Particle Mixing

Abstract

A method of separating an analyte from a biological sample is described. The method comprises providing particles capable of binding said analyte when present in a solution in a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible. The particles are suspended in the solution by exerting a force on the flexible part of the walls of the container more than one time. An aliquot of the suspended particles is then removed from the container. The removed aliquot is dispensed into a sample, and the sample is incubated under conditions suitable to immobilize said analyte on the particles. The particles with the bound analyte are then separated from other material and at least part of the biological sample is removed.

1 . A system for separating an analyte comprising a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible, wherein said container comprises particles in a solution, and a separation station, the system further comprising a movable mechanical device functionally coupled to said flexible walls being part of the walls of said container, and a computer controller configured to control the movable mechanical device such that it exerts pressure on the flexible walls being part of the walls of the container to suspend the particles in the container,
 wherein the system further comprises a pipetting device, characterized in that said pipetting device and said movable mechanical device are functionally coupled and said computer controller is configured to control the movable mechanical device and the pipetting device such that the movable mechanical device exerts a force on the flexible walls being part of the walls of the container to suspend the particles in the container for at least the same time period that the pipetting system requires to aspirate an aliquot of the solution comprising the particles, and said movable mechanical device exerts a force on the flexible walls being part of the walls while the pipetting system aspires an aliquot of the solution comprising particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said container is held in a frame, wherein said frame comprises an opening at the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said frame and said container are covered by a lid. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said lid comprises at least one opening. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a resealable seal covers said opening.