Slide cartridge and reagent test slides for use with a chemical analyzer, and chemical analyzer for same

• US 8,287,823 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Sellers, James M., Taylor, Haydn B.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, BRIAN R
• Application Number:
  US11/897,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20070297946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 422 99-100, 422/104, 422/560, 422/547, 422/536, 422/563, 422/503, 422/551
• US Class Current: 422/563
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00039 Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00138 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes

Abstract

A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring and a lower ring secured together but rotatable with respect to each other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers between them, which receive dry analyte test slides. A gear track formed in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear attached to a stepping motor of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering device, which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a plurality of spotter ports formed in the upper ring, and above a reflectometer, which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted test slides through viewing windows formed in the lower ring of the slide cartridge. A chemical analyzer with which the slide cartridge may be used includes a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device and a stepping motor for rotating the slide cartridge.

Claims

1. In a chemical analyzer having a plurality of reagent test slides arranged in a circle, and a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device, a support for supporting the circular arrangement of reagent test slides in operative proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device, and electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the reflectometer and sample fluid metering device, the reagent test slides being arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite side edges, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the at least two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other so that a greater number of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides may be situated side-by-side in a circular arrangement of a given radius than if each slide had a rectangularly-shaped frame.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the at least two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circle in which the reagent test slides are arranged.

3. In a chemical analyzer having a plurality of reagent test slides arranged in a circle, and a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device, a support for supporting the circular arrangement of reagent test slides in operative proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device, and electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the reflectometer and sample fluid metering device, the reagent test slides being arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having a front edge and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge, and two opposite side edges situated between the front edge and the rear edge, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other and with the rear edge having a greater length than that of the front edge so that the reagent test slides will be properly oriented on the support of the chemical analyzer with the front edge of each reagent test slide being situated on the support radially inwardly with respect to the rear edge of each reagent test slide, and with the rear edge of each reagent test slide being situated on the support radially outwardly with respect to the front edge of each reagent test slide.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, wherein the two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circle in which the reagent test slides are arranged.

5. In a chemical reagent test slide of a plurality of reagent test slides which are arrangeable in a circle and which are used in a chemical analyzer, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite side edges, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the at least two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other so that a greater number of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides may be situated side-by-side in a circular arrangement of a given radius than if each slide had a rectangularly-shaped frame.

6. In a chemical reagent test slide of a plurality of reagent test slides which are arrangeable in a circle and which are used in a chemical analyzer, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having a front edge and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge, and two opposite side edges situated between the front edge and the rear edge, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other and with the rear edge having a greater length than that of the front edge so that the reagent test slides will be properly oriented in a circular arrangement in the chemical analyzer with the front edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially inwardly of the rear edge of each reagent test slide, and with the rear edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially outwardly with respect to the front edge of each reagent test slide.

7. In a chemical reagent test slide of a plurality of reagent test slides which are arrangeable in a circle and which are used in a chemical analyzer, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite side edges, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the at least two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other so that a greater number of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides may be situated side-by-side in a circular arrangement of a given radius than if each slide had a rectangularly-shaped frame; and

wherein, when the reagent test slides are arranged in a circle, the at least two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circle in which the reagent test slides are arranged.

8. In a chemical reagent test slide of a plurality of reagent test slides which are arrangeable in a circle and which are used in a chemical analyzer, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having a front edge and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge, and two opposite side edges situated between the front edge and the rear edge, the improvement comprising:

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other and with the rear edge having a greater length than that of the front edge so that the reagent test slides will be properly oriented in a circular arrangement in the chemical analyzer with the front edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially inwardly of the rear edge of each reagent test slide, and with the rear edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially outwardly with respect to the front edge of each reagent test slide; and

wherein, when the reagent test slides are arranged in a circle, the two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circle in which the reagent test slides are arranged.

9. A chemical analyzer, which comprises:

a reflectometer;

a sample fluid metering device;

electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the reflectometer and sample fluid metering device;

a circular arrangement of a plurality of reagent test slides; and

a support for supporting the circular arrangement of reagent test slides in operative proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device;

wherein the reagent test slides are arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite side edges;

wherein the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the at least two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other so that a greater number of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides may be situated side-by-side in the circular arrangement of a given radius than if each slide had a rectangularly-shaped frame; and

wherein the at least two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circular arrangement of the reagent test slides.

10. A chemical analyzer, which comprises:

a reflectometer;

a sample fluid metering device;

electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the reflectometer and sample fluid metering device;

a circular arrangement of a plurality of reagent test slides; and

a support for supporting the circular arrangement of reagent test slides in operative proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device;

wherein the reagent test slides are arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having a front edge and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge, and two opposite side edges situated between the front edge and the rear edge;

the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other and with the rear edge having a greater length than that of the front edge so that the reagent test slides will be properly oriented on the support of the chemical analyzer with the front edge of each reagent test slide being situated on the support radially inwardly with respect to the rear edge of each reagent test slide, and with the rear edge of each reagent test slide being situated on the support radially outwardly with respect to the front edge of each reagent test slide; and

wherein the two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circular arrangement of the reagent test slides.

11. In combination:

a chemical analyzer; and

a circular arrangement of a plurality of reagent test slides disposed on the chemical analyzer;

wherein the reagent test slides are arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite side edges;

wherein the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the at least two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other so that a greater number of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides may be situated side-by-side in the circular arrangement of a given radius than if each slide had a rectangularly-shaped frame; and

wherein the at least two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circular arrangement of the reagent test slides.

12. In combination:

a chemical analyzer; and

a circular arrangement of a plurality of reagent test slides disposed on the chemical analyzer;

wherein the reagent test slides are arranged side-by-side and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having a front edge and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge, and two opposite side edges situated between the front edge and the rear edge;

wherein the frame of each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is generally trapezoidal in shape with the two opposite side edges being non-parallel to each other and with the rear edge having a greater length than that of the front edge so that the reagent test slides will be properly oriented on the chemical analyzer with the front edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially inwardly on the chemical analyzer with respect to the rear edge of each reagent test slide, and with the rear edge of each reagent test slide being situated radially outwardly on the chemical analyzer with respect to the front edge of each reagent test slide; and

wherein the two opposite non-parallel side edges of the trapezoidally-shaped frame of each reagent test slide extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the circular arrangement of the reagent test slides.