Cutting apparatus for use in an automated analytical instrument

• US 5,460,778 A
• Filed: 12/27/1993
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Behringwerke Aktiengesellschaft (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Behring Diagnostics Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Macindoe, Robert C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/172,775
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/65, 422/64, 422/99, 422/100, 422/104, 422/103, 436/43, 436/183, 436/180, 436/45, 436/47, 436/48, 83/102, 83/126, 83/134, 53/381.1, 53/381.2, 53/492, 414/411, 414/412, 221/30, 221/32, 222/80
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00049 for loading/unloading a carousel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00277 Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00455 Controlling humidity in analyser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0093 random access not determined by physical position
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0413 moving in one dimension
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0463 in incubators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1076 plurality or independently movable heads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0092 Scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• 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

Abstract

An automated analytical instrument for conducting assays for components of interest in fluid samples. The instrument includes a rotably mounted supply unit or segment adapted to hold a plurality of foil-sealed magazines containing assay modules, a testing system for assaying a fluid sample for a component of interest using an assay module, an assay module transport assembly for transporting an assay module from a magazine in the supply unit to the testing system, and a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the automated analytical instrument. In one embodiment, the assay module transport assembly includes a cutter assembly for cutting away a layer of material such as a thin foil layer covering a desired assay module within the magazine, an assay module receiving platform disposed in front of the magazine, an assay module ejector mechanism for pushing an assay module from the magazine onto the assay module receiving platform, and an assay module transfer mechanism for moving the assay module from the assay module receiving platform to the testing system. The cutter assembly and the assay module receiving platform are movable vertically on a first elevator assembly, and the assay module ejector assembly is movable vertically on a second elevator assembly.

Claims

1. A cutting assembly in an automatic analytic instrument for tearing away a layer of material covering an open-faced compartment having an assay module therein, the cutting assembly comprising:

(a) a cutting element for making a tear in the layer of material so as to create a torn strip; and

(b) a plunger for pushing the torn strip into the open-faced compartment;

wherein the cutting assembly is mounted on a bottom of a vertically movable platform, the cutting element is horizontally slidably mounted and the plunger is reciprocatively mounted within the cutting element.

2. The cutting assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting element is C-shaped, the cutting element having a transverse portion, wherein said plunger is extendable through an opening in the transverse portion of the cutting element.