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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. Apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical analyses of a
plurality of discrete liquid specimens comprising:
means comprising a plurality of sample containers, each of the sample
containers initially containing one of the specimens;
means comprising a plurality of reaction vessels in each of several
parallel aligned rows;
means for loading a plurality of specimen test samples from each of the
sample containers into a corresponding one of the rows of reaction
vessels, the loading means including means for automatically aspirating
the plurality of test samples from each of the sample containers and means
for sequentially conveying the sample containers to and from the
aspirating means, the aspirating means discharging the plurality of test
samples aspirated from the sample container into the corresponding row of
reaction vessels before aspirating the test samples from the sample
container subsequently conveyed to the aspiration means;
means for transporting the several rows of reaction vessels in a continuous
sequence from the aspirating means to a determinating station,
the conveying means conveying each of the sample containers from the
aspiration means in parallel with the corresponding row of reaction
vessels containing the test samples aspirated from the sample container;
means comprising a plurality of switching devices being sequentially
enabled by each of the sample containers being conveyed from the
aspiration means for selectively adding reagents to certain ones of the
reaction vessels, each of the switching devices being effective to cause
one or more of the reagents to be added to selected ones of the reaction
vessels in the row corresponding to the sample container enabling the
switching device; and
means for automatically analyzing the reacted test samples at the
determinating station and outputing the results of the analyses.
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aspiration means
comprises a plurality of independently operable aspirating apparatus, each
of the aspirating apparatus having an associated aspiration probe and
being selectively actuable to aspirate one of the plurality of test
samples from the sample container conveyed to the aspiration means and
discharge the test sample into the corresponding reaction vessel, and
wherein the conveying means includes means for transferring the sample
container sequentially past the plurality of aspirating apparatus, the
transfer means stopping at each aspirating apparatus while the test sample
is aspirated from the sample container before proceeding to the next
aspirating apparatus.
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for aspirating a
portion of the specimen contained in the sample containers being conveyed
from the aspiration means in parallel with the rows of reaction vessels
being transported to the determinating station and flame photometer means
for burning the aspirated specimen and monitoring the spectral
characteristics data of the burning specimen, the flame photometer means
coupling the spectral characteristics data to the analyzer means for
outputing the data with the other results of the analyses of the reacted
specimen test samples.
4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including sample registration means
for receiving the sample containers and means for removing the sample
containers from the means conveying the sample containers from the
aspiration means and placing the sample containers in the sample
registration means in sequential order after the corresponding row of
reaction vessels has reached the determinating station.
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the aspirating
apparatus includes means for positioning the associated aspiration probe,
the positioning means inserting the probe into the specimen in the sample
container to aspirate the sample therefrom and repositioning the probe to
be over a corresponding one of the reaction vessels to discharge the test
sample into the reaction vessel.
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the aspirating apparatus
include means for diluting the test samples and flushing the test sample
from associated probes into the corresponding reaction vessels with a
diluent, the diluent cleansing the probes in preparation for aspiration of
the next test samples.
7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reagent adding means
comprises pump means having output means selectively positioned to add
reagents to certain ones of the reaction vessels at predetermined times
before the reaction vessels reach the determinating means as the rows of
reaction vessels are transported from the aspiration means to the
determinating station, the pump means being responsive to the switch
devices to add reagents to certain ones of the reaction vessels in each
row as the sample container corresponding to the row enables the switching
device.
8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the reagent adding means
comprises a plurality of the pump means, a plurality of multi-output
distribution manifold means, each of the distribution manifold means being
associated with a corresponding one of the switching devices and
responsive thereto, and a plurality of pump manifold means, each of the
pump manifold means having an input selectively coupled to one of the
outputs of one of the distribution manifold means and a plurality of
outputs selectively coupled to associated ones of the plurality of pump
means, the output means of each of the pump means being positioned over
certain ones of the reaction vessels in the row of reaction vessels
corresponding to the switching device controlling the distribution
manifold means coupled to the pump manifold means associated with the pump
means, the distribution manifold means associated with any of the
switching devices and any number of the pump manifold means being
selectively intercoupled to provide a plurality of the pump means for
adding reagents to the reaction vessels in the row of reaction vessels
associated with the switching device.
