Chemical analyzer

• US 9,116,129 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Rich, Carl Russell, Misener, Garland Christian, Dumont, Mark R., Griffin, Justin Jay, Garrepy, Mark Christopher, Hersey, Stephan, Barski, Stanislaw, Pierson, Mark Weston, Dassa, Alyssa J., Lawrence, Jonathan William
• Primary Examiner(s): WRIGHT, PATRICIA KATHRYN
• Application Number:
  US12/451,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20100254854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,666 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00049 for loading/unloading a carousel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00138 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1025 Fluid level sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence

Abstract

A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer. After testing has been completed, the slide ejector mechanism automatically removes the reagent test slides from the slide transport mechanism.

Claims

1. A chemical analyzer, which comprises:

at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving a plurality of chemical reagent test slides placed thereon by a user of the analyzer and for inserting the test slides on a slide transport mechanism;

a slide transport mechanism, the slide transport mechanism being operatively in communication with the at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving the chemical reagent test slides from the at least one slide inserter mechanism, the slide transport mechanism transporting the test slides in a circular path;

a sample metering sub-assembly, the sample metering sub-assembly being in operative communication with the slide transport mechanism to deposit a fluid sample onto the reagent test slides received by the slide transport mechanism;

at least one of a reflectometer and a fluorometer, the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer being in optical communication with the slide transport mechanism; and

a slide ejector mechanism, the slide ejector mechanism being operatively in communication with the slide transport mechanism and ejecting test slides from the slide transport mechanism;

wherein the slide transport mechanism includes a circular, non-moveable slide track in which the plurality of reagent test slides are received, the test slides being moveable relative to the slide track when received thereby, and a circular slide carousel, the slide carousel being rotatably mounted concentrically with respect to the circular, non-moveable slide track and in proximity thereto to engage the test slides in the slide track and to move the slides in the circular path within the non-moveable slide track, the test slides resting on and being slidably engageable with the slide track;

wherein the slide track includes a bottom wall having an upper surface, an inner side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom, and an outer side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the outer side wall being radially spaced apart from the inner side wall, the inner side wall, outer side wall and bottom wall defining a generally U-shaped channel for receiving the plurality of test slides, the test slides being moveable within and relative to the U-shaped channel;

wherein the circular slide carousel is at least partially received within the U-shaped channel of the slide track and rotatable therein, the slide carousel including a main body having an upper surface and a lower surface disposed opposite to the upper surface; and

wherein the slide carousel has formed in the lower surface of the main body thereof a plurality of spaced apart recesses, and includes a plurality of slide covers, each slide cover being located at a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel and being operatively attached to the lower surface of the main body within the recess and forming a part of the slide carousel, the slide covers resting on respective chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are received by the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

2. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein at least one of the outer side wall and the inner side wall has at least a first slot formed through the thickness thereof, the at least first slot being situated in alignment with the at least one slide inserter mechanism to receive test slides therethrough from the at least one slide inserter mechanism, the at least first slot being in communication with the U-shaped channel so that test slides received by the at least first slot may be received by the U-shaped channel.

3. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the outer and inner side walls of the slide track are formed from a synthetic resinous plastic material.

4. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the slide track is formed from aluminum impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 2, wherein at least one of the outer side wall and the inner side wall has at least a second slot formed through the thickness thereof, the at least second slot being situated in alignment with the slide ejector mechanism to receive test slides therethrough from the slide track, the at least second slot being in communication with the U-shaped channel so that test slides may be ejected by the slide ejector mechanism from the U-shaped channel and pass through the at least second slot.

6. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the slide track has an opening formed through the thickness thereof for passing therethrough at least one of a solid and a liquid from the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

7. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer of the analyzer includes a transparent window;

and wherein the bottom wall of the slide track has at least one opening formed through the thickness thereof, the opening receiving the window of the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer.

8. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 7, wherein the bottom wall of the slide track has an upper surface;

and wherein the transparent window of the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer protrudes slightly in the U-shaped channel of the slide track above the upper surface of the bottom wall so that the window is engageable by test slides received by the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

9. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the slide transport mechanism further includes structure for selectively applying distributed heat to the slide track.

10. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 9, wherein the structure for selectively applying distributed heat to the slide track includes a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board being situated in thermal communication with the bottom wall of the slide track, the printed circuit board including a plurality of heating elements situated thereon, the heating elements selectively applying heat to the bottom wall of the slide track.

11. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board includes a surface, and wherein the plurality of heating elements includes printed circuit board lands etched on the surface of the printed circuit board.

12. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 11, wherein the bottom wall of the slide track includes a lower surface, and wherein the printed circuit board is ring-shaped and includes an upper surface, the etched lands of the plurality of heating elements being disposed on the upper surface of the printed circuit board, the upper surface of the printed circuit board being in thermal contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall of the slide track.

13. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 9, wherein the slide transport mechanism further includes at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the slide track.

14. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board further includes at least one temperature sensor mounted thereon, the at least one temperature sensor being in thermal communication with the bottom wall of the slide track for detecting the temperature of the bottom wall.

15. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 14, wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes a plurality of temperature sensors, the temperature sensors of the plurality of temperature sensors being spaced apart from each other to detect the distributed heat selectively applied by the plurality of heating elements to the slide track.

16. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 9, which further comprises a housing, the housing defining an interior space;

and wherein the structure for selectively applying distributed heat to the slide track includes a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface of the printed circuit board having a plurality of heating elements mounted thereon, the plurality of heating elements mounted on the upper surface of the printed circuit board being in thermal communication with the bottom wall of the slide track, the heating elements of the upper surface selectively applying heat to the bottom wall of the slide track, the printed circuit board further including a plurality of heating elements mounted on the lower surface thereof, the plurality of heating elements of the lower surface being in thermal communication with the interior of the housing to selectively apply heat to the interior of the housing.

17. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 16, wherein the printed circuit board further includes at least one temperature sensor mounted on the lower surface thereof, the at least one temperature sensor on the lower surface of the printed circuit board being in thermal communication with the interior of the housing to detect the temperature of the interior.

18. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the slide carousel further includes a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from the lower surface of the main body thereof, adjacent ribs being spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance to closely receive therebetween a respective chemical reagent test slide, the recesses formed in the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel and the slide covers at least partially received thereby being positioned between respective pairs of adjacent ribs, the slide covers resting on the chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are situated between the pairs of adjacent ribs.

19. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 18, wherein the ribs of the main body of the slide carousel extend outwardly from the lower surface thereof a predetermined distance so as to engage the reagent test slides and so as not to contact the upper surface of the bottom wall of the slide track.

20. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 18, wherein the adjacent ribs and the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel define with the upper surface of the bottom wall of the slide track an incubated chamber for receiving a respective chemical reagent test slide therein and holding the chemical reagent test slide captive within the chamber when the chemical reagent test slides are inserted on the slide transport mechanism by the at least one slide inserter mechanism and received by the slide track.

21. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the slide carousel includes a lifting ring mounted on the upper surface of the main body thereof that may be grasped by the user so that the slide carousel may be lifted free of the slide track and removed from the chemical analyzer for cleaning.

22. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein each slide cover is generally trapezoidally shaped.

23. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the main body of the slide carousel has formed in the upper surface thereof a plurality of openings, each opening extending from the upper surface of the main body to a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body which at least partially receives a corresponding slide cover;

and

wherein each slide cover includes an opening formed through the thickness thereof, the openings in the slide covers being in alignment with respective openings formed in the upper surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the openings in the main body and the openings in the slide covers reside over chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are situated in the slide track.

24. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 23, wherein the slide carousel includes a spider spring disposed on the upper surface of the main body thereof, the spider spring having an inner portion and a plurality of resilient leaf spring fingers which extend radially outwardly from the inner portion, each resilient leaf spring finger of the spider spring having a free end, each free end exerting a force on a respective slide cover to bias the slide cover in a direction outwardly from the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the slide covers engage respective chemical reagent test slides when the chemical reagent test slides are situated in the slide track.

25. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 24, wherein the slide carousel includes eighteen slide covers and a ceramic calibration tile, the calibration tile being removably received by the slide carousel and held in place thereon by one of the resilient leaf spring fingers of the spider spring.

26. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 25, wherein the one of the resilient leaf spring fingers of the spider spring exerts a force on the calibration tile to hold the calibration tile in place on the slide carousel, wherein the calibration tile has a lower surface which faces the upper surface of the bottom wall of the slide track, and wherein the lower surface of the calibration tile does not contact the upper surface of the bottom wall of the slide track in order to keep the lower surface of the calibration tile clean.

27. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 1, wherein the slide transport mechanism further includes a cover plate positioned over the slide track, the cover plate together with the slide track defining a controlled temperature incubator for the chemical reagent test slides situated within the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

28. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 27, wherein the cover plate is moveably positionable with respect to the slide track between at least a first position in which the cover plate is in relatively close proximity to the slide track and the slide carousel and a second position in which the cover plate is raised above the slide track and the slide carousel, and wherein the slide transport mechanism further includes a latch operatively linked to the cover plate to selectively maintain the cover plate in the first position and to selectively allow the cover plate to be raised to the second position, the cover plate, when in the raised, second position, allowing a user to remove the slide carousel from above the slide track for cleaning and to allow the user access to the slide track for cleaning.

29. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 27, wherein the cover plate is formed of a material having insulative properties that act to retain heat within the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

30. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 27, wherein the cover plate has formed through the thickness thereof at least one opening, the at least one opening being provided to allow the sample metering sub-assembly to deposit therethrough a fluid sample onto each chemical reagent test slide situated in the U-shaped channel of the slide track.

31. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 12, wherein the slide inserter mechanism is positioned relative to the slide track to insert the chemical reagent test slides at a first location in the slide track, wherein the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer is positioned relative to the slide track to optically sense at least one of reflectance and fluorescence at a second location in the slide track, the second location being different from the first location, and wherein the printed circuit board having a plurality of heating elements provides a first zone of heat to the first location in the slide track where the chemical reagent test slides are inserted into the slide track, and provides a second zone of heat to the second location in the slide track where the at least one of the reflectance and fluorescence are sensed by the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer, the temperature of the first zone of heat being adjustable separately from the temperature of the second zone of heat.

32. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 31, wherein the printed circuit board includes at least a first temperature sensor mounted thereon and situated in proximity to the first zone of heat to sense the temperature of the first zone of heat, and wherein the printed circuit board includes at least a second temperature sensor mounted thereon and situated in proximity to the second zone of heat to sense the temperature of the second zone of heat.

33. A chemical analyzer, which comprises:

at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving a plurality of chemical reagent test slides placed thereon by a user of the analyzer and for inserting the test slides on a slide transport mechanism;

a slide transport mechanism, the slide transport mechanism being operatively in communication with the at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving the chemical reagent test slides from the at least one slide inserter mechanism, the slide transport mechanism transporting the test slides in a circular path;

a sample metering sub-assembly, the sample metering sub-assembly being in operative communication with the slide transport mechanism to deposit a fluid sample onto the reagent test slides received by the slide transport mechanism;

at least one of a reflectometer and a fluorometer, the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer being in optical communication with the slide transport mechanism; and

a slide ejector mechanism, the slide ejector mechanism being operatively in communication with the slide transport mechanism and ejecting test slides from the slide transport mechanism;

wherein the slide transport mechanism includes a circular, non-moveable slide track in which the plurality of reagent test slides are received, the test slides being moveable relative to the slide track when received thereby, and a circular slide carousel, the slide carousel being rotatably mounted concentrically with respect to the circular, non-moveable slide track and in proximity thereto to engage the test slides in the slide track and to move the slides in the circular path within the non-moveable slide track, the test slides resting, on and being slidably engageable with the slide track;

wherein the slide track includes a bottom wall having an upper surface, an inner side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom, and an outer side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the outer side wall being radially spaced apart from the inner side wall, the inner side wall, outer side wall and bottom wall defining a generally U-shaped channel for receiving the plurality of test slides, the test slides being moveable within and relative to the U-shaped channel;

wherein the circular slide carousel is at least partially received within the U-shaped channel of the slide track and rotatable therein, the slide carousel including a main body having an upper surface and a lower surface disposed opposite to the upper surface;

wherein the slide carousel has formed in the lower surface of the main body thereof a plurality of spaced apart recesses, and includes a plurality of slide covers, each slide cover being located at a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel and being operatively attached to the lower surface of the main body within the recess and forming a part of the slide carousel, the slide covers resting on respective chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are received by the U-shaped channel of the slide track;

wherein the main body of the slide carousel has formed in the upper surface thereof a plurality of openings, each opening extending from the upper surface of the main body to a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body which at least partially receives a corresponding slide cover;

wherein each slide cover includes an opening formed through the thickness thereof, the openings in the slide covers being in alignment with respective openings formed in the upper surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the openings in the main body and the openings in the slide covers reside over chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are situated in the slide track;

wherein the slide carousel includes a spider spring disposed on the upper surface of the main body thereof, the spider spring having an inner portion and a plurality of resilient leaf spring fingers which extend radially outwardly from the inner portion, each resilient leaf spring finger of the spider spring having a free end, each free end exerting a force on a respective slide cover to bias the slide cover in a direction outwardly from the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the slide covers engage respective chemical reagent test slides when the chemical reagent test slides are situated in the slide track; and

wherein the free end of each resilient leaf spring finger of the spider spring has formed through the thickness thereof an opening, the opening in each resilient leaf spring finger being in alignment with the opening formed in a respective slide cover and with a respective opening formed in the upper surface of the main body of the slide carousel.

