CA1171345A - Incubator including cover means for an analysis slide - Google Patents
Incubator including cover means for an analysis slideInfo
- Publication number
- CA1171345A CA1171345A CA000379775A CA379775A CA1171345A CA 1171345 A CA1171345 A CA 1171345A CA 000379775 A CA000379775 A CA 000379775A CA 379775 A CA379775 A CA 379775A CA 1171345 A CA1171345 A CA 1171345A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slide
- slides
- chamber
- analysis
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired
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
- G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
-
- 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
- G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
- G01N2035/00039—Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
-
- 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
- G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
- G01N2035/00039—Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
- G01N2035/00049—Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade for loading/unloading a carousel
-
- 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
- G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
- G01N2035/00079—Evaporation covers for slides
-
- 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
- G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
- G01N2035/00089—Magazines
-
- 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
- G01N2035/00346—Heating or cooling arrangements
- G01N2035/00356—Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
-
- 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
- G01N2035/00346—Heating or cooling arrangements
- G01N2035/00356—Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
- G01N2035/00386—Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation) using fluid heat transfer medium
Abstract
INCUBATOR INCLUDING COVER MEANS FOR AN ANALYSIS
SLIDE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An incubator is provided for use with a chemical analyzer of the type in which sample fluids are metered onto analysis slides which are subjected to analyses. The incubator includes a temperature-controlled chamber having a rotor mounted therein which supports slides in a plurality of slide-car-rying positions. The slide-carrying positions of the rotor are individually indexable to transfer locations wherein slides may be placed on the rotor or removed therefrom. Cover means suppor-ted by the rotor include a plurality of covers associated with the slide-carrying positions. The covers are positionable to an operative position to partially enclose a sample fluid to control evaporation. Control means are provided to selectively move a cover from the operative position to permit an analysis slide to be posi-tioned in the transfer location of the incubator or to be removed therefrom, without disturbing the sample fluid on the slide.
SLIDE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An incubator is provided for use with a chemical analyzer of the type in which sample fluids are metered onto analysis slides which are subjected to analyses. The incubator includes a temperature-controlled chamber having a rotor mounted therein which supports slides in a plurality of slide-car-rying positions. The slide-carrying positions of the rotor are individually indexable to transfer locations wherein slides may be placed on the rotor or removed therefrom. Cover means suppor-ted by the rotor include a plurality of covers associated with the slide-carrying positions. The covers are positionable to an operative position to partially enclose a sample fluid to control evaporation. Control means are provided to selectively move a cover from the operative position to permit an analysis slide to be posi-tioned in the transfer location of the incubator or to be removed therefrom, without disturbing the sample fluid on the slide.
Description
~ ~7~3~5 INCUBATOR INCLUDING COVER MEANS FOR AN
ANALYSIS SLIDE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.
Field of the Invention -The invention relates to chemical apparatus for the automatic analysis of biological fluids, and more particularly, to cover means for cooperating with analysis slides in an incubator of such apparatus to control evaporation of sample flulds carried by the slides.
State of the Prior Art In recent years~ a number of automated systems have been developed for carrying out quantitative chemical analyses of sample fluids. Ln U.S. Patent No. 4,15~,390, there is described a chemical analyzer in which a sample fluid is metered onto an analysis slide which is then transferred into an incubator.
, ~1~134~
The incubator comprises a temperature-controlled chamber having a plurality of transfer locations wherein slides may be transferred into or out of the chamber; conveyor means rotatable in the chamber about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of slide-holding means for releasably holding the slides; and drive means for effecting movement of slides in the conveyor means within the chamber for positioning the slides for transfer at one of the transfer locations. This incubator, however, is not suitable for slides having fluids remaining in liquid form on a surface of the slide, since the slides are rotated through a vertical position in which the fluid would be spilled from the slide. The slide-holding means comprises a spring which cooperates with the slides to retain the slides in position on the conveyor.
U.S. Patent No. 3,574,064, to Binnings et al, discloses apparatus in which glass slides are fed from a single supply station onto a turn-table. Slides carried on the turntable are moved past a metering station, and then through wash and incubation stations spaced around the periphery of the turntable. Slides processed by the apparatus are ejected from the turntable into a slide receiver adjacent the slide supply station. There is no provision for automatic analysis of the processed slides, and they must be manually removed from the slide receiver for examination under a laboratory microscope. Further, there is no su~gestion of a cover means for protection of the fluids on the slides.
An incubator, for use~with analysis slides which are horizontally disposed in verti-cally-spaced slots in the incubator,is disclosed in RESEARCH DISCLOSURE, Vol. 175, November, 1978, ~17~
Publication No. 17,569, published by Industrial Opportunities Limited, Homewell, Havant Hampshire, P09 lEF, United Kingdom. There is no suggestion in this publication, however, of means for control-ling evaporation of fluids on analysis slides.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to pro-vide novel and improved apparatus for controlling evaporation of fluids on analysis slides in an incubator of a chemical analyzer. The invention is particularly suitable for use in an analyzer adap-ted to perform analyses of biological fluids dis-pensed onto a generally planar test element, or analysis slide, of the type which is used to poten-tiometrically designate the activity of ions in the fluid. In such slides, a reference fluid and a sample fluid are metered onto the slide, and a measurement is taken of the potential developed in the slide.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the incubator comprises a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning analysis slides. Conveyor means within the chamber is adapted to support the slides during the condi-tioning thereof and to deliver the slides to atransfer location in the chamber. Cover means in the chamber cooperates with analysis slides on the conveyor, and in an operative position, the cover means at least partially encloses fluids on the slides. Drive means effects movement of the conveyor to position slides at the transfer loca-tion. A control means is operable at the transfer location to move the cover means out of the opera-tive position to permit transfer of the slides, without disturbing fluid carried on the slide.
In a preferred embodiment of the inven-~ ~7 ~ 3~
tion, the conveyor is in the form of a rotor havinga plurality of slide-carrying positions. The cover means comprises a plurality of movable covers, and a movable cover is associated with each of the 5 positions on the rotor. The control means compri-ses a lift mechanism at the transfer location which i9 adapted to lift a cover to permit a slide transEer mechanism to move a slide from the rotor to a read station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chemical analyzer of the type which employs an incubator and cover means of ~he subject invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the poten-tiometric incubator and associated analyzer compo-nents, with portions broken away to show a prefer-red embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the potentiometric incubator, with a portion shown in section, taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the delay station and a portion of the incubator, taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the incubator and analysis means, taken along the line 5-5 in FigO 2;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a slide transfer mechanism of the analyzer, taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the slide transfer mechanism and analysis means, taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is described hereinafter in connection with an analyzer for performing ~7~3~
quantitative chemical analyses of biological fluids, such as blood serum. However, the invention is not so limited, and it can also be employed in other types of apparatus in which objects carrying fluids must be transferred from station to station and the fluids are subject to evaporation.
