Slide cartridge and reagent test slides for use with a chemical analyzer, and chemical analyzer for same
First Claim
1. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer and for holding therein a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises:
- a first ring; and
a second ring secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another, the first and second rings defining between them at least one reaction chamber in which at least one reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test sides is receivable, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing of the at least one reagent test slide and removable therefrom after testing of the at least one reagent test slide has been performed by the chemical analyzer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
134 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer and for holding therein a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises:
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a first ring; and
a second ring secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another, the first and second rings defining between them at least one reaction chamber in which at least one reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test sides is receivable, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing of the at least one reagent test slide and removable therefrom after testing of the at least one reagent test slide has been performed by the chemical analyzer.
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2. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer and for holding therein a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises:
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a first ring; and
a second ring secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another, the first ring including a first primary wall, and radially spaced apart inner and outer sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the first primary wall, the first primary wall having a top surface and including ribs protruding upwardly from the top surface, the ribs being spaced apart from one another periodically about the circumference of the first ring, adjacent ribs receiving therebetween a respect reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides, the second ring and the inner and outer sidewalls and ribs of the first ring defining therebetween a plurality of reaction chambers for receiving the plurality of reagent test slides, the reaction chambers being arranged side-by-side circumferentially between the first and second rings and residing in a single plane, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing the plurality of reagent test slides and being removable therefrom after testing of the plurality of reagent test slides has been performed by the chemical analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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3. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer and for holding therein a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises:
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a first ring; and
a second ring secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another, the first ring including a first primary wall and the second ring including a second primary wall, the first and second rings together defining therebetween a plurality of reaction chambers for receiving the plurality of reagent test slides, the reaction chambers being arranged side-by-side circumferentially between the first and second rings and residing in a single plane, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing the plurality of reagent test slides and being removable therefrom after testing of the plurality of reagent test slides has been performed by the chemical analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. A reagent test slide for use with a chemical analyzer, the 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 edges which are non-parallel to each other.
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21. In combination:
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a slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer and for holding therein a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises;
a first ring; and
a second ring secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another, the first ring including a first primary wall and the second ring including a second primary wall, the first and second rings together defining therebetween a plurality of reaction chambers for receiving the plurality of reagent test slides, the reaction chambers being arranged side-by-side circumferentially between the first and second rings and residing in a single plane, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing the plurality of reagent test slides and being removable therefrom after testing of the plurality of reagent test slides has been performed by the chemical analyzer; and
a plurality of reagent test slides, each reagent test slide of the plurality of test slides having a film portion carrying a chemical reagent, and a frame surrounding and supporting the film portion, the frame having at least two opposite edges which are non-parallel to each other, the plurality of reagent test slides being received by the slide cartridge such that the at least two opposite non-parallel edges of each reagent test slide are situated in close proximity to respective adjacent ribs of the first primary wall of the first ring, the reagent test slides being arranged side-by-side circumferentially between the first and second rings and residing in a single plane, each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides being received by a corresponding reaction chamber of the plurality of reaction chambers. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A chemical analyzer for analyzing a plurality of reagent test slides, which comprises:
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a reflectometer;
a sample fluid metering device;
a support for supporting a removable slide cartridge carrying a plurality of reagent test slides in operative proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device;
a motor, the removable slide cartridge being responsive to the motor and rotating in response thereto; and
a movable arm, the movable arm selectively causing each reagent test slide of the plurality of test slides to be at least partially exposed through the slide cartridge to allow the sample fluid metering device to deposit a sample fluid on each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides.
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24. In combination:
a chemical analyzer for analyzing a plurality of reagent test slides, and a slide cartridge for use with the chemical analyzer and for holding therein the plurality of reagent test slides, the slide cartridge including a first ring having a first primary wall and a second ring having a second primary wall, the first and second rings together defining therebetween a plurality of reaction chambers for receiving the plurality of reagent test slides, the reaction chambers being arranged side-by-side circumferentially between the first and second rings and residing in a single plane, the slide cartridge being receivable by a chemical analyzer for testing the plurality of reagent test slides and being removable therefrom after testing of the plurality of reagent test slides has been performed by the chemical analyzer, the chemical analyzer including a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device for depositing a sample fluid on each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides, a support for supporting the slide cartridge in proximity to the reflectometer and the sample fluid metering device, the slide cartridge being removable from the support, a motor, the motor being operatively coupled to the removable slide cartridge and selectively rotating the slide cartridge, the support being positioned with respect to the motor to effect the operative coupling of the motor with the removable slide cartridge but permitting the removal of the slide cartridge from the chemical analyzer, and an arm engaging the slide cartridge and selectively causing the second ring to at least partially rotate with respect to the first ring, whereby each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides is at least partially exposed through the second ring to allow the sample fluid metering device to deposit a sample fluid on each reagent test slide of the plurality of reagent test slides carried by the slide cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer comprising:
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a first ring;
a second ring movably secured to the first ring, the first and second rings being at least partially rotatable relative to one another; and
at least one reagent test slide at least partially disposed between the first and second rings.
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28. A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer comprising:
a first ring member having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage a drive mechanism of a chemical analyzer.
Specification