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WO1998002753A1 - Dispositif a spirale servant a charger une cassette dans une machine automatique de controle de specimens - Google Patents

Dispositif a spirale servant a charger une cassette dans une machine automatique de controle de specimens Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998002753A1
WO1998002753A1 PCT/US1997/012514 US9712514W WO9802753A1 WO 1998002753 A1 WO1998002753 A1 WO 1998002753A1 US 9712514 W US9712514 W US 9712514W WO 9802753 A1 WO9802753 A1 WO 9802753A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
containers
cassette
track
housing
aperture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/012514
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mario Moreno
John A. Lipski
Original Assignee
Akzo Nobel N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Akzo Nobel N.V. filed Critical Akzo Nobel N.V.
Priority to AU36695/97A priority Critical patent/AU3669597A/en
Publication of WO1998002753A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998002753A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0439—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels
    • G01N2035/0456—Spiral tracks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/046—General conveyor features
    • G01N2035/0465—Loading or unloading the conveyor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of laboratory testing of fluid samples and, more particularly, to a means for quickly and effectively loading sample reaction chambers into an automated sample handling/testing device.
  • testing of the fluid samples is often very repetitive in nature, yet it requires a high level of concentration to avoid errors which might lead to critical mistakes in treatment.
  • manual handling of fluid samples increases risk to the laboratory technician for contracting a communicable disease, e.g., AIDS, hepatitis, etc.
  • automated sample handling and testing frees up the laboratory technician to carry out other less routine functions when human decision making skills can be uniquely utilized.
  • Chemical analysis of the fluid sample by the automated sample handling/testing device often occurs in a reaction chamber called a cuvette. These transparent cuvettes are somewhat analogous to a test tube employed in manual testing.
  • the automated sample handling/testing device dispenses a fluid sample into a cuvette along with one or more test specific reagents and diluents. After thorough mixing of the solution and a precisely timed delay, a photometric analysis can be employed to detect changes in the solution. The degree and/or rate of change can be equated to a numerical test result and compared to a normal range of test results as determined from healthy individuals.
  • One of the key concerns in automated testing of fluid samples is a device for storing and reliably dispensing cuvettes as needed to the automated sample handling/testing device. There is a need to provide a loading device and container for quickly and effectively loading an automated instrument with a supply of cuvettes to provide continuous processing of fluid samples so as to free the laboratory technician to perform other tasks in the lab.
  • a cassette for holding and dispensing containers which includes a housing having a base and cover and an aperture for the containers to be released from the cassette.
  • the housing also includes a spiral track for holding the containers where each of the containers comprises a structural assymetry which has a corresponding assymetry in the spiral track so as to require loading and positioning of the containers in a particular orientation within the track.
  • the spiral track can also be formed so as to be gradually increasing in width as the track spirals inward towards the center of the cassette .
  • an apparatus having a cassette for holding and dispensing containers, the cassette having a spiral track within a housing, a connecting track for advancing containers from the housing to a container loading position, a container loading position for loading containers onto a conveyor, and a conveyor for conveying the containers from the loading position for sample testing.
  • Figure 1 is an overhead plan view of the spiral cassette loaded in the automated analyzer
  • Figure 2 is an overhead view of the spiral cassette
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along line A-A from Figure 2 ;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-section of one track in the spiral cassette taken along line C-C in Figure 2;
  • Figure 5A is a cross-section taken along line B-B from Figure 2, and Figure 5B is detail B from Figure 2 ;
  • Figure 6 is a side view of the cuvette to be held within the spiral cassette.
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of the cuvette for the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a spiral cassette 1 positioned within a cassette loading area of an automated analyzer.
  • Cuvettes can be positioned from an inner point A consecutively in line and extending to an outer point B.
  • a track 3 allows for cuvettes to advance from the spiral cassette 1 to a cuvette loading position 11.
  • a cuvette 10 is positioned adjacent the cuvette loading position 11.
  • a solenoid 13 is activated to push the cuvette onto a track 15.
  • the cuvette is then advanced along track 15 by a belt conveyor, screw conveyor or other conveying mechanism, with the testing of samples in the cuvette wells taking place along the track .
  • Figure 2 is an overhead view of the spiral cassette loader.
  • the shape of the cassette is octagonal, though circular or other polygonal shapes are also possible. Based on the dimensions (in inches) as set forth in Figure 2, ninety- four cuvettes (of substantially rectangular cross-section such as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7) can be filled into the cassette. Of course, depending on the size of the cuvettes and the size of the cassette, greater numbers of cuvettes could be held by the cassette.
  • the cuvettes are loaded into the cassette at the same opening (point B in Figures 1 and 2) as they exit from being advanced for testing on an automated analyzer. If an asymmetrical cuvette 10 is used, such as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, then it is possible to insure that the cuvettes are loaded in the proper orientation into the cassette. As can be seen in Figure 7, two ridges 50a and 50b can be provided so as to define therebetween a groove 51. Looking at Figure 4, which is a cross-section C-C from Figure 2, a single track 25 is illustrated having on an interior wall 27 thereof, a projection 60. Projection 60 in Figure 4 fits with groove 51 of the cuvette in Figures 6 and 7, thus insuring that the cuvette is loaded into the cassette in a proper orientation. Of course, other means for insuring the proper orientation of the cuvette are possible, such as a projection on the cuvette with a corresponding groove in the track of the cassette.
  • the track in the cassette is formed so as to be gradually increasing in width as the track spirals inward towards the center of the cassette.
  • Figure 3 a cross -section taken along line A-A from Figure 2
  • the width of the track gradually increases from the cross-section of the track taken at point 25a towards the cross-section of the same track taken at point 25e.
  • Figure 5b is detail B from Figure 2 showing dimensions thereof, and Figure 5a is a cross-section taken along line B-B from Figure 2.
  • the shape of this detail B is designed for minimizing materials and maximizing strength, though other designs would also be possible .
  • manufacture of the cassette can involve the molding of as few as one or two plastic parts (if two plastic parts are molded, they can be ultrasonically welded together) .
  • the cuvettes can then be loaded by in-line insertion through the cuvette aperture in the cassette.
  • the final step is to seal the aperture with, for example, a peel- off label.
  • the cassette holding the cuvettes is inserted into the automated analyzer, potentially at a slight angle providing a self aligning and locking of the cassette into the instrument.
  • the instrument can be provided with a sensor to detect the presence of the cassette.
  • the cassette load sensor when it detects the presence of the cassette, can start the advancement of the cuvettes thus pushing all cuvettes around the spiral until the leading cuvette encounters a linear-track stop.
  • the system mechanics can overdrive the train of cuvettes by means of a friction clutch thus maintaining the leading cuvette at its instrument load position.
  • a solenoid-based plunger then loads the first cuvette into the instrument test track.
  • a controller detects that the cassette is empty .
  • the present invention is beneficial in that it provides an environmentally closed design to avoid contamination of the cuvettes.
  • the cassette has a low number of parts and is easy to manufacture thus resulting in reduced assembly time. Also, the cassette is user friendly and eliminates/reduces loading position errors.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Cassette (1) servant à contenir et à distribuer des récipients (10) et comprenant un boîtier pourvu d'une base, d'un couvercle et d'une ouverture pour les récipients devant être sortis de la cassette (1). Ce boîtier comprend également une piste en spirale servant à retenir les récipients (10) dont chacun présente une asymétrie à laquelle correspond une asymétrie dans la piste en spirale, ce qui nécessite de charger et de placer les récipients selon une orientation particulière à l'intérieur de la piste. Cette piste en spirale peut également être conçue de manière à augmenter graduellement en largeur simultanément à la progression de la piste vers l'intérieur en direction du centre de la cassette. Un appareil automatique peut comprendre la cassette (1) servant à contenir et à distribuer des récipients (10) et possédant une piste en spirale située à l'intérieur d'un boîtier, ainsi qu'une piste de branchement (3) servant à faire avancer les récipients depuis le boîtier vers une position de chargement (11) afin de charger les récipients (10) sur un convoyeur (15) servant à transporter ces récipients (10) depuis la position de chargement.
PCT/US1997/012514 1996-07-17 1997-07-17 Dispositif a spirale servant a charger une cassette dans une machine automatique de controle de specimens WO1998002753A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU36695/97A AU3669597A (en) 1996-07-17 1997-07-17 Spiral cuvette loading device for an automated sample testing machine

