CA1197997A - Process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels - Google Patents
Process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vesselsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1197997A CA1197997A CA000386212A CA386212A CA1197997A CA 1197997 A CA1197997 A CA 1197997A CA 000386212 A CA000386212 A CA 000386212A CA 386212 A CA386212 A CA 386212A CA 1197997 A CA1197997 A CA 1197997A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- primary vessel
- vessel
- primary
- liquid
- vessels
- 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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/0289—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid
- B01L3/0293—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid for liquids
-
- 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
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1081—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane
- G01N35/109—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane with two horizontal degrees of freedom
-
- 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
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1079—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices with means for piercing stoppers or septums
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/111666—Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/113332—Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is disclosed a process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels, more particularly samples of patients' sera, liquid reagents or the like, which are transferred into fixedly mounted secondary vessels of any desired construction, preferably in accordinace with the data from a dis-tribution sheet recorded by a control programming apparatus, wherein the secondary vessels can be moved into position one after the other by means of a transporting carriage for the primary vessel, having an associated diluter, this transporting carriage being moveable in the x-y plane by means of two stepping motors, and the primary vessel is brought back into its starting position after each delivery or after delivery of the samples intended for the entire series of samples.
There is disclosed a process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels, more particularly samples of patients' sera, liquid reagents or the like, which are transferred into fixedly mounted secondary vessels of any desired construction, preferably in accordinace with the data from a dis-tribution sheet recorded by a control programming apparatus, wherein the secondary vessels can be moved into position one after the other by means of a transporting carriage for the primary vessel, having an associated diluter, this transporting carriage being moveable in the x-y plane by means of two stepping motors, and the primary vessel is brought back into its starting position after each delivery or after delivery of the samples intended for the entire series of samples.
Description
The invention relates to a process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels, more particularly samples oE patients' sera, liquid reagents or the like, which are transferred into fixedly mounted secondary vessels of any desired construction, preferably in accordance with the data from a distribution sheet recorded by a control programming apparatus, wherein the secondary vessels can be moved into position one after the other by means of a transporting carriage for the primary vessel, having an associated diluter, thls transporting carriage being moveable in the x--y plane by means of two stepping.motors, and the primary vessel is brought back into its starting position after eadh delivery or after delivery of the samples intended for the entire series of samples.
A process of this kind is known from Patent Application P 28 41 086.8-52. The essential feature of this process is that the transporting carriage is fitted with a pipette capable of being raised and lowered, and when the carriage is moved into position abo~e the primary vessel it lowers the pipette and the sample is sucked up through a diluter connected to the pipette by moveable flexible tubes and fixedly associated with the magazine, and then the pipette is raised again and moved into a delivery position ~97~7 determined by the control programming above a dish provided as secondary vessel, and the sample is ejected into the ~econdary vessel.
-As a further feature of this construction, the primary vessel is formed with an electronic sensor contact and is provided with a label capable of being read by a computer, and subsequently, after laboratory preparation of the sample, the information on the label is read by means of a manually guided reading stylus and fPd into the computer. The vessel labelled in this way can be brought into any desired removal position in the sample distributor, and the selected position is also fed into the computer via the sensor contact. Parallel to the identification of the sample, the requirement marking card, which is again capable of being read by a computer, is written out and given the same labPl marking as the primary ~essel and this card is fed into the card reader connected to the computer. The sample in the primary vessel is then taken out of the primary vessel in batches, in accordance with the labelling of the vessel and the information on the requirement marking card, and trans~erred to secondary vessels arranged in accordance with the inormation on the card, for individual investigation ~cf. P 28 41 086. -52~.
We refer also to the publication "Labtronic, Klinische Labortechnik", of Mess~s. Labtronic, which ~ives similar information to the applications mentioned above.
~ .
9~
The publication refers particularly to the "Serum distributor with sample identific~tion SV 500"
having a processing capacity of more than 1000 samples per hour. The advantages of this system with regard to its safety and reliability in the preparation and identification of samples and in its throughput are widely known today. A disadvantage is the risk of contamination causPd particularly by the pipetting operation, in which traces of the samples may be left behind not only in the pipettes themselves but also, to some extent, in the connecting tube leading to the diluter, chiefly in the area going down from the pipette. Even the provislon of intermediate rinsing and cleaning stages which involv~ taklng suitable agents from a primary Yessel and releasing them into a secondary vessel (which is then emptied) cannot guarantee the maximum degree of safety which is often necessary.
Moreover, the systems operating exclusively by these processes necessitate the use of primary ~essels wh~ch, though of different construction, are uniform in at least one main dimension, with respect to the sensor contacts marking the position of the vessel in the sample distributor in the computer. Admittedly, this is fundamentally unavoidable with some of the high throughputs required of the sample distributor.
~L~L97~
Conversely, in many cases, it would also appear to be convenient to be able to use primary sample vessels of different dimensions and thus achieve substantial neutrality of the sample vessels, although, it should be pointed out, no rigid link with existing processes and systems is then possible.
The aim of this invention is therefore to provide a process of the kind described hereinbefore which operates totally without contamination and which makes it possible to use vessels of different dimensions as the pximary vessels (without the need for any uniform arrangement of the primary Yessels in the sample distributor), but on the other hand, when vessels of identical dimensions are used, makes it possible to arrange the vessels in the sample distributors of the systems described hereinbefore.
A further aim is to provide suitable apparatus for performing the process.
The solution-according to the invention provides that primary vessels of different dimensions filled with the sample material-are arranged with their opening pointing upwards and frictionally or positively connected to a closure member adapted to fit the opening of the primary vessel but of othe~ise uniform construction, the closure member comprising a pourer nozzle and an air flow aperture opening into a feed pipé, that subsequently the closure member is inserted into an intermediate carrier portion fitted with a sealable air inlet, via the air flow aperture, in the sealed position of the air inlet, that subsequently the primary Yessel fitted w.ith the intermediate carrier portion is rotated so that its opening points vertically downwards and is fixed in the clamping means of the transporting carriage (with resultant automatic opening of the air inlet, via the air flow aperture, by the intermediate carrier), that in order to release the sample material, through the diluter, air is fed into the primary vessel in a prc5s~rc suitable amount and with a suitable ~6~s~4~, through a line, an intermediate carrier and the feed pipe connected to the closure member, so that a corres-pondingly predetermined quantity of sample material is displaced from the primary Yessel, that as the predetermined quantity of sample is delivered into a secondary ~essel, ~y means of the diluter, air is evacuated out of th~ primary vessel ~mtil the surface tension of the sample material prevents any further release of this material, both when the transporting carriage is stationary and, in conjunction with the walls of the pourer nozzle, also whPn the carriage is moving.
