Patent ID: 8480976
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: B01F,B01L,C12N,C12Q,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An instrument for processing a sample in a receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers, the instrument comprising: a receptacle-receiving area for receiving the receptacle; a detector having components positioned to detect a light signal from the contents of a detection chamber of the receptacle when the receptacle is placed in an operative position in said receptacle-receiving area, said components comprising a light source and a signal detecting element disposed on the same side of the receptacle-receiving area; at least one movable compression element disposed to be adjacent the detection chamber and situated between the receptacle and said light source and said signal detecting element of said detector when the receptacle is placed in the operative position in said receptacle-receiving area, wherein said compression element is configured to move relative to the detector and to transmit light from said light source to said detection chamber and to transmit light signals from said detection chamber to said signal detecting element; an actuator constructed and arranged to move the compression element; and a controller programmed to activate the actuator to move said compression element into engagement with a flexible portion of the detection chamber to thereby depress the flexible portion to agitate the contents of the detection chamber or to move the contents of the detection chamber into an adjacently connected chamber of the receptacle.