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, cover means are provided ~or cooperating with an analysis slide to control evaporation of a sample fluid from the slide. The cover means described and claimed is particularly suited for use in a chemical analyzer of the type disclosed herein. Control of evaporation of the sample fluids is important with such an analyzer in that it is essential that concentrations of various constituents in the sample fluids not change, once the fluids have been metered onto a slide.
The invention is useful with analyzers in which the substrate which makes the testing of fluids possible comprises a pair of electrodes selective to the ion activity of choice. Recent developments have provided the electrodes in essentially planar, dry form suitable for use in pairs in an analyzer. ~n example of such a test element ls disclosed in the patent to Hamblen et al U.S. Patent No. 4,053,381, granted on October 11, 1977, This patent describes a test element, or analysis slide, of the type which is used to potentiometrically designate the activity of ions in a liquid test solution.
i.!
~1713~
The invention can also be used with other forms of test elements, as for example, the element disclosed in the commonly-owned patent to Przybylowitz et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,992,158, granted on November 16, 1976. The test element disclosed in this patent is formed as a multi-layered element containing the necessary reagents for reaction with components of a biological fluid, such as blood serum, deposited thereon. Certain reactions colorimetrically produce a change in optical density in the element which is sensed by a reflectometer, the amount of light reflected from the element varying in accordance with the reaction and being indicative of the amount of a particular component present in the fluid.
With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown analyzer apparatus 12 which comprises a housing 14 for a supply of analysis slides of the colorimetric type and a housing 16 for a supply of analysis slides of the potentiometric type. A metering device 18 is adapted to meter sample fluid from one of a plurality of cups 19 in a sample tray 20 onto an analysis slide in slide distributor 30.
A second metering device, not shown, works in conjunction with metering device 18 to also deposit ; reference fluid onto the analysis slides of the potentiometer type. After the metering operations, analysis slides of the potentiometric type are deposited in an incubator 22 from slide distributor 30, and analysis slides of the colorimetric type are deposited in an incubator 24. Incubators 22, 24, are adapted to cooperate respectively with read stations, or analysis means, 23, 25, for measuring a~ change in the analysis slides as a result of the fluid deposited thereon. Slide ~ 171 343 transfer means are provided for removing the slldes from the incubators 22, 24 to the analysis means 23, 25.
In Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown incuba-S tor 22 comprising a housing 40 defining a generallycylindrical, temperature-controlled chamber 42, a circular slide conveyor or rotor 44 mounted for rotation within chamber 42 about a vertical axis designated 46, and a drive mechanism 48 for rotor 44. As will be described in greater detail, rotor 44 is suitable to receive slides 15 at an input position or transfer location 43, carry the slides in the chamber 42, and release the slides at an output position or transfer location 45. Housing 40 comprises, in part, a pair of mating sections 52, 54 which are joined by a hinge assembly 56.
Section 52, through hinge assembly 56, may be pivoted from the closed position shown in Fig. 3, to an open or vertical position (not shown), per-mitting access to the chamber 42. In the closedposition, section 52 is secured in place by a threaded fastener assembly 58 which screws into section 54~ Each of the sections 52, 54 includes, at least in the area of the chamber 42, a double thickness of a suitable metal separated by a layer of insulation 60.
Temperature-control elements 72 are sup-ported by sections 52, 54 proximate the outer por-tion of rotor 44. Preferably, the temperature-con-trol elements 72 are in physical contact with eachother, at least along the periphery, to permit heat transfer between the elements. This permits rela-tively accurate monitoring of the temperature of elements 72 by means of a single thermistor (not shown) supported in direct contact with one of the ~ ~71345 elements. The thermistor is connected to a control circuit, not shown, which includes a conventional feedback arrangement to maintain chamber 42 at a constant temperature, preferably 25 C. Other ther-mistors (not shown) may be positioned in the cham-ber proximate the rotor 44. Such an arrangement permits determination and calibration of tempera-ture variations in the chamber 42.
With reference to Fig. 4, a slot 80 is of a shape and size sufficient to allow the passage of a slide 15 from the slide distributor 30 by a shuttle or transfer mechanism, not shown, into the delay station 84 where the slide 15 may be warmed or cooled to a desired temperature. Delay station~
84 is supported relative to housing 40 such that an exit opening 82 communicates with load slot 80 to permit the slide 15 to be moved from the delay station 84 into the transfer location 43 of incuba-tor 30. Delay station 84 comprises a support block 86 and a spring retainer 88 which is resiliently biased toward block 86. The spring retainer 88 holds slide 15 in position through contact with the edges of the slide until a shuttle mechanism moves the slide from the delay sta~ion 84 into the incubator.
Delay~station 84 is adapted to bring the temperature of a slide 15 from ambient temperature to a temperature near the temperature maintained in the incubator chamber 42. Thus, a slide enter-ing the transfer location 43 of chamber 42 doesnot materially affect the temperature therein, and a very precise temperature control can be maintained in the chamber. The support block 86 in delay station 84 is in physical contact with one of the temperature-controlled elements 72 and 7134~
heat transfer between the block 86 and the heating element 72 provides for any desired alteration of the temperature of slide 15.
As shown in Figure 3, rotor 44 is mounted for rotation within c~amber 42 of housing 40. Rotor 44 is adapted to support a plurality of slides 15 at individual slide-carrying positions or stations for movement in a path about axis 46. Preferably, a plurality of openings 44a are defined in rotor 44 with each o~ the openings 44a being in a predefined location with respect to each of the slide-carrying positions~ The purpose of these openings 44a will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. Rotor 44 is fixedly mounted in incubator 22 by a ring bearing 96. In the preferred embodiment, the rotor holds up to 17 slides and each is associated with slide cover means 100 carried by rotor 44. Rotor 44 may be driven b~ a drive mechanism 48 to advance rotor 44 in precise increments to position the slide-supporting ætations in the transfer locations 43, 45 in the chamber 42 and to hold the rotor in position during loading and unloading operations.
Drive mechanism 48 may include a stepper motor to advance rotor 44.
With reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, each of the slide cover means lO0 comprisPs a cover 102 which is biased by a spring lO~ to a covering position wherein the cover 102 is at rest against the slide 15. As will be appreciated, cover 102 cooperates with the slide 15 to at least partially enclose the fluid sample on the slide 15 and control evaporation of the fluid sample.
~., .
~ 17~3~
The concentration of the sample fluid is thereby maintained approximately at the level which existed at the time of the metering of the fluid sample onto slide 15.
