Bayer Corporation

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Gmbh

Carl R Gebauer

Nicolae Dumitrescu

Paul G Gherson

Moses Peter

Frank Bakonyi

Frederick E Mootz

Robert William Eherts

Evandro S Denunzio

Methods and apparatus configured and adapted to provide less carryover in an automated clinical analyzer are disclosed. The methods include aspirating a scavenger segment (e.g., a buffer- and surfactant-containing segment) into the interior of a pipette along with the specimen or reagent. The scavenger film aids in preventing adherence of the specimen or reagent to the interior of the pipette. Apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Methods and apparatus providing reduced carryover during pipetting operations

Methods and apparatus configured and adapted to provide less carryover in an automated clinical analyzer are disclosed. The methods include immersing a pipette into a neutralizing liquid vessel and aspirating a neutralizing liquid (e.g., a hypochlorite solution) into an interior of a pipette. The aspirated portion of the neutralizing liquid used to cleanse the pipette interior is then dispensed back into the neutralizing liquid vessel, rather than disposing of the used neutralizing liquid to a waste station. Apparatus and systems configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Pipette cleaning methods and apparatus, neutralizing liquid vessels, and methods of reducing carryover

The present invention relates to a cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system which includes a nestable sample cup for holding sample mixtures, a cup dispenser mechanism for holding and dispensing a supply of the cups into a sample shuttle for transporting them, and an incubator for controlling the temperature of the cup and its contents. In one embodiment, the cups include a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a bottom flange and a groove formed therebetween. An apparatus is provided for holding and dispensing a plurality of such cups including a supply tube for holding the cups in a stack wherein the stack has a bottom-most cup and a next-bottom-most cup located above the bottom-most cup. The apparatus also includes an escapement located at a lower end of the supply tube which includes a disk having an aperture formed therein, a first leaf attached to a top side of the disk and a second leaf attached to a bottom side of the disk. The disk is movable between a first position in which the second leaf engages the bottom flange of the bottom-most cup and a second position in which the first leaf is inserted into the groove of the next-bottom-most cup and engages the top flange of the next-bottom-most cup and in which the second leaf no longer engages the bottom flange of the bottom-most cup. In the second position, the bottom-most cup is free to fall through the aperture formed in the disk.

Cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system

The sample dilution module includes an oil filled aspiration probe and mixing chamber that communicate with each other while the mixing chamber is maintained at an angle of approximately 5 to 45 degrees below a horizontal axis. The aspiration probe is maintained in a vertical orientation. A micro-bubble is aspirated between separate aspirations of test sample and diluent to prevent contact between the sample and diluent in the aspiration probe. The test sample and diluent are then drawn from the vertically oriented aspiration probe into the mixing chamber. After the sample and diluent are in the mixing chamber the micro-bubble of air can migrate away from the test sample and diluent to enable the test sample and diluent to contact each other. Mixing of the test sample and diluent is accomplished by moving the test sample and diluent back and forth in the mixing chamber without physical agitation of the mixing chamber and without any mixing element in the mixing chamber. Such movement is accomplished by alternate suction and vacuum forces imposed on the fluid in the mixing chamber.

Sample dilution module with offset mixing chamber

Cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer

The apparatus for simultaneous aspiration and dispensation of fluids is in the form of a syringe with two chambers located end to end along the length of the syringe. Each syringe chamber includes a port. A piston inside the syringe includes a median section that is movable in both of the syringe chambers, a first end section movable only in one of the syringe chambers, and a second end section movable only in the other syringe chamber. Both end sections of the piston are of either less diameter than the median section of the piston or of greater diameter than the median section of the piston. When the piston is moved in a first direction, an aspiration or suction force is developed at one of the chamber ports and a dispensation pressure force is developed at the other chamber port. Reverse movement of the piston causes the opposite effect at the respective chamber ports. A compression seal is provided at the median section of the piston and at opposite non-adjacent end portions of the syringe chambers. The syringe housing can be formed in two separable sections to permit access to the compression seal at the median portion of the piston. Tandem compression seals can also be provided at the median section of the piston.

Growing community of inventors

Granite Springs, NY, United States of America

Carl R Gebauer