The replacement of the pipetting operation by direct release of the sample material in predetermined amounts from the primary ~essel into the secondary vessel and the resultant conversion of the function of the diluter into an air cQmpressor and aspirator controlled in accordance with the quantity to be rel~as~d guarantees, in conjunction with the surface tension prevailing in the primary vessel and determined by the sample material, and in conjunction with the dimensions of the pourer nozzle and the surface structure of its walls, a sample distribution which is both absolutely free,from contamination and also quantitatively exact. The closure member should generally be regarded as a one way component, and in some cases is also fitted with a sensor contact which becomes ef~ectiYe when the primary vessel is fixed to the clamping means of the transporting carriage.
The construction of the intermediate carrier mem~er - which may ~e a pair of gripping tongs opening counter to pressure, as described below, and generally haYing uniform dimensions - permits ~oth simple manual fixing of the primary Yessel to the clamping means of the transporting carriage, and also the use of control'led gripping means for guiding and inserting them into ~7~
the clamping means, so that in this case it is possible to use the known processes described hereinbefore.
Since the air inlet to the vessel is blocked when the intermediate carrier member is not inserted in the clamping means, the primary yessel is usually inserted in the clamping means of the transporting carriage with its closure member and pourer nozzle directed downwardly. The clamping means, closure member and intermediate carrier together offer ~ons~derable scope of dimensions for the construction of the primary vessel. MoreoYer, it is particularly easy to distribute all the samples, i.e. from the primary Yessels~ into the required number of secondary Yessels without any interruption.
In a ~odified embodiment of the process, the air supply to the primary ~essel is proYided directly (without the use of the inte~ediate carrier~ Yia the clamping means o~ the transporting carri~age and the closure mem~er, and in this case the primary ~essel is inserted into the clamping means of the transporting carriage in such a way that, after insertion of the primary Yessel, the clamping means are pivoted manually or by a motor through 180 into the deli~ery position.
This embodiment of the process`generally presupposes manual fixing in the clamp~ng means !97 .~ --9~
.
described in more detail here~na~ter.
With the closure member pivoted downwards, the air supply is freed.
In a suitable apparatus for performing the process first de~cribed, the intermediate carrier member is constructed as a pair o~ gr~pping tongs open~ng counter to pressure, the lower portion of which~ i.e. the portion pointing towards the pourer nozzle, and directed towards the closure member, has a recess for the lnsertion of this portion, a through opening for the passage of the pourer nozzIe and an air ~low aperture directed s~bstantially at right angles to the axis of the primary ~essel and to the perpendicular arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, whilst the end of the lower portion o~ the grIpping tongs pointing towards the perpendicular arm of the clamping means of the transporting carr~age is constructed as a hinged or flexible lug which i5 deflect~d upwards by a spring or other tensioning means, in the non-~îxed position, and thus blocks the air flow aperture and hence the air supply, the upper portion of the tongs is fork~shaped in construction and engages positiYely in its end position by means of a uniform area bounded by a shoulder and independent of the dLmensions o~ the primary ~essel.
In this end position the lug of the lower portion of the tongs is pressed downwards, i.e. substantially into a vertlcal position relative to the axis of the primary vessel, by a recess preferably formed in the vertical arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, or by guide means provided thereon t until the air supply through the air flow aperture is opened up, and this air is either guided in a continuation of this direction out of the clamping means or through the vertical arm of the clamping means to the connection for the diluter.
Particularly secure fixing is obtained if, in the open position for the air flow aperture, the lower portion of the tongs is held in this position by means of at least one magnetic connection, cooperating with a position marking means arranged in the portion of the clamping means of the transporting carriage directed at right angles to the axis of the primary vessel.
To solve the problem of sealing, it is proposed that the seal between the l~wer portion of the tongs, including the lug which proYides the air connection and the closure member of the primary vessel, on the one hand and the seal with the carrier of the transporting carriage, on the other hand, he provided by the at least partially elastic construction of the closure member and the lug.
7~7 -11~
It is also po~sible for the seal between the lower portion of the tongs, including the lug which provides the air connection, and the closure member of the primary vessel, on the one hand, and the seal.with the carrier of the transproting carriage, on the other hand, to bé formed by the provision of sealing rings between the lower portion of the tongs and the closure member and the lug and the clamping means of the transporting carriage.
In order to control the outflow, e.g. in the case of blockages, one or more carriers.for receiving means for optically monitoring the outflow may be provided on the carrier of the transporting carriage, pointing in the direction of the pourer nozzle.
For performing the modifiad process which essentially proYides for manual fixing of the primary vessels in the clamping means, without the use of an intermediate member, an apparatus is proposed which is constructed so that the clamping means of the .transporting carriage are constructed as gripping means for the primary vessel, into which the primary vessel can be inserted either manually or by means of proyramme-controlled means, the inserted portion of the closure member which engages in the horizontally guided transverse arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage has uniform dimensions, whereas the abutment portion of 7~7 .
the closure member directed towards the primary vessel is adapted to match the shape of the opening of the primary vessel used or is of conical shape, a hollow member which is inwardly conical in construction and capable of being clamped in the direction of the axis of the vessel engages over the base of the primary vessel, and this hollow member i~ guided on a transverse arm having a longitudinal guide and extending axially parallel to the longitudinal arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, and the primary vessel is clamped ayainst the closure member by means of a spring, via the hollow member, in the axial direction thereof.
The process described, the possible modification thereof and the apparatus provided for performing it ~ully satisfy the requirements of the problem of the invention. Moreo~er, the processes and apparatus are largely flexible so as to adapt to any desired systems. The proce~s,and the apparatus used also have major ad~antages for general operation, since the dan~er of spillage and e~aporation is practically eliminated by the closure member.
The invention is explained more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings of embodiments by way of example.
~IL97~7 Figure 1 is a schematic repr~sentation of the transfer between the primary and secondary vessels.
Figure 2 shows the identification of the samples, i.e.
the marking thereof and the cQmputer-controlled association of the secondary vessels with each primary vessel corresponding to the information on a reading card.
