摘要:
Analytical reaction cassette and method for performing sequential analytical assay procedures to determine the amount of an analyte in a liquid test mixture. The reaction cassette (10) can be in the form of a substantially square container having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and incorporated with one or more analytical reagents such that they are contacted with a liquid test mixture in a desired ordered sequence to perform a particular assay procedure. Corners (22-24) provided by the substantially square configuration of the reaction cassette disrupt the flow of liquids disposed in the reaction cassette upon contact therewith to thereby agitate and mix such liquids. A liquid disposed in the reaction cassette is capable of being manipulated and mixed therein by rotating the reaction cassette about the horizontal axis at sufficiently low velocities wherein the transport of such liquid is noncentrifugal and due substantially only to gravitational force. The reaction cassette is particularly useful for performing immunoturbidimetric assays, e.g., for the determination of glycated hemoglobin.
摘要:
An assembly (10) for separating, metering and delivering fluids includes a central rotating member (12) rotatable about a fixed spin axis (14). A processing chamber holding member is connected to the central rotating member (12) by a centrifugally actuated frame (30). At rotational speeds below a first predetermined speed, the centrifugally actuated frame (30) is in a first position. At rotational speeds greater than the first speed, centrifugal force moves the frame (30) to a second position angularly spaced from and at greater distance from the spin axis (14) than the first position. A processing chamber (60) is mounted on the holding member (26, 28) and its orientation relative to the spin axis (14) is the same in the first and second positions. Fluid is provided in the processing chamber (60). By accelerating the processing chamber (60) to the first predetermined speed and decelerating below the first predetermined speed in a selected sequence, specific centrifugal force vectors are generated in the processing chamber (60) that move the fluid (70) and retain it in selected chambers (90, 96, 104, 120). During this sequence, the fluid (70) is metered, separated and delivered to a reduction area (138) where measuring is performed.
摘要:
A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and thence to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle. Means is provided for insuring that each test strip is delivered to reading position in registration with the read head of the photometer, and means is also provided for pressing each test strip flat against the reading station platform. The indexing mechanism employs a strip advancing member provided with parallel rows of equally spaced upstanding pegs or fingers, there being guiding and drive means for imparting movement to said member along a vertical orbital path having a generally circular extent and also having a rectilinear extent parallel with the rails, said pegs intersecting the plane of the reagent srips on the rails when said member moves forwardly along said rectilinear extent and being withdrawn from said plane when said member moves rearwardly along said circular extent.
摘要:
A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and thence to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle. Means is provided for insuring that each test strip is delivered to reading position in registration with the read head of the photometer, and means is also provided for pressing each test strip flat against the reading station platform. The indexing mechanism employs a strip advancing member provided with parallel rows of equally spaced up standing pegs or fingers, there being guiding and drive means for imparting movement to said member along a vertical orbital path having a generally circular extent and also having a rectilinear extent parallel with the rails, said pegs intersecting the plane of the reagent strips on the rails when said member moves forwardly along said rectilinear extent and being withdrawn from said plane when said member moves rearwardly along said circular extent.
摘要:
A method for volume metering of a liquid sample onto a reactive surface and a flow metering capillary device for controlled fluid flow comprising two opposing surface areas spaced apart throughout a capillary zone of intended liquid transport at a distance no greater than that which will maintain a capillary flow of liquid introduced therebetween, means to permit Introduction of a test specimen between these surfaces, there being formed between said opposing surfaces an overflow channel and an overflow chamber which draws any excess liquid from the means for introducing the liquid between the surfaces.
摘要:
Apparatus and process are disclosed for removing a single flexible member from a storage spool capable of holding multiple flexible members. This storage spool.is designed to contain multiple elongated flexible members in an accurate position on the spool by means of radial channels or slots where the flexible members are held in place by interwinding material. By removing the interwinding material on a take up spool the individual flexible member can be positioned for removal from the storage spool by a pick up head or vacuum transport member. The invention has particular applicability to the handling of test devices, such as reagent strips, used in the determination of a biological constituent in a body fluid.