Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Dade International Inc.

Baxter Diagnostics Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

John C Mazza

William A Stark

Richard A Scribner

Stephen L Frye

Kempton H Hardiman

Ronald Norman Diamond

Lawrence E Elbert

Raymond L Hecker

Michael D Huber

Richard C Mahaffey

Robert R Thompson

A self-adjusting linkable carrier for sample tubes, cuvettes, cells and the like comprising a longitudinally symmetrical vertically oriented polygonal body having two pairs of orthogonally disposed opposed vertical faces and a horizontal bottom sliding surface is disclosed. The top surface of the body is provided with a central bore opening into a vertical cavity adapted to releasably receive and retain a wide variety of sample tube configurations in a stable vertical orientation. Machine readable indicia may be provided on the external surface and vertical slots are provided in each external face to provide access to the central vertical cavity. A releasably locking horizontally aligned dovetail feature is provided to link adjacent carriers into conveniently handled racks or magazines which may be assembled and disassembled by machine. Additional horizontally sliding indexing elements are provided to facilitate the stable storage and transport of the carrier.

Sample tube carrier

A system for ultrasonic energy coupling includes an ultrasonic transducer, a horn member defining a passageway, and a pump for moving fluid through the passageway and outwardly of the horn. The method used to accomplish the energy coupling or transfer includes vibrating the horn member with an ultrasonic transducer and pumping fluid through the passageway in the horn member and onto an object.

System for ultrasonic energy coupling by irrigation

A system for cleaning a probe used in analytic equipment--for example, that used in analysis of body fluids--in order to reduce carry-over of materials from one sample to the next. A probe wash is provided in which the simultaneous introduction of pressurized air and water creates a turbulent flow including the use of a pressurized gas stream of short duration to blow the residue of the previous sample out of the probe prior to washing with additional diluent liquid. Also, a waste receptacle is provided which uses a filtered air vent and a liquid saturated material around the probe receiving opening to prevent the escape of aerosols from the receptacle.

Probe wash for liquid analysis apparatus

A sample analyzer for analyzing the characteristics of a plurality of samples. The analyzer includes a movable sample support for holding samples arranged in a first plurality of holders in a sequence for movement in a first direction. An indexing drive for the sample support advances the sample support in the first direction in a set of one or more increments, wherein one increment in the set is a net amount equal to a second plurality of holders greater than one holder and less than the first plurality such that the second plurality is relatively prime with respect to the first plurality.

Method and apparatus for the stepwise movement of items

An automated chemical analyzer includes an automated conveyor apparatus for receiving a variety of sizes of test tubes, cuvettes, and sample tubes in a standard carrier member receivable into the analyzer. The standard carrier members may be interlocked in ranks and placed side by side in file to replicate the size and handling convenience of conventional test tube racks. However, the conveyor apparatus also provides for receipt of the carriers either as individuals for stat handling, or in interlocked ranks, or as rank and file groups for routine handling. The interlocked ranks of carriers are automatically unlocked from one another and fed along with the carriers having stat samples therein to a recirculating endless loop conveyor device which conveys the samples to at least one chemical analysis module, as well as providing a storage capacity both for samples in testing, and those samples awaiting verification of test results. Carriers with samples on which testing is completed and verified are discharged from the endless loop conveyor device into an off-loading facility which again interlocks the carriers and presents them in rank and file groups for subsequent handling like conventional test tube racks.

Automated chemical analyzer with apparatus and method for conveying and

An improved system (10) is provided for providing access to a sealed container (14) which temporarily provides an opening in the closures of the containers, and either removes contents, senses properties of the contents, or dispenses material into the container. In one embodiment, this system includes a carousel assembly (12) which receives sample containers and moves them to a first location. There, a lift assembly (31) moves each sample container upward against a puncture tube (55) of a penetrating assembly (32). This puncture tube provides an opening in the closure of the container. The system takes a sample through this opening or inserts a probe (65) through the opening to measure the properties of the sample. After the system has performed the sampling, sensing, or dispensing function, a stripper assembly (67) strips the container from the puncture tube, allowing the opening to close.

System for providing access to sealed containers

An air knife is positioned to direct a stream or blast of air across the tip of a sample probe as it is withdrawn from a cuvette containing a reagent, diluent, and patient sample solution. After the probe is flushed with diluent, the air knife drives any droplets of diluent fluid off the probe tip into the cuvette and thereby prevents contamination or dilution of the sample material in the sample containers.

Diluent carryover control

An improved and unique mixing technique particularly useful as part of the process for the clinical analysis of liquid biological samples is described. The sample is placed in a cuvette along with a reagent and a diluent. The top (opening) of the cuvette is squeezed (reduced in size) and an air jet is directed against the liquid surface formed in the cuvette adjacent the junction of the liquid surface with the wall of the cuvette to create a vortex to produce thorough mixing of the contents of the cuvette and substantially prevent any splashing of the liquid contents.

Clinical analysis methods and systems

An improved and unique liquid light tube (guide) end cap assembly particularly useful in a system for the clinical analysis of liquid biological samples for directing wavelengths of light is described. The assembly comprises a light guide having projecting at one end portion thereof a quartz member and a housing for containing the end portion of the light guide and the quartz member, thereby forming an aperture between the quartz member and the housing, the aperture having a depth of between about 0.002 and 0.007 inches.

Growing community of inventors

El Toro, CA, United States of America

John C Mazza