Figure 3 shows the connection of the primary vessel, via an intermediate member in the form of gripping tongs, to the clamping means of the transporting carriage in the delivery position, i.e. with the pourer nozzle pointing downwards.
Figure 4 shows the upper portion of the gripping tongs.
Figure 5 shows the l~wex portion of the gripping tongs with a lug formed thereon so as to open and close the air inlet.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged ~iew of the lllg with a spring mounted therein.
Figure 7 shows the connection of the primary vessel to clamping mPans mounted on the transporting carriage and rotatable through 180 by a pivoting motor.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 The computer 1 with associated interface 2 deteLmines the control of coordinates 3 of the two stepping motors 4 and 5 which affect adjustment in the x-y plane of the transporting carriage 6 which is provided with clamping means 7 for the primary vessel 9. In the embodiment shown, the carriage 6 is first moved into a receiving position 8 above a primary vessel 9 which is closed off by means of a closure member 40 (Figure 2). The primary vessel 9 together with its closure member 40 and power noz~le 41 is inverted manually or by means of a motor, after or during insertion into the clamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6, so that the pourer nozzle 41 faces downwardly in the direction of the openings of a secondary vessel 12. The transporting carriage 6 then moves the primary vessel 9, which has been rotated through 180, in the direction of the dotted line, into a delivery position 11 above the set position of the secondary vessel 12.
Referring to Figure 3J upon opening, air is admitted into the primary vessel 9 in a predetermined quantity and with a predetermined pressure through the diluter 10 via a hitherto closed line 56 and/or the closure member 40 and a feed pipe 42 connected thereto. In this way the release of the sample 27 in the primary vessel 9 in a predetermined amount through the pourer nozzle 41 is initiated.
If desired, li~uid reagents may also be added to the sample 12 in the same way, in accurately defined ~7~
amounts. This ensures that the sc~mples can be prepared already measured, for example by the addition of a reagent solution to the patient's serum, and this solution may also be added automatically, i.e. controlled by the computer, and, for example, series of dilutions of any desired predetermined concentration can be prepared.
The transporting carriage 6 is connected to the diluter 10 by means of a ~lexible hose 13. The secondary vessels 12 are preferably mounted in round carriers 14 on the periphery thereof or in racks 15 arranged in a row one behind the other, or in chains 16 whilst the primary vessels 9 are housed in an exchangeable palette 17.
With regard to the sample identification shown substantially in Figure 2, it should be pointed out that, in the interests of clarity, the interface 2 i5 coordinated with the computer 23 which also takes over some comparative functions, in particular, and forms a unit therewith.
In the identification station 30, the primary vessel 9 provided with the sensor contact 20 is given a label 21 capable of being read by a computer and the requirement marking card 25 which reveals the labelling of the primary vessel 9 and the tests to be carried out with th~ sample 27 in a corresponding number of secondary vessels 12 is prepared. After the sample material 27 from the patients' station 28 has been added, the primary vessel 9 thus prepared is taken to the laboratory station 29.
There, the clotted blood is generally separated from the serum by centrifuging, the sample material 27 is prepared for testing and the primary vessel 9 is sealed by means of a closure member 40, which carries the pourer nozzle 41 and feed pipe 42. The label 21 of the primary vessel 9 is then read by means of a manually guided reading stylus 22 and the information on the label is fed into the computer 23 which is connected to a display screen 24 and the primary vessel 9 is moved into the removal position 8 in the palette 17.
By means of the sensor contact 20 which becomes active at this point, the removal position 3 in the palette 17 is fed into the computer 23 so that the information on the label and the position 8 of the primary vessel 9 in the palette 17 are given.
Parallel to these operations, the requirement marking card 25 is fed into the card reader 26 and the information on this card is also read by the computer 23. The computer 23 controls the removal of the sample material 27, in accordance with the labelling 21 of the vessel and the information on the requirement marking card 25, from the primary vessel 9 in the ~L~9~97 removal position 8, after it has been rotated through 180 by the pipett~ng caxriage 6 connected to the diluter 10~ and the batches of sample are placed in the secondary vessel 12 for individual testing in accordance with the function of the requirement marking card 25.
~eferring to Fi~ures 3 to 6 These figures essentially show the formation of the intermediate member constructed as gripping tongs 50, and the arrangement thereof and the connection to the ~lamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6.
The gripping tongs 50 consist of an upper portion 51 and lower portion 52, the upper portion being fork-shaped and being positively locked in its end position ~y means of the area of the periphery of the closure member 40 which is uniformly bounded by the shoùlder 43. The lower portion 52 has a recess 54 for the projection 44 on the closure member and in the centre provides an opening 55 for the passage of the pourer nozzle 41. Connected to the lower portion 52 of the gripping tongs and pointing in the direction of the clamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6, there is a lug 53 which can be inserted in a recess 7.1, this lug 53 having an air flow aperture 56 passing through the lug 53 as far as the area of~connection of the air feed pipe 42.
~l~9~7~9~7 When the gripping tongs 50 are not inserted, the lug 53 is ~ent upwards, by means of a spring 53' inserted in the elastic material of $he lug 53 and the lower portion 52 of the tongs, to such an extent that the air flow aperture 56 is sealed off, and in some cases an articulated valve may be provided.
When the lug is pushed into the recess 7.1 and the lower portion 52 of the tongs is fixed by means of a position marking means 7.2, e.g. a step, formed on the transverse arm 7.6, the air flow aperture 56 is opened and the air then flows through the air flow aperture 56 passing through the lug 53 and lower portion 52 of the tongs, into the connection for the air feed pipe 42, leading through the closure member 40 into the primary vessel 9. The air is supplied through an aperture 7.7 or the vertical arm thereof to the air connection (not shown) of the diluter Lo.
In the delivery position, the lower portion 52 of the tong is he~ yi~imeans of a magnetic connection 7.22 provided on the transverse arm 7.6 of the clamping means 7. The sample is delivered as explained with reference to Figure 1. Positions 40 and 51 are secured in position by any desired means to prevent them rotating relative to each other.