The covers 102 include a recess 103, which is aligned wi~h the sample fluid on a slide 15 to receive in recess 103 any of the fluid sample which protrudes beyond the surface of slide 15.
In this manner, the sample fluids are not disturbed by the covers 102. Covers 102 are of a non-porous material to eliminate gas absorption from the fluid samples on the slides and minimize the carryover of reaction gases from slide to slide.
Preferably, springs 104 define at least two aper-tures 104a, 104b, which mate with protruding extensions 102a, 102b of the evaporation covers 102 to align the covers and permit ready removal for periodic cleaning.
Lift mechanisms 110 are provided to lift covers 102 by a distance such that analysis slides 15 can be positioned on or removed from rotor 44 without disturbing fluids carried on the slides.
Lift mechanisms 110 comprise a solenoid 112 which actuates a push rod 114 to pass through an opening 25 ~44a in the rotor 44 into engagement with a cover 102 to lift cover 102 at an appropriate time when the rotor 44 has been positioned with slide-carry-ing stations in the transfer locations 43, 45.
The timing of the solenoid or any other motive device provided for lifting the covers 102 may be controlled by appropriate circuitry or fluidic control devices (not shown), to ensure that the solenoid is actuated only when the rotor has properly positioned a slide-carrying position in the transfer locations 43, 45.
~ ~13~
.--11--A slide transporting mechanism 120, best shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, is contained in a housing 121 and comprises a carriage 122 which is slidably mounted on a frame 124 pivotally supported S at 126. Carriage 122 comprises fingers 130, 132, which are adapted to simultaneously move a first test slide from a sensing position in electrometer 60 to a waste receptacle 138 and a second slide from incubator 22 into the reading station.
Fingers 130, 132 each includes a concave portion 130a, 132a, which is of suitable dimensions to receive a slide 15 therein when fingers 130, 132 are driven into receiving position in the chamber 42 of incubator 22.
Carriage 122 is supported by frame 124 and is reciprocally driven with respect thereto.
In the preferred embodiment shown, a support guide or rod 143 affixed to tabs 124a, 124b of frame 124 passes through bushing supported in 20 openings defined in a pair of tabs 122a, 122b extending from a first side of carriage 122~
A second side of carriage 122 is captured and supported for movement in a direction parallel to the axis of rod 143 by a slide guide or groove 25 124c defined ln frame 124.
Carriage 122 is reciprocally driven along a travel path defined by rod 143 and groove 124c by means of a crank arm 140 which is pivotally fastened by a pin to a tab 122c of carriage 122 and pivotally and slidably mounted at 142 to housing 121. Crank arm 140 is connected through a link 144 to a rotatably driven cam 146. A first end of link 144 is pivotally pinned to crank arm 140 at 141 and the second end of link 144 is coupled to cam 146 by a pin 145. Pin 145, through ~ 1713~5 link 144, reciprocally drives carriage 122 to control movement of slides by the fingers 130, 132.
A cam follower arm 150, also pivotally mounted at 126, comprises a roller 152 which rides on a peripheral cam surface 154 of cam 146. The cam follower arm 150 is biased in a clockwise direc-tion, as shown in Fig. 5, and held in contact with cam surface 154 by a spring 156.
Frame 124 and carriage 122 are biased in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 5, by a spring 148, and pivotal movement of frame 124 and carriage 122 is controlled by cam follower arm 150 which contacts frame 124 at 125. When roller 152 on follower arm 150 moves into a low portion 15 of surface 154, follower arm 150 will rotate clockwise, permitting carriage 122 and frame 124 to also rotate in a clockwise direction. ~s carriage 122 rotates in a clockwise direction, it will move into contact with a platen 160.
As shown in Figure 7, restraining members 162 are affixed to platen 160 and are adapted to cooperate with a slide 15 positioned in a channel 160a defined in plate 160. Platen 160 is supported for pivotal movement by means of flexure member 25 164 affixed to housing 121. Pivotal movement of carriage 122 will cause platen 160 to also be pivoted in a clockwise direction to move slide 15 supported on platen 160 i~to engagement with the pair of probes 162.
After contact of the slide 15 with the probes, further pivotal movement of the platen 160 ~ill bring platen 160 into contact with semi-circu-lar stops 164 of electrometer 60. At this point, pivotal movement of carriage 122 stops, but cam follower arm 150 may continue to rotate clockwise ~ 17 1345 as roller 152 follows cam surface 154. During the continued rotation, cam follower 150 will break contact with frame 124 at 125. Such an over-drive feature ensures that the rotation of cam follower 150 is greater than that required to drive the platen 160 into contact with stops 164.
By always driving the platen 150 into stops 164, repeatable contact is made by probes 162 with each slide. After measurement of the potential developed in the slide, cam 146 is rotated to return the elements of picker mechanism 120 to the positions shown in Fig. 5.
In operation, slides 15 are sequentially loaded into incubator 22 after a predetermined time in delay station 84. Analyzer 12 is adapted to be continuously operated and the temperature within incubator 22 is controlled such that slides are ready to be analyzed in an analysis means 23 after they have been moved by rotor 44 to the transfer location 45 in incubator 22. Following analysis, the slide 15 is removed from analysis means 23 and discarded.
A con~rol system for incubator 22, as well as for other functions of analyzer 12, could include a computer, not shown3 which may take any of the various forms known in the art that include programmable minicomputers and programmable microprocessors. The instructions and method of programming such computers is well known in the art, and thus, no urther explanation i~ considered necessary. In the use of such a computer, input data including sample identification, calibration ,~
~:~71345 values, and desired tests for each sample would be keyed into the computer. Output signals from the computer would be utilized to provide input signals to the analyzer components to control their opera-tion at the appropriate time in the machine cycle.~esults from analysis means 23 would be transmitted to the computer which would perform the necessary calculations, according to a stored program, to arrive at a concentration for a particular sample.
This information, along with sample identification would then be transmitted to a display or printout device.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain pre-ferred embodiments thereof, but it will be under-stood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the inven-tion.
ANALYSIS SLIDE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.
Field of the Invention -The invention relates to chemical apparatus for the automatic analysis of biological fluids, and more particularly, to cover means for cooperating with analysis slides in an incubator of such apparatus to control evaporation of sample flulds carried by the slides.
State of the Prior Art In recent years~ a number of automated systems have been developed for carrying out quantitative chemical analyses of sample fluids. Ln U.S. Patent No. 4,15~,390, there is described a chemical analyzer in which a sample fluid is metered onto an analysis slide which is then transferred into an incubator.
