Analytical system with capillary transport

• US 9,588,038 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Retter, Robert, Liu, Yagang, Pang, Patty, Peterson, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US14/641,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20150177123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0465 Loading or unloading the conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1039 Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1062 for testing the liquid while it is in the transfer device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/02 Mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence

Abstract

An analytical system is disclosed. The analytical system includes a storage container configured to store a plurality of capillaries. It also includes a gripper configured to receive at least one of the plurality of capillaries, and move the at least one capillary so that an end of the capillary contacts a sample in a sample container and draws the sample in the capillary. The system also includes a reader configured to detect a signal from the sample in the capillary.

Claims

1. An analytical system comprising:

a storage container configured to store a plurality of capillaries;

a transport bridge comprising a toothed belt, wherein the transport bridge is connected at a first end to the storage container, wherein the transport bridge is configured to transport a capillary in the plurality of capillaries via the toothed belt across the transport bridge;

a gripper configured to receive the capillary after the capillary is transported across the transport bridge, wherein an end of the capillary is configured to contact a sample in a sample container and draw the sample in the capillary; and

a reader configured to detect a signal from the sample in the capillary.

2. The analytical system of claim 1 wherein the transport bridge comprises an end comprising a loading ramp sloping down from the transport bridge.

3. The analytical system of claim 2 wherein the loading ramp comprises a toothed belt.

4. The analytical system of claim 2 further comprising a capillary rotator proximate an end of the loading ramp, wherein the capillary rotator is configured to rotate the capillary from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

5. The analytical system of claim 4 wherein the capillary rotator comprises a cavity configured to receive the capillary.

6. The analytical system of claim 4 further comprising a structure comprising a capillary lift surface between the rotator and the end of the loading ramp.

7. The analytical system of claim 1 wherein the storage container has an inclined surface on at least one side.

8. The analytical system of claim 7 further comprising a transport belt on the inclined surface.

9. The analytical system of claim 2 further comprising a sensor element proximate the loading ramp and configured to detect a presence of the capillary on the loading ramp.

10. The analytical system of claim 2 further comprising a crane assembly coupled to the transport bridge.

11. A method of using an analytical system comprising:

transporting a capillary from a storage container storing a plurality of capillaries to a transport bridge comprising a toothed belt, wherein the transport bridge is connected at a first end to the storage container;

transporting the capillary via a toothed belt across the transport bridge towards a reader;

contacting the capillary with a sample to draw the sample into the capillary; and

manipulating the capillary so that the sample in the capillary is read by the reader.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

transporting the capillary to a capillary lift surface; and

receiving the capillary from the capillary lift surface in a cavity in a rotator.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein transporting the capillary on the transport bridge comprises transporting the capillary on a toothed belt of a loading ramp of the transport bridge.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

detecting a signal from the sample in the capillary by the reader.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising, after detecting:

determining a serum index value associated with a sample in the capillary.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

manipulating the capillary using a crane assembly.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

transporting the capillary from the transport bridge to a capillary lift surface;

receiving the capillary from the capillary lift surface in a cavity in a rotator, wherein the capillary rotator is configured to rotate from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation; and

rotating the rotator so that the rotator is in the vertical orientation.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the storage container comprises an inclined surface.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the reader comprises clamps for clamping the capillary.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

inserting the capillary in a gripper after transporting the capillary and prior to contacting the capillary.