Sample card transport method for biological sample testing machine

• US 5,670,375 A
• Filed: 02/21/1996
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biomerieux Incorporated (Compagnie Merieux Alliance SAS)
• Original Assignee: Biomerieux Vitek Inc (Compagnie Merieux Alliance SAS)
• Inventors: Shine, David B., Seaton, William Ernest, Drager, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/604,472
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 436/43, 436/45, 436/47, 436/48, 436/164, 436/172, 436/174, 436/180, 436/807, 436/809, 422/63, 422/64, 422/65, 422/66, 422/104, 422/100
• US Class Current: 436/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00049 for loading/unloading a carousel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00099 Characterised by type of test elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/276 with alternation of sample and standard in optical path
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.

Claims

1. A method for transporting a sample card having first and second edges from an incubation station to a reading station in a sample testing machine, comprising the steps of:

placing said sample card in a snug space defined by (1) a slot in an elongated ledge, said slot receiving said first edge of said card and defining a card travel direction from said incubation to said reading stations, and (2) a drive belt positioned parallel to said slot and supporting said second edge of said card, said slot and said drive belt being in vertical alignment with said sample card;

biasing said drive belt towards said ledge so as to maintain pressure between said drive belt, said card and said slot; and

moving said drive belt in said card travel direction so as to slide said card through said slot to said reading station without substantial slippage of said card relative to said belt, permitting precise movement of said card relative to said reading station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said card includes at least one column of sample wells, and said reading station comprises a transmittance optical station;

and

wherein the method further comprises the step of moving said drive belt in a plurality of discrete steps so as to move said column of sample wells past said transmittance optical station in a plurality of discrete positions, said transmittance optical station operative to take at least one transmittance measurement of said column of sample wells at each of said discrete steps.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said reading station comprises a fluorescence optical station and wherein the method further comprises the step of:

moving said drive belt in a first direction so as to move said card to said fluorescence optical station and moving said drive belt in a second direction opposite to said first direction so as to move said card from said fluorescence optical station back to said incubation station.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said incubation station comprises a carousel and wherein said sample card is moved from said carousel to said reading station.