It may also be appropria~e to provide an optical outflow monitoring device. In this case, it is advisable to provide optical carriers 7.4 designed ~7~7 to receive suitable monitoring means 7.5.
em b o~'mc: ~ f Figure 7 shows a ~e~ff~n wherein, without the use of the intermediate carrier in the form of gripping tongs 50, the air passes directly through the clamping means 7, the transverse arm 7.6 thereof and the air aperture 7.7 into the recess 7.8 provided with a stop followed by 7.88 for the inserted portion 44 of the closure member 40. The stop makes it possible to provide an air space from which the air enters the primary vessel 9, directed towards the abutment portion 45, starting from the connecting port for the feed pipe 42, this port passing through the closure member 40.
The primary vessel 9 is held at the bottom by means of an inwardly conical hollow member 7.9 mounted on a transverse arm 7.10 of the clamping means 7 and movable thereon along a lon~itudinal guide 7.12, whilst a spring 7.11 presses the primary vessel 9, via the hollow member 7.9, against th~ abutment portion 45 of the closure member 40, so as to form a seal.
As in this example, the air aperture 7.7 may be connected to the diluter lo via the pivot motor shaft 7.13 mounted in a stationary position on the clamping means 7, via a coil 7.14 which absorbs the pivoting movement and another line. The pivot motor 7.15 rotating through 180 is fixedly connected to the transporting carriage 6.
A process of this kind is known from Patent Application P 28 41 086.8-52. The essential feature of this process is that the transporting carriage is fitted with a pipette capable of being raised and lowered, and when the carriage is moved into position abo~e the primary vessel it lowers the pipette and the sample is sucked up through a diluter connected to the pipette by moveable flexible tubes and fixedly associated with the magazine, and then the pipette is raised again and moved into a delivery position ~97~7 determined by the control programming above a dish provided as secondary vessel, and the sample is ejected into the ~econdary vessel.
-As a further feature of this construction, the primary vessel is formed with an electronic sensor contact and is provided with a label capable of being read by a computer, and subsequently, after laboratory preparation of the sample, the information on the label is read by means of a manually guided reading stylus and fPd into the computer. The vessel labelled in this way can be brought into any desired removal position in the sample distributor, and the selected position is also fed into the computer via the sensor contact. Parallel to the identification of the sample, the requirement marking card, which is again capable of being read by a computer, is written out and given the same labPl marking as the primary ~essel and this card is fed into the card reader connected to the computer. The sample in the primary vessel is then taken out of the primary vessel in batches, in accordance with the labelling of the vessel and the information on the requirement marking card, and trans~erred to secondary vessels arranged in accordance with the inormation on the card, for individual investigation ~cf. P 28 41 086. -52~.
We refer also to the publication "Labtronic, Klinische Labortechnik", of Mess~s. Labtronic, which ~ives similar information to the applications mentioned above.
~ .
9~
The publication refers particularly to the "Serum distributor with sample identific~tion SV 500"
having a processing capacity of more than 1000 samples per hour. The advantages of this system with regard to its safety and reliability in the preparation and identification of samples and in its throughput are widely known today. A disadvantage is the risk of contamination causPd particularly by the pipetting operation, in which traces of the samples may be left behind not only in the pipettes themselves but also, to some extent, in the connecting tube leading to the diluter, chiefly in the area going down from the pipette. Even the provislon of intermediate rinsing and cleaning stages which involv~ taklng suitable agents from a primary Yessel and releasing them into a secondary vessel (which is then emptied) cannot guarantee the maximum degree of safety which is often necessary.
Moreover, the systems operating exclusively by these processes necessitate the use of primary ~essels wh~ch, though of different construction, are uniform in at least one main dimension, with respect to the sensor contacts marking the position of the vessel in the sample distributor in the computer. Admittedly, this is fundamentally unavoidable with some of the high throughputs required of the sample distributor.
~L~L97~
Conversely, in many cases, it would also appear to be convenient to be able to use primary sample vessels of different dimensions and thus achieve substantial neutrality of the sample vessels, although, it should be pointed out, no rigid link with existing processes and systems is then possible.
The aim of this invention is therefore to provide a process of the kind described hereinbefore which operates totally without contamination and which makes it possible to use vessels of different dimensions as the pximary vessels (without the need for any uniform arrangement of the primary Yessels in the sample distributor), but on the other hand, when vessels of identical dimensions are used, makes it possible to arrange the vessels in the sample distributors of the systems described hereinbefore.
A further aim is to provide suitable apparatus for performing the process.
The solution-according to the invention provides that primary vessels of different dimensions filled with the sample material-are arranged with their opening pointing upwards and frictionally or positively connected to a closure member adapted to fit the opening of the primary vessel but of othe~ise uniform construction, the closure member comprising a pourer nozzle and an air flow aperture opening into a feed pipé, that subsequently the closure member is inserted into an intermediate carrier portion fitted with a sealable air inlet, via the air flow aperture, in the sealed position of the air inlet, that subsequently the primary Yessel fitted w.ith the intermediate carrier portion is rotated so that its opening points vertically downwards and is fixed in the clamping means of the transporting carriage (with resultant automatic opening of the air inlet, via the air flow aperture, by the intermediate carrier), that in order to release the sample material, through the diluter, air is fed into the primary vessel in a prc5s~rc suitable amount and with a suitable ~6~s~4~, through a line, an intermediate carrier and the feed pipe connected to the closure member, so that a corres-pondingly predetermined quantity of sample material is displaced from the primary Yessel, that as the predetermined quantity of sample is delivered into a secondary ~essel, ~y means of the diluter, air is evacuated out of th~ primary vessel ~mtil the surface tension of the sample material prevents any further release of this material, both when the transporting carriage is stationary and, in conjunction with the walls of the pourer nozzle, also whPn the carriage is moving.
The replacement of the pipetting operation by direct release of the sample material in predetermined amounts from the primary ~essel into the secondary vessel and the resultant conversion of the function of the diluter into an air cQmpressor and aspirator controlled in accordance with the quantity to be rel~as~d guarantees, in conjunction with the surface tension prevailing in the primary vessel and determined by the sample material, and in conjunction with the dimensions of the pourer nozzle and the surface structure of its walls, a sample distribution which is both absolutely free,from contamination and also quantitatively exact. The closure member should generally be regarded as a one way component, and in some cases is also fitted with a sensor contact which becomes ef~ectiYe when the primary vessel is fixed to the clamping means of the transporting carriage.
The construction of the intermediate carrier mem~er - which may ~e a pair of gripping tongs opening counter to pressure, as described below, and generally haYing uniform dimensions - permits ~oth simple manual fixing of the primary Yessel to the clamping means of the transporting carriage, and also the use of control'led gripping means for guiding and inserting them into ~7~
the clamping means, so that in this case it is possible to use the known processes described hereinbefore.
