Reagent cartridge mixing tube

• US 20080192567A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biokit, S.A. (Werfen SA)
• Original Assignee: Biokit, S.A. (Werfen SA)
• Inventors: Vincent, Kathleen, Talmer, Mark, Schroeder, Gerhardt P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,731,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/198
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/321 of test-tubes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/10 with a mixing receptacle rotating alternately in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/20 Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/5312 with vertical baffles mounted on the walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/55 Baffles; Flow breakers B01F35/531 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/52 Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent B01L3/02 takes precedence; containers for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; containers in general B65D; storing or dispensing test elements G01N33/4875; automated reagent dispensing G01N35/1002
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/00 Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor injection blow-moulding B29C49/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0436 with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automated analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for suspending magnetic particles accumulated on the floor of a mixing tube and depositing the magnetic particles in bodily fluid samples.

Claims

20. A method of suspending particles in solution comprising:

dispensing a magnetic particle solution into a mixing tube, wherein said mixing tube comprises a cylinder with a first agitating member and a second agitating member;

engaging said mixing tube with a motor;

rotating said mixing tube via said motor according to a mixing protocol; and

disengaging said motor from said mixing tube.

1. A system for suspending particles, said system comprising:

a reagent cartridge comprising a reagent holder for holding a plurality of tubes, said plurality of tubes comprising;

a mixing tube for holding particles, rotatably mounted in said holder, said mixing tube comprising a top end and a lower section positioned on an end opposite to said top end, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first agitating member, and a second agitating member, each of said first agitating member and said second agitating member formed by extending said interior surface into the lumen of said mixing tube, the dimensions and positioning of said first agitating member corresponding to a first longitudinal groove on said exterior surface of said mixing tube and the dimensions and positioning of said second agitating member corresponding to a second longitudinal groove on said exterior of said mixing tube, said mixing tube further comprising at least one slot and a cylindrical member, longitudinally positioned on said lower section of said mixing tube.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a motor operatively connectable to said slot and said cylindrical member, said motor having a linear actuator for engaging said slot and said cylindrical member via two pins, wherein rotation of said rotatable member actuates said agitating members thereby suspending said particles.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said particles are magnetizable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member is opposite said second agitating member.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a third agitating member.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially triangular in cross-section.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially semi-circular in cross-section.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially rectangular in cross-section.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are blades.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein said linear actuator further comprises a third pin and said mixing tube further comprises a second slot for engaging with said third pin of said linear actuator.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is cylindrical.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said mixing tube is frustoconical.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said mixing tube is sealed.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is extrusion molded.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is detachable from said holder.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of reagent tubes.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of reagent tubes is detachable from said holder.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein at least one of said plurality of reagent tubes is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein at lease one of said plurality of reagent tubes is substantially cylindrical.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the mixing protocol comprises:

rotating said mixing tube in a first direction for a first period of time; and

rotating said mixing tube in a second direction for a second period of time.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the mixing protocol comprises a first phase and a second phase.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said first phase comprises rotating said mixing tube one full rotation in both a first direction and a second direction.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said second phase comprises alternating the direction of rotation fifteen times.

25. A method of manufacturing a mixing tube comprising:

molding a mixing tube for holding particles rotatably mounted in a holder,

said mixing tube comprising a top end and a lower section positioned on an end opposite to said top end, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first agitating member, and a second agitating member, each of said first agitating member and said second agitating member extending from said interior surface into the lumen of said mixing tube, the dimensions and positioning of said first agitating member corresponding to a first longitudinal groove on said exterior surface of said tube and the dimensions and positioning of said second agitating member corresponding to a second longitudinal groove on said exterior of said tube, said mixing tube further comprising at least one slot and a cylindrical member, longitudinally positioned on the lower section of said mixing tube.

25-1. The method of claim 24 wherein said molding comprises extrusion molding.