Apparatus for diagnostic testing and method
First Claim
1. A method of controlling dispensing of a flowable reagent in an in vitro diagnostic system, comprising the steps of:
- placing in the diagnostic system a cartridge having a reservoir of reagent, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the reagent and an identifier that contains information pertinent to the reagent including the sensed temperature of the reagent;
reading with the diagnostic system the information contained in the identifier; and
using the information read by the diagnostic system to control the diagnostic system in dispensing reagent from the cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Controlled dispense of a flowable reagent in a diagnostic system is characterized by placing in the diagnostic system at least one cartridge containing a reservoir of reagent and carrying an identifier device that has information pertinent to the reagent in the reservoir. The diagnostic system automatically reads the information contained in the identifier device and uses the information to control the diagnostic system in dispensing the reagent. The information contained in the identifier device may consist of one or more of an identification of the reagent in the reservoir; the expiration date of the reagent the active shelf life of the reagent; the volume of the reagent in the reservoir; an identification of the origin of the reagent; and the maximum storage temperature of the reagent.
43 Citations
71 Claims
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1. A method of controlling dispensing of a flowable reagent in an in vitro diagnostic system, comprising the steps of:
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placing in the diagnostic system a cartridge having a reservoir of reagent, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the reagent and an identifier that contains information pertinent to the reagent including the sensed temperature of the reagent;
reading with the diagnostic system the information contained in the identifier; and
using the information read by the diagnostic system to control the diagnostic system in dispensing reagent from the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A cartridge for containing reagent for use in an in vitro diagnostic system, said cartridge comprising:
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a reservoir for holding reagent;
means for sensing the temperature of the reagent;
means for dispensing reagent from said reservoir;
and data means containing information pertinent to reagent contained in said reservoir, including the sensed temperature of the reagent. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. An in vitro diagnostic system that uses a flowable reagent in the performance of diagnostic testing, said system comprising:
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a cartridge including a reservoir for holding reagent, means for dispensing reagent from said reservoir, means for sensing the temperature of reagent in said reservoir, and data means containing information pertinent to reagent in said reservoir, including the sensed temperature of the reagent; and
an apparatus for receiving said cartridge and for using reagent in said cartridge reservoir to diagnostically test a fluid, said apparatus including reader means for reading information contained by said cartridge data means, means for operating said cartridge dispensing means to dispense reagent from said cartridge reservoir, and control circuit means for controlling said operating means to dispense reagent from said cartridge reservoir in accordance with information read by said reader means from said cartridge data means. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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Specification