Arrangement for Preparing a Plurality of Samples for an Analytical Method

• US 20200132709A1
• Filed: 12/23/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joachim Gerstel
• Original Assignee: Joachim Gerstel
• Inventors: Gerstel, Joachim
• Granted Patent: US 11,619,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/02 Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, B01D35/05 takes precedence; water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/10 Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0275 Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 11/043 Load indication with or without control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2011/046 Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0414 comprising test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0421 pivotably mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/286 involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2873 Cutting or cleaving
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0405 manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0449 using centrifugal transport of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1025 Fluid level sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1053 for separating part of the liquid, e.g. filters, extraction phase
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1011 : Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 : with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 : characterised by the valves valves in general F16K

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel.

Claims

1. A sampling system for introducing samples provided on a sheet-like sample carrier into an empty or prepared vial with means for cutting said sheet-like sample carrier,

and further comprising

a jet nozzle, the jet nozzle and/or said sheet-like sample carrier adapted to carry out a movement;

a high pressure fluid source connected to said jet nozzle, the high pressure fluid source adapted to eject high pressure fluid through said jet nozzle; and

means for controlling said movement in such a way that selected portions of said sheet-like sample carrier can be cut out.

2. The sampling system of claim 1, and wherein said high pressure fluid comprises at least one fluid used in a consecutive sample preparation method or measuring method.

3. The sampling system of claim 1, and wherein said portions of said sample carrier with said sample are cut out entirely and transferred into said vial.

4. The sampling system of claim 1, and wherein said portion of said sample carrier with said sample is cut out only partly thereby generating a cut out portion and means are provided for swinging down said cut out portion above said vial and means are provided for flushing said sample from said sample carrier with said fluid from said high pressure fluid source into said vial.

5. The sampling system of claim 4, and wherein said means for flushing said sample comprise a spraying head for spraying fluid from said high pressure fluid source onto said sample.

6. The sampling system of claim 1, and wherein said sample has a color, a degree of dryness, a position, and extent and wherein a scanner is provided for scanning said color, said degree of dryness, said position of said sample, said extent of said sample and/or further optically detectable features of said sample.

7. The sampling system of claim 1, and wherein a housing tower is provided adapted to receive a stack of sample carriers with distance holders in-between and means for moving one or more of said sample carriers from an opening in said housing tower to a range below said jet nozzle.

8. The sampling system of claim 7, and wherein said opening is provided at a lower end of said housing tower and said housing tower further has an upper opening for inserting further sample carriers.

9. The sampling system of claim 1, and further comprising a reader for reading identification data and/or data for the required sample preparation from a bar code, RFID-storage or any other data storage provided at said sample or vial.