Patent EP0101192A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0101192A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test module for a clinical analyzer
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1983-07-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A test module or reagent handling device (M) is provided for use with a clinical analyzer for conducting body serum assays, immunoassays or the like. The test module (M) coacts with the analyzer to selectively provide a plurality of liquid dilution and reagent materials to a serum sample. The test module has programmable valve means (35) coacting with a dispensing probe (C) to serially select a serum sample and to deposit said sample and liquid dilution material into a dilution cup or vessel (d), and subsequently withdraw a portion of the diluted serum from the dilution cup (d) and dispense said diluted serum portion along with at least one liquid reagent material into a reaction cup or vessel (r).
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J. Herrmann
- 👤 Harry F. Debevec
- 👤 Randolph F. Bradshaw
- 👤 Peter O. Botten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1081; G01N35/1083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A test module for use with a clinical analyzer instrument for measuring the absorbance and/or fluorescence of a liquid blood serum sample or the like, said instrument having transport means for carrying a reaction cup or vessel adapted to contain a serum test sample from a reaction station to a test or reading station and a dispense probe and microprocessor control means for controllably dispensing a serum sample, serum dilution material and reagent liquid selectively into and out of a serum cup vessel, a serum dilution cup or vessel and said reaction cup or vessel; the test module comprising control valve means, means for connecting a source of serum dilution liquid to said valve means, means for connecting at least one liquid reagent source to said valve means separate from said source of serum dilution liquid, means connecting said valve means to said probe, said probe being movable into a serum cup or vessel associated with a particular dilution cup and reaction cup and operable to withdraw a serum sample therefrom, and means for actuating said valve means for serially selectively connecting said probe to the associated source of dilution liquid and liquid reagent source, effective to enable the dispensing of a serum sample, dilution liquid and reagent liquid selectively into the particular dilution cup and associated reaction cup.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A test module for use with a clinical analyzer instrument for measuring the absorbance and/or fluorescence of a liquid blood serum sample or the like, said instrument having transport means for carrying a reaction cup or vessel adapted to contain a serum test sample from a reaction station to a test or reading station and a dispense probe and microprocessor control means for controllably dispensing a serum sample, serum dilution material and reagent liquid selectively into and out of a serum cup vessel, a serum dilution cup or vessel and said reaction cup or vessel; the test module comprising control valve means, means for connecting a source of serum dilution liquid to said valve means, means for connecting at least one liquid reagent source to said valve means separate from said source of serum dilution liquid, means connecting said valve means to said probe, said probe being movable into a serum cup or vessel associated with a particular dilution cup and reaction cup and operable to withdraw a serum sample therefrom, and means for actuating said valve means for serially selectively connecting said probe to the associated source of dilution liquid and liquid reagent source, effective to enable the dispensing of a serum sample, dilution liquid and reagent liquid selectively into the particular dilution cup and associated reaction cup.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
- A test module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve means includes a housing having a plurality of port means, means for connecting at least one source of dilution liquid and at least one source of reagent liquid separately to said port means, and means in said valve means for separately connecting each said port means to said probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A test module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means in said valve means comprises a valve plug member rotatably mounted in the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A test module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve plug member is provided with channel means selectively communicatable with each said port means upon rotation of said plug member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A test module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve actuating means comprises motor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A test module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the motor means is a step motor actuatable to sequentially step the valve means along a predetermined path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A test module as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes means for heating the serum dilution liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A test module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for connecting at least two liquid reagent materials separately to the valve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A test module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein encoder means adapted to coact with the control means of said analyzer is operable to cause a predetermined sequence of actuation to said valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A test module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the encoder means has sensor means adapted to coact with the control means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A test module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the encoder means comprises plate means connectable with said valve means, means on the plate means sensed by said sensor means effective to cause a predetermined sequence of actuation to the valve means and dispense probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means on the plate means comprises slot means the presence of which is sensed by said sensor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A test module as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one slot is formed on the plate means, the presence of which is sensed by said sensor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A.test module as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of slots are formed in the plate means in a preselected spaced relationship therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A test module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plate means is circular having a plurality of slots formed therein in predetermined angular spaced relationship therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A test module as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the slots is of a different configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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