Abstract:
An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support (24) supporting a plurality of slide supports (26) thereon, and drive means (48) engaging the carousel slide support (24) for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports (26) in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support (10) having a plurality of reagent container supports (11) thereon, and drive means (14) engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support (11) in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means (18) positioned for engaging a reagent container (12) positioned on a container support (11) in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container (12) to a slide supported on a slide support (26) in the reagent receiving zone.
Abstract:
A unique method and apparatus for dispensing tablets (T) having particular application in the clinical analysis of biological samples. A series of containers (24) are advanced past a plurality of processing stations, one of which is a tablet dispenser (40) in turn. The processing stations are selectively activated by a controller (100). A sensor (200) is associated with the tablet dispenser (40) and is arranged to detect whether a tablet (T) has actually entered a container (24). The sensor (200) is activated only when the tablet dispenser (40) is activated. The controller (100) is responsive to the sensor (200) in dependence upon the condition sensed by the sensor (200).
Abstract:
Procédé et dispositif pour l'exécution de transferts multiples et simultanés de fluides, indiqués notamment lors d'analyses immunologiques où des composés immunologiquement actifs, tels que des antigènes et des haptènes, sont détectés grâce à leurs anticorps associés. Le dispositif se base sur sa capacité de transférer des fluides, tels que des échantillons biologiques et des réactifs, entre un réservoir (22) et un réceptacle associé (12). En prévoyant un réceptacle (12) possédant un point de connexion (17) à son extrémité inférieure et qui est autrement hermétiquement scellé, un tel transfert de fluide peut être effectué en immergeant le point de connexion (17) sous la surface du fluide dans le réservoir (22) et en faisant varier la pression (40, 42) sur la surface spécifique restante à l'extérieur du point de connexion. Le transfert de fluides biologiques à la pression positive permet d'obtenir des caractéristiques améliorées d'écoulement de fluide, notamment la réduction ou l'élimination de la tendance de ces fluides à mousser ou à former des bulles. En outre, étant donné que les fluides peuvent être manipulés aisément, ils peuvent être agités pour accélérer la réaction et réduire le temps total de réaction et peuvent être transférés de la zone de réaction pour permettre des mesures provisoires de l'étendue de la réaction pour obtenir une analyse selon un mode régi par la vitesse. Le procédé et le dispositif trouvent application dans la préparation de réactifs à phase solide utilisés dans des systèmes d'analyse, ainsi que dans un système de pipettage de précision élevée pour des applications analytiques non limitées aux analyses immunologiques.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to provide mixing of a liquid reagent in an automated clinical analyzer. The methods include aspirating an air separator (e.g., an air slug) into the interior of a probe. A relatively small volume of reagent liquid is also aspirated into the probe adjacent to the air separator; the volume of liquid reagent being entirely contained within the probe. The volume of liquid reagent may be repeatedly aspirated and dispensed at a relatively high frequency to accomplish reagent mixing in the reagent container. Improved sample and reagent mixing may be promoted using a similar method. Systems carrying out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.
Abstract:
A microfluidic arrangement including a fluid channel configured to receive a first fluid from a first inlet and a second fluid from a second inlet, and a mixer connected to the fluid channel, the mixer including a mixer channel configured to receive a volume of the first fluid and a volume of the second fluid from the fluid channel, the mixer channel defining a mixer capacity, wherein the mixer is (i) configured to mix the volume of the first fluid and the volume of the second fluid in order to provide a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid when the combined volume of the first fluid and the second fluid is less than the mixer capacity, and (ii) further configured to mix the volume of the first fluid and the volume of the second fluid in order to provide a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid when the combined volume of the first fluid and the second fluid is equal to the mixer capacity.
Abstract:
A biological sample processing system (100) for on-site liquid production comprises a processing apparatus (102) for processing of biological samples arranged on microscope slides, and a production unit (110) connected to the apparatus (102). The production unit (110) comprises a first ingredient source (112), a second ingredient source (114), and a mixer station (120). The mixer station (120) is configured to mix ingredients to produce a liquid product (123). Supply conduits (128, 130) are arranged to supply an amount of a first ingredient (113) and an amount of a second ingredient (115) from the first and second ingredient sources to the mixer station (120). A delivery conduit (132) is provided for transportation of an amount of the liquid product (123) from the mixer station (120). A production controller (134) is arranged in communication with the production unit (110), and is configured to control the operation of the production unit (110).
Abstract:
A system for sorting and trapping magnetic target species includes a microfluidic chamber designed to receive and then temporarily hold magnetic particles in place within the module. A pre-processing module may mix a sample and magnetic particles to cause certain species in the sample to be labeled. The microfluidic chamber may include a mechanism to move magnetic particles within the chamber. A post-processing module or the microfluidic chamber may be used to separate the labeled species from the magnetic particles by adding a release reagent. The magnetic particles and/or their payloads may be released and separately collected at an outlet of the chamber or the post-processing module.