9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for transporting
the several rows of reaction vessels from the aspiration means to the
determinating station and back to the aspiration means comprises a
corresponding number of block means, each of the block means having
cavities along the length thereof for holding one of the rows of reaction
vessels, means for pushing the several block means in continuous sequence
in direction normal to the lengths of the several block means from the
aspiration means to the determination station, means for pushing the block
means laterally at the determinating station after the reacted test
samples have been analyzed, means for pushing the block means from the
lateral position adjacent the determination station back to a position
immediately adjacent and lateral to the position adjacent the aspiration
means where the test samples are loaded into the reaction vessels, and
means for pushing the block means laterally into the position adjacent the
aspiration means.
10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including a controlled temperature
bed having selectively variable heating zones for supporting the block
means and heating the test samples to required temperatures at various
points between the aspiration means and the determinating station.
11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reacted test sample
analyzing means includes means for aspirating the reacted test samples
from the reaction vessels at the determinating station and coupling the
aspirated reacted test samples to the means for analyzing the reacted test
samples.
12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the analyzing means
comprises a lamp, a plurality of flow-through cuvettes coupled to the
aspirating means, the reacted test samples flowing through corresponding
ones of the cuvettes and each of the cuvettes being radially aligned with
the lamp, and a plurality of spectrophotometer photocells for detecting
the characteristics of the light passing through the reacted test samples
in the cuvettes.
13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the lamp is a double
filament lamp having first and second filaments and including light
detector means for monitoring the light from the double filament lamp and
enabling the second filament if the first filament stops emitting light.
14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for transporting
the rows of reaction vessels from the aspiration means to the
determinating station includes means for transporting the several rows of
reaction vessels in a continuous sequence from the determinating station
back to the aspiration means.
15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including means for washing the
reaction vessels with a washing liquid as the rows of reaction vessels are
transported back to the aspiration means from the determinating station to
receive other test samples.
16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the washing means
comprises a plurality of tubes, a block having a corresponding plurality
of cavities therein, means for covering the block so that a small air
space exists between the cover means and the block with which the
plurality of cavities communicate, each one of the plurality of tubes
extending through the cover means into a corresponding one of the
cavities, means for pumping a washing liquid into the air space between
the block and the cover means to force the washing liquid into the
cavities and out the tubes, and means for positioning the tubes over the
plurality of reaction vessels to wash the reaction vessels as the rows of
reaction vessels are transported back to the aspiration means from the
determinating station.
17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 including means for aspirating
the washing liquid from the reaction vessels.
18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conveying means
includes a track for sequentially delivering the sample containers to the
transfer means one at a time for transfer past the aspiration apparatus
and a track for returning the sample container from the transfer means
after the plurality of test samples have been aspirated therefrom, the
sample container being conveyed in the return track in parallel with the
row of reaction vessels containing the test samples aspirated from the
sample container.
19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein the transfer means
comprises trolley means for carrying the sample container and reversing
motive means for moving the trolley means from the delivery track, to the
aspiration means, past the plurality of aspirating apparatus, the motive
means there reversing to move the trolley means back to the delivery
track, the trolley means pausing at the return track while the sample
container is moved from the trolley means into the return track.
20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein the conveying means
includes an end track interconnecting the other ends of the delivery track
and the return track and means for moving the sample containers along the
tracks to and from the transfer means in a continuous sequence.
21. Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 including receptacles for
carrying the sample containers in the tracks and the transfer means,
adjacent ones of the receptacles abutting each other in the tracks in a
continuous sequence and wherein the means for moving the sample containers
along the tracks comprises pneumatic means aligned with the ends of the
return track, the end track and the delivery track, the pneumatic means
aligned with the delivery track pushing the receptacles along the delivery
track to load the receptacle at the other end of the track into the
transfer means, the pneumatic means aligned with the end track pushing a
receptacle at the other end of the end track into the delivery track at
the position adjacent the delivery track pneumatic means, and the
pneumatic means aligned with the return track subsequently pushing the
receptacle previously loaded into the transfer means from the transfer
means into the return track and causing the receptacle at the other end of
the return track to be pushed into position in the end track adjacent the
end track pneumatic means.
