Analyzer having concentric rotors

• US 20040230400A1
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Incorporated (The Carlyle Group LP (Corporate Private Equity))
• Original Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Incorporated (The Carlyle Group LP (Corporate Private Equity))
• Inventors: Barry, James Vanselow, Jakubowicz, Raymond Francis, Tomasso, David Angelo
• Application Number:
  US10/436,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230400A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00049 for loading/unloading a carousel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0455 Coaxial carousels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes

Abstract

An analyzer, preferably a desktop analyzer, includes: a first rotor for holding a test element and at least one of a sample reservoir for a sample to be analyzed, a wash reservoir, and a probe tip dispenser; a second rotor arranged concentrically with the first rotor and adapted to receive the test element from the first rotor; an incubator arranged in cooperation with the second rotor to incubate a sample disposed in the second rotor; and a measurement device to analyze a sample located in the second ring. A method of analyzing a sample includes: providing a sample in a sample reservoir and at least one test element on a first rotor; rotating the first rotor to align the sample reservoir with a liquid dispense and aspirating station; aspirating sample from the sample reservoir; rotating the first rotor to align the test element with the liquid dispense and aspirating station; dispensing the sample onto the test element; rotating the first rotor to align the test element with a test element transfer station; and transferring the test element to a second rotor. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes incubating the test element, rotating the second rotor to bring the test element into cooperation with a measurement device, and measuring the sample with a measurement device.

Claims

1. An analyzer comprising:

a first rotor for holding a test element and at least one of a sample reservoir for a sample to be analyzed, a wash reservoir, and a probe tip dispenser;

a second rotor arranged concentrically with the first rotor and adapted to receive the test element from the first rotor;

an incubator arranged in cooperation with the second rotor to incubate a sample disposed in the second rotor; and

a measurement device arranged to analyze a sample located in the second ring.

2. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a liquid dispense or aspirating station arranged to dispense liquid on the first rotor

3. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rotor holds the probe tip dispenser and sample reservoir.

4. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the sample reservoir and probe tip dispenser located on the first rotor.

5. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second rotor is disposed within the first rotor.

6. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a waste collection container located on the first rotor for collecting used probe tips and test elements.

7. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a test element holder for holding the test element.

8. An analyzer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sample reservoir and the test element holder;

and probe tip dispenser are all disposed in a movable liquid supply.

16. An method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proboscis comprises an aspirating and/or dispensing nozzle.

17. An analyzer as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an additional fluid probe.

18. An analyzer as claimed in claim 17, wherein the additional fluid probe is a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reference liquid for a potentiometric analysis.

19. An analyzer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the test element holder comprises:

a body portion for holding the movable test element; and

a guide adapted to receive a probe tip to position the probe tip in a desired registration with a test element.

24. A veterinary analyzer comprising an analyzer according to claim 1 and a T4 assay.

25. An analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the analyzer is a desktop analyzer.

9. A method of transporting components in an analyzer having a first and second rotor, the second rotor being used to incubate a sample, comprising:

rotating a first rotor having a sample in a sample reservoir, at least one test element, and at least one probe tip, to a station for one or more of dispensing, aspirating waste collection, tip pickup, and transfer to the second rotor.

10. A method of analyzing a sample comprising:

providing a sample in a sample reservoir and at least one test element on a first rotor;

rotating the first rotor to align the sample reservoir with a liquid dispense and aspirating station;

aspirating sample from the sample reservoir;

rotating the first rotor to align the test element with the liquid dispense and aspirating station;

dispensing the sample onto the test element;

rotating the first rotor to align the test element with a test element transfer station; and

transferring the test element to a second rotor.

11. A method of analyzing a sample as claimed in claim 10, further comprising incubating the test element.

12. A method of analyzing a sample as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

rotating the second rotor to bring the test element into cooperation with a measurement device; and

measuring the sample with the measurement device.

20. A method according to claim 10, wherein the test to be performed is a calorimetric analysis and the test element is a dry-slide test element.

21. A method according to claim 10, wherein the test to be performed is an immuno rate analysis and the test element is a cup-shaped well.

22. A method according to claim 10 implemented by a computer program interfacing with a computer.

23. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code configured to conduct the method of claim 10.

13. A method of analyzing a sample as claimed in 10, further comprising:

providing a tip for the liquid dispense and aspirating station on the first rotor; and

rotating the first rotor to align the tip with the liquid dispense and aspirating station; and

inserting the tip onto a proboscis of the liquid dispense and aspirating station.

14. A method of analyzing as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tip is inserted onto the proboscis by lowering the proboscis into engagement with the tip.

15. A method of analyzing as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tip is inserted onto the proboscis by raising the tip into engagement with the proboscis.

26. A liquid transport system for a desktop analyzer comprising:

a first rotor for holding a test element and at least one of a sample reservoir for a sample to be analyzed, a wash reservoir, and a probe tip dispenser; and

a second rotor arranged concentrically with the first rotor and adapted to receive the test element from the first rotor, wherein only incubation and measurement occurs in the second rotor.