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68221596A 1996-07-17 1996-07-17
US08/682,215 1996-07-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998002753A1 true WO1998002753A1 (fr) 1998-01-22

Family

ID=24738711

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/012514 WO1998002753A1 (fr) 1996-07-17 1997-07-17 Dispositif a spirale servant a charger une cassette dans une machine automatique de controle de specimens

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3669597A (fr)
ID (1) ID17751A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998002753A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA976223B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109230308A (zh) * 2018-08-03 2019-01-18 迪瑞医疗科技股份有限公司 一种回转传动机构

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4163643A (en) * 1976-12-03 1979-08-07 National Research Development Corporation Automation of discrete analysis systems
US4495975A (en) * 1981-09-22 1985-01-29 Pharmacia Ab Sample treatment device
US4528159A (en) * 1981-07-20 1985-07-09 American Hospital Supply Corp. Automated analysis instrument system
US5456884A (en) * 1992-07-22 1995-10-10 Akzo Nobel N.V. Cassette and cuvette loading mechanism
US5609823A (en) * 1993-08-05 1997-03-11 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh System for the analysis of sample liquids

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4163643A (en) * 1976-12-03 1979-08-07 National Research Development Corporation Automation of discrete analysis systems
US4528159A (en) * 1981-07-20 1985-07-09 American Hospital Supply Corp. Automated analysis instrument system
US4495975A (en) * 1981-09-22 1985-01-29 Pharmacia Ab Sample treatment device
US5456884A (en) * 1992-07-22 1995-10-10 Akzo Nobel N.V. Cassette and cuvette loading mechanism
US5609823A (en) * 1993-08-05 1997-03-11 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh System for the analysis of sample liquids

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109230308A (zh) * 2018-08-03 2019-01-18 迪瑞医疗科技股份有限公司 一种回转传动机构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3669597A (en) 1998-02-09
ZA976223B (en) 1998-09-01
ID17751A (id) 1998-01-22

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