22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 including means comprising a tray
having a plurality of cavities therein arranged in X-Y grid pattern in
arbitrarily designated X and Y directions and including X-Y positioning
means for initially positioning the pick-up means at a pick-up position
over the means conveying the sample containers from the aspiration means
to pick up one of the sample containers the corresponding receptacle and
for repositioning the pick-up means over one of the cavities in the tray
whereupon the pick-up means releases the sample container into the cavity,
the X-Y positioning means directing the sample containers received
sequentially from the conveying means to the cavities in the X-Y grid
pattern in sequential order. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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This invention relates generally to automated chemical analyzers and more
particularly to apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical
analyses of liquid specimens.
Various automated mechanical apparatus have heretofore been suggested for
conducting chemical analyses of liquid specimens. One example of an
automated chemical analyzer may be found in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,783,
issued Sept. 4, 1973. Reference should also be made to the following
relevant United States Patents wherein other automated analytical
apparatus are described in detail: 3,728,079; 3,799,744; 3,883,305;
3,615,239; and 3,193,358.
Although the automated chemical analyzer of the present invention as
hereinafter described may find many applications in the laboratory and in
industry, it is especially well suited for clinical use in the medical
field where analyses of liquid specimens such as blood, urine, and the
like must be performed in great numbers, but with accuracy and precision
in accordance with standard analytical procedures.
For example, in a large metropolitan hospital, literally thousands of
specimans must be analyzed each day with each specimen undergoing anywhere
from one test to a complete battery of tests. Due to the large number of
tests which must be performed as well as circumstances where the condition
of the patient requires, speed is also of utmost importance. The demands
for time and manpower to perform the analyses may become overwhelming,
resulting occasionally in erroneous determinations due to human error
related to haste, fatigue, and other such factors. Such errors include but
are not limited to failure to run the test properly or erroneously
attributing the test results to the wrong patient when recording the
results. It goes without saying that such errors may result in diagnostic
errors in crucial life and death situations.
As a result, automated chemical anaylzers have been developed to, inter
alia, alleviate the problems just described. However, these apparatus have
generally been complex, specialized machines limited in the number and
range of analytical tests they are capable of performing while also being
rather costly. Although they may find acceptance in larger facilities,
their complexity and resultant higher cost may be a prohibitive factor
where smaller hospitals and medical facilities are concerned.
Accordingly, to enjoy a wide degree of commercial acceptance among all
sizes and types of medical facilities having use for an automated chemical
analyzer, such an analyzer should provide the same or greater testing
capability but in a simpler machine and at lower cost than the complex
machines heretofore developed. The automated chemical analyzer should be
simpler to operate and flexible so that the program of chemical analyses
being run can be changed quickly and without difficulty. The apparatus
should be accurate and precise. Moreover, means should be provided for
positive sample identification so that test results are correctly
identified with the patient from whom the sample was obtained.
Therefore, in accordance with the principles of the present invention,
there is provided apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical
analyses of a plurality of discrete liquid specimens utilizing any one or
more of a number of reagents. The apparatus, being totally automated and
including a positive sample identification feature, eliminates specimen
mix-up and other errors related to manual or semi-manual testing and is
easy to operate, requiring no specialized training.
The apparatus in one of its embodiments is capable of selectively
performing from one to eighteen determinations of a single specimen in
accordance with an analysis program that can be varied to include any of
the classical methodologies used in the clinical laboratory. Accordingly,
the apparatus is not locked in to a single method but indeed may be used
in a wide range of applications including but not limited to routine lab
work, profile analysis and in the STAT lab, emergency lab and pediatric
lab. Although other embodiments constructed in accordance with principles
of the invention may be capable of performing more or fewer tests on each
specimen, the apparatus hereinafter illustrated and described is capable
of analyzing up to 120 specimens per hour, performing a maximum of 2160
determinations, with a dwell time to output of twenty-one minutes. The
apparatus performs colorimetric endpoint, flame photometric and
ultraviolet kinetic analyses of the specimens. Moreover, the apparatus
requires only an average of 20 microliters of specimen for each
determination with a range of between 5 and 50 microliters, a total volume
of less than one milliliter. Accordingly, the consumption of chemical
reagents is significantly reduced since the reagents are also added in
microliter volumes.
