ANALYZER FOR LIQUID SAMPLES

• US 3,607,097 A
• Filed: 08/06/1968
• Issued: 09/21/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean Perilhou, Michel Auphan
• Original Assignee: Jean Perilhou, Michel Auphan
• Inventors: Auphan, Michel, Perilhou, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolk, Morris O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Serwin, R. E.
• Application Number:
  US04/750,654
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 23/259,253,23A 73/423,421.5,425.6
• US Class Current: 422/66
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0296 from piercable tubing, e.g. in extracorporeal blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/505 flexible containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0408 connected in a flexible chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0434 in the form of a syringe or pipette tip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically transporting a plurality of liquid samples, such as blood through a series of programmed steps for colorimetric analysis of the samples. A first conveyor belt carries the samples to be analyzed, an adjacent belt carries working tubes in which the tests occur, and a third belt carries substances to be added to the samples during the tests. Needles and tubes are provided between the containers of substances on the three belts for piercing container walls and then transferring liquids between the containers.

Claims

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the auxiliary liquid containers comprises a first chamber separated into two spaces, each adapted to house an ampulla containing a constituent of a reagent, and a second chamber communicating with said spaces for receiving and mixing said constituents and for discharging the mixed constituents into the working tube.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means for breaking open the ampullae in said spaces of the first chamber and for urging the constituents into the second chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for compressing and releasing each working tube comprises a plurality of thrust feet, each movable between an inactive position, an an active position in pressure contact with a working tube for compressing same.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said thrust feet are selectively movable into pressure contact with each working tube to mix the liquid sample and reagent therein and subsequently to discharge the mixed fluid from the working tube.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first, second, and third means for carrying respectively said working tubes, sample containers, and auxiliary containers and belts movable about drums.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said tubes and containers are disposed in parallel and oriented transverse to the direction of their respective belt movement.

8. Apparatus comprising a device according to claim 6, further comprising means for programming said belts to move in phased relationship, for phased interrelationship between said tubes and containers.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising in each working tube a filter for filtering the sample after it is mixed with the reagent.

10. Apparatus for automatic colorimetric analysis of liquid fluid samples obtained from a plurality of containers, comprising:

a. a frame, b. a plurality of flexible working tubes, each having an external hollow needle communicating with the tubes'"'"''"'"'s interior, c. first belt for carrying the working tubes between different positions along a first path, d. a plurality of thrust feet, each movable between an inactive position, an an active position in pressure contact with a working tube for selectively compressing same, the tube being subsequently expanded to develop suction therein when each thrust foot is returned to its inactive position, e. means for moving said feet between said active and inactive positions, f. second belt for carrying the containers of liquid samples along a second path, whereby each container is disposed adjacent one working tube, and for urging the needle of the working tube to penetrate a container, with said liquid sample then being drawable from the container into the working tube by said suction therein, g. a plurality of auxiliary containers, each having a discharge needle and containing at least one reagent, h. third belt for carrying the auxiliary containers and for disposing each to be closely adjacent a working tube and for then urging the needle of each auxiliary container to penetrate a working tube, the reagent then being drawable into the working tube by said suction therein, whereby each blood sample is mixed within a working tube with at least one reagent for subsequent colorimetric analysis.