bay of a diagnostic apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots consists of 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, or 24 openings. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an identifier associated with each slot. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reagent holder located in each of the plurality of slots. 
     
     
         14 . A housing for samples and reagent holders, comprising:
 a top surface comprising a plurality of parallel lanes extending across the top surface, each lane defining an axis upon which a first opening configured to receive a reagent holder and a second opening configured to receive a sample tube are aligned;   at least two surfaces supporting the top surface; and   a reagent holder located in the first opening of at least one of the plurality of lanes, the reagent holder comprising a process container and one or more reagent receptacles.   
     
     
         15 . The housing of  claim 14 , further comprising a sample tube located in the second opening of at least one of the plurality of lanes. 
     
     
         16 . The housing of  claim 14 , wherein each lane defines an opening in a first side of the top surface and extends along the axis toward a second side of the top surface. 
     
     
         17 . The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the reagent holder contains sufficient reagents to extract nucleic acids from a sample. 
     
     
         18 . The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the housing is configured to be removably received by a heater unit configured to independently heat the process chamber of each reagent holder located in the housing. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a plurality of samples for extraction of nucleic acid contained in the samples, the plurality of samples held in a housing comprising a top surface comprising a plurality of slots arranged parallel to an axis between a first side and a second side of the top surface, each of the plurality of slots defining an opening in the first side of the top surface and extending toward the second side of the top surface, the method comprising:
 sliding a first reagent holder through the opening of a first slot of the plurality of slots and toward the second side of the top surface;   inserting a first sample tube containing a first sample into a first sample tube holder arranged in line with the first slot;   sliding a second reagent holder through the opening of a second slot of the plurality of slots and toward the second side of the top surface;   inserting a second sample tube containing a second sample into a second sample tube holder arranged in line with the second slot; and   inserting the housing into a receiving bay of a diagnostic apparatus configured to extract nucleic acid from the first sample and the second sample independently.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first reagent holder and the second reagent holder comprise a process container and one or more reagent receptacles containing reagents. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising dispensing the first sample into one or more reagent receptacles of the first reagent holder. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising inserting the housing into a heater unit configured to independently heat the process chamber of the first reagent holder and the second reagent holder.