, ~1~134~
The incubator comprises a temperature-controlled chamber having a plurality of transfer locations wherein slides may be transferred into or out of the chamber; conveyor means rotatable in the chamber about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of slide-holding means for releasably holding the slides; and drive means for effecting movement of slides in the conveyor means within the chamber for positioning the slides for transfer at one of the transfer locations. This incubator, however, is not suitable for slides having fluids remaining in liquid form on a surface of the slide, since the slides are rotated through a vertical position in which the fluid would be spilled from the slide. The slide-holding means comprises a spring which cooperates with the slides to retain the slides in position on the conveyor.
U.S. Patent No. 3,574,064, to Binnings et al, discloses apparatus in which glass slides are fed from a single supply station onto a turn-table. Slides carried on the turntable are moved past a metering station, and then through wash and incubation stations spaced around the periphery of the turntable. Slides processed by the apparatus are ejected from the turntable into a slide receiver adjacent the slide supply station. There is no provision for automatic analysis of the processed slides, and they must be manually removed from the slide receiver for examination under a laboratory microscope. Further, there is no su~gestion of a cover means for protection of the fluids on the slides.
An incubator, for use~with analysis slides which are horizontally disposed in verti-cally-spaced slots in the incubator,is disclosed in RESEARCH DISCLOSURE, Vol. 175, November, 1978, ~17~
Publication No. 17,569, published by Industrial Opportunities Limited, Homewell, Havant Hampshire, P09 lEF, United Kingdom. There is no suggestion in this publication, however, of means for control-ling evaporation of fluids on analysis slides.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to pro-vide novel and improved apparatus for controlling evaporation of fluids on analysis slides in an incubator of a chemical analyzer. The invention is particularly suitable for use in an analyzer adap-ted to perform analyses of biological fluids dis-pensed onto a generally planar test element, or analysis slide, of the type which is used to poten-tiometrically designate the activity of ions in the fluid. In such slides, a reference fluid and a sample fluid are metered onto the slide, and a measurement is taken of the potential developed in the slide.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the incubator comprises a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning analysis slides. Conveyor means within the chamber is adapted to support the slides during the condi-tioning thereof and to deliver the slides to atransfer location in the chamber. Cover means in the chamber cooperates with analysis slides on the conveyor, and in an operative position, the cover means at least partially encloses fluids on the slides. Drive means effects movement of the conveyor to position slides at the transfer loca-tion. A control means is operable at the transfer location to move the cover means out of the opera-tive position to permit transfer of the slides, without disturbing fluid carried on the slide.
In a preferred embodiment of the inven-~ ~7 ~ 3~
tion, the conveyor is in the form of a rotor havinga plurality of slide-carrying positions. The cover means comprises a plurality of movable covers, and a movable cover is associated with each of the 5 positions on the rotor. The control means compri-ses a lift mechanism at the transfer location which i9 adapted to lift a cover to permit a slide transEer mechanism to move a slide from the rotor to a read station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chemical analyzer of the type which employs an incubator and cover means of ~he subject invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the poten-tiometric incubator and associated analyzer compo-nents, with portions broken away to show a prefer-red embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the potentiometric incubator, with a portion shown in section, taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the delay station and a portion of the incubator, taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the incubator and analysis means, taken along the line 5-5 in FigO 2;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a slide transfer mechanism of the analyzer, taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the slide transfer mechanism and analysis means, taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is described hereinafter in connection with an analyzer for performing ~7~3~
quantitative chemical analyses of biological fluids, such as blood serum. However, the invention is not so limited, and it can also be employed in other types of apparatus in which objects carrying fluids must be transferred from station to station and the fluids are subject to evaporation.
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, cover means are provided ~or cooperating with an analysis slide to control evaporation of a sample fluid from the slide. The cover means described and claimed is particularly suited for use in a chemical analyzer of the type disclosed herein. Control of evaporation of the sample fluids is important with such an analyzer in that it is essential that concentrations of various constituents in the sample fluids not change, once the fluids have been metered onto a slide.
The invention is useful with analyzers in which the substrate which makes the testing of fluids possible comprises a pair of electrodes selective to the ion activity of choice. Recent developments have provided the electrodes in essentially planar, dry form suitable for use in pairs in an analyzer. ~n example of such a test element ls disclosed in the patent to Hamblen et al U.S. Patent No. 4,053,381, granted on October 11, 1977, This patent describes a test element, or analysis slide, of the type which is used to potentiometrically designate the activity of ions in a liquid test solution.
i.!
~1713~
The invention can also be used with other forms of test elements, as for example, the element disclosed in the commonly-owned patent to Przybylowitz et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,992,158, granted on November 16, 1976. The test element disclosed in this patent is formed as a multi-layered element containing the necessary reagents for reaction with components of a biological fluid, such as blood serum, deposited thereon. Certain reactions colorimetrically produce a change in optical density in the element which is sensed by a reflectometer, the amount of light reflected from the element varying in accordance with the reaction and being indicative of the amount of a particular component present in the fluid.
With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown analyzer apparatus 12 which comprises a housing 14 for a supply of analysis slides of the colorimetric type and a housing 16 for a supply of analysis slides of the potentiometric type. A metering device 18 is adapted to meter sample fluid from one of a plurality of cups 19 in a sample tray 20 onto an analysis slide in slide distributor 30.
A second metering device, not shown, works in conjunction with metering device 18 to also deposit ; reference fluid onto the analysis slides of the potentiometer type. After the metering operations, analysis slides of the potentiometric type are deposited in an incubator 22 from slide distributor 30, and analysis slides of the colorimetric type are deposited in an incubator 24. Incubators 22, 24, are adapted to cooperate respectively with read stations, or analysis means, 23, 25, for measuring a~ change in the analysis slides as a result of the fluid deposited thereon. Slide ~ 171 343 transfer means are provided for removing the slldes from the incubators 22, 24 to the analysis means 23, 25.
In Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown incuba-S tor 22 comprising a housing 40 defining a generallycylindrical, temperature-controlled chamber 42, a circular slide conveyor or rotor 44 mounted for rotation within chamber 42 about a vertical axis designated 46, and a drive mechanism 48 for rotor 44. As will be described in greater detail, rotor 44 is suitable to receive slides 15 at an input position or transfer location 43, carry the slides in the chamber 42, and release the slides at an output position or transfer location 45. Housing 40 comprises, in part, a pair of mating sections 52, 54 which are joined by a hinge assembly 56.
Section 52, through hinge assembly 56, may be pivoted from the closed position shown in Fig. 3, to an open or vertical position (not shown), per-mitting access to the chamber 42. In the closedposition, section 52 is secured in place by a threaded fastener assembly 58 which screws into section 54~ Each of the sections 52, 54 includes, at least in the area of the chamber 42, a double thickness of a suitable metal separated by a layer of insulation 60.
