Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body

• US 8,262,991 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lattec I/S
• Original Assignee: Lattec I/S
• Inventors: Carlsen, Thomas Nikolai, Christiansen, Peter, Sonnenborg, Frederik Nikolaj Svaerke, Gudmundsson, Kristjan Freyr
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul, Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US10/848,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20050003522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,037 Days
• Field of Search: 422 63- 65, 422/67, 422 99-100, 422500-502, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/86 Investigating moving sheets G01N21/89 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/04 Dairy products
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body, and more in particularly for analysing body fluids from mammals. The analysis apparatus is coupled to a dairy system for milking of cows, wherein it may be useful to analyse the status of the milk. The apparatus is preferably located as early as possible in the production chain in order to obtain results as close as possible to the cows. Hence the environment in which the apparatus is to be used may be harsh towards internal apparatus modules or consumables, therefore the apparatus is isolated and the internal environment is conditioned regarding humidity, temperature as well as the amount of ammonium. Furthermore the steps for analysing milk is automated inside the apparatus in order to avoid influence from the external environment.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing milk, which utilizes an apparatus comprising:

(i) at least one storage for storing sticks or other kinds of biosensors to which the milk is to be dosed, wherein the storage is enclosed in a first insulation enclosure thermally insulating and moisture protecting the storage;

(ii) at least one incubator, distinct from the storage, that comprises a first fluid dosing means for dosing a stick or biosensor with the milk to be analyzed, wherein the incubator is enclosed in a second insulation enclosure thermally insulating the incubator;

(iii) a transfer mechanism for transferring sticks or biosensors from the storage to the incubator, wherein the transfer mechanism comprising a guide tunnel with a hatch for opening and closing the guide tunnel; and

(iv) an incubator disc configured for guiding sticks or biosensors during the incubation, wherein the apparatus is sealed in a cabinet, said method comprising;

(a) loading sticks or biosensors into the incubator;

(b) dosing milk to the sticks or biosensors;

(c) incubating the sticks or biosensors in the incubator;

(d) reading the results from the sticks or biosensors; and

(e) removing the sticks or biosensors from the incubator,

wherein (a)-(e) are performed upon at least one rotation of the incubator disc.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second fluid dosing means for dosing a fluid other than milk to the sticks or biosensors.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the incubator further comprises a reading module for detection of a signal produced on the stick or biosensor after application of the fluid.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the storage comprises a storage disc.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises sensors for monitoring the number of used sticks.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a molecular sieve or other desiccant type for conditioning humidity content in the storage.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is connected to a computer system.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is connected to a user interface comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of:

a keyboard;

a screen;

a cartridge loading station for loading cartridges;

a stickwaste container loading station;

a diluent container loading station;

a liquid waste funnel cleaning station; and

a wet system filter changing station.

9. A method according to claim 1, where the storage and the incubator are thermally isolated from each other to avoid or limit humidity or heat exchange between the storage and the incubator.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first dosing means is driven by a spindle or other linear or rotational system for dosing milk at least two different locations.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for cooling or heating.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the incubator further comprises at least one sensor for monitoring the position of a stick in the incubator disc so that the stick is positioned correctly.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises tubes for transportation of milk.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises a device for minimizing carry over from a first sample to a second sample by introducing air into the tubes.

15. A method for analyzing a fluid, which utilizes an apparatus comprising:

(i) at least one storage for storing sticks or other kinds of biosensors to which the fluid is to be dosed, wherein the storage is enclosed in a first insulation enclosure thermally insulating and moisture protecting the storage;

(ii) at least one incubator, distinct from the storage, that comprises a fluid dosing means for dosing a stick or biosensor with the fluid to be analyzed, wherein the incubator is enclosed in a second insulation enclosure thermally insulating the incubator;

(iii) a transfer mechanism for transferring sticks or biosensors from the storage to the incubator, wherein the transfer mechanism comprising a guide tunnel with a hatch for opening and closing the guide tunnel; and

(iv) an incubator disc configured for rotation to position and guiding sticks or biosensors during the incubation, wherein the fluid dosing means is located inside the incubator, said method comprising;

(a) loading sticks or biosensors into the incubator;

(b) dosing the fluid on to the sticks or biosensors;

(c) incubating the sticks or biosensors in the incubator;

(d) reading the results from the sticks or biosensors; and

(e) removing the sticks or biosensors from the incubator,

wherein (a)-(e) are performed upon at least one rotation of the incubator disc.