METHOD FOR ORGANIZED ASSAY AND BENDABLE TEST TUBE RACK THEREFOR

• US 3,713,771 A
• Filed: 05/13/1971
• Issued: 01/30/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Billy W. Taylor, Hubert N. Divelbiss
• Original Assignee: Billy W. Taylor, Hubert N. Divelbiss
• Inventors: Taylor, Billy W., Divelbiss, Hubert N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolk, Morris O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reese, R. M.
• Application Number:
  US05/142,950
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 23/23R,253R,259 141/378,369 291/72,74,77
• US Class Current: 436/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/00 Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis vaccination prophylaxis, vaccination therapy A61B17/20; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination menstruation tables G06C3/00; Throat striking implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line

Abstract

Apparatus and method for systematic organization of samples. Flexible gangs of sample holders are used permitting organization in either a linear or a curved arrangement and transfer from one to the other arrangement without changing the juxtaposition and organization of individual samples. Identity strips are associated with each sample holder to provide for both computerized and non-computerized identification of the sample, recording information concerning intended treatments, assays, determinations, or data obtained therefrom.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out assays on a plurality of samples, whereby the sample containers are originally aligned in straight rows and columns and then moved to a circular turntable, without requiring the transfer of samples individually which comprises:

arranging a plurality of rows of flexibly connected sample container holders, so that the sample holders having the same position in each row form a substantially linear column, distributing samples into sample containers situated in said sample container holders; and

transferring one or more of said rows to a circular turntable, arching the flexible connections to conform with the circular turntable.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein an identifying marker joined to each sample container holder having a sample, so as to provide identification of the sample during an assay.

3. A method for carrying out a systematic and organized assay to obtain accurate and reliable results and relate the results to a particular sample which comprises:

arranging a plurality of racks, having a plurality of sample container holders flexibly interconnected so as to provide a series of parallel rows of sample container holders;

connecting an identifying marker to at least each sample container holder into which a sample is to be introduced;

introducing samples to be assayed into sample containers in said sample container holders in conformance with the identifying marker;

moving the sample racks to either straight or curving dispensing devices in accordance with the information on the identifying markers;

registering results obtained from the determinations of the samples identified by the identifying markers; and

recording the results.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the results are punch holed onto the identifying markers or indicia printed on the identifying markers, so as to be capable of being read by a computer.

5. A sample container holder for use in a systematic organIzation of sample containers adapted for mounting on a flexible membrane comprising:

a receptacle member having a first curved side, a second side opposite said first curved side, two side walls, oppositely situated joining said first and second side, and forming opposite corners where said side walls meet said second side, a flat base surface;

a circular channel extending through said receptacle member downwardly, at least a portion of the way to said base;

extending from said base upwardly through said receptacle member, slot means for mounting on a membrane, the slot means forming openings in each of said side walls which are equidistant from said corners; and

an identifying marker holding means affixed to said second side.

6. A sample container holder according to claim 5, wherein said identifying marker holder means comprises:

a relieved portion of said second side providing a stepped wall; and

at other than said relieved portion, grooved side walls extending outwardly from said second side.

7. A sample container holder according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said sides of said receptacle member is notched at the top surface to provide a convenient cup holder.

8. A sample container holder rack for use in systematic assaying of samples whereby the sample containers are maintained in a stable arrangement during the assay, which comprises:

a plurality of sample container holder means;

interconnecting means for flexibly interconnecting said sample container holding means in a uniformly spaced relationship;

sample identification means associated with said sample container holder means, and two terminal sample container holder means, having connecting means for connecting racks in tandem.