Temperature-control elements 72 are sup-ported by sections 52, 54 proximate the outer por-tion of rotor 44. Preferably, the temperature-con-trol elements 72 are in physical contact with eachother, at least along the periphery, to permit heat transfer between the elements. This permits rela-tively accurate monitoring of the temperature of elements 72 by means of a single thermistor (not shown) supported in direct contact with one of the ~ ~71345 elements. The thermistor is connected to a control circuit, not shown, which includes a conventional feedback arrangement to maintain chamber 42 at a constant temperature, preferably 25 C. Other ther-mistors (not shown) may be positioned in the cham-ber proximate the rotor 44. Such an arrangement permits determination and calibration of tempera-ture variations in the chamber 42.
With reference to Fig. 4, a slot 80 is of a shape and size sufficient to allow the passage of a slide 15 from the slide distributor 30 by a shuttle or transfer mechanism, not shown, into the delay station 84 where the slide 15 may be warmed or cooled to a desired temperature. Delay station~
84 is supported relative to housing 40 such that an exit opening 82 communicates with load slot 80 to permit the slide 15 to be moved from the delay station 84 into the transfer location 43 of incuba-tor 30. Delay station 84 comprises a support block 86 and a spring retainer 88 which is resiliently biased toward block 86. The spring retainer 88 holds slide 15 in position through contact with the edges of the slide until a shuttle mechanism moves the slide from the delay sta~ion 84 into the incubator.
Delay~station 84 is adapted to bring the temperature of a slide 15 from ambient temperature to a temperature near the temperature maintained in the incubator chamber 42. Thus, a slide enter-ing the transfer location 43 of chamber 42 doesnot materially affect the temperature therein, and a very precise temperature control can be maintained in the chamber. The support block 86 in delay station 84 is in physical contact with one of the temperature-controlled elements 72 and 7134~
heat transfer between the block 86 and the heating element 72 provides for any desired alteration of the temperature of slide 15.
As shown in Figure 3, rotor 44 is mounted for rotation within c~amber 42 of housing 40. Rotor 44 is adapted to support a plurality of slides 15 at individual slide-carrying positions or stations for movement in a path about axis 46. Preferably, a plurality of openings 44a are defined in rotor 44 with each o~ the openings 44a being in a predefined location with respect to each of the slide-carrying positions~ The purpose of these openings 44a will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. Rotor 44 is fixedly mounted in incubator 22 by a ring bearing 96. In the preferred embodiment, the rotor holds up to 17 slides and each is associated with slide cover means 100 carried by rotor 44. Rotor 44 may be driven b~ a drive mechanism 48 to advance rotor 44 in precise increments to position the slide-supporting ætations in the transfer locations 43, 45 in the chamber 42 and to hold the rotor in position during loading and unloading operations.
Drive mechanism 48 may include a stepper motor to advance rotor 44.
With reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, each of the slide cover means lO0 comprisPs a cover 102 which is biased by a spring lO~ to a covering position wherein the cover 102 is at rest against the slide 15. As will be appreciated, cover 102 cooperates with the slide 15 to at least partially enclose the fluid sample on the slide 15 and control evaporation of the fluid sample.
~., .
~ 17~3~
The concentration of the sample fluid is thereby maintained approximately at the level which existed at the time of the metering of the fluid sample onto slide 15.
The covers 102 include a recess 103, which is aligned wi~h the sample fluid on a slide 15 to receive in recess 103 any of the fluid sample which protrudes beyond the surface of slide 15.
In this manner, the sample fluids are not disturbed by the covers 102. Covers 102 are of a non-porous material to eliminate gas absorption from the fluid samples on the slides and minimize the carryover of reaction gases from slide to slide.
Preferably, springs 104 define at least two aper-tures 104a, 104b, which mate with protruding extensions 102a, 102b of the evaporation covers 102 to align the covers and permit ready removal for periodic cleaning.
Lift mechanisms 110 are provided to lift covers 102 by a distance such that analysis slides 15 can be positioned on or removed from rotor 44 without disturbing fluids carried on the slides.
Lift mechanisms 110 comprise a solenoid 112 which actuates a push rod 114 to pass through an opening 25 ~44a in the rotor 44 into engagement with a cover 102 to lift cover 102 at an appropriate time when the rotor 44 has been positioned with slide-carry-ing stations in the transfer locations 43, 45.
The timing of the solenoid or any other motive device provided for lifting the covers 102 may be controlled by appropriate circuitry or fluidic control devices (not shown), to ensure that the solenoid is actuated only when the rotor has properly positioned a slide-carrying position in the transfer locations 43, 45.
~ ~13~
.--11--A slide transporting mechanism 120, best shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, is contained in a housing 121 and comprises a carriage 122 which is slidably mounted on a frame 124 pivotally supported S at 126. Carriage 122 comprises fingers 130, 132, which are adapted to simultaneously move a first test slide from a sensing position in electrometer 60 to a waste receptacle 138 and a second slide from incubator 22 into the reading station.
Fingers 130, 132 each includes a concave portion 130a, 132a, which is of suitable dimensions to receive a slide 15 therein when fingers 130, 132 are driven into receiving position in the chamber 42 of incubator 22.
Carriage 122 is supported by frame 124 and is reciprocally driven with respect thereto.
In the preferred embodiment shown, a support guide or rod 143 affixed to tabs 124a, 124b of frame 124 passes through bushing supported in 20 openings defined in a pair of tabs 122a, 122b extending from a first side of carriage 122~
A second side of carriage 122 is captured and supported for movement in a direction parallel to the axis of rod 143 by a slide guide or groove 25 124c defined ln frame 124.
Carriage 122 is reciprocally driven along a travel path defined by rod 143 and groove 124c by means of a crank arm 140 which is pivotally fastened by a pin to a tab 122c of carriage 122 and pivotally and slidably mounted at 142 to housing 121. Crank arm 140 is connected through a link 144 to a rotatably driven cam 146. A first end of link 144 is pivotally pinned to crank arm 140 at 141 and the second end of link 144 is coupled to cam 146 by a pin 145. Pin 145, through ~ 1713~5 link 144, reciprocally drives carriage 122 to control movement of slides by the fingers 130, 132.
A cam follower arm 150, also pivotally mounted at 126, comprises a roller 152 which rides on a peripheral cam surface 154 of cam 146. The cam follower arm 150 is biased in a clockwise direc-tion, as shown in Fig. 5, and held in contact with cam surface 154 by a spring 156.
