Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Analyzer – structured indicator – or manipulative laboratory... – Sample mechanical transport means in or for automated...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-07-17
Ludlow, Jan (Department: 1743)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...
Sample mechanical transport means in or for automated...
C210S282000, C422S065000, C422S069000, C422S070000, C422S105000, C422S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261520
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to apparatus for preparing samples for analysis, for example for analysis by chromatography.
1. Field of the Invention
Document EP-0 180 511-B1 discloses an apparatus of this type, comprising a baseplate, a set of columns running across the upper part of the baseplate and each receiving an agent in powder form, and a set of tubes spread out in a carriage, toward the lower part of the baseplate. The carriage can move in sliding between a position of coincidence in which an aperture at the bottom of the columns is opposite an aperture at the top of the tubes so that liquid can be transferred from the columns into the tubes, and a laterally offset position in which the columns are placed over a basin borne by the carriage and able to receive the content of the columns. The apparatus comprises a mobile injection needle designed to inject various liquids into the aperture at the top of the columns that they pass through the agent in powder form and are collected in the tubes. An apparatus of this kind makes it possible, starting from raw samples, to prepare in the tubes, in an automated fashion, a great many samples designed for subsequent analysis by chromatography, or any other kind of analysis, such as mass spectrography and radioimmunoassay.
2. Background of the Invention
However, a drawback of this apparatus is that when the columns and tubes are in the position of coincidence, there is a risk that the liquid transferred from each column will splash toward the tubes adjacent to the tube associated with the column in question. There is therefore a risk of these adjacent tubes becoming contaminated. Such a risk reduces the reliability of the subsequent analysis of the samples. This drawback is particularly keenly felt when the aperture at the bottom of the columns consists of a small nozzle and the liquid is driven through the nozzle under pressure. In such an instance, the risk of splashing toward the adjacent tubes is very high.
There is therefore a desire to have an apparatus which exhibits the same advantages but in which the risk of cross-contamination of samples is considerably reduced.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,028 discloses an apparatus for solid-phase extraction, comprising a motor for driving the horizontal movement of the tubes with respect to cassettes along horizontal slideways, and another motor for driving the tubes in a vertical movement with respect to the cassettes along vertical slideways with a view to coupling them so that liquid can be transferred from one to the other without splashing. However, this apparatus is of a complicated and bulky structure.
One purpose of the invention is to provide an apparatus of a different type, and which in particular is of simpler and less bulky design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve this aim, the invention provides an apparatus for preparing samples for analysis, comprising at least one liquid-injecting needle, at least one column designed to take the injection needle, at least one tube, means for the horizontal relative movement of the tube and of the column between a position of coincidence in which an aperture at the bottom of the column lies over an aperture at the top of the tube, and a position in which the two apertures are offset laterally relative to each other, and means for the relative vertical movement of the tube and of the column which are designed so that, in the position of coincidence, the apertures interpenetrate, these means comprising means for vertically guiding either the tube or the column, the vertical-guidance means being designed to provide guidance under the effect of a horizontal force.
Thus, in the penetration position, splashes are arrested by the walls of the tube and/or of the column, and do not contaminate the adjacent samples. The reliability of the subsequent analysis is therefore preserved. What is more, the drive means which produce the vertical movement may be the same as those which produce the horizontal movement. The apparatus can therefore have a simpler and less bulky structure.
Advantageously, the apparatus comprises means for horizontally forcing either the tube or the column, the guide means being independent of the forcing means and designed to provide vertical guidance under the effect of the horizontal force applied by the forcing means.
Thus, all that is required is for the vertical-guidance means to be located in the vicinity of the tube or of the column, it being possible for these means to be somewhat compact.
Advantageously, the forcing means comprise at least one arm designed to apply force to either the tube or the column, and secured to the other one, column or tube.
Thus, as the column and the tube move closer toward the position of coincidence, this initiates and automatically brings about the interpenetration of the apertures, without separate specific control means being needed to effect this.
Advantageously, the guide means comprise at least one ramp and a bearing piece designed to be moved with respect to the ramp, in contact with this ramp, in order to provide guidance.
Advantageously, the ramp and that zone of the bearing piece which is designed to be in contact with the ramp, are made of polyethylene terephthalate or polyoxymethylene.
Thus, the bearing piece slides well against the ramp. Furthermore, this material is chemically inert.
Advantageously, the apparatus comprises means for holding the column and the tube in the position of coincidence with the apertures interpenetrating.
Thus, any inadvertent change in the relative position of the tube and of the column in the position of coincidence is avoided, particularly when liquid is being transferred. If this were not the case, such a change could occur, for example, under the effect of vibrations and/or of gravity when the vertical movement involved raising the tube toward the column.
Advantageously, the holding means comprise magnetic means.
Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a film which covers the aperture of the tube. This film can be perforated by a nipple on the column so as to create an unsealed joint. The optional presence of such a film makes it possible to limit the ventilation of the zone in question and any possible resulting evaporation.
Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a baseplate, the column extending to a set horizontal level with respect to the baseplate, the vertical-movement means being designed to move the tube with respect to the column.
Advantageously, the column can move with horizontal sliding with respect to the baseplate.
The invention also provides for a carrier designed to form part, particularly such that it is removable, of an apparatus for preparing samples for analysis, the carrier comprising at least one column, at least one tube, means for the relative horizontal guidance of the tube and of the column between a position of coincidence in which an aperture at the bottom of the column lies over an aperture at the top of the tube, and a position in which the two apertures are laterally offset relative to each other, the carrier comprising means for the relative vertical guidance of the tube and of the column, which are designed so that, in the position of coincidence, the apertures interpenetrate, the guide means being designed to provide vertical guidance under the effect of a horizontal force applied to the tube or to the column.
A carrier of this kind may form part, for example in number, of an apparatus according to the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4155711 (1979-05-01), Zelagin et al.
patent: 4766082 (1988-08-01), D'Autry
patent: 5260028 (1993-11-01), Astle
patent: 5413708 (1995-05-01), Huse et al.
patent: 5417123 (1995-05-01), D'Autry
patent: 5585068 (1996-12-01), Panetz et al.
patent: 5585070 (1996-12-01), Lessard et al.
patent: 4230719 A1 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 0527562 A2 (1993-02-01), None
D'Autry Eric Marteau
Kubacki Michel
Gilson, S.A.
Ludlow Jan
Mason, Kolehmainen Rathburn & Wyss
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