Light-Blocking System for a Diagnostic Analyzer

• US 20140287516A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Donohue, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,513,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0429 Sample carriers adapted for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0642 Light traps; baffles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0648 Shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/021 having a flexible chain, e.g. "cartridge belt", conveyor for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line

Abstract

A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Claims

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:

a track configured to move a reaction vessel held by the track;

at least one light-blocking member disposed adjacent to the track, the at least one light-blocking member configured to move from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track, wherein when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light, and when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light by the at least one light-blocking member;

a motor configured to move the at least one light-blocking member between the first and the second positions; and

an optical testing device disposed adjacent to the track and configured to optically test the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position blocking the sample from exposure to the light.

41. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 40 wherein the at least one light-blocking member comprises a first light-blocking member and a second light-blocking member, wherein in the second position the first and the second light-blocking members at least partially close around the reaction vessel to block the sample contained within the reaction vessel from exposure to the light.

42. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein the track further comprises a slot disposed through the track, the reaction vessel extending through the slot so that a top portion of the reaction vessel is disposed above the track and a bottom portion of the reaction vessel is disposed below the track.

43. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein in the first position the first light-blocking member is disposed below the track and the second light-blocking member is disposed above the track.

44. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein in the second position the first light-blocking member is disposed against a bottom surface of the track and the second light-blocking member is disposed against a top surface of the track.

45. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 further comprising a bottom housing disposed under the track, the bottom housing comprising an elongated channel sized to hold a bottom portion of the reaction vessel, wherein in the first position the first light-blocking member is disposed under the track apart from the elongated channel and in the second position the first light-blocking member is disposed under the track within the elongated channel around the bottom portion of the reaction vessel.

46. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 further comprising a top housing disposed over the track, the top housing comprising an elongated channel sized to hold a top portion of the reaction vessel, wherein in the first position the second light-blocking member is disposed over the track apart from the elongated channel and in the second position the second light-blocking member is disposed within the elongated channel against the top portion of the track and adjacent to a side of the reaction vessel.

47. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein the first and the second light-blocking members are connected by a plurality of linkage members, and the motor is connected to the plurality of linkage members.

48. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein the first light-blocking member comprises an inner compartment having an open top end, and the second light-blocking member comprises a shutter, wherein in the second position a bottom portion of the reaction vessel is disposed in the inner compartment of the first light-blocking member below a bottom portion of the track and the shutter is disposed against a top portion of the track in-between the reaction vessel and a second reaction vessel held by the track with the shutter blocking the sample from exposure to the light from a second sample disposed within the second reaction vessel.

49. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 41 wherein the first light-blocking member is moveably attached to a frame member, wherein in the second position an inner compartment formed between the first light-blocking member and the frame member is disposed adjacent to an optical reader of the optical testing device.

50. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:

a track comprising a plurality of lanes configured to hold reaction vessels containing samples;

two opposed sets of light-blocking members disposed apart on opposite sides of the track, each of the two opposed sets of light-blocking members adjacent a different one of the plurality of lanes and comprising a first light-blocking member and a second light-blocking member;

at least one motor;

a plurality of linkage members connecting the two opposed sets of light-blocking members to the at least one motor; and

at least one optical testing device;

wherein the at least one motor is configured to move the two opposed sets of light-blocking members between a first position in which the two opposed sets of light-blocking members allow light exposure to the samples in the reaction vessels held in the plurality of lanes and a second position in which the two opposed sets of light-blocking members block light exposure to the samples in the reaction vessels held in the plurality of lanes.

51. A method of diagnostically testing a sample comprising:

moving a track holding a reaction vessel which contains a sample so that the reaction vessel is disposed adjacent to at least one light-blocking member in a first position disposed apart from the track allowing the sample to be exposed to light;

moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to a second position closer to the track to dispose the reaction vessel held by the track within at least a portion of the at least one light-blocking member to block the sample contained within the reaction vessel from exposure to the light; and

optically testing the sample while the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the at least one light-blocking member comprises a first light-blocking member and a second light-blocking member, wherein the moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to the second position closer to the track further comprises in the second position the first and the second light-blocking members at least partially closing around the reaction vessel to block the sample contained within the reaction vessel from exposure to the light.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising disposing the reaction vessel through a slot in the track so that the reaction vessel is held by the slot.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein in the first position the first light-blocking member is disposed below the track and the second light-blocking member is disposed above the track, and wherein the moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to the second position closer to the track further comprises in the second position the first light-blocking member being disposed against a bottom surface of the track and the second light-blocking member being disposed against a top surface of the track.

55. The method of claim 52 wherein in the first position the first light-blocking member is disposed under the track apart from an elongated channel, holding a bottom portion of the reaction vessel, of a bottom housing, and in the second position the first light-blocking member is disposed under the track within the elongated channel around the bottom portion of the reaction vessel.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein in the first position the second light-blocking member is disposed over the track apart from an elongated channel, holding a top portion of the reaction vessel, of a top housing, and in the second position the second light-blocking member is disposed within the elongated channel against the top portion of the track and adjacent to a side of the reaction vessel.

57. The method of claim 52 wherein the moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to the second position closer to the track further comprises moving the first and the second light-blocking members with a motor connected to a plurality of linkage members which are connected to the first and second light-blocking members.

58. The method of claim 52 wherein the first light-blocking member comprises an inner compartment having an open top end, and the second light-blocking member comprises a shutter, wherein the moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to the second position closer to the track further comprises in the second position a bottom portion of the reaction vessel being disposed in the inner compartment of the first light-blocking member below a bottom portion of the track and the shutter being disposed against a top portion of the track in-between the reaction vessel and a second reaction vessel held by the track with the shutter blocking the sample from exposure to the light from a second sample disposed within the second reaction vessel.

59. The method of claim 52 wherein the moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to the second position closer to the track further comprises moving the first light-blocking member relative to an attached frame member so that an optical reader of an optical testing device is disposed, when in the second position, adjacent to an inner compartment formed between the first light-blocking member and the attached frame member.