Apparatus for performing laboratory tests automatically
First Claim
1. Apparatus for performing laboratory tests automatically comprising:
- a first main region of equipment and a second main region of equipment, operation of the equipment in each region being controlled separately, the first region, to which the user has interactive access, permitting loading of a plurality of samples, controls, calibrators and diluents for performing the sampling and the dilutions, and receiving a plurality of plates on which a plurality of tests are performed, and the second region, to which the user has selective access, comprising a plurality of stations permitting stages of the tests including at least incubation, washing and, reading, the second region being able to hold at least two plates at different stages of the testing, the apparatus having means for automatically moving the plates along three coordinate axes X, Y, Z in order to transport the plates to complete the testing, for enabling several tests to be performed at the same time on a set of samples on one or several plates, and for enabling a new series of tasks with the same or different sets of tests and the same or different sets of samples to be started even when the previous ones have not been completed, the apparatus comprising, beneath the first and second main regions, a series of containers for storing a plurality of auxiliary liquids;
wherein the automatically moving means includes a carriage movable on two horizontal guides along the X and Y axes, the carriage being movable on a vertical Z-axis guide and carrying a plurality of probes for the manipulation of liquids, the probes incorporating individual level detectors, the carriage also having an independently vertically movable gripper for picking up the plates, enabling the plates to be moved to a new position, and for depositing the plates in a predetermined location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus has two main regions of members the operation of which is controlled separately, the first region, to which the user has interactive access, permitting loading of the samples, controls, calibrators, diluents and other equipment for performing the sampling and dilutions and receiving the plate on which the tests are performed, and the second region, to which the user has occasional access, comprising stations dedicated to the rest of the process including incubation, washing, reading, and others, the second region being able to hold several plates at different stages of the process, the apparatus having means for automated movement along three coordinate axes X, Y, Z in order to transport the reagents and the plates in order to complete the process, enabling several tests to be performed at the same time on a set of samples in one or several plates, and enabling new series of tasks with the same or different sets of tests and with the same or different sets of samples to be started when the previous ones have not been completed, the apparatus comprising, beneath its two main regions of members, a series of containers for the storage of the auxiliary liquids of the process and for the collection of washings and waste.
131 Citations
38 Claims
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1. Apparatus for performing laboratory tests automatically comprising:
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a first main region of equipment and a second main region of equipment, operation of the equipment in each region being controlled separately, the first region, to which the user has interactive access, permitting loading of a plurality of samples, controls, calibrators and diluents for performing the sampling and the dilutions, and receiving a plurality of plates on which a plurality of tests are performed, and the second region, to which the user has selective access, comprising a plurality of stations permitting stages of the tests including at least incubation, washing and, reading, the second region being able to hold at least two plates at different stages of the testing, the apparatus having means for automatically moving the plates along three coordinate axes X, Y, Z in order to transport the plates to complete the testing, for enabling several tests to be performed at the same time on a set of samples on one or several plates, and for enabling a new series of tasks with the same or different sets of tests and the same or different sets of samples to be started even when the previous ones have not been completed, the apparatus comprising, beneath the first and second main regions, a series of containers for storing a plurality of auxiliary liquids;
wherein the automatically moving means includes a carriage movable on two horizontal guides along the X and Y axes, the carriage being movable on a vertical Z-axis guide and carrying a plurality of probes for the manipulation of liquids, the probes incorporating individual level detectors, the carriage also having an independently vertically movable gripper for picking up the plates, enabling the plates to be moved to a new position, and for depositing the plates in a predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeGrifols SA
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Original AssigneeGrupo Grifols, S.A.
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InventorsTwose Valls, Ivan, Alonso Riera, Enric, Pomar Longedo, Pere, Pérez Puigdoménech, Francesc, Restrepo Guerrero, Carlos, Pons Munill, Xavier
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Primary Examiner(s)Warden, Jill
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Assistant Examiner(s)Bex, Kathryn
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Application NumberUS09/196,412Time in Patent Office985 DaysField of Search422/63, 422/64, 422/65, 422/82.05, 436/43, 436/47, 436/48, 436/164, 436/174, 436/180US Class Current422/65CPC Class CodesG01N 2035/042 moved independently, e.g. b...G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in th...Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysisY10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample a...Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or r...Y10T 436/25 including sample preparationY10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer
