Patent ID: 8476015

Claim:
A method for isolating an analyte that may be present in a fluid sample, the method comprising the automated steps of: a1) engaging pipette tips of a first type which are held in a rack in a first position with a first process head; a2) transferring said fluid sample from a sample vessel to a processing vessel with said pipette tips of a first type engaged to said first process head; a3) placing said pipette tips in said rack and disengaging said pipette tips from said process head; a4) transporting said rack comprising said pipette tips and said processing vessel to a second position; and a5) engaging said pipette tips of a first type which are held in said rack with a second process head in said second position; b) combining together a solid support material and said fluid sample in a well of said processing vessel for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to permit said analyte to be immobilized on the solid support material; c) isolating the solid support material from other material present in the fluid sample in a separation station; and d) purifying the analyte in the separation station by separating the fluid sample from the solid support material and washing the solid support material one or more times with a wash buffer; wherein said pipette tip of a first type used in steps a1)-a5) is re-used after steps a1)-a5), and wherein said pipette tip of a first type is stored in said rack comprising pipette tips of a first type and pipette tips of a second type.