More particularly, the apparatus includes means comprising a delivery track
for sequentially conveying specimen-bearing sample containers to a
transfer apparatus which steps the sample containers past an aspirating
apparatus. A return track conveys the track containers from the transfer
apparatus after the aspirating means have automatically aspirated a
plurality of test samples from the sample container. The test samples are
subsequently released by the aspirating apparatus into corresponding
reaction vessels. Means are also provided for transporting the reaction
vessels in a closed loop between the aspirating apparatus and a
determinating station, all of the reaction vessels containing the test
samples aspirated from a particular specimen being transported in rows
from the aspirating apparatus to the determinating station in parallel
with the sample container from which the test samples were aspirated.
Means for selectively adding predetermined amounts of selected reagents
are controlled by other means comprising a plurality of switching devices
adjacent the return track between the return track and the rows of
reaction vessels being transported to the determinating position. In
particular, the switching devices are sequentially enabled by the sample
cup being returned on the return track in parallel with the corresponding
row of reaction vessels containing the test samples aspirated from the
sample cup, and responsively, the reagent dispensing means adds one or
more reagents to selected reagent vessels in accordance with a
pre-selected program. Additional means are included for aspirating the
reacted test samples from the reaction vessels at the determinating
station and automatically performing multiple chemical analyses of the
reacted test samples and outputting the results of the analyses. The test
results may be printed out on a paper tape, or alternatively, coupled to a
computer for compilation and/or diagnostic evaluation.
Further novel aspects of the present invention include means for
automatically removing the sample cups from the return track after the
determinations on the corresponding test samples have been completed and
depositing the cup in a predetermined, identifiable, sequential order in a
tray. Also included are means for washing and drying the reaction vessels
after each determination has been completed. Other aspects of the conveyor
means, the transfer means, the reagent dispensing means, including the
switching means, the determinating means and the washing means are also
considered to be novel and are hereinafter more fully described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for automatically performing
chemical analyses in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a pickup
probe and related probe positioning and other apparatus comprising
transfer means, for aspirating a test sample from the specimen in a sample
cup and discharging the sample into a reaction vessel;
FIG. 3A is a sectional, elevational view of the pickup probe in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the reagent dispensing
apparatus and the switching means controlling the dispensing of reagents
to the reaction vessels in a manner establishing a program determining the
particular analyses being performed and further illustrating how the
program is selectively changed to perform other desired analyses;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view illustrating a single pumping apparatus in
the reagent dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section and partly in schematic,
illustrating a single pickup probe and determinating apparatus for
aspirating reacted test samples from the reaction vessels and
automatically performing the determinations;
FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view illustrating the arrangement of a
plurality of the determinating apparatus shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating sample pickup apparatus for
supplying unreacted specimen sample to a flame photometer apparatus;
FIG. 9 is a sectional, elevational view illustrating the flame photometer
apparatus;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view in section of the flame photometer apparatus in
FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustrating an apparatus for automatically
removing the sample cups from the return track and depositing the cups in
a tray in sequential order to maintain a correlation between the
particular specimen tested and the test results;
FIG. 12 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a pickup
mechanism included in the apparatus shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the washing apparatus; and
FIG. 14 is an elevational view in section and in schematic illustrating the
washing apparatus in FIG. 13.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown as hereinafter described an
automated chemical analyzer for automatically performing multiple chemical
analyses of liquid specimens such as blood, urine or the like in
accordance with the present invention. The analyzer apparatus generally
comprises apparatus for conveying the specimen to be analyzed to
aspiration apparatus where one or more aliquot test sample portions of the
specimen are selectively transferred into reaction vessels which, in turn,
transport the test samples to a determinating station while reagents are
selectively added to the samples at predetermined points along the way. At
the determinating station, various determinations of the reacted test
samples are performed to provide a comprehensive profile analysis of the
specimen under test. The test results are then printed out on a paper
tape, or alternatively, coupled to a computer for compilation and/or
diagnostic evaluation before being outputed.
In particular, the apparatus includes a plurality of cylindrical
receptacles 11 which are transported along a U-shaped conveyor track 13
comprising an outer delivery track portion 13a, an inner return track
portion 13b, and an end track portion 13c interconnecting the delivery and
return tracks. Each receptacle 11 has a cavity 11' therein suitable for
receiving and holding a sample cup or container 15 initially containing a
corresponding liquid specimen that is to be analyzed. In the present
embodiment, the specimen-containing sample cups 15 are manually placed in
the receptacles 11 at an initial loading position, identified generally at
17, along the conveyor track 13. Although in the present embodiment the
loading position is shown at the left end of the delivery track 13a, it
will be understood in view of the following description that the initial
loading position can be at any point or points along the delivery track
13a or the end track 13c. Once in the receptacles 11, the sample cups 15
are automatically transported along the U-shaped conveyor track 13.
