Analyzer featuring a circular track of cartridges centered on an incubator and method of use

• US 5,089,418 A
• Filed: 07/20/1990
• Issued: 02/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Want, Nicholas, Shaw, James D., Muszak, Martin F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/556,693
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/64, 422/65, 436/43, 436/45, 436/46, 436/47, 436/48
• US Class Current: 436/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00049 for loading/unloading a carousel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00079 Evaporation covers for slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00455 Controlling humidity in analyser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0458 Multiple concentric rows of wells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide
• 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

There is disclosed an apparatus useful in an analyzer, comprising a first mechanism for moving a stack of elements around at least one generally circular, horizontal track, a second mechanism for temporarily holding a stack on the track, and a third mechanism for altering the second mechanism between two states, one which holds the stack on the track and the other which releases the stack from the track.

Claims

1. In an analyzer for assaying for analytes of a body liquid on dried test elements, said analyzer comprising

means for temporarily storing a plurality of stacks of dried test elements, the test elements in any one stack being for the same assay while each stack is generally for a different assay selected from any one of three different types selected from potentiometric, colorimetric or rate-type test elements,

an incubator for test elements taken from a stack,

and means for detecting a change in a test element after incubation in said incubator;

the improvement wherein, to move said stacks of elements, said analyzer further comprises means defining at least one generally circular, horizontal path generally centered on said incubator,

first moving means for moving said stack-storing means around said at least one path,

means for temporarily holding a stack on said first moving means, said holding means being capable of at least two alternate states, one which holds a stack on said path and the other which releases a stack from said path,

means for alternating said holding means between said two states,

and means for transferring a test element to said incubator from any stack held on said path,

and wherein said incubator is constructed to receive all the types of said test element,

whereby said incubator can be used to incubate all three types of test elements.

9. An analyzer as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said path comprises a ring having a surface for supporting a stack-containing cartridge and cut-out portions in said surface each of which is sufficient in size to accommodate a cartridge,

and wherein said holding means comprise a frame comprising a cartridge-support shoulder disposed at the same level as said ring support surface, and means for slidably mounting said frame on said ring support surface and partially within said cut-out so as to move between said first position and said second position.

10. An analyzer as defined in claim 1 or 2, and further comprising discharging means associated with said path for discharging from said path a cartridge previously containing a stack.

11. An analyzer as defined in claim 10, wherein said discharge means comprise a door and an exit port, and door-moving means for slidably moving said door to cover or uncover said exit port.

17. An analyzer as defined in claim 1, 2 or 12, and further comprising means for depositing a patient liquid onto a test element removed by said transfer means from said storing means, said depositing means being positionable adjacent to said incubator and said transferring means.

18. An analyzer as defined in claim 1, 2 or 12 and further comprising a liquid dispensing mechanism for dispensing a standard liquid comprising a pump, a tip support on said pump for holding a liquid-containing tip, means for moving said pump and a tip on said support vertically and rotationally between at least two operative positions in which liquid is either aspirated into a tip or dispensed from a tip, and inoperative positions above and between said operative positions, said moving means including a rotatable three-dimensional cam, a cam follower mounted to move on said cam, and means for rotating said cam about a vertical axis between said at least two operative positions in response to command signals.

19. An analyzer as defined in claim 18, wherein said moving means further comprises a carrier mounted over and surrounding said cam, said pump being slidably mounted for reciprocation on said carrier and attached to said cam follower, said carrier having a slot therein constructed to permit passage through said carrier of said pump cam follower to said cam, said slot extending in a direction that falls in a plane through said axis of rotation, means for frictionally coupling said carrier to said cam to rotate with said cam, and means for limiting the rotation of said carrier, but not said cam, between two circumferential positions on said cam that correspond to said at least two operative positions, to force said cam follower to move relative to said cam.

20. An analyzer as defined in claim 18, wherein said cam comprises a downwardly extending track portion which extends below the lowest point of travel of which said pump cam follower is capable of traveling,

and further comprising means for biasing said cam follower downward with a positive force when said cam follower is located at its lowest point of travel so that a tip on said pump can be sealed by said positive force in a housing when it is in its downward, at least two operative positions.

21. An analyzer as defined in claim 18, and further comprising on said carrier, means for removably locking said carrier in any position between or at said at least two operative positions, so that maintenance can be performed on said pump without disturbing the last-known location of said carrier.

22. An analyzer as defined in claim 1, 2, or 12, wherein said incubator is the only incubator present in the analyzer for receiving and holding simultaneously a plurality of test elements.

2. In an analyzer for assaying for analytes of a body liquid on dried test elements, said analyzer comprising

means for temporarily storing a plurality of stacks of dried test elements, the test elements in any one stack being for the same assay while each stack is generally for a different assay selected from any one of three different types selected from potentiometric, colorimetric or rate-type test elements,

an incubator for test elements taken from a stack,

and means for detecting a change in a test element after incubation in said incubator;

the improvement wherein, to move said stacks of elements, said analyzer further comprises means defining at least one generally circular, horizontal path generally centered on said incubator,

first moving means for moving said stack-storing means around said path,

means for temporarily holding a stack on said moving means, said holding means comprising a member mounted on said moving means to move between a first position that holds a cartridge for said stack and a second position that releases a cartridge,

second moving means for moving said holding member between said first and second positions,

and means for transferring a test element from any stack held on said path to said incubator,

and wherein said incubator is constructed to receive all three types of said test elements,

whereby said incubator can be used to incubate all three types of test elements.

3. An analyzer as defined in claim 2, wherein said second moving means comprise means for biasing said holding member into said first position,

and means for overriding said biasing means to move said holding member to said second position to release a cartridge.

4. In an analyzer for assaying for analytes of a body liquid on dried test elements, said analyzer comprising

means for temporarily storing a plurality of stacks of dried test elements, the test elements in any one stack being for the same assay while each stack is generally for a different assay selected from any one of potentiometric, colorimetric or rate-type test elements,

an incubator for test elements taken from a stack,

and means for detecting a change in a test element after incubation in said incubator;

the improvement wherein said analyzer further comprises means defining at least one generally circular, horizontal path generally centered on said incubator,

first moving means for moving said stack-storing means around said path,

means for temporarily holding a stack on said moving means, said holding means comprising a member mounted on said moving means to move between a first position that holds a cartridge for said stack and a second position that releases a cartridge,

a second moving means for moving said holding member between said first and second positions, said second moving means comprising means for biasing said holding member into said first position, and means for overriding said biasing means to move said holding member to said second position to release a cartridge,

and means for transferring a test element from any stack held on said path to said incubator, whereby said incubator can be used to incubate all three types of test elements,

and further comprising means defining a second generally circular horizontal path centered on said incubator and spaced from said at least one path, and means for moving said stack-storing means around said second path, said moving means of said second path being independent from said first moving means of said at least one path.

5. An analyzer as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said paths comprises a ring having a surface for supporting a stack-containing cartridge and cut-out portions in said surface each of which is sufficient in size to accommodate a cartridge,

and wherein said holding member comprises a frame including a cartridge-support shoulder disposed at the same level as said ring support surface, and means for slidably mounting said frame on said ring support surface and partially within said cut-out so as to move between said first position and said second position.

6. An analyzer as defined in claim 5, and further comprising discharge means associated with each of said paths for discharging from said paths a cartridge previously containing a stack, when the cartridge is released by said overriding means.

7. An analyzer as defined in claim 6, wherein said discharge means comprise a door and an exit port, and door-moving means for slidably moving said door to cover or uncover said exit port.

8. An analyzer as defined in claim 7, wherein said door-moving means comprise a single motor connected to actuate independently said door for each of said paths.

12. In an analyzer for assaying for analytes of a body liquid on dried test elements, said analyzer comprising

means for temporarily storing a plurality of stacks of dried test elements, the test elements in any one stack being for the same assay while each stack is generally for a different assay selected from any one of potentiometric, colorimetric or rate-type test elements,

an incubator for test elements taken from a stack,

and means for detecting a change in a test element after incubation in said incubator;

the improvement wherein said storing means further comprises means for temporarily holding a stack of elements in a cartridge, said holding means being configured to fit generally around a stack of said elements,

means for moving said holding means along a generally circular path around a center,

and means for slidably moving said holding means between two positions on a radius of said circular path, one of said positions being one which allows a cartridge to fall, and the other said positions being one which holds up a cartridge.

13. An analyzer as defined in claim 12, wherein said holding means comprise a frame member comprising first means fitting under a cartridge to support it, and said moving means comprises second means opposite to said first means and fitting under a cartridge for supporting it, said frame member being movable on said moving means, said slidable moving means being effective to move said first and second means apart in said one position and close together in said other position, said first and second means being far enough apart in said one position to cause a cartridge to fall between them.

14. An analyzer as defined in claim 13, wherein said slidable moving means comprise biasing means for biasing said frame member with said first and second supporting means in said other position, and overcoming means for overcoming said biasing means to move said first and second supporting means into said one position.

15. An analyzer as defined in claim 13 or 14, wherein said member moving-means comprise a generally flat annular ring having a plurality of spaced-apart cut-out portions therein each having a size and shape to accommodate a cartridge, a portion of said ring at one edge of said cut-out shape being provided with a first pair of inwardly projecting shoulders,

and a motor operable to rotate said ring around said circular path.

16. An analyzer as defined in claim 14, wherein said overcoming means comprise a push member, a spring to hold said push member away from said frame member, and a solenoid constructed to push said push member against said frame member and contrary to the action of said spring.

23. Apparatus for temporarily supporting a stack of planar, slide-like elements in a predetermined vertical position, said apparatus comprising means defining at least one generally circular, horizontal path and first moving means for moving a stack of elements around said at least one path,

means for temporarily holding a stack on said moving means, said holding means comprising a member mounted on said moving means to move between a first position that holds a cartridge for said stack and a second position that releases a cartridge, and

second moving means for moving said holding member between said first and second positions,

wherein said stack-moving means and said holding member each comprise a pair of stack-supporting shoulders, each pair being mounted opposite to the other to cooperate to hold up a stack of test elements.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said second moving means comprise means for biasing said holding member into said first position,

and further comprising overriding means for overriding said biasing means to move said holding member to said second position to release a cartridge.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said overriding means comprise a push member, a spring to hold said push member away from said holding member, and a solenoid constructed to push said push member against said holding member and contrary to the action of said spring.

26. Apparatus for temporarily supporting a stack of planar, slide-like elements, in a cartridge held in a predetermined vertical direction, said apparatus comprising

means for temporarily holding a cartridge of elements,

means for moving said holding means along a generally circular path around a center,

and means for slidably moving said holding means between two positions on a radius of said circular path, one of said positions being one which allows a cartridge to fall, and the other of said positions being one which holds up a cartridge.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said cartridge-holding means comprise opposite shoulders configured to fit under a portion of a cartridge and said slidable moving means is constructed to move said shoulders together and apart.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said slidable moving means comprise biasing means for biasing said opposite shoulders together to occupy said other position, and means for overcoming said biasing means to move said opposite shoulders apart into said one position.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 27 or 28, wherein said moving means comprise a generally flat annular ring having a plurality of spaced-apart cut-out portions therein each having a size and shape to accommodate a cartridge, a portion of said ring at one edge of said cut-out shape being provided with a pair of inwardly projecting shoulders, and a motor operable to rotate said ring around said circular path,

and said holding means comprise a frame on said ring with a second pair of shoulders projecting towards said first pair.

30. Apparatus for temporarily supporting a stack of planar, slide-like elements, said apparatus comprising

a flat generally annular ring having a plurality of spaced-apart cut-out portions therein each having a size and shape to accommodate a cartridge containing a stack of said elements, a portion of said ring at one edge of said cut-out shape being provided with a first pair of inwardly projecting shoulders,

a nesting frame member constructed to slidably fit in each of said cut-out portions, said frame member being apertured to receive a cartridge therein, a first portion of said frame member being adopted to slidably rest on said ring with said inwardly projecting shoulders being insertable into said aperture of said frame member, and a second portion of said frame member being provided with a second pair of inwardly projecting shoulders positioned to be at about the same level as said first pair when said frame member is on said ring;

and biasing means mounted on said frame member adjacent said second pair of shoulders for temporarily urging said frame member along said support so that said first pair of shoulders is inserted into said frame aperture,

whereby both pairs of shoulders cooperate to hold up a cartridge.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 30, and further comprising means for overriding said biasing means and for sliding said frame member on said support so that said first pair of shoulders no longer is inserted into said aperture.

32. A method for supplying a test element from any one of three different kinds to an incubator prior to the test elements being examined to detect a change, comprising the steps of

supplying slide-like test elements selected from CM-type, rate-type, and PM-type, as a plurality of stacks wherein the test elements of each stack are identical within the stack,

mounting said stacks on at least one generally circular path surrounding a central incubator,

moving said stacks around said path until a selected stack reaches a predetermined position,

and transferring a test element from said stack at said predetermined position to said incubator.

33. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein each stack is held in a cartridge, and further comprising the step of discarding a cartridge from said path when all the elements from the stack have been transferred.

34. A method as defined in claim 33, wherein said discarding step comprises the step of dropping the cartridge away from the path.

35. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein said transferring step comprises pushing a test element off one end of the stack into said incubator.

36. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein said transferring step comprises first transferring a test element to a position outside the incubator, dispensing a sample liquid onto the transferred test element at said outside position, and thereafter transferring the dispensed sample and test element from said outside position into said incubator.

37. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein said step of transferring of test elements comprises the step of transferring them only to said incubator as the means for incubating test elements prior to detection of a change in the test element.