Frame 124 and carriage 122 are biased in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 5, by a spring 148, and pivotal movement of frame 124 and carriage 122 is controlled by cam follower arm 150 which contacts frame 124 at 125. When roller 152 on follower arm 150 moves into a low portion 15 of surface 154, follower arm 150 will rotate clockwise, permitting carriage 122 and frame 124 to also rotate in a clockwise direction. ~s carriage 122 rotates in a clockwise direction, it will move into contact with a platen 160.
As shown in Figure 7, restraining members 162 are affixed to platen 160 and are adapted to cooperate with a slide 15 positioned in a channel 160a defined in plate 160. Platen 160 is supported for pivotal movement by means of flexure member 25 164 affixed to housing 121. Pivotal movement of carriage 122 will cause platen 160 to also be pivoted in a clockwise direction to move slide 15 supported on platen 160 i~to engagement with the pair of probes 162.
After contact of the slide 15 with the probes, further pivotal movement of the platen 160 ~ill bring platen 160 into contact with semi-circu-lar stops 164 of electrometer 60. At this point, pivotal movement of carriage 122 stops, but cam follower arm 150 may continue to rotate clockwise ~ 17 1345 as roller 152 follows cam surface 154. During the continued rotation, cam follower 150 will break contact with frame 124 at 125. Such an over-drive feature ensures that the rotation of cam follower 150 is greater than that required to drive the platen 160 into contact with stops 164.
By always driving the platen 150 into stops 164, repeatable contact is made by probes 162 with each slide. After measurement of the potential developed in the slide, cam 146 is rotated to return the elements of picker mechanism 120 to the positions shown in Fig. 5.
In operation, slides 15 are sequentially loaded into incubator 22 after a predetermined time in delay station 84. Analyzer 12 is adapted to be continuously operated and the temperature within incubator 22 is controlled such that slides are ready to be analyzed in an analysis means 23 after they have been moved by rotor 44 to the transfer location 45 in incubator 22. Following analysis, the slide 15 is removed from analysis means 23 and discarded.
A con~rol system for incubator 22, as well as for other functions of analyzer 12, could include a computer, not shown3 which may take any of the various forms known in the art that include programmable minicomputers and programmable microprocessors. The instructions and method of programming such computers is well known in the art, and thus, no urther explanation i~ considered necessary. In the use of such a computer, input data including sample identification, calibration ,~
~:~71345 values, and desired tests for each sample would be keyed into the computer. Output signals from the computer would be utilized to provide input signals to the analyzer components to control their opera-tion at the appropriate time in the machine cycle.~esults from analysis means 23 would be transmitted to the computer which would perform the necessary calculations, according to a stored program, to arrive at a concentration for a particular sample.
This information, along with sample identification would then be transmitted to a display or printout device.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain pre-ferred embodiments thereof, but it will be under-stood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the inven-tion.
Claims (5)
1. Apparatus for use in the analysis of fluids deposited on analysis slides, said apparatus comprising:
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning the analysis slides, said chamber having a transfer location at which slides can be transferred from said chamber;
conveyor means in said chamber for supporting the slides during the conditioning thereof and for transporting a selected slide to said transfer location;
cover means in said chamber for controlling evaportion of fluid on the slides, said cover means being positionable into an operative position to at least partially enclose slides on said conveyor and said cover means being positionable to a second position spaced from said operative position to permit said selected slide to be transferred at said location; and control means for positioning said cover means.
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning the analysis slides, said chamber having a transfer location at which slides can be transferred from said chamber;
conveyor means in said chamber for supporting the slides during the conditioning thereof and for transporting a selected slide to said transfer location;
cover means in said chamber for controlling evaportion of fluid on the slides, said cover means being positionable into an operative position to at least partially enclose slides on said conveyor and said cover means being positionable to a second position spaced from said operative position to permit said selected slide to be transferred at said location; and control means for positioning said cover means.
2. An incubator for a chemical analyzer of the type wherein a fluid metered onto an analysis slide is analyzed after an appropriate period of incubation, said incubator comprising:
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber and openings in said chamber through which an analysis slide can be placed into or removed from said chamber;
conveyor means having a plurality of slide-carrying positions for receiving analysis slides, said conveyor means being movably supported in said chamber to successively place said slide-carrying positions adjacent said openings;
cover means for controlling evaporation of fluids on slides in said chamber, said cover means being movable to an operative position to at least partially enclose analysis slides on said conveyor means and to a second position spaced from said operative position to permit an analysis slide to be transferred into or out of one of said slide-carrying positions; and control means for selectively moving said cover means.
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber and openings in said chamber through which an analysis slide can be placed into or removed from said chamber;
conveyor means having a plurality of slide-carrying positions for receiving analysis slides, said conveyor means being movably supported in said chamber to successively place said slide-carrying positions adjacent said openings;
cover means for controlling evaporation of fluids on slides in said chamber, said cover means being movable to an operative position to at least partially enclose analysis slides on said conveyor means and to a second position spaced from said operative position to permit an analysis slide to be transferred into or out of one of said slide-carrying positions; and control means for selectively moving said cover means.
3. An incubator as set forth in Claim wherein said cover means comprises a plurality of covers, each of said covers being associated with a slide-carrying position for at least partially enclosing a slide received therein when said cover means is in the operative position.
4. An incubator as set forth in Claim 3 wherein said contorl means comprises means supported by said incubator proximate said openings for selectively moving a cover associated with a slide-carrying position adjacent an opening.
5. Apparatus for analyzing a characteristic of fluids deposited on analysis slides, said apparatus comprising:
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning the analysis slides, said chamber having a transfer location at which slides can be transferred from said chamber, conveyor means having a plurality of slide-carrying positions for receiving analysis slides, said conveyor means being movably supported in said chamber to position said slide-carrying positions at said transfer location;
a plurality of covers supported by said conveyor means with each of said covers being associated with a slide-carrying position and being movable, with respect to said conveyor means, between (1) a first position wherein said cover at least partially encloses a slide in a slide-carrying position to control evaporation of the fluid on the slide and (2) a second position wherein said cover is spaced from a slide in the slide-carrying position by a distance sufficient to permit said slide to be moved relative to said cover without disturbing the fluid on the slide; and means at said transfer location for selectively moving one of said covers from said first position to said second position.