Since the air inlet to the vessel is blocked when the intermediate carrier member is not inserted in the clamping means, the primary yessel is usually inserted in the clamping means of the transporting carriage with its closure member and pourer nozzle directed downwardly. The clamping means, closure member and intermediate carrier together offer ~ons~derable scope of dimensions for the construction of the primary vessel. MoreoYer, it is particularly easy to distribute all the samples, i.e. from the primary Yessels~ into the required number of secondary Yessels without any interruption.
In a ~odified embodiment of the process, the air supply to the primary ~essel is proYided directly (without the use of the inte~ediate carrier~ Yia the clamping means o~ the transporting carri~age and the closure mem~er, and in this case the primary ~essel is inserted into the clamping means of the transporting carriage in such a way that, after insertion of the primary Yessel, the clamping means are pivoted manually or by a motor through 180 into the deli~ery position.
This embodiment of the process`generally presupposes manual fixing in the clamp~ng means !97 .~ --9~
.
described in more detail here~na~ter.
With the closure member pivoted downwards, the air supply is freed.
In a suitable apparatus for performing the process first de~cribed, the intermediate carrier member is constructed as a pair o~ gr~pping tongs open~ng counter to pressure, the lower portion of which~ i.e. the portion pointing towards the pourer nozzle, and directed towards the closure member, has a recess for the lnsertion of this portion, a through opening for the passage of the pourer nozzIe and an air ~low aperture directed s~bstantially at right angles to the axis of the primary ~essel and to the perpendicular arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, whilst the end of the lower portion o~ the grIpping tongs pointing towards the perpendicular arm of the clamping means of the transporting carr~age is constructed as a hinged or flexible lug which i5 deflect~d upwards by a spring or other tensioning means, in the non-~îxed position, and thus blocks the air flow aperture and hence the air supply, the upper portion of the tongs is fork~shaped in construction and engages positiYely in its end position by means of a uniform area bounded by a shoulder and independent of the dLmensions o~ the primary ~essel.
In this end position the lug of the lower portion of the tongs is pressed downwards, i.e. substantially into a vertlcal position relative to the axis of the primary vessel, by a recess preferably formed in the vertical arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, or by guide means provided thereon t until the air supply through the air flow aperture is opened up, and this air is either guided in a continuation of this direction out of the clamping means or through the vertical arm of the clamping means to the connection for the diluter.
Particularly secure fixing is obtained if, in the open position for the air flow aperture, the lower portion of the tongs is held in this position by means of at least one magnetic connection, cooperating with a position marking means arranged in the portion of the clamping means of the transporting carriage directed at right angles to the axis of the primary vessel.
To solve the problem of sealing, it is proposed that the seal between the l~wer portion of the tongs, including the lug which proYides the air connection and the closure member of the primary vessel, on the one hand and the seal with the carrier of the transporting carriage, on the other hand, he provided by the at least partially elastic construction of the closure member and the lug.
7~7 -11~
It is also po~sible for the seal between the lower portion of the tongs, including the lug which provides the air connection, and the closure member of the primary vessel, on the one hand, and the seal.with the carrier of the transproting carriage, on the other hand, to bé formed by the provision of sealing rings between the lower portion of the tongs and the closure member and the lug and the clamping means of the transporting carriage.
In order to control the outflow, e.g. in the case of blockages, one or more carriers.for receiving means for optically monitoring the outflow may be provided on the carrier of the transporting carriage, pointing in the direction of the pourer nozzle.
For performing the modifiad process which essentially proYides for manual fixing of the primary vessels in the clamping means, without the use of an intermediate member, an apparatus is proposed which is constructed so that the clamping means of the .transporting carriage are constructed as gripping means for the primary vessel, into which the primary vessel can be inserted either manually or by means of proyramme-controlled means, the inserted portion of the closure member which engages in the horizontally guided transverse arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage has uniform dimensions, whereas the abutment portion of 7~7 .
the closure member directed towards the primary vessel is adapted to match the shape of the opening of the primary vessel used or is of conical shape, a hollow member which is inwardly conical in construction and capable of being clamped in the direction of the axis of the vessel engages over the base of the primary vessel, and this hollow member i~ guided on a transverse arm having a longitudinal guide and extending axially parallel to the longitudinal arm of the clamping means of the transporting carriage, and the primary vessel is clamped ayainst the closure member by means of a spring, via the hollow member, in the axial direction thereof.
The process described, the possible modification thereof and the apparatus provided for performing it ~ully satisfy the requirements of the problem of the invention. Moreo~er, the processes and apparatus are largely flexible so as to adapt to any desired systems. The proce~s,and the apparatus used also have major ad~antages for general operation, since the dan~er of spillage and e~aporation is practically eliminated by the closure member.
The invention is explained more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings of embodiments by way of example.
~IL97~7 Figure 1 is a schematic repr~sentation of the transfer between the primary and secondary vessels.
Figure 2 shows the identification of the samples, i.e.
the marking thereof and the cQmputer-controlled association of the secondary vessels with each primary vessel corresponding to the information on a reading card.
Figure 3 shows the connection of the primary vessel, via an intermediate member in the form of gripping tongs, to the clamping means of the transporting carriage in the delivery position, i.e. with the pourer nozzle pointing downwards.
Figure 4 shows the upper portion of the gripping tongs.
Figure 5 shows the l~wex portion of the gripping tongs with a lug formed thereon so as to open and close the air inlet.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged ~iew of the lllg with a spring mounted therein.
Figure 7 shows the connection of the primary vessel to clamping mPans mounted on the transporting carriage and rotatable through 180 by a pivoting motor.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 The computer 1 with associated interface 2 deteLmines the control of coordinates 3 of the two stepping motors 4 and 5 which affect adjustment in the x-y plane of the transporting carriage 6 which is provided with clamping means 7 for the primary vessel 9. In the embodiment shown, the carriage 6 is first moved into a receiving position 8 above a primary vessel 9 which is closed off by means of a closure member 40 (Figure 2). The primary vessel 9 together with its closure member 40 and power noz~le 41 is inverted manually or by means of a motor, after or during insertion into the clamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6, so that the pourer nozzle 41 faces downwardly in the direction of the openings of a secondary vessel 12. The transporting carriage 6 then moves the primary vessel 9, which has been rotated through 180, in the direction of the dotted line, into a delivery position 11 above the set position of the secondary vessel 12.
