Apparatus for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample

• US 5,384,093 A
• Filed: 03/23/1993
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Tao Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ootani, Toshihiro, Izumi, Takayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, LONG V
• Application Number:
  US08/035,400
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/65, 422/66, 422/99, 422/104, 422/100, 436/43, 436/47, 436/48, 436/49, 436/807
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0093 random access not determined by physical position
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0484 Belt or chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0092 Scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/109 with two horizontal degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]

Abstract

An apparatus for aspirating and discharging a specific volume of liquid sample, such as specimen and reagent, has a reaction plate serving a holding function and having a plurality of reaction containers, is provided which is low in cost and compact in design. On one side of a belt applied on two pulleys driven by one driving source an arm for holding a pipet is provided, while a reaction plate holding part is mounted on the other side of the belt (112), thereby constructing an apparatus for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample. When the arm ascends, the holding part descends, and when the arm descends, the holding part ascends. Thus, the arm and holding part are moved mutually in opposite directions by one driving source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample, said apparatus comprising:

a pipet for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample,

an arm for holding the pipet, said pipet extending downwardly from said arm,

arm guide means for guiding a movement of said arm in a vertical direction,

a reaction plate holding part for holding a reaction plate formed in one body with a plurality of reaction containers,

reaction plate holding part guide means for guiding a movement of the reaction plate holding part in the vertical direction,

a pair of pulleys,

a belt extending around the pulleys, having said arm attached to one side of said belt and said reaction plate holding part attached on the other side of said belt, and

a driving source for rotating said belt vertically.

2. An apparatus for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample according to claim 1, said apparatus being connected to an XY moving part which is movable back and forth, and to the right and left.