Plunger and driver mechanism for an analyzer
First Claim
1. In an analyzer for detecting analytes in a patient liquid deposited into a test element, the analyzer comprising a source of test elements including means for providing the test elements in stack, a plunger for moving the stack linearly to a test element dispensing location, a driver operatively connected to said plunger to drive said plunger to and away from said stack, said driver including means for converting rotary motion into linear motion, and a patient liquid depositor for depositing liquid into a dispensed test element;
- the improvement wherein said plunger further includes a housing within which said plunger is reciprocatingly mounted for linear movement, and biasing means for biasing said plunger to move into said housing against the action of said biasing means, a portion of said driver being mounted on said housing; and
a first sensing means for sensing when said plunger has moved into said housing against the action of said biasing means, so that a signal can be generated that said plunger has encountered said stack.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clinical analyzer moves a stack of slide or cup-like test elements into position for dispensing by a plunger and a driver featuring a housing around the plunger, a spring for biasing the plunger to project beyond the housing, a connection between the housing and the driver, and two sensors. The first sensor senses the initial movement of the housing and plunger toward the stack, and the second sensor senses movement of the plunger against the spring back into the housing upon contact with the stack.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In an analyzer for detecting analytes in a patient liquid deposited into a test element, the analyzer comprising a source of test elements including means for providing the test elements in stack, a plunger for moving the stack linearly to a test element dispensing location, a driver operatively connected to said plunger to drive said plunger to and away from said stack, said driver including means for converting rotary motion into linear motion, and a patient liquid depositor for depositing liquid into a dispensed test element;
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the improvement wherein said plunger further includes a housing within which said plunger is reciprocatingly mounted for linear movement, and biasing means for biasing said plunger to move into said housing against the action of said biasing means, a portion of said driver being mounted on said housing; and a first sensing means for sensing when said plunger has moved into said housing against the action of said biasing means, so that a signal can be generated that said plunger has encountered said stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification