Bayer Corporation

Miles Inc.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Gmbh

Paul G Gherson

Robert Adolfsen

Robert William Eherts

David Lightbody

Carl R Gebauer

George E Zabetakis

Theodore Pernicano

Johan Kijlstra

Anand Kumar

Evandro S Denunzio

Ralf Niegl

Germaine Adriana Tarcu

Dieter Rüehle

Milt Pelavin

This invention significantly reduces the frequency of hydraulic failure in the analytical line of a capsule chemistry sample liquid analysis system which can occur when the reagents required for the specific analytical test have an imperfect merger with the sample aliquot reagent in the vanish zone of the analytical line. It has been found that the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and the analytical reagent influence the merging process. It has also been found that optimum merging of these reagent capsules in the vanish zone can be obtained when the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and analytical reagent is different.

Automated clinical analyzer reagent formulation

A method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid and air segments wherein the liquid and air segments are selectively aspirated into a first fluid conduit in a plurality of cycles, each cycle beginning with the aspiration of a first air segment and ending with the aspiration of a final air segment. The liquid and air segments are then transferred from the first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The volume of the final air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the final air segment has moved into the second fluid conduit. Next, the liquid segments and the air segments of each cycle are transferred from the second fluid conduit to a third fluid conduit. The volume of the first air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the first air segment has moved into the third fluid conduit.

Method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid test packages in a capsule chemistry analysis 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

A blood clot detector includes a pressure transducer on an aspiration line to provide output voltage data to a microprocessor corresponding to the vacuum level during aspiration. The microprocessor integrates the vacuum readings over time during the aspiration cycle to provide a pressure integral for each test sample aspiration. A pressure integral is determined for an unclotted aspiration and used as a reference for comparison with the pressure integrals of each test sample aspiration to determine whether a blood clot has interfered with the test sample aspiration. A valve is provided across an analytical line and an aspiration line to provide selective communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line or to prevent such communication. Communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line permits transfer of a test sample from the aspiration line to the analytical line if the test sample is considered acceptable for sample analysis. Acceptability of the test sample for analysis is based upon a predetermined difference between the reference pressure integral and each test sample pressure integral.

Sampling system with selectable pumps to communicate with reading station

Blood clot detector

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.

Apparatus for simultaneous aspiration and dispensation of fluids

The method of diluting a fluid sample for analysis in a sample analysis system includes the provision of an aspiration probe with two interior sections. The first interior section of the probe has a first diameter and is proximate the aspiration opening of the probe. The second interior section of the probe has a second diameter of greater magnitude than the first diameter and is located distally of the first section. The probe aspirates in consecutive order selected amounts of fluid sample and diluent into the first interior section of the probe. The fluid sample and diluent are mixed in the second interior section of the probe by moving the sample and diluent back and forth in the second interior section a predetermined number of times. The back and forth movement of diluent and fluid sample in the second interior section of the probe provides substantially uniform mixing of the sample and diluent. The use of a Teflon.RTM. probe coated with fluorocarbon oil eliminates the risk of cross-contaminating the sources of fluid sample and diluent.

Sample dilution module

An analysis method and apparatus comprises feeding a stream of fluid capsules in a fluid conduit for flow therethrough by forming a film of isolating liquid on an inner surface of the conduit and randomly accessing each of a plurality of liquids selected from a sample liquid, reagents and a magnetic particle suspension to form a plurality of isolated segments from the plurality of liquids in each capsule in the conduit. The fluid capsules flow in at least one longitudinal direction of the conduit and the suspended magnetic particles are selectively magnetically retained from one segment in one capsule at a given location for placement of the magnetic particles in another segment in the one capsule during the flow of the one capsule through the conduit. The fluid capsules are then measured in the conduit.

Capsule chemistry sample liquid analysis system and method

Sample liquid analysis apparatus and method for the formation and supply to a conduit of a stream of successive sample liquid test packages, and the repeated bi-directional displacement of the sample liquids test package stream in the conduit, sample liquid analysis apparatus operatively associated with the conduit for repeated, time-spaced analyses in turn of the sample liquids in each of the sample liquid test packages. Each of the test packages comprises a first segment of a sample liquid and a first reagent liquid, and a second segment of a second reagent liquid spaced from the first segment by a different fluid in the test package. The conduit includes a portion to combine the respective first and second segments of each of the test packages upon the flow therethrough to commence the sample and reagent liquids reaction for sample liquid analysis; the sample liquid analysis apparatus is disposed upstream the conduit portion to enable independent analyses of the respective first and second segments of the test packages in turn prior to the combination thereof. Positive displacement pumping, operatively associated with the conduit inlet, or with both the conduit inlet and outlet and, in that event, precisely coupled to provide for differential pumping, for the formation and supply of the test packages in turn to the conduit to form the sample liquids test package stream therein, and for the repeated bi-directional displacement of that stream in the conduit.

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Yorktown Heights, NY, United States of America

Paul G Gherson