Method for chemically analyzing a test piece

• US 5,039,615 A
• Filed: 04/08/1988
• Issued: 08/13/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku
• Inventors: Takahata, Ichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacey, David L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Redding, David
• Application Number:
  US07/179,200
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 422/56, 422/3, 422/390, 422/100, 422/62, 422/249, 422/999, 422/63, 422/65, 422/104, 422/58, 422/66, 436/44, 436/46, 436/47, 436/164, 436/165, 436/807, 436/808, 436/171, 435/300, 435/301
• US Class Current: 436/44
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00079 Evaporation covers for slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00108 Test strips, e.g. paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00118 for multiple tests
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00455 Controlling humidity in analyser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0405 manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1025 Fluid level sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/110833 Utilizing a moving indicator strip or tape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack

Abstract

An apparatus for chemically analyzing a sample on a test piece that includes a reagent layer, comprises a test piece table for positioning a test piece thereon, and an applying station wherein a sample may be applied to the reagent layer. The test table moves to a position below a row of holes with the reagents aligned to the holes and a sample is applied to each reagent layer from a nozzle, the samples passing through the respective holes. Covers are moved over the holes after the samples are applied and the test pieces are moved to a measuring station for measuring the reaction between the sample and reagent layer. Photometric techniques are used in evaluating the reaction. Opening and closing of the covers is controlled by motion of the sample dispensing nozzle as it moves from one opening to the next.

Claims

1. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps:

positioning a test piece on said test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, each said cover having a cover piece and a moving piece joined at a connection into an L-shaped, a cover supporting shaft being fitted along said connection, said step of covering comprising moving said rod for opening and closing to pivot said covers about said shaft in sequence with application of said sample portions, said step of applying sample portions being effected by moving said sample applying nozzle over each said applying hole in sequence;

moving said testpiece table to said measuring station; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

2. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps:

positioning a test piece on said test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, wherein the cover includes a slide-shutter having a moving part projecting upward, and the rod for opening and closing said covers, which operates by pushing the moving part, is moved in synchronism with the sample applying nozzle;

moving said test piece table to said measuring station; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

3. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged sideways at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps;

positioning a test piece on said test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, each said cover having a cover piece and a moving piece connected into an L-shape, a cover supporting shaft being fitted at said connection, said step of covering comprising moving said rod for opening and closing to push said covers in synchronism with application of said sample portions by said sample applying nozzle;

moving said test piece table to said measuring station; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

4. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged sideways at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps:

positioning a said test piece on test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, wherein the cover includes a slide-shutter having a moving part projected upward, and the rod for opening and closing said covers, which operates by pushing the moving part, is moved in synchronism with the sample applying nozzle, said step of applying sample portions being effected by moving said sample applying nozzle over each said hole in sequence;

moving said test piece table to said measuring table; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

5. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged sideways at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps:

positioning a test piece on said test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle, said applying being done in sequence beginning with the reagent layer requiring the longer time after applying before measurement is started;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, each said cover having a cover piece and a moving piece connected at a joint into an L-shape, a cover supporting shaft being fitted at said joint, said step of covering comprising moving said rod for opening and closing to push said covers in synchronism with application of said sample portions, said step of applying sample portions being effected by moving said sample applying nozzle over each said hole in sequence;

moving said test piece table to said measuring station; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

6. A method for chemically analyzing a sample using an apparatus including a test piece table, a sample applying station having a plurality of applying holes arranged sideways at specified intervals, a reagent layer constant temperature chamber, a measuring station, said sample applying station having a sample applying nozzle, movable hole covers, and a rod for opening and closing said covers, comprising the steps:

positioning a test piece on said test piece table, said test piece including a plurality of reagent layers;

moving said test piece table to locate each said reagent layer beneath a respective one of said applying holes;

applying from above a portion of said sample to each said reagent layer in sequence, said sample portion being applied through the associated applying hole by said applying nozzle, said applying being done in sequence beginning with the reagent layer requiring the longer time after applying before measurement is started;

covering each said hole with a respective one of said covers in sequence after said sample portion is applied, wherein said cover includes a slide-shutter having a moving part projecting upward and said rod for opening and closing, which operates by pushing the moving part, is moved in synchronism with said sample applying nozzle;

moving said test piece table to said measuring station; and

measuring said sample on said test piece.

7. An apparatus for chemically analyzing a sample contained on a test piece including a reagent layer, said apparatus comprising:

a test piece table means for setting the test piece thereon;

an applying station means positioned and arranged such that a sample may be applied to the reagent layer;

said applying station means including a plurality of holes and covers positioned and arranged to open and shut said holes freely, one of said covers positioned on each of said applying holes, each of said covers including a cover piece and a moving piece connected at a joint into a L-shape, a supporting shaft positioned and arranged along said joint;

a rod positioned and arranged for opening and closing said covers;

and a sample applying nozzle positioned and arranged for depositing samples onto the test piece through said applying holes, said rod and nozzle constructed so as to be moving in synchronism, said rod constructed and arranged so that its movement will open and close the associated covers by pushing said cover piece and moving said cover piece to pivot about said shaft;

a measuring station means for measuring the reaction between the sample and the reagent layer, said measuring station means being elevated above said table means;

and said test piece table means being constructed and arranged so that its movement will selectably position the test piece at the applying station means and the measurement station means.

8. An apparatus for chemically analyzing a sample contained on a test piece including a reagent layer, said apparatus comprising:

a test piece table means for setting the test piece thereon;

an applying station means positioned and arranged such that a sample may be applied to the reagent layer;

a measuring station means for measuring the reagent between the sample and the reagent layer, said measuring station means being elevated above said table means;

a sample applying nozzle positioned and arranged for depositing samples onto the test piece at said applying station means;

said applying station means including a plurality of holes and covers positioned and arranged to open and shut said holes freely, one of said covers positioned on each of said applying holes,

a rod positioned and arranged for opening and closing said covers;

each of said covers including a slide shutter having a moving part projecting upwardly, and said rod being arranged so as to be in synchronism with said sample applying nozzle so as to operate said covers by pushing said moving part;

said test piece table means being constructed and arranged so that its movement will selectably position the test piece at the applying station means and the measurement station means.