Centrally controlled modular motorized testing
First Claim
1. A detachable module usable for scientific testing, the detachable module adapted to attach to, and detach from, a corresponding attachment bay of a base unit, wherein:
- the base unit comprises a controller; and
the detachable module comprises;
a first connection port adapted to support communication with the controller, the first connection port adapted to connect to a corresponding connection port of the corresponding attachment bay when the detachable module is attached to the base unit;
a first sensor adapted to provide a first output to the controller via the first connection port; and
an agitator apparatus adapted to;
agitate a medium; and
be controlled by the controller via the first connection port.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a modular dissolution-testing apparatus has a base unit adapted to hold and control operation of between one and eight dissolution-testing modules. The base unit has a programmable controller and a color touch screen for user interface with the controller and the modules. Each module includes a vessel for holding a solution of a dosage form dissolving in a solvent, an agitator apparatus for stirring the solution, and a motor to power—via a multi-motion assembly and a stirring shaft—stirring by, lifting of, and lowering of, the apparatus. Each module has a vessel heater and a temperature sensor, both communicatively connected to the controller for heating and regulating the temperature of the vessel contents. Each module is independently controllable by the controller, where control includes manually (by a user) or programmatically setting stirring speed, lifting and lowering apparatus, and starting and stopping stirring and heating.
37 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A detachable module usable for scientific testing, the detachable module adapted to attach to, and detach from, a corresponding attachment bay of a base unit, wherein:
-
the base unit comprises a controller; and the detachable module comprises; a first connection port adapted to support communication with the controller, the first connection port adapted to connect to a corresponding connection port of the corresponding attachment bay when the detachable module is attached to the base unit; a first sensor adapted to provide a first output to the controller via the first connection port; and an agitator apparatus adapted to; agitate a medium; and be controlled by the controller via the first connection port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus usable for scientific testing, the apparatus comprising a base unit comprising:
-
a plurality of attachment bays; a user interface; and a controller communicatively connected to the user interface, wherein each of the plurality of attachment bays; (a) is adapted to have a corresponding detachable module attach to, and detach from, the attachment bay; and (b) comprises a first connection port adapted to; (i) connect to a corresponding connection port of the corresponding detachable module; (ii) support communication between the corresponding detachable module and the controller when the corresponding detachable module is attached to the attachment bay; (iii) transmit a first output from a sensor in the corresponding detachable module to the controller; and (iv) support control by the controller of an agitator apparatus in the corresponding detachable module, wherein the agitator apparatus is adapted to agitate a medium. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for scientific testing using an apparatus, wherein:
-
the apparatus comprises a first detachable module and a base unit; the first detachable module comprises; (a) a sensor; (b) an agitator apparatus adapted to agitate a medium; and (c) a first connection port; the base unit comprises; (a) a plurality of attachment bays; (b) a user interface; and (c) a controller communicatively connected to the user interface, wherein each of the plurality of attachment bays; (i) is adapted to have a corresponding detachable module attach to or detach from the attachment bay; and (ii) comprises a corresponding connection port; the first detachable module is attached to a first attachment bay of the plurality of attachment bays; and the first connection port of the first detachable module is connected to the corresponding connection port of the first attachment bay, wherein the method comprises; (a) communicating, by the controller, with the first detachable module via the first connection port; (b) receiving, by the controller, a first output from the sensor in the first detachable module; and (c) controlling, by the controller, of the agitator apparatus in the first detachable module.
-
-
21. An apparatus usable for scientific testing, the apparatus comprising:
-
a user interface; a controller communicatively connected to the user interface; and a plurality of testing modules, each of the plurality of testing modules comprising; a first sensor adapted to provide a first output to the controller; and an agitator apparatus adapted to; agitate a medium; and be controlled by the controller, wherein the controller is adapted to simultaneously; provide a first set of control instructions to a first set of one or more of the plurality of testing modules; and provide a second set of control instructions, different from the first set of control instructions, to a second set of one or more of the plurality of testing modules, different from the first set of one or more of the plurality of testing modules.
-
Specification