Coulter Electronics, Inc.

Guenter Ginsberg

Thomas Horne

Bruce J Hodgins

Robert L Kreiselman

Vladimir J Drbal

Ivan K Saltz

Thomas J Godin

Ronald O Simpson

John A Richardson

Ernesto Bello

Rodolfo R Rodriguez

Richard M Grimm

Ted W Britton

Bobby D James

J David Starling

David Richard Figueroa

A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.

Fluid transfer mechanism

A variable stop syringe for automatically selecting, aspirating and dispensing one of a desired plurality of fluid volumes. The variable syringe includes a plurality of stops in an array each of which defines a particular fluid volume. The array selectively is moved to position the desired stop in the fully aspirated position of the syringe plunger. The stop positions are coded and automatically may be read to select the desired syringe stop for the particular volume of fluid desired to be aspirated and dispensed. The completely dispensed and the fully aspirated positions of the plunger, as well as the speed of the plunger operation, may be monitored to ensure that the plunger is operating properly.

Variable stop syringe

A sample and stat feeding system for sequentially supplying a renewable supply of cuvettes with aliquots of sample liquids in a continuous processing mode. The sample liquids are contained in a annular sample tray having a plurality of sample vessels molded into the tray. The sample containers form two or more annular rows on the outer edge of the tray in which routine samples are maintained in an ordered sequence. Emergency samples (stats) and controls (standards) are maintained in separate auxiliary locations or arrays of locations which may be molded or separate cups placed in tray cavities. A sample pick up mechanism has a pick up probe which is rotated to define an arc across at least a substantial portion of the tray and at least one stat location. The tray is rotated to align the sample, stat and control cavities with the arc of the probe. Sample aliquots are picked up and dispensed into the cuvettes in a programed operation sequence, with each sample fluid being related to a particular patient and programed for one or more analytical tests such as measuring the chemical reaction resulting from the addition of one or more reagents from a reagent supply. The program sequencing includes inserting a control aliquot in some of the cuvettes at a predetermined frequency to monitor the accuracy of the machine. When a stat test occurs, the stat is inserted in the tray and the programed sequence is interrupted to load the stat into the reaction vessel. The order of sample locations is not disturbed since the stats and controls are maintained in separate locations. The sample tray preferably will be molded of inexpensive material so it may be thrown away after all sample aliquots have been loaded into respective cuvettes for testing.

Sample and stat feeding system and sample tray

System and program for measuring progressively the absorbance changes of a large number of aliquots from a plurality of different samples in a continuous processing mode. A plurality of routine samples are maintained in an ordered sequence in a sample tray which may be moved to a first sample pick up position. Emergency samples (stats) and controls (standards) are positioned in a second plurality of auxiliary positions which may be moved to a second sample position. A first and second plurality of reagents are maintained, moved to respective reagent pick up positions, picked up, moved and dispensed in respective dispensing positions by respective single reagent dispensing arms in a similar manner to the sample operation. The chemical reaction is then monitored by photometer means preferably having a plurality of photometric detectors such that radiation passes through each of the cuvettes and the fluids therein during each cycle of the system. Just prior to the sample dispensing position the cuvette is cleaned and tested to ensure that all the previously added fluids have been removed prior to receiving a new sample. Any one sample may be tested with different reagents or reagent mixtures in different aliquots placed in separate cuvettes at each wavelength as desired. Each sample aliquot and reagent mixture may be measured to determine the rate of the chemical reaction and the equilibrium or end point of the reaction or both, if desired. The array of cuvettes is continuous, because it is replenished at the end of each sequence prior to the addition of the new sample.