Referring to Figure 3J upon opening, air is admitted into the primary vessel 9 in a predetermined quantity and with a predetermined pressure through the diluter 10 via a hitherto closed line 56 and/or the closure member 40 and a feed pipe 42 connected thereto. In this way the release of the sample 27 in the primary vessel 9 in a predetermined amount through the pourer nozzle 41 is initiated.
If desired, li~uid reagents may also be added to the sample 12 in the same way, in accurately defined ~7~
amounts. This ensures that the sc~mples can be prepared already measured, for example by the addition of a reagent solution to the patient's serum, and this solution may also be added automatically, i.e. controlled by the computer, and, for example, series of dilutions of any desired predetermined concentration can be prepared.
The transporting carriage 6 is connected to the diluter 10 by means of a ~lexible hose 13. The secondary vessels 12 are preferably mounted in round carriers 14 on the periphery thereof or in racks 15 arranged in a row one behind the other, or in chains 16 whilst the primary vessels 9 are housed in an exchangeable palette 17.
With regard to the sample identification shown substantially in Figure 2, it should be pointed out that, in the interests of clarity, the interface 2 i5 coordinated with the computer 23 which also takes over some comparative functions, in particular, and forms a unit therewith.
In the identification station 30, the primary vessel 9 provided with the sensor contact 20 is given a label 21 capable of being read by a computer and the requirement marking card 25 which reveals the labelling of the primary vessel 9 and the tests to be carried out with th~ sample 27 in a corresponding number of secondary vessels 12 is prepared. After the sample material 27 from the patients' station 28 has been added, the primary vessel 9 thus prepared is taken to the laboratory station 29.
There, the clotted blood is generally separated from the serum by centrifuging, the sample material 27 is prepared for testing and the primary vessel 9 is sealed by means of a closure member 40, which carries the pourer nozzle 41 and feed pipe 42. The label 21 of the primary vessel 9 is then read by means of a manually guided reading stylus 22 and the information on the label is fed into the computer 23 which is connected to a display screen 24 and the primary vessel 9 is moved into the removal position 8 in the palette 17.
By means of the sensor contact 20 which becomes active at this point, the removal position 3 in the palette 17 is fed into the computer 23 so that the information on the label and the position 8 of the primary vessel 9 in the palette 17 are given.
Parallel to these operations, the requirement marking card 25 is fed into the card reader 26 and the information on this card is also read by the computer 23. The computer 23 controls the removal of the sample material 27, in accordance with the labelling 21 of the vessel and the information on the requirement marking card 25, from the primary vessel 9 in the ~L~9~97 removal position 8, after it has been rotated through 180 by the pipett~ng caxriage 6 connected to the diluter 10~ and the batches of sample are placed in the secondary vessel 12 for individual testing in accordance with the function of the requirement marking card 25.
~eferring to Fi~ures 3 to 6 These figures essentially show the formation of the intermediate member constructed as gripping tongs 50, and the arrangement thereof and the connection to the ~lamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6.
The gripping tongs 50 consist of an upper portion 51 and lower portion 52, the upper portion being fork-shaped and being positively locked in its end position ~y means of the area of the periphery of the closure member 40 which is uniformly bounded by the shoùlder 43. The lower portion 52 has a recess 54 for the projection 44 on the closure member and in the centre provides an opening 55 for the passage of the pourer nozzle 41. Connected to the lower portion 52 of the gripping tongs and pointing in the direction of the clamping means 7 of the transporting carriage 6, there is a lug 53 which can be inserted in a recess 7.1, this lug 53 having an air flow aperture 56 passing through the lug 53 as far as the area of~connection of the air feed pipe 42.
~l~9~7~9~7 When the gripping tongs 50 are not inserted, the lug 53 is ~ent upwards, by means of a spring 53' inserted in the elastic material of $he lug 53 and the lower portion 52 of the tongs, to such an extent that the air flow aperture 56 is sealed off, and in some cases an articulated valve may be provided.
When the lug is pushed into the recess 7.1 and the lower portion 52 of the tongs is fixed by means of a position marking means 7.2, e.g. a step, formed on the transverse arm 7.6, the air flow aperture 56 is opened and the air then flows through the air flow aperture 56 passing through the lug 53 and lower portion 52 of the tongs, into the connection for the air feed pipe 42, leading through the closure member 40 into the primary vessel 9. The air is supplied through an aperture 7.7 or the vertical arm thereof to the air connection (not shown) of the diluter Lo.
In the delivery position, the lower portion 52 of the tong is he~ yi~imeans of a magnetic connection 7.22 provided on the transverse arm 7.6 of the clamping means 7. The sample is delivered as explained with reference to Figure 1. Positions 40 and 51 are secured in position by any desired means to prevent them rotating relative to each other.
It may also be appropria~e to provide an optical outflow monitoring device. In this case, it is advisable to provide optical carriers 7.4 designed ~7~7 to receive suitable monitoring means 7.5.
em b o~'mc: ~ f Figure 7 shows a ~e~ff~n wherein, without the use of the intermediate carrier in the form of gripping tongs 50, the air passes directly through the clamping means 7, the transverse arm 7.6 thereof and the air aperture 7.7 into the recess 7.8 provided with a stop followed by 7.88 for the inserted portion 44 of the closure member 40. The stop makes it possible to provide an air space from which the air enters the primary vessel 9, directed towards the abutment portion 45, starting from the connecting port for the feed pipe 42, this port passing through the closure member 40.
The primary vessel 9 is held at the bottom by means of an inwardly conical hollow member 7.9 mounted on a transverse arm 7.10 of the clamping means 7 and movable thereon along a lon~itudinal guide 7.12, whilst a spring 7.11 presses the primary vessel 9, via the hollow member 7.9, against th~ abutment portion 45 of the closure member 40, so as to form a seal.
As in this example, the air aperture 7.7 may be connected to the diluter lo via the pivot motor shaft 7.13 mounted in a stationary position on the clamping means 7, via a coil 7.14 which absorbs the pivoting movement and another line. The pivot motor 7.15 rotating through 180 is fixedly connected to the transporting carriage 6.