34. A chemical analyzer, which comprises:

at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving a plurality of chemical reagent test slides placed thereon by a user of the analyzer and for inserting the test slides on a slide transport mechanism;

a slide transport mechanism, the slide transport mechanism being operatively in communication with the at least one slide inserter mechanism for receiving the chemical reagent test slides from the at least one slide inserter mechanism, the slide transport mechanism transporting the test slides in a circular path;

a sample metering sub-assembly, the sample metering sub-assembly being in operative communication with the slide transport mechanism to deposit a fluid sample onto the reagent test slides received by the slide transport mechanism;

at least one of a reflectometer and a fluorometer, the at least one of the reflectometer and the fluorometer being in optical communication with the slide transport mechanism; and

a slide ejector mechanism, the slide ejector mechanism being operatively in communication with the slide transport mechanism and ejecting test slides from the slide transport mechanism;

wherein the slide transport mechanism includes a circular, non-moveable slide track in which the plurality of reagent test slides are received, the test slides being moveable relative to the slide track when received thereby, and a circular slide carousel, the slide carousel being rotatably mounted concentrically with respect to the circular, non-moveable slide track and in proximity thereto to engage the test slides in the slide track and to move the slides in the circular path within the non-moveable slide track, the test slides resting on and being slidably engageable with the slide track;

wherein the slide track includes a bottom wall having an upper surface, an inner side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom, and an outer side wall situated on the bottom wall and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the outer side wall being radially spaced apart from the inner side wall, the inner side wall, outer side wall and bottom wall defining a generally U-shaped channel for receiving the plurality of test slides, the test slides being moveable within and relative to the U-shaped channel;

wherein the circular slide carousel is at least partially received within the U-shaped channel of the slide track and rotatable therein, the slide carousel including a main body having an upper surface and a lower surface disposed opposite to the upper surface;

wherein the slide carousel has formed in the lower surface of the main body thereof a plurality of spaced apart recesses, and includes a plurality of slide covers, each slide cover being located at a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel and being operatively attached to the lower surface of the main body within the recess and forming a part of the slide carousel, the slide covers resting on respective chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are received by the U-shaped channel of the slide track;

wherein the main body of the slide carousel has formed in the upper surface thereof a plurality of openings, each opening extending from the upper surface of the main body to a respective recess formed in the lower surface of the main body which at least partially receives a corresponding slide cover;

wherein each slide cover includes an opening formed through the thickness thereof, the openings in the slide covers being in alignment with respective openings formed in the upper surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the openings in the main body and the openings in the slide covers reside over chemical reagent test slides when the reagent test slides are situated in the slide track;

wherein the slide carousel includes a spider spring disposed on the upper surface of the main body thereof, the spider spring having an inner portion and a plurality of resilient leaf spring fingers which extend radially outwardly from the inner portion, each resilient leaf spring finger of the spider spring having a free end, each free end exerting a force on a respective slide cover to bias the slide cover in a direction outwardly from the lower surface of the main body of the slide carousel such that the slide covers engage respective chemical reagent test slides when the chemical reagent test slides are situated in the slide track; and

wherein the slide carousel further includes a plurality of shutters, each shutter being in the form of a radially slidable plate having opposite axial ends and having an opening fotined through the thickness thereof, each shutter being received between the free end of a respective leaf spring finger of the spider spring and a respective slide cover and being radially slidable therebetween on the main body of the slide carousel between at least a first position in which the opening in the shutter is in alignment with the opening in a respective slide cover and a second position in which the opening in the shutter is not in alignment with the opening in the respective slide cover and so as to selectively cover and uncover the opening in the respective slide cover.

35. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 34, wherein at least one shutter is formed of a fluorescent material so that the at least one shutter may be used as a calibration reference.

36. A chemical analyzer as defined by claim 34, wherein the slide transport mechanism further includes a first, radially moveable actuator member situated in proximity to the inner side wall of the slide track, and a second, radially moveable actuator member situated in proximity to the outer side wall of the slide track, each of the first actuator member and the second actuator member having a free end, the slide carousel being rotatable to position each of the shutters of the slide carousel in radial alignment with and in between the free ends of the first actuator member and the second actuator member, the free ends of the first actuator member and the second actuator member selectively engaging the opposite axial ends of a respective shutter situated in alignment therewith to effect movement of the respective shutter between the at least first position of the shutter and the second position of the shutter.