Reagent cartridge mixing tube

• US 7,731,414 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biokit, S.A. (Werfen SA)
• Original Assignee: Instrumentation Lab Co (Instrumentation Lab)
• Inventors: Vincent, Kathleen, Schroeder, Gerhardt P., Talmer, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorkin; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): JANCA, ANDREW JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/704,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20080192567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 345/88, 346/02, 68/9, 68/10, 68/11, 68/27, 681/33, 681/74, 215/DIG.3, 215/DIG.8, 366/14, 366/198, 366/202, 366/210, 366/211, 366/228, 366/229, 366/237, 422/913, 422/914, 422/918, D95/20, D95/56, D95/69, D24/216, D24/224, 210/222, 436/526
• US Class Current: 366/211
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/321 of test-tubes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/10 with a mixing receptacle rotating alternately in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/20 Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/5312 with vertical baffles mounted on the walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/52 Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent B01L3/02 takes precedence; containers for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; containers in general B65D; storing or dispensing test elements G01N33/4875; automated reagent dispensing G01N35/1002
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/00 Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor injection blow-moulding B29C49/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0436 with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automated analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for suspending magnetic particles accumulated on the floor of a mixing tube and depositing the magnetic particles in bodily fluid samples.

Claims

1. A system for suspending particles, said system comprising:

a reagent cartridge comprising a reagent holder for holding a plurality of tubes;

a plurality of tubes comprising;

a mixing tube for holding particles, said mixing tube having a volumetric capacity in the range of about 1 milliliter to about 100 milliliters, rotatably mounted in said holder, said mixing tube comprising a top end and a lower section positioned on an end opposite to said top end, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first agitating member, and a second agitating member, each of said first agitating member and said second agitating member formed by extending said interior surface of the mixing tube into the lumen of said mixing tube, the dimensions and positioning of said first agitating member aligned with a first longitudinal groove on said exterior surface of said mixing tube and the dimensions and positioning of said second agitating member aligned with a second longitudinal groove on said exterior of said mixing tube, said mixing tube further comprising at least one slot and a cylindrical member, longitudinally positioned on said lower section of said mixing tube;

said reagent holder comprising a body including a first groove and a second groove;

a piercing cap assembly positioned over the plurality of tubes, the piercing cap assembly comprising a piercing cap including a first notch, a second notch and one or more protrusions extending from the piercing cap, each protrusion comprising a hollow cylinder, wherein said first notch of said piercing cap engages with said first groove of said reagent holder and said second notch of said piercing cap engages with said second groove of said reagent holder when said piercing cap is in a depressed position; and

a plurality of magnetic particles positioned in the lumen of said mixing tube.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a motor operatively connectable to said slot and said cylindrical member, said motor having a linear actuator for engaging said slot and said cylindrical member via two pins, wherein rotation of said cylindrical member actuates said agitating members thereby suspending said particles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member is opposite said second agitating member.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a third agitating member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially triangular in cross-section.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially semi-circular in cross-section.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are substantially rectangular in cross-section.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first agitating member and said second agitating member are blades.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said linear actuator further comprises a third pin and said mixing tube further comprises a second slot for engaging with said third pin of said linear actuator.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is cylindrical.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said mixing tube is frustoconical.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said mixing tube is sealed.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is extrusion molded.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixing tube is detachable from said holder.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of reagent tubes.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of reagent tubes is detachable from said holder.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein at least one of said plurality of reagent tubes is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein at least one of said plurality of reagent tubes is substantially cylindrical.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said mixing tube comprises a wall of uniform thickness.