Claims (15)
1. Process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels, more particularly samples of patients' sera, liquid reagents or the like, which are transferred into fixedly mounted secondary vessels of any desired construction, preferably in accordance with the data from a distribution sheet recorded by a control programming apparatus, wherein the secondary vessels can be moved into position one after the other by means of a transporting carriage for the primary vessel, having an associated diluter, this transporting carriage being moveable; in the x-y plane by means of two stepping motors, and a primary vessel is brought back into its starting position after each delivery or after delivery of the samples intended for the entire series of samples, characterised in that primary vessels (9) of different dimensions filled with the sample material (27) are arranged with their openins pointing upwards and frictionally or positively connected to closure members(40) adapted to fit the openings of the primary vessel (9) but of otherwise uniform construction, the closure member (40) comprising a pourer nozzle (41) and an air flow aperture (56) opening into a feed pipe (42), subsequently the closure member (40) is inserted in an intermediate carrier (50) fitted with a sealable air inlet, via the air flow aperture (56), in the sealed position of the air inlet, subsequently, the primary vessel (9) provided with the intermediate carrier (50) is rotated so that its opening faces vertically downwards and is fixed in a clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) - with resultant automatic opening of the air inlet, via the air flow aperture (56), by the intermediate carrier (50), for delivery of the sample material (27), the diluter (10) passes air through a line (7.7), the intermediate carrier (50) and the feed pipe (42) connected to the closure member (40) into the primary vessel (9), in a suitable quantity and with a suitable pressure, until a correspondingly predetermined quantity of sample material (27) has been displaced from the ves-sel (9), as the predetermined quantity of sample is delivered into a secondary vessel (12), the diluter (10) evacuates air from the primary vessel (9) until the sur-face tension of the sample material (27) prevents any further outflow, both when the transporting carriage is motionless and, in conjunction with the walls of the pourer nozzle (41), also when the transporting carriage (6) is moving.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the air is supplied to the primary vessel (9) directly - when no intermediate carrier (50) is used - via the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) and the closure member (40), and in this case the primary vessel (9) is inserted into the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) in such a way that, after insertion of the primary vessel (9), it is pivoted through 180°, into the delivery position, by means of a motor or manually.
3. Apparatus for performing the process as claimed in claim l character-ised in that the intermediate carrier is constructed as a pair of gripping tongs (50) opening counter to pressure, a lower portion (52) of which, is directed towards the closure member (40) and has a recess (54) for the inser-tion of said portion (52), through opening (55) for the passage of the pourer nozzle (41) and an air flow aperture (56) directed substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the primary vessel (9) and to the perpen-dicular arm of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6), whilst an end of the lower portion (52) of the gripping tongs which points towards the perpendicular arm of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) is constructed as a hinged or flexible lug (53), which is bent upwards, in a non-fixed position, by a spring (53') or other tensioning means and thus blocks the air flow aperture (56) and hence the air supply, an upper part of the tongs (51) is fork-shaped and is positively locked in an end position by means of a uniform area independent of the dimensions of the primary vessel and bounded by a shoulder (43), in this end position the lug (53) of the lower portion (52) of the tongs is pushed downwards, i.e. substantially into a vertical position relative to the axis of the primary vessel (9), by a recess preferably formed in a vertical arm of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6), or by guide means (7) mounted thereon, to such an extent that the air supply through the air flow aperture (56) is freed, and this air is passed either in a continuation of this direction out of the clamp-ing means (7) or through the vertical arm of the clamping means (7) to a connec-tion for the diluter (10).
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that, in an open position for the air flow aperture (56), the lower portion (52) of the tongs is held in this position by at least one magnetic connection (7.22), and indeed in conjunction with a position marking means (7.2) arranged in that portion of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) which is directed at right angles to the axis of the primary vessel (9).
5. Apparatus as claimed in claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the seal between the lower portion (52) of the tongs, including the lug (53) which forms the air connection, and the closure member (40) of the primary vessel (9), on the one hand, the seal with the carrier (7) of the transporting carriage (6), on the other hand, is formed by the at least partially elastic construction of the closure member (40) and the lug (53).
6. Apparatus as claimed in claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the seal between the lower portion (52) of the tongs, including the lug (53) which provides the air connection, and the closure member (40) of the primary vessel (9), on the one hand, and the seal with the carrier (7) of the transporting carriage (6), on the other hand, is formed by interposing sealing rings between the lower portion (52) of the tongs and the closure member (40) and the lug (53) and the clamping means (7) of the transporting carraige (6).
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that one or more carriers (7.4) for receiving means for optically monitoring an outflow (7.5) is or are provided on the carrier (7) of the transporting carriage (6), pointing in the direction of the pourer nozzle (41).
8. Apparatus for performing the process of claim 1 modified by claim 2, characterised in that the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) are constructed as gripping means for the primary vessel (9), into which the primary vessel (9) can be inserted either manually or by means of programme-controlled means, the inserted portion (44) of the closure member (40) engaging in the horizontally guided transverse arm (7.6) of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6) has uniform dimensions, whilst an abutment portion (45) of the closure member (40) directed towards the primary vessel (9) is adapted to fit the shape of the opening of the primary vessel (9) used or is conical in construction, a hollow member (7.9) which is inwardly conical in construction and can be clamped in the direction of the axis of the vessel engages over the base of the primary vessel (9) and this hollow member (7.9) is guided on a transverse arm (7.10) having a longitudinal guide (7.12) and extending axially parallel to the longitudinal arm of the clamping means (7) of the transporting carriage (6), and the primary vessel (9) is clamped axially.
against the closure member (40) by means of a spring (7.11) via the hollow member (7.9).
against the closure member (40) by means of a spring (7.11) via the hollow member (7.9).
9. A method of sampling and distributing a liquid materi-al which comprises drawing a liquid sample from a source thereof and placing it in a primary vessel, sealing said sample in the primary vessel with a sealing means which has one or more passa-ges through which a positive pressure or a partial vacuum may be applied to the interior of the primary vessel and a relatively narrow dispensing passage from the interior of the primary vessel to the outside thereof, inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid therein by the combination of the sealing means, the walls of the vessel, the narrowness of the passage to the outside and by the equal or slightly negative pressure within the primary vessel with respect to the ambient pressure; moving the inverted primary vessel in a predetermined sequence to positions over secondary receiving vessels, increasing the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel sufficiently to expel a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel, reducing the pressure to equilibrium or to a slight vacuum, moving the primary vessel to successive positions and repeating the steps, recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispensed into the secondary vessels and upon completing the desired providing of samples to various second-ary vessels returning the primary vessel to its starting point.
10. A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the changes in the position of the primary vessel are caused by moving it along the x-y axes in a plane above the plane in which the secondary receiving vessels are arranged.
11. A method of sampling and distributing a liquid material which comprises drawing a liquid sample from a source thereof and placing it in a stationary primary vessel positioned above secondary receiving vessels, sealing said sample in the primary vessel with a sealing means which has one or more passages through which a positive pressure or a partial vacuum may be applied to the interior of the primary vessel and a relatively narrow dispensing passage from the interior of the primary vessel to the outside thereof, inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid therein by the combination of the sealing means, the walls of the vessel, the narrowness of the passage to the outside and by the equal or slightly negative pressure within the primary vessel with respect to the ambient pressure; moving secondary receiving vessels to positions below the inverted primary vessel in a predetermined sequence, increas-ing the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel suffici-ently to expel a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel, reducing the pressure to equilibrium or to a slight vacuum, moving the secondary vessels to successive posi-tions and repeating the steps, recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispensed into the secondary vessels.
12. A method of sampling and distributing a liquid mater-ial which comprises drawing a liquid sample from a source thereof and placing it in a primary vessel, sealing said sample in the primary vessel with a sealing means which has one or more passa-ges through which gas at a selected pressure may be applied to the interior of the primary vessel and a relatively narrow dispensing passage from the interior of the primary vessel to the outside thereof, inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid there-in moving the inverted primary vessel in a predetermined sequence to positions over secondary receiving vessels, increasing the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel sufficiently to expel a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel, reducing the pressure, moving the primary vessel to successive positions and repeating the steps, recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispensed into the secondary vessels and upon completing the desired providing of samples to various secondary vessels returning the primary vessel to its starting point.
13. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the changes in the position of the primary vessel are caused by moving it along an x-y axes in a plane above a plane in which the secondary receiving vessels are arranged.
14. A method of sampling and distributing a liquid material which comprises drawing a liquid sample from a source thereof and placing it in a stationary primary vessel, sealing said sample in the primary vessel with a sealing means which has one or more passages through which gas at a selected pressure may be applied to the interior of the primary vessel and a relatively narrow dispensing passage from the interior of the primary vessel to the outside thereof, inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid therein moving secondary receiving vessels to positions below the inverted primary vessel in a predetermined sequence, increasing the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel sufficiently to expel a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel, reducing the pressure moving the secondary vessels to successive positions and repeating the steps, recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispensed into the secondary vessels.
15. A method of sampling and distributing a liquid material which comprises placing a liquid sample from a source in a primary vessel; sealing said sample in the primary vessel with a sealing means which has at least one passage through which gas at a selected pressure may be applied to the interior of the primary vessel and a relatively narrow dispensing passage from the interior of the primary vessel to the outside thereof;
inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid therein;
providing relative movement between primary and secondary vessels to position a secondary receiving vessel beneath said inverted primary vessel; adjusting the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel sufficiently to dispense a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel; repeating the positioning and dispensing steps for successive secondary receiving vessels and recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispens-ed into the secondary vessels.
inverting the primary vessel containing the liquid therein;
providing relative movement between primary and secondary vessels to position a secondary receiving vessel beneath said inverted primary vessel; adjusting the pressure above the liquid in the primary vessel sufficiently to dispense a predetermined amount of said liquid into a secondary vessel; repeating the positioning and dispensing steps for successive secondary receiving vessels and recording data to relate the source of the sample in the primary vessel to the portions thereof dispens-ed into the secondary vessels.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE3035340A DE3035340C2 (en) | 1980-09-19 | 1980-09-19 | Method and device for the distribution of samples from primary vessels |
DEP3035340.3 | 1980-09-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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CA1197997A true CA1197997A (en) | 1985-12-17 |
Family
ID=6112345
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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CA000386212A Expired CA1197997A (en) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-09-18 | Process for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels |
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EP (1) | EP0048452B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5784357A (en) |
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US4208372A (en) * | 1977-04-26 | 1980-06-17 | Bodenseewerk Perkin-Elmer & Co., Gmbh | Apparatus for generating and transferring a gaseous test sample to an atomic absorption spectrometer |
JPS5444592A (en) * | 1977-09-14 | 1979-04-09 | Hitachi Ltd | Automatic analytical apparatus |
DE2826275A1 (en) * | 1978-06-15 | 1979-12-20 | Bna Augustin Gmbh & Co | DEVICE FOR SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION FOR LIQUID EXAMINATION MATERIAL FOR ANALYSIS |
US4166095A (en) * | 1978-08-24 | 1979-08-28 | Hycel, Inc. | Selective test selection and indicator means in an automatic chemical testing apparatus |
DE2841086C3 (en) * | 1978-09-21 | 1981-07-02 | Kurt M. 6390 Usingen Lang | Method for the distribution and preparation of samples, in particular patient sera |
US4262711A (en) * | 1979-02-13 | 1981-04-21 | Anderson Joseph A | Microplate filler |
US4287154A (en) * | 1980-05-07 | 1981-09-01 | Sommers Philip B | Specimen transfer rack |
-
1980
- 1980-09-19 DE DE3035340A patent/DE3035340C2/en not_active Expired
-
1981
- 1981-09-10 US US06/300,929 patent/US4413060A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1981-09-17 AT AT81107361T patent/ATE11184T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1981-09-17 DE DE8181107361T patent/DE3168160D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-09-17 EP EP81107361A patent/EP0048452B1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-09-18 CA CA000386212A patent/CA1197997A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-09-18 JP JP56147694A patent/JPS5784357A/en active Pending
-
1985
- 1985-12-11 US US06/809,835 patent/US4656006A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE3168160D1 (en) | 1985-02-21 |
US4656006A (en) | 1987-04-07 |
DE3035340C2 (en) | 1983-03-31 |
EP0048452B1 (en) | 1985-01-09 |
US4413060A (en) | 1983-11-01 |
ATE11184T1 (en) | 1985-01-15 |
DE3035340A1 (en) | 1982-06-03 |
EP0048452A1 (en) | 1982-03-31 |
JPS5784357A (en) | 1982-05-26 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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MKEX | Expiry |