Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body

• US 20050003522A1
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lattec I/S
• Original Assignee: Lattec I/S
• Inventors: Christiansen, Peter, Sonnenborg, Frederik Nikolaj Svaerke, Gudmundsson, Kristjan Freyr, Carlsen, Thomas Nikolai
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.200
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/86 Investigating moving sheets G01N21/89 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/04 Dairy products
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body, and more in particularly for analysing body fluids from mammals. The analysis apparatus is coupled to a dairy system for milking of cows, wherein it may be useful to analyse the status of the milk. The apparatus is preferably located as early as possible in the production chain in order to obtain results as close as possible to the cows. Hence the environment in which the apparatus is to be used may be harsh towards internal apparatus modules or consumables, therefore the apparatus is isolated and the internal environment is conditioned regarding humidity, temperature as well as the amount of ammonium. Furthermore the steps for analysing milk is automated inside the apparatus in order to avoid influence from the external environment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body, said apparatus comprising

at least one storage storing sticks and/or other kinds of biosensors to which the fluid is to be dosed;

at least one incubator being distinct from the storage; and

transfer means for transferring sticks from the storage to the incubator.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incubator comprises first fluid dosing means for dosing the body fluid to be analysed to a stick.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprising second dosing means for dosing other fluids to the sticks and/or biosensors.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the incubator further comprises reading means for detection of a signal produced on a stick or biosensor after application of the fluid.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the incubator further comprises an incubator disc comprising means for positioning, keeping and guiding sticks during the incubation.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage comprises a storage disc.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for monitoring the number of used sticks.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for conditioning humidity content in the storage such as molecular sieve or other desiccant type.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising computer means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a user interface comprising at least one of the following;

a keyboard,

a screen,

a cartridge loading station for loading cartridges,

a stickwaste container loading station,

a diluent container loading station,

a liquid waste funnel cleaning station, and

a wet system filter changing station.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage and the incubator are thermally isolated from each other and/or isolated so as to avoid or limit humidity and/or heat exchange between the storage and the incubator.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a dosage system driven by a spindle or other linear or rotational system, for dosing body fluid at least at two different locations.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a protection towards the outer environment, the protection comprises a main cabinet, an outer top cover and insulation enclosures, creating a double sealing.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for cooling and or heating.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the incubator further comprises at least one sensor for monitoring the position of a stick in the incubator disc so that it is positioned correctly.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising tubes for transportation of fluid samples.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising a device for minimising carry over from a first sample to a second sample, the device comprises means for entering air into the tubes.

18. A method for analysing of fluid, which utilises an apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one rotation of the incubator disc comprises the steps of:

loading sticks into the incubator,

dosage of fluid on to the sticks,

incubation,

reading, and

removal of sticks.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an optical reader for reading the degree of chemical reaction found on test sticks, the optical reader comprising;

at least one image sensor capable of capturing images,

at least one lens,

at least one memory,

at least one illumination source, and

a controller.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a housing for an optical reader, the housing comprises outer walls forming the housing, a front end facing a test stick and a back end, the housing further comprises;

an image sensor capable of capturing still or motion images,

at least one lens, and

at least one opening in the outer walls for image capturing,

wherein the front end comprises the at least one opening.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a computer system for controlling an optical reader for reading test sticks, the computer system comprises;

an internal bus,

at least one image sensor capable of capturing still or motion images,

a controller,

an illumination source driver,

a processor,

a memory,

Internal signal interface, and

External signal interface,

the computer system being characterised in that the controller synchronises an image capture sensor with the movement of a transportation mechanism.

22. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a cartridge keeper for storing of the cartridges in a storage device, the cartridge keeper comprises:

a housing defining a storing pit for a cartridge, said housing comprises;

a charge opening for receiving said cartridges,

a bottom,

side walls,

a plunger for supporting a movable bottom plate in said cartridge,

at least one internal spring device for asserting a force on to the plunger, and

mounting means for mounting of the cartridge keeper into the storage device.

23. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a stickmover for moving a stick between two positions, the stickmover comprises a motor, at least one gearwheel, a slide, a pawl that manoeuvre the stick, a pawl lifter, and a coulisse comprising tracks for guiding of the pawl lifter, wherein the pawl and the pawl lifter is mounted to the slide by hinges.

24. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a reload hatch for loading cartridges into an analysis instrument, wherein the reload hatch comprises a flipper for pushing a cartridge keeper comprising a cartridge into position in a storage carousel and a retractor for retracting the flipper.

25. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a waste storage device for used sticks, the device comprising:

a container for receiving used sticks,

a hatch cover,

a motor for closing and opening the hatch cover, and

at least one sensor,

wherein the hatch cover is moved by the motor.

26. An optical reader for reading the degree of chemical reaction found on test sticks, the optical reader comprising;

at least one image sensor capable of capturing images,

at least one lens,

at least one memory,

at least one illumination source, and

a controller.

27. An optical reader according to claim 26, further comprising a first illumination source and a second illumination source.

28. An optical reader according to claim 27, wherein the first illumination source emits light of a specific wavelength, different from the wavelength of the light of the second illumination source.

29. An optical reader according to claim 26, wherein the controller comprises a processor adapted to image processing.

30. An optical reader according to claim 26, wherein the controller further comprises an illumination source driver.

31. A housing for an optical reader, the housing comprises outer walls forming the housing, a front end facing a test stick and a back end, the housing further comprises;

an image sensor capable of capturing still or motion images,

at least one lens, and

at least one opening in the outer walls for image capturing,

wherein the front end comprises the at least one opening.

32. A housing according to claim 31, further comprising a lens tube comprising the at least one lens.

33. A housing according to claim 31, further comprising at least one illumination source.

34. A housing according to claim 31, further comprising inner screening walls,

35. A housing according to claim 31, further comprising a first illumination source and a second illumination source for illumination of the test stick.

36. A computer system for controlling an optical reader for reading test sticks, the optical reader comprises;

a first illumination source for illumination of the test sticks, a second illumination source for illumination of the test sticks, at least one lens, outer walls forming a housing, and at least one opening in the outer walls for image capturing, inner screening walls for screening off light, and a transportation mechanism for transporting test stick in to an object field, the computer system comprises;

an internal bus,

at least one image sensor capable of capturing still or motion images,

a controller,

an illumination source driver,

a processor,

a memory,

Internal signal interface, and

External signal interface,

the computer system being characterised in that the controller synchronises the image capture sensor with the movement of the transportation mechanism.

37. A computer system according to claim 36 wherein the controller further controls the illumination source driver.

38. A computer system according to claim 36 wherein the controller further synchronises the image sensor and the illumination source driver with the transportation mechanism.

39. A method for reading the amount of chemical reaction found on a test stick, the method comprising the steps of:

calibrating an image sensor in an optical reading module,

synchronising the image sensor and an illumination source with a transportation mechanism,

controlling if the transport mechanism is in a fix position,

if the transport mechanism is in a fix position sending a request to the optical reading module,

measuring an amount of reflected light with the image sensor,

calculate values,

comparing the values with a reference database, and

returning the values to a controller,

wherein the request comprises a specified object type and an illumination wavelength.

40. A cartridge keeper for storing of the cartridges in a storage device, the cartridge keeper comprises:

a housing defining a storing pit for a cartridge, said housing comprises;

a charge opening for receiving said cartridges,

a bottom,

side walls,

a plunger for supporting a movable bottom plate in said cartridge,

at least one internal spring device for asserting a force on to the plunger, and

mounting means for mounting of the cartridge keeper into the storage device.

41. A cartridge keeper according to claim 40 further comprising a spring device in the vicinity of the charge opening and mounted onto the side of one of the halves, for holding the cartridge keeper in position in the storage device.

42. A cartridge keeper according to claim 40 further comprising retaining means for holding the cartridge in a loading position during the loading into an analysis instrument.