System and program for chemical reaction observation with a moving

Apparatus for measuring progressively the absorbance changes of a large number of aliquots from a plurality of different samples. The sample introduction, testing instructions, aliquot preparation, reagent dispensing, absorbance measuring and data recording all can be accomplished in a continuous mode of processing. Stat and batch operation also can be accomplished. The aliquots are in an array of cuvettes which is advanced slowly along a circular path. Photometer means, preferably having several photometric detectors, are mounted in fixed orientation on a common support that advances rapidly along a similar circular path, such that radiation passing through each of the cuvettes is monitored many times by a specific photometric detector by the time that that cuvette completes one circuit of its path. The photometric detectors can operate at several different wavelengths. Many different chemical reactions can be monitored at the same time. The radiant energy passing through each cuvette is received by the continuously moving photometer means, is converted electrically into a digitized value proportional to absorbance and is transmitted digitally from the moving assemblage of photometric detectors, cuvettes and electrical components to a stationary receiver. In one embodiment, the digital transmission is in the form of a pulsed train of light signals. In another embodiment, one or more slip rings transmit electric signals from the moving assemblage to the stationary portion. Suitable drive elements, sample and reagent storage and transfer mechanisms as well as cuvette laundry means may be provided as part of the complete apparatus.

Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions and employing moving

An aperture module for obtaining signals from microscopic particles suspended in a sample blood solution which passes through a scanning aperture. A module housing including an aperture holder is mounted on a container or bath containing a body of the particulate liquid suspension to be tested. The aperture holder with aperture formed therein extends into the vessel to permit passage of the sample through the aperture to an outlet chamber immediately behind the aperture. The chamber is connected to a source of clean electrolyte and has a narrowed or reduced dimension portion positioned immediately behind the aperture. A vacuum is applied to the chamber to cause the sample to be drawn through the aperture for testing thereof. An optical hemoglobinometer is positioned in association with the bath to measure the hemoglobin content of the solution to be tested.

Aperture module for use in particle testing apparatus

A backwash system including a dispensing cylinder and valve arrangement for directing diluent as a backwash from a source to a sampling valve utilized to make dilutions thence to a sampler in the form of an aspirator tube. The sampling is performed by means of the aspirator tube introduced into a fluid for sampling and a vessel is provided for catching the backwash fluid and aspirating same to waste. The vessel and the tube are positioned relatively to enable the backwash to be caught in the vessel only when diluent is dispensed as backwash. The aspirator tube and collector vessel are returned to their normal relative condition either by movement of the tube relative to the collector vessel or vice versa. Suitable controls are provided to assure that backwash occurs only when the tube and vessel are conditioned to receive same.

Backwash system for diluting apparatus

To enable the storage and retrieval of a plurality of different aliquot valves of blanking standards or serums for photometric comparison with plural test sample aliquots processed in a colorimeter of an automated chemistry system that does not contain a computer memory for its various operations, a blanking solution is fed into the system as if it was a test sample, plural aliquots of the blanking solution are taken and processed each with different reagents, the transmission of each processed blanking aliquot is converted to an analog measurement of absorbance and then converted into an equivalent digital value that is stored in a simple memory until subsequently needed. Thereafter, by an addressing of specific colorimetric measurements on then present test sample aliquots in the colorimeter, the blanking values are called from memory and converted back to their analog values for photometric comparison with the test sample aliquots.

Analog to digital to analog storage and retrieval for a plurality of

A pneumatically controlled liquid transfer system for delivering a liquid from a source to a delivery location, said liquid source being provided with a pneumatic cylinder for driving the liquid from said source, a pneumatically operated pinch valve of the make-before-break type and flexible conduit paths leading through the valve to the delivery location. The make-before-break pinch valve comprises a valve shell having two pistons movable laterally therein. The shell has a window. One piston has a yoke, each arm thereof having a passageway, one aligned with the other. A stop extends between the arms of the yoke. One of the flexible conduits is arranged through the window between the first piston and the yoke and the other flexible conduit is arranged also through the window but within the aligned passageways and between the piston and post. The second piston is spring biased to bear against the second conduit to place same in a normally closed condition. The first conduit is normally open. The first piston is acted upon by an external force such as air pressure to move same to a first condition wherein the piston pinches the first flexible conduit against the yoke, closing said conduit without overcoming the bias of the second piston to open the second conduit. Continued force exercised upon said first piston causes the same to move laterally within the housing to a second condition overcoming the spring bias of the second piston, to open the second conduit while the first conduit is retained in closed position. The second piston by virtue of its spring bias, will force the yoke back into its first position once the pressure on the first piston is laxed. A manual override is provided operative upon the second piston to lock the same in open condition so that both conduits are open. This last mentioned position is utilized during down time of the apparatus concerned.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Guenter Ginsberg