Abstract:
According to one embodiment, a nozzle (10) for introducing a fluid (12) comprises a first conduit (36) having a first end and a second conduit (38) having a second end. The second conduit is disposed substantially concentrically with the first conduit. The first end is offset from the second end. A third conduit (40) having a third end is provided with the third conduit being disposed substantially concentrically with the first conduit and the second conduit and the third end being offset from the first end and the second end. Another embodiment provides a method wherein a first fluid conveying conduit, a second fluid conveying conduit and a third fluid conveying conduit are provided. The second fluid conveying conduit substantially surrounds the first fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit substantially surrounds both the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A first fluid flows through the first fluid conveying conduit. A second fluid flows through the second fluid conveying conduit. A third fluid flows through the third fluid conveying conduit. Both the second fluid conveying conduit and the first fluid conveying conduit are substantially simultaneously cleaned.
Abstract:
A fluid sample collector includes: a receptacle; an actuator; and a lancet. A method of collecting a fluid sample includes: activating a finger retention element; extending an actuator associated with a lancet; activating a collection pump; deactivating the collection pump; and releasing the finger retention element. An optical fluid measurement element includes: an emitter; an absorber; and a fluid pathway, where an optical output of the emitter passes through the fluid pathway and is received as an optical input to the absorber. A lancet assembly includes: a spring; a lancet; a needle cup; and a housing including a channel that accepts an actuator interface. A method of evaluating a fluid sample includes: filling a cavity; adding a buffer solution; separating the sample into first and second portions; mixing the second portion with tagged antibodies; removing leftover tagged antibodies; and measuring a difference between the first portion and the second portion.
Abstract:
An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. The automated apparatus and method allow for continued operation without operator attendance for a full shift (8-12 hours) or longer. Rack label information is read and the rack label information is communicated to a processor in the pre-analytical system. From the rack label information the pre-analytical system processor determines where to route the rack in the pre-analytical system. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations in the pre-analytical system depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the pre-analytical system processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or, if the sample is already disposed in a container that can be directly sent to and processed by an analyzer, the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack by a pick and place robots.
Abstract:
A blood analyzing method for detecting a short sample of blood in a suction tube, when blood is sucked by the suction tube constituting a blood analyzing apparatus, includes measuring a first blood parameter by using blood that is present in a first area of a blood analysis area, blood in the blood analysis area being used to analyze the blood in the suction tube, measuring a second blood parameter by using blood that is present in a second area of the blood analysis area, the second area being different from the first area, and detecting the short sample of blood based on the first blood parameter and the second blood parameter.
Abstract:
A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample. The apparatus and system optionally provides for downstream processing of samples prepared for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Such apparatus includes further processing after inoculation of an AST panel for the AST test. Such further processing includes capping and transferring inoculated panels to AST instrument.
Abstract:
The invention provides for a cartridge (300) for an automatic analyzer (1100), wherein the cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis (102). The cartridge comprises: a fluid chamber (104) for receiving a fluid (307), an aliquoting chamber (108), a first duct (106) connecting the fluid chamber and the aliquoting chamber, a metering chamber (112) operable for causing fluid to fill the metering chamber using capillary action, a second duct (110) connecting the metering chamber with the aliquoting chamber, and a vent (128). The vent is connected to the metering chamber. The vent is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber. The metering chamber has side walls (204) and a central region (206). The side walls taper away from the central region, wherein capillary action next to the side walls of the metering chamber is greater than in the central region of the metering chamber. The second duct comprises a duct entrance (114) in the aliquoting chamber. The second duct further comprises a duct exit (116) in the metering chamber wherein the duct exit is closer to the rotational axis than the duct entrance. The second duct is operable for causing fluid to flow to the metering chamber using capillary action. The cartridge further comprises a downstream fluidic element (122) connected to the metering chamber via a valve (121) and a fluidic structure (336) for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample. The fluidic structure comprises a measurement structure (344, 1110) for enabling measurement of the processed biological sample, wherein the fluidic structure is configured for receiving the biological sample.
Abstract:
The invention provides for a cartridge (100) operable for being spun around a rotational axis (102) for an automatic analyzer (1400). The cartridge comprises: a fluid chamber (104) for receiving a fluid (107); an aliquoting chamber (116); a duct (114) connecting the fluid chamber and the aliquoting chamber; a downstream fluidic element (134); a siphon (114) for siphoning the fluid from the aliquoting chamber to the downstream fluidic element, a fluidic structure (136) for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, and a measurement structure (144, 1410) for enabling measurement of the processed biological sample. The siphon comprises a siphon entrance (128) in the aliquoting chamber, wherein the siphon further comprises a siphon exit (133) in the downstream fluidic element, wherein the siphon comprises a bend (120), wherein the bend is the portion of the siphon closest to the rotational axis, wherein the siphon entrance starts at the bend, wherein the siphon entrance extends to a lower portion of the aliquoting chamber. This enables multiple aliquots of fluid to be removed from the aliquoting chamber by the siphon.
Abstract:
An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics includes an automation system to move a plurality of sample carriers within the system. At least some carriers include a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to place mother sample tubes along with empty sample tubes into the same carrier and move the carrier to an existing pipettor within the analyzer to aliquot a sample portion of the mother sample into the empty daughter tubes to create aliquots for certain samples without requiring a standalone aliquoting station or substantially disrupting the normal flow of sample tubes within the automation system.
Abstract:
A multi-well fluid container that includes a container body is provided for use in an in vitro diagnostics automation system. The container body includes a first well having a first well size configured to hold a first fluid and an openable first well closure that covers a first well opening. The first well opening provides access to the first fluid in the first well when the openable first well closure is opened. The container body also includes a second well having a second well size configured to hold a second fluid and having an openable second well closure that covers a second well opening. The second well opening provides access to the second fluid in the second well when the openable second well closure is opened. The first well size of the first well is different than the second well size of the second well.