When the analyzer apparatus is operational, the receptacles 11 in the
delivery track 13a are pushed from left to right, as indicated in FIG. 2,
at periodic intervals, by a pneumatic cylinder 19 located adjacent the
left end of the delivery track 13a. The piston rod of the pneumatic
cylinder 19 extends through an aperture 21 in the side wall of the end
track 13c and is operable to move in a reciprocal manner to push the
immediately adjacent receptacle, and hence the other receptacles 11, in
the delivery track 13a toward a sample transfer apparatus, identified
generally at 23, at the right end of the delivery track 13a. Upon reaching
the transfer apparatus 23 in the normal sequence of operation, the
specimen-bearing receptacle 11 is pushed into a trolley 25 which is
initially aligned with the open end of the delivery track 13a. The trolley
25 is mounted on a chain conveyor belt 27 driven by a reversible stepping
motor 29, and after the receptacle 11 is positioned in the trolley 25, the
stepping motor 29 is enabled to transport the receptacle 11 and the sample
cup 15 contained therein laterally to an aspirating station or apparatus
31.
The aspirating station 31 comprises a plurality of selectively actuable
test sample pickup probes 33 which aspirate aliquot portions of the liquid
specimen, e.g., 5-50 .mu.l, from the sample cup 15. As the trolley 25 is
stepped past the probes 33 by the stepping motor drive apparatus, the
sample cup 15 pauses immediately adjacent each pickup probe 33 for a
predetermined period of time, e.g., one second, while the aliquot test
sample portion is aspirated before the sample cup 15 is repositioned
adjacent the next probe 33.
After the sample cup 15 has been transported to the last pickup probe 33
and the test samples aspirated, the stepping motor 29 is reversed to
return the trolley 25 to a point where it is aligned with the open end of
the return track 13b. The receptacle 11, together with the sample cup 15
therein containing the left-over specimen, is then pushed from the trolley
25 into the open end of the return track 13b by a pneumatic cylinder 35.
That is, the periodic reciprocal motion of the piston rod of the cylinder
35 extending through an aperture in the back wall of the trolley 25 pushes
the receptacles 11 along the return track 13b as the trolley 25 delivers
subsequent receptacles 11 to the end of the return track 13b. After the
receptacle 11 carrying the sampled specimen is removed, the trolley 25 is
repositioned immediately adjacent the open end of the delivery track 13a
to receive the next specimen-bearing receptacle 11 in the operational
sequence.
At the left end of the return track 13b, the receptacle 11 advanced to the
end of the return track 13b by the pneumatic cylinder 35 is pushed from
the return track 13b into the end track 13c, by a pneumatic cylinder 37
aligned with the end track 13c, moving another receptacle 11 preceding it
into the previously vacated initial loading position 17. There, a new
specimen-bearing sample cup 15 is loaded into the receptacle 11a. When
pneumatic cylinder 19 is next actuated, the next receptacle 11 in the
sequence at the transfer apparatus 23 is loaded into the trolley 25. Thus,
the pneumatic cylinders 19, 35 and 37 cooperate to push the receptacles
along the U-shaped track 13, each receptacle 11 being moved into the
position vacated by the receptacle 11 immediately preceding it in the
track. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the receptacles 11, and
hence the sample cups 15, are circulated in a counterclockwise direction
along the U-shaped track 13.
After the aliquot test samples have been aspirated from the sample cups 15
by the sample pickup probes 33, the probes 33 are moved forward
simultaneously to release the test samples and a diluent such as water
into a corresponding plurality of reaction vessels 39, e.g., test tubes,
arranged in a parallel row in cavities 43 along the length of a block 41.
In the present embodiment, for example, the aspirating station 31
comprises sixteen pickup probes 33, and accordingly, each block 41 carries
sixteen reaction vessels 39 to receive the aspirated test samples. A
plurality of the rectangular blocks 41 are used to transport the test
samples corresponding to a plurality of specimens on a controlled
temperature bed 44 to a determinating station 45. The bed 44 comprises a
thermo-heating block controlled at .+-.0.05.degree.C. having selectively
variable heating zones for heating the test samples to required
temperatures at various points along the way as required by the particular
tests being performed.
As may be seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the blocks 41 are moved in a
clockwise direction in a closed loop from the aspirating station 31 to the
determinating station 45 and back to the aspirating station 31. In the
particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, pneumatic means shown
schematically by block arrow 46 are provided to move each block 41 through
twenty positions including the positions 41a and 41b immediately adjacent
the aspirating and determinating stations 31 and 45, respectively, between
the aspirating station 31 and the determinating station 45. As the
reaction vessels 39 are transported to the determinating station 45, each
block 41 pauses for a predetermined period of time, e.g., thirty seconds
in the present embodiment, at each of the several intermediate positions
before advancing to the next adjacent position.
At each position, reagents may be selectively introduced into the reaction
vessels 39 by a programmable reagent pumping station 47 to react with the
test samples according to a predetermined operating program. In
particular, the reagent pumping station 47 includes a plurality of
pneumatically actuated pumps for pumping selected reagents into the
reaction vessels 39 at predetermined times, i.e., positions, via reagent
lines 51 disposed in preselected positions over the blocks 41 as the
reaction vessels 39 are transported to the determinating station 45.
Control of the reagent pumping station 47 is effected by a plurality of
microswitches 53 located immediately adjacent and between the return track
13b and the reaction vessel blocks 41. It will be more clearly understood
by reference to FIG. 2 that the block 41 containing the aliquot test
sample portions of a particular specimen will be transported from right to
left in synchronism with and immediately adjacent the receptacle 11 in the
return track 13b bearing the sample cup 15 containing the remaining
specimen from which the aliquot portions were taken. That is, the block 41
containing the test samples and the sample cup 15 containing the remaining
specimen travel in parallel. The switch actuating elements 53a of the
microswitches 53 located between the blocks 41 and the return track 13b
are positioned to contact the sample cup 15, if one is present, in the
receptacle 11 adjacent the microswitch 53 in the return track 13b. Thus,
as a particular sample cup 15 is transported along the return track 13b,
the microswitches 53 will be sequentially activated on a time basis. The
microswitches 53, in turn, control the pumps comprising the reagent
pumping station 47. For example, if in performing a particular test a
reagent is to be added to one of the reaction vessels 39 five minutes
before it reaches the determinating station 45, the pumping station 47 is
programmed to introduce the appropriate reagent into the particular vessel
39 when the corresponding sample cup 15, and hence the block 41 with the
reaction vessel 39 containing the test sample, reaches the appropriate
intermediate position 41c which is five minutes' travel time from the
determinating station 45 where the sample cup 15 actuates the
corresponding microswitch 53. By the time the block 41 reaches the
determinating station 45, all of the chemical reactions are completed.
At the determinating station 45 each one of a plurality of sample probes 55
removes a portion of the reacted test sample from a corresponding one of
vessels 39 for testing purposes. In operation, the probes 55 are lowered
into the vessels 39 and aspirate a portion of the test samples therefrom
for delivery to additional apparatus in the determinating station 45 which
performs the various analytical determinations. For example, the
determinations may include colorimetric analysis and 3-point ultraviolet
kinetic analysis of the glucose, total protein, and albumin contents as
well as many other components.
Simultaneously, tests are performed on the portion of the pure specimen
remaining in the sample cup 15 at a position on the return track 13b
parallel to or after the determinating position 41b. Apparatus including a
sample probe 57 located adjacent this cup position aspirates a portion of
the unreacted specimen from the sample cup 15 and directs it to a flame
photometer 59 where the sample is burned to determine its sodium and
potassium component contents. The test data from the determinating station
45 and the flame photometer 59 is then fed into a computer for further
analysis and display or, alternatively, the test results may be
simultaneously printed out on a paper tape or the like.
Subsequently, the receptacle 11 is pushed to the end of the return track
13b where the sample cup 15 activates a microswitch 61 which, in turn,
enables an X-Y pickup apparatus, illustrated schematically by block arrows
63 and 65 in FIG. 1, to remove the sample cup 15 from the receptacle 11
and place it in a sample tray 69. More particularly, the pickup apparatus
includes an X-Y positioning means 63 for positioning a pickup mechanism 67
over the return track 13b and vertical positioning means 65 for lowering
the pickup mechanism 67 to lift the sample cup 15 from the receptacle 11.
The X-Y positioning means 63 then transports the sample cup 15 to the
sample tray 69 where the cup is deposited in one of a plurality of
cavities 71 in the tray. In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, the sample cups 15 are removed from the receptacles 11 in
sequence and stored in consecutive order in the tray 69 so that a
correlation is preserved between the particular specimen tested and the
test results printed out. More particularly, the first sample cup 15 is
picked up by the apparatus 63 from the return track 13b after testing is
completed and transported to the hole 71 in the first row and the first
column of the tray 69. Subsequently, the next cup 15 is removed from the
track 13b and delivered to the next hole in the first row. This procedure
continues with the rows being filled sequentially so that a correlation
between the sample cups 15 (and hence the patient) and the printed test
results read-out can be maintained. Accordingly, if an abnormal or
unexpected result is obtained, the corresponding sample cup 15 can be
retrieved and additional tests performed, either by the analyzer apparatus
or manually, to confirm or disprove the original results.
After the test samples have been removed from the reaction vessel 39,
pneumatic means, represented schematically herein by block arrow 73,
transport the block 41 laterally from the determinating position 41b to a
position immediately adjacent thereto. Other pneumatic means (block arrow
75) are provided for then transporting, i.e., pushing, the block 41 toward
the aspirating station 31, also pushing the other blocks 41 preceding it
toward the aspirating station 31. When the block 41 reaches the position
adjacent the aspirating position 41a, additional pneumatic means (block
arrow 77) push the block 41 laterally into the aspirating position 41a
vacated by the block 41 immediately preceding it.
During the time the blocks 41 are being transported from the determinating
station 45 back to the aspirating station 31, the reaction vessels 39
carried therein are automatically washed at a washing station 79 which
alternately flushes the vessels 39 with water and then aspirates the water
therefrom to clean the vessels 39 in preparation for receiving the next
specimen for testing.
With reference now to FIG. 3, the sample aspirating station 31 is shown and
described in greater detail. In particular, the cross-sectional view of
aspirating station apparatus shown in FIG. 3 illustrates a single one of
the several sample pickup probes 33 and its associated apparatus.
The aspiration apparatus comprises a housing, identified generally at 81,
containing the sample pickup probes 33 and associated apparatus used in
removing an aliquot test sample portion of the specimen from the sample
cup 15 as the cup pauses at the aspirating position 41a immediately
adjacent one of the sample pickup probes 33.
The pickup probe 33 is supported by a platform 83 slidably mounted on a
slide rail 85 extending horizontally from the back wall 87 of the housing
out through an opening 81a in the front wall. The rail 85 is attached to
the back wall 87, and a support member 89 attached to and extending up
from the housing floor 91 supports the slide rail 85 intermediate its two
ends in a bushing 93 through which the slide rail 85 extends.
The positioning of the slide platform 83, and hence the probe 33, along the
rail 85 in the horizontal direction is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder
95 which is mounted immediately above and in alignment with the slide rail
85 by an extension of the support member 89 and a second support member 97
extending upwardly from the slide rail 85. The piston rod 95a of the
pneumatic cylinder 95 extends forward therefrom and has a clevis 98 at its
end which attaches to a flange 99 extending from the top surface of the
slide platform 83. A pair of hoses 101 and 103 couple compressed air to
and from the pneumatic cylinder 95 to control the positioning of the
piston in the pneumatic cylinder 95 to permit selective control of the
horizontal movement of the slide platform 83 along the slide rail 85.
The vertical positioning of the probe 33, on the other hand, is controlled
by a pneumatic cylinder 105 mounted on a flange 107 extending horizontally
from the front edge of the slide platform 83. The piston rod 105a of the
pneumatic cylinder extends downwardly through an aperture in the flange
107 and is moveable in the vertical direction. An elbow member 111 is
attached to the end of the piston rod 105a while a support arm 113
attached to the other end of the elbow member 111 extends outwardly to
support the sample probe 33 mounted at the end of the arm 113. The
pneumatic cylinder 105 is selectively actuated by pumping compressed air
into or releasing air from the cylinder through a pair of air hoses 115
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