Cartridge-based analytical instrument with optical detector

• US 6,531,095 B2
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Careside Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Careside Incorporated
• Inventors: Riedel, Richard A., Hutchinson, James S., Storvick, David, Hammer, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, PATRICIA KATHRYN
• Application Number:
  US09/248,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20010051377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/58, 422/62, 422/64, 422/68.1, 422/72, 422/81, 422/82.05, 436/43, 436/45, 436/177, 436/165, 356/246, 356/244
• US Class Current: 422/64
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00504 combined with carousels
• 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 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids. The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The analytical instrument further includes an optical detector which measures a detectable analytical property of the fluid sample which is provided by the optical element of the cartridge. The optical detector includes a radiation source which shines a beam of radiation on the optical element. The optical detector further includes a return beam detector which measures the return beam of radiation emitted by the optical element. The radiation source and return beam detector are both located on the same side of the cartridge rotor plate. The analytical instrument includes a tracking and control unit which tracks and controls the rotary drive mechanism and the detector to provide coordinated operation so that the optical detector can make measurements of the optical element while the cartridge rotor is stationary or rotating.

Claims

1. An analytical instrument for analyzing, fluids, said instrument comprising:

A) a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges, wherein each of said cartridges comprises a top side, bottom side, an analytical system which requires centrifugal force to operate and a test element which comprises an optical element which is optically accessible from only the bottom side of said cartridge and wherein said optical element provides an optically detectable analytical property of said fluid, said cartridge carousel assembly comprising;

a) a cartridge rotor plate which comprises a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from said center; and

b) a rotary drive mechanism which rotates said cartridge rotor plate about the center thereof, wherein rotation of said cartridge rotor plate provides the centrifugal force required to operate the analytical system of said cartridge;

B) an optical detector located below said cartridge rotor plate to optically inspect the bottom side only of said cartridge which measures said detectable analytical property of said fluid sample which is provide by the optical element of said cartridge, said optical detector comprising;

a) a stationary radiation source located below said cartridge rotor plate to provide at least one incident beam of radiation which contacts said optical element and only the bottom side of said cartridge and wherein at least one return beam of radiation is emitted from the bottom side of said cartridge by said optical element in response to contact by said incident beam of radiation wherein said radiation source comprises a plurality of radiation emitters which are arranged below said cartridge rotor plate to form an accurate array of radiation emitters which forms a linear arc that matches the arcuate path of said optical element as said cartridge travels in said cartridge rotor plate during rotation of said cartridge rotor plate; and

b) a stationary return beam detector which measures said return beam of radiation emitted from the bottom of said cartridge wherein said return beam detector comprises a plurality of radiation detectors which are arranged below said cartridge rotor plate to form an arcuate array of radiation detectors that lies along the same linear arc formed by said arcuate array of radiation emitters, wherein said arcuate array of radiation emitters and said arcuate array of radiation detectors are arranged along the same linear arc to provide incident beams of radiation and return beams of radiation which are adjacent to each other along said linear arc and substantially parallel to each other; and

C) a tracking and control unit which tracks and controls said rotary drive mechanism and said detector to provide coordinated operation so that said optical detector can make measurements of said optical element while said cartridge rotor is stationary or rotating, said tracking and control unit comprising a user input interface for receiving data input from a user of the instrument, a central processing unit, a real time processor and a data input interface which provides output of results of the measurements made by said optical detector.

2. An analytical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said radiation source comprises emitting diodes which emit radiation in a wavelength selected from the group consisting of ultra-violet, visible and infra-red.

3. An analytical instrument according to claim 2 wherein said radiation source comprises:

a first light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 425 nanometers;

a second light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 505 nanometers;

a third light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 570 nanometers;

a fourth light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 590 nanometers;

a fifth light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 615 nanometers; and

a sixth light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 655 nanometers.

4. An analytical instrument according to claim 3 which comprises a seventh light emitting diode which emits radiation consisting of a wavelength of about 570 nanometers.

5. An analytical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the optically accessible portion of said optical element has a cross-sectional area and wherein each of said radiation sources comprises a collimator which directs said incident beam of radiation onto said optical element as a collimated incident beam which has a cross-section which is substantially less than the cross-section of said optically accessible portion.

6. An analytical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said tracking and control unit is set to take multiple measurements of the optical element by exposing said optical element to said collimated incident beams and measuring the resultant plurality of return beams.

7. An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids according to claim 1 which is adapted for use with analytical cartridges which comprise a top side, bottom side, an analytical system which requires centrifugal force to operate and a test element which comprises an electrochemical element which is electrically accessible from only one side of said cartridge and wherein said electrochemical element provides an electrically detectable analytical property of said fluid, said analytical instrument comprising:

an electrical detector which measures said electrically detectable analytical property of said fluid sample which is provided by the electrochemical element of said cartridgee, said electrochemical detector comprising;

a) an electrical probe comprising a surface which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position where said electrical probe is in contact with said electrochemical element to provide measurement of said electrically detectable analytical property; and

b) a probe actuator assembly which moves said electrical probe between said retracted position and said extended position; and

wherein said tracking and control unit tracks and controls said rotary drive mechanism and said electrical detector to provide coordinated operation so that said electrical detector can make measurements of said electrochemical element while said cartridge rotor is stationary.