Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Analyzer – structured indicator – or manipulative laboratory... – Sample mechanical transport means in or for automated...
Patent
1992-08-31
1995-10-10
Housel, James C.
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...
Sample mechanical transport means in or for automated...
422 58, 422 63, 422100, 422104, 436 43, 436 47, 436 48, B01L 300, G01N 3502
Patent
active
054568820
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a reaction segment for an automatic colorimetric sample analyzer and an analyzer equipped with such a segment.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Currently known analyzers are equipped with reaction vessels in each of which a quantity of blood is mixed, in a measured manner, with a quantity of reagent in order to perform a colorimetric analysis.
After use, these vessels are disposed of.
Some known analyzers are equipped with a fixed plate for receiving the vessels and an analyzer that is mobile with respect to such plate and such vessels.
Other known analyzers are equipped with a fixed colorimetric analyzer, the vessels being mounted on a plate that is mobile with respect to such analyzer.
The present invention is preferably related to a reaction segment adapted to be mounted on a plate that is mobile with respect to the analyzer which can, for example, be the one described in the French Patent Application No. 90 14681, which is the convention application of PCT/FR91/00898 and concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/849,434.
The advantage procured by the use of a reaction segment with respect to a reaction ring is known.
A reaction segment especially enables much greater flexibility of use.
As a matter of fact, after analyzing the content of the vessels that it comprises, it can be removed easily from the revolving plate without it being necessary to interrupt the operation of the analyzer whereas the replacement of a reaction ring necessitates stopping this device, which engenders a loss of time.
Although the analyzer has a high degree of automation, the reaction segments are still introduced and removed from heir support plate manually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to a new type of reaction segment, which can be positioned or removed automatically by equipping the analyzer with loading and unloading devices.
To this end, the reaction segment for an automatic colorimetric sample analyzer adapted to be removably mounted on a revolving plate of the analyzer is such that the reaction vessels of the segment are brought one after the other into contact with a colorimetric analyzer device. The reaction segment comprises reaction vessel 3 that are vertical, spaced uniformly along an arc of a circumference of a circle and affixed to a same horizontal bar 4 shaped like a ring sector. The bar develops from the concave side of the segment and its median zone is extended radially from the concave side of the segment by a horizontal plate 5. At the end of the horizontal plate 5 is fixed a device 6 for positioning and guiding into loading 7 and unloading 8 devices equipping the analyzer, and into an opening 9 present in revolving plate 3.
According to the another characteristic of the invention, the device 6 for positioning and guiding comprises two opposing parallel vertical grooves 10 each having a triangular cross section.
According to yet another characteristic of the invention the guiding and positioning device includes a vertical wall 11 having a square or rectangular shape, at the large front surface 11a of which two vertical walls 12 are fixed, extending in an oblique manner with respect to the rectangular wall. The two oblique walls 12 and the rectangular wall 11 demarcate the vertical grooves 10.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the annexed drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a reaction segment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line AA of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial top view of an analyzer adapted to receive the segment according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line BB of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line CC of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cam of the loading device and the members that cooperate with it.
As represented, the reacti
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Housel James C.
Pyon Harold Y.
Societe Alcyon Analyzer S.A.
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