means defining a temperature-controlled chamber for receiving and conditioning the analysis slides, said chamber having a transfer location at which slides can be transferred from said chamber, conveyor means having a plurality of slide-carrying positions for receiving analysis slides, said conveyor means being movably supported in said chamber to position said slide-carrying positions at said transfer location;
a plurality of covers supported by said conveyor means with each of said covers being associated with a slide-carrying position and being movable, with respect to said conveyor means, between (1) a first position wherein said cover at least partially encloses a slide in a slide-carrying position to control evaporation of the fluid on the slide and (2) a second position wherein said cover is spaced from a slide in the slide-carrying position by a distance sufficient to permit said slide to be moved relative to said cover without disturbing the fluid on the slide; and means at said transfer location for selectively moving one of said covers from said first position to said second position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US159,550 | 1980-06-16 | ||
| US06/159,550 US4298571A (en) | 1976-12-17 | 1980-06-16 | Incubator including cover means for an analysis slide |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1171345A true CA1171345A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
Family
ID=22573021
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000379775A Expired CA1171345A (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-06-15 | Incubator including cover means for an analysis slide |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4298571A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0042338B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5728258A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1171345A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3166156D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (88)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS56101537A (en) * | 1980-01-18 | 1981-08-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Use of chemical analytical slide |
| JPS5821566A (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-02-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Incubator |
| JPS58156835A (en) * | 1982-03-15 | 1983-09-17 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Chemical analysis and measurement device |
| JPS58156833A (en) * | 1982-03-15 | 1983-09-17 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for supplying liquid sample analyzing element |
| US4568519A (en) * | 1983-06-29 | 1986-02-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus for processing analysis slides |
| DE3329401A1 (en) * | 1983-08-13 | 1985-02-28 | Finnigan MAT GmbH, 2800 Bremen | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HEATING IONIZING TAPES |
| JPS6048155U (en) * | 1983-09-09 | 1985-04-04 | コニカ株式会社 | biochemical analyzer |
| JPS6048156U (en) * | 1983-09-09 | 1985-04-04 | コニカ株式会社 | biochemical analyzer |
| JPS60152936A (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1985-08-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for chemical analysis |
| EP0154147B1 (en) * | 1984-01-25 | 1989-04-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for measuring ionic activity |
| US4613421A (en) * | 1984-01-25 | 1986-09-23 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for measuring ionic activity |
| US4627014A (en) * | 1984-04-09 | 1986-12-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Method and apparatus for determination of an analyte and method of calibrating such apparatus |
| US4539855A (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1985-09-10 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus for transferring liquid out of a capped container, and analyzer utilizing same |
| JPS60241884A (en) * | 1984-05-15 | 1985-11-30 | Tokyo Daigaku | Automation cycling reaction apparatus and automatic analyzer using same |
| JPS6113162A (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1986-01-21 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Biochemical analyser |
| JPS6126864A (en) * | 1984-07-17 | 1986-02-06 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Biochemical analysis instrument |
| US4738825A (en) * | 1985-02-27 | 1988-04-19 | Fisher Scientific Company | Cuvette handling |
| US4788150A (en) * | 1985-02-27 | 1988-11-29 | Fisher Scientific Company | Liquid handling |
| JPH0731117B2 (en) * | 1985-03-13 | 1995-04-10 | コニカ株式会社 | Biochemical analyzer |
| US4814279A (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1989-03-21 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Incubator for chemical-analytical slide |
| US4900513A (en) * | 1986-07-11 | 1990-02-13 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Sample loading apparatus |
| US5039615A (en) * | 1987-04-11 | 1991-08-13 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku | Method for chemically analyzing a test piece |
| US5169600A (en) * | 1987-07-15 | 1992-12-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Biochemical analysis apparatus for incubating and analyzing test sites on a long tape test film |
| US4844872A (en) * | 1987-07-17 | 1989-07-04 | Fisher Scientific Company | Fluid handling |
| US4906432B1 (en) * | 1987-07-17 | 1991-06-25 | Liquid handling | |
| US5178835A (en) * | 1987-09-18 | 1993-01-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Biochemical analysis apparatus |
| US5059393A (en) * | 1989-01-05 | 1991-10-22 | Eastman Kodak Company | Analysis slide positioning apparatus and method for a chemical analyzer |
| US5034191A (en) * | 1989-01-05 | 1991-07-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Incubator and analyzer with improved cap raising means |
| US5037613A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1991-08-06 | Eastman Kodak Company | Incubator |
| US4963333A (en) * | 1989-05-02 | 1990-10-16 | Eastman Kodak Company | Universal evaporation cover |
| US4935374A (en) * | 1989-05-02 | 1990-06-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | Polyethylene evaporation covers |
| US4943415A (en) * | 1989-07-14 | 1990-07-24 | Eastman Kodak Company | Grooved cover for test elements |
| US5250262A (en) * | 1989-11-22 | 1993-10-05 | Vettest S.A. | Chemical analyzer |
| US5089229A (en) * | 1989-11-22 | 1992-02-18 | Vettest S.A. | Chemical analyzer |
| CA2031912A1 (en) * | 1989-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | Robert Fred Pfost | Heated cover device |
| US5026526A (en) * | 1990-02-09 | 1991-06-25 | Eastman Kodak Company | Automated capping means for analyzer pipette |
| DE69117052T2 (en) * | 1990-03-02 | 1996-11-14 | Ventana Med Syst Inc | AUTOMATIC BIOLOGICAL REACTOR |
| US5595707A (en) | 1990-03-02 | 1997-01-21 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated biological reaction apparatus |
| US5207987A (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1993-05-04 | Pb Diagnostic Systems Inc. | Temperature controlled chamber for diagnostic analyzer |
| US5075079A (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1991-12-24 | Technicon Instruments Corporation | Slide analysis system |
| US5106586A (en) * | 1990-05-23 | 1992-04-21 | Eastman Kodak Company | J-shaped spring used in incubator |
| DE4124920C2 (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1993-12-23 | Hitachi Ltd | Biochemical analyzer with a prism cell for attenuated total reflection and a cooling device |
| WO1993002364A1 (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1993-02-04 | Pb Diagnostic Systems, Inc. | Assay module transfer apparatus for use in an automated analytical instrument |
| US5605665A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1997-02-25 | Abbott Laboratories | Reaction vessel |
| US6190617B1 (en) | 1992-03-27 | 2001-02-20 | Abbott Laboratories | Sample container segment assembly |
| US5646049A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1997-07-08 | Abbott Laboratories | Scheduling operation of an automated analytical system |
| US5536471A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-07-16 | Abbott Laboratories | Syringe with bubble flushing |
| US5610069A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1997-03-11 | Abbott Laboratories | Apparatus and method for washing clinical apparatus |
| US5627522A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1997-05-06 | Abbott Laboratories | Automated liquid level sensing system |
| US5376313A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1994-12-27 | Abbott Laboratories | Injection molding a plastic assay cuvette having low birefringence |
| US5578494A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-11-26 | Abbott Laboratories | Cap actuator for opening and closing a container |
| US5507410A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-04-16 | Abbott Laboratories | Meia cartridge feeder |
| US5575978A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-11-19 | Abbott Laboratories | Sample container segment assembly |
| US5635364A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1997-06-03 | Abbott Laboratories | Assay verification control for an automated analytical system |
| US5960160A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1999-09-28 | Abbott Laboratories | Liquid heater assembly with a pair temperature controlled electric heating elements and a coiled tube therebetween |
| US5540890A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-07-30 | Abbott Laboratories | Capped-closure for a container |
| US5250261A (en) * | 1992-05-22 | 1993-10-05 | Eastman Kodak Company | Cam-operated doors for an incubator |
| US5266267A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1993-11-30 | Eastman Kodak Company | Incubator with non-spotting evaporation caps |
| US5340540A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1994-08-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Cap raising mechanism for an incubator |
| EP0634658B1 (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 2002-10-16 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Biochemical analysis apparatus and incubator for the same |
| JP3051626B2 (en) * | 1993-12-09 | 2000-06-12 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | incubator |
| US5523056A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1996-06-04 | Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. | Twin rotor incubator assembly |
| US5490972A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1996-02-13 | Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. | Raising mechanism for incubator cover |
| US5599501A (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1997-02-04 | Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp. | Incubation chamber |
| CA2250400A1 (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 1997-11-06 | Metrika, Inc. | Method and device for measuring reflected optical radiation |
| ATE363339T1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2007-06-15 | Gen Probe Inc | STIRRING DEVICE FOR THE FLUID CONTENTS OF A CONTAINER |
| US8337753B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2012-12-25 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Temperature-controlled incubator having a receptacle mixing mechanism |
| JP2002207046A (en) * | 2001-01-11 | 2002-07-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Incubator |
| US7270785B1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2007-09-18 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated molecular pathology apparatus having fixed slide platforms |
| CA2482441C (en) | 2002-04-15 | 2010-06-22 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated high volume slide staining system |
| US11249095B2 (en) | 2002-04-15 | 2022-02-15 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated high volume slide processing system |
| US7468161B2 (en) | 2002-04-15 | 2008-12-23 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated high volume slide processing system |
| DK2420814T3 (en) | 2002-04-26 | 2015-10-05 | Ventana Med Syst Inc | Automatic slide processing apparatus |
| US7648678B2 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2010-01-19 | Dako Denmark A/S | Method and system for pretreatment of tissue slides |
| US20040151621A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2004-08-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Incubator |
| US8262991B2 (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2012-09-11 | Lattec I/S | Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body |
| US7273591B2 (en) | 2003-08-12 | 2007-09-25 | Idexx Laboratories, Inc. | Slide cartridge and reagent test slides for use with a chemical analyzer, and chemical analyzer for same |
| US20050079103A1 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-14 | Merrit Jacobs | Moving evaporation control cover |
| US7588733B2 (en) | 2003-12-04 | 2009-09-15 | Idexx Laboratories, Inc. | Retaining clip for reagent test slides |
| US7794659B2 (en) | 2005-03-10 | 2010-09-14 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Signal measuring system having a movable signal measuring device |
| WO2008140742A1 (en) | 2007-05-08 | 2008-11-20 | Idexx Laboratories, Inc. | Chemical analyzer |
| EP2356423A1 (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2011-08-17 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for heating slides carrying specimens |
| PL2388561T3 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2016-05-31 | Mettler Toledo Gmbh | Laboratory device for sample preparation |
| US9046507B2 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2015-06-02 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure |
| CN103403533B (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2017-02-15 | 简.探针公司 | Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector |
| CN117054211A (en) | 2013-12-13 | 2023-11-14 | 文塔纳医疗系统公司 | Automated histological processing of biological samples and related techniques |
| US9797916B2 (en) | 2014-01-10 | 2017-10-24 | Idexx Laboratories, Inc. | Chemical analyzer |
| WO2017223027A1 (en) * | 2016-06-20 | 2017-12-28 | Integrated Nano-Technologies, Inc. | Multiple rotor disposable cartridge for portable diagnostic assay system |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3574064A (en) * | 1968-05-09 | 1971-04-06 | Aerojet General Co | Automated biological reaction instrument |
| US3728227A (en) * | 1968-06-18 | 1973-04-17 | North American Rockwell | Microorganism culture apparatus |
| US4011048A (en) * | 1976-06-17 | 1977-03-08 | Micromedic Systems, Inc. | Incubation apparatus |
| CA1099951A (en) * | 1976-12-17 | 1981-04-28 | Clyde P. Glover | Automatic chemical analysis of biological fluids |
| US4224032A (en) * | 1976-12-17 | 1980-09-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Method and apparatus for chemical analysis |
| DE2755349A1 (en) * | 1976-12-17 | 1978-07-06 | Eastman Kodak Co | INCUBATOR FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS DEVICE |
| US4152390A (en) * | 1976-12-17 | 1979-05-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Chemical analyzer |
| JPS5812550B2 (en) * | 1977-10-05 | 1983-03-09 | 工業技術院長 | Multi-sample multi-item automatic chemical analyzer |
| US4219529A (en) * | 1977-11-28 | 1980-08-26 | Eastman Kodak Company | Incubator for chemical analyzer |
-
1980
- 1980-06-16 US US06/159,550 patent/US4298571A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1981
- 1981-06-15 JP JP9206881A patent/JPS5728258A/en active Granted
- 1981-06-15 DE DE8181400941T patent/DE3166156D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-06-15 EP EP81400941A patent/EP0042338B1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-06-15 CA CA000379775A patent/CA1171345A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0042338B1 (en) | 1984-09-19 |
| US4298571A (en) | 1981-11-03 |
| JPS5728258A (en) | 1982-02-15 |
| JPH0250429B2 (en) | 1990-11-02 |
| DE3166156D1 (en) | 1984-10-25 |
| EP0042338A1 (en) | 1981-12-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1171345A (en) | Incubator including cover means for an analysis slide | |
| US4296069A (en) | Apparatus for processing an analysis slide | |
| US8512636B2 (en) | Compact, integrated system for processing test samples | |
| EP0148203B1 (en) | Apparatus for processing analysis slides | |
| US4303611A (en) | Analyzer apparatus featuring a simplified incubator | |
| US8741655B2 (en) | Transport system for test sample carrier | |
| US4224032A (en) | Method and apparatus for chemical analysis | |
| EP0098773B1 (en) | Apparatus for storing and dispensing analysis slides | |
| CA1099951A (en) | Automatic chemical analysis of biological fluids | |
| US7578978B2 (en) | Carrier for holding test samples | |
| US5039615A (en) | Method for chemically analyzing a test piece | |
| US8623293B2 (en) | Sealer for test sample devices | |
| US5026526A (en) | Automated capping means for analyzer pipette | |
| JPH01223355A (en) | Humor analyzer |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |