Analyzer transport device

Details Analyzer transport device Analyzer transport device

1995-03-10

2001-01-30

Soderquist, Arlen (Department: 1743)

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser

Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...

Sample mechanical transport means in or for automated...

C073S863010, C073S863110, C073S864870, C073S023410, C366S108000, C422S067000, C422S070000, C422S068100, C422S091000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06180060

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to devices for transporting large numbers of samples to a sampling site preparatory to analysis of those samples.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Head space analysis techniques are employed to analyze for volatile components in largely non-volatile mixtures. For example, this analytical technique is used in determining the amount of alcohol in a known quantity of blood. The technique is also used for analyses of volatile components in other body fluids. Further applications include analysis of trace organic compounds in water samples, testing for the presence of solvents in drugs, for solvents or monomers in polymers, for fragrances in toiletries, for flavors or aromas in foods, and the like. It is desirable in these applications to have a transport device capable of transporting samples automatically at high rates to the analyzing instrument. It is also desirable for the transport device to be able to be programmed to automatically repeat the sampling of one or more vials one or a number of times. This feature is useful for improving the precision of the analysis.
The amount of volatile components in the gaseous headspace portion over a liquid sample in a closed vial is known to vary with the temperature of the liquid sample. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the temperature of the liquid sample within a very narrow range in the transport prior to analysis. Further, because the actual quantity of material in the headspace over a liquid sample is very small, any contamination from outside sources would substantially alter the analysis of the headspace gases. Therefore, the risk of outside contamination must be minimized during the sampling process. Also, because sample vials are made in various sizes, it is desirable that the transport device be able to accommodate different sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a transport device which is readily automated and capable of running large numbers of individual samples.
It is another object of the invention to provide a transport device capable of accurately regulating the temperature of samples stored therein.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a transport device capable of performing repeated analyses on a single group of samples.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a transport device capable of accepting and sampling vials of different sizes.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the description which follows.
The invention relates to a sample vial transport device having a rotatable heated platen with a plurality of chambers to hold sample vials. The sample vials are loaded into the chambers by a vial transport which conveys the sample vials from a point above the individual chamber. The platen therefore does not have to move axially to input a vial or to sample the vial contents, as discussed below. This significantly reduces the complexity of the vial transport mechanism. Vials from which samples have already been taken are ejected from the individual chamber by reversing the operation of the vial, trainsport.
Sampling of the contents of the sample vial is done at a point removed from the vial inlet point. The sample vial is rotated toward the sampling point, at which time the sample vial is brought into contact with a needle by mating means. The needle extracts at least a portion of the contents of the vial for sampling by puncturing a septum in the cap of the vial.
The platen is preferably heated electrically. Electrical heating is preferred over oil bath heating, which tends to introduce trace materials attributable to the oil into the analysis instrument and thereby alter the analysis results. Further, oil vapors condense on mechanisms and hold dirt. The oil baths need to be constantly stirred to maintain temperature uniformity, and they pose a greater safety hazard to the operator.
The vial from which a sample has been extracted then continues back to the inlet point within the chamber. At that time, it is either ejected from the platen by the vial transport or alternatively remains in the chamber for an additional rotation and sampling operation. The transport device chambers are also capable of holding liner sleeves, or inserts, which permit sampling of different size vials. Typically, the vials utilized have volumes of 5 ml, 10 ml or 20 ml.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the needle is stationary and positioned above the platen and a second vial transport is utilized as the mating means to push the sample vial upward from the bottom of the chamber to cause puncturing of the septum with the needle. However, the needle can be movable to puncture the septum as an alternative embodiment.
The rate of transport of gaseous components from the liquid to the headspace of the vial is a function of the mean path length the components must travel through the liquid to reach the headspace. It has been found that mixing the vial contents dramatically reduces the mean path length and thus improves the transport rate. To facilitate the mixing, the invention includes a mixing device having a vertically displaceable rod positioned below the platen which rises through the bottom of the platen to contact the sample vial bottom in a chamber between the inlet point and the sampling point. The rod is preferably connected to a DC solenoid which is repeatedly energized for short periods to cause the rod to pulse and thereby shake the sample vial in an up and down motion within the chamber. This mixing motion aids in equilibrating the concentration of the material to be analyzed in both the liquid and gas phases within the sample vial.
Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon review of the detailed description of the invention and the drawings in which:


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