43. A cartridge keeper according to claim 40 wherein the housing is made of two halves.

44. A cartridge keeper according to claim 40 wherein the internal spring device comprises:

at least one rod having a first and a second end,

at least one spring, and

at least one stop mean for preventing the spring to fall of the rod,

wherein the spring is mounted lengthwise on the rod.

45. A stickmover for moving a stick between two positions, the stickmover comprises a motor, at least one gearwheel, a slide, a pawl that manoeuvre the stick, a pawl lifter, and a coulisse comprising tracks for guiding of the pawl lifter, wherein the pawl and the pawl lifter is mounted to the slide by hinges.

46. A stickmover according to claim 45, wherein the pawl is flexible or hinged and spring loaded, so that it can follow a guide ramp on a cartridge.

47. A stickmover according to claim 45, further comprising a hatch for closing a guide tunnel wherein the hatch is mechanically connected to an opening device.

48. A stickmover according to claim 45 wherein the tracks in the coulisse further comprises a flexible track changer for steering of the pawl lifter.

49. A stickmover according to claim 45 further comprising a stickmover tunnel comprising a sensor for monitoring if a stick is moved by the pawl.

50. A reload hatch for loading cartridges into an analysis instrument, wherein the reload hatch comprises a flipper for pushing a cartridge keeper comprising a cartridge into position in a storage carousel and a retractor for retracting the flipper.

51. A reload hatch according to claim 50 further comprising a lock arrangement for guiding the hatch the last distance to a closed position.

52. A reload hatch according to claim 50, further comprising guiding means for guiding a storage keeper.

53. A reload hatch according to claim 50, further comprising a depressor arm for pushing the cartridge down into the keeper.

54. A method for minimising carry over in a dosage system comprising at least one dosage pump, a mainline comprising a valve and a drain, a pipe (dosage line) leading to a dosage unit, the dosage unit comprises at least one needle, a drain funnel and a dosage position, the method comprises the steps of:

pumping a part of a sample of the body fluid to the mainline drain, in order to clean the mainline from the previous sample,

switching the valve so that a second part of the sample is directed to the pipe leading to the dosage unit,

flushing the dosage line with a first part of the second part of the sample while the dosage needle is placed above a drain funnel,

filling a part the dosage line with the second liquid so that a last part of the sample is pushed out from the needle onto a test stick.

55. A method according to claim 54 further comprising the steps of:

Moving the dosage needle to a cavity where a second liquid is added by a second needle, the second liquid immersing and thus cleaning the needles on the outside.

Moving the needles slowly away from the cavity, in order to draw the second liquid off the outside of the needles.

56. A method for dosing a first liquid sample on to a test stick using a dosage pump, a second liquid and a dosage head comprising a dosage needle, the method comprises the steps of:

placing the dosage head above the stick so that there is a distance between a

tip of the dosage needle and the stick,

dosing the first liquid sample,

lowering the dosage head,

letting the tip of the dosage needle touch the stick, and

lifting the dosage head,

wherein the first liquid sample is pushed by the second liquid apportioned by the dosage pump.

57. A waste storage device for used sticks, the device comprising:

a container for receiving used sticks,

a hatch cover,

a motor for closing and opening the hatch cover, and

at least one sensor,

wherein the hatch cover is moved by the motor.

58. A waste storage device according to claim 57, comprising at least two sensors, a first sensor for detecting that the container is in place, a second sensor for detecting if the hatch cover is in closed position

59. A waste storage device according to claim 57, wherein the hatch cover is connected to the motor by a spring or other flexible element.

60. A method for managing a waste storage device comprising a container for receiving used sticks, a hatch cover, a motor for closing and opening the hatch cover, and at least one sensor for sensing that the hatch cover is in closed position, the method comprises the steps of:

checking if the sensor sends a signal that the hatch cover has returned to closed position after the hatch cover has been opened, and

if no signal is sent by the sensor an alarm is triggered.