Patent US997432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0293624A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0293624A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Sample ring for clinical analyzer network
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1988-05-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network is disclosed. The sample containment apparatus comprises a ring and a plurality of sample containers attached or mounted thereto. Each sample container has the capacity to contain an aliquot of sample sufficient for an entire battery of tests to be performed. Mounting flanges are disclosed for removably mounting the sample containment apparatus on carousels of each of a selected plurality of analyzers in the network to perform a selected plurality of tests on the samples.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin Mc Call Marker, Jr.
- 👤 Paul Franklin Thacker
- 👤 Peter Karl Knopfhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:19
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5085; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/025; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732; G01N2035/00742; G01N2035/00752; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0439; G01N2035/0446; G01N2035/0448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network comprising a plurality of analyzers, each of said analyzers being operative to perform a selected test on a plurality of samples, and each of said analyzers including a carousel having a plurality of reaction container holding means, comprising: ring means having a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of samples to be tested, said ring means including a plurality of funnel means, each of said funnel means being formed around each of said corresponding openings in said plurality of openings; a plurality of sample container means which comprises an integral ring; and mounting means attached to said ring means for removably mounting said sample containment apparatus on each carousel of a selected number of analyzers in an automated analyzer network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network comprising a plurality of analyzers, each of said analyzers being operative to perform a selected test on a plurality of samples, and each of said analyzers including a carousel having a plurality of reaction container holding means, comprising: ring means having a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of samples to be tested, said ring means including a plurality of funnel means, each of said funnel means being formed around each of said corresponding openings in said plurality of openings; a plurality of sample container means which comprises an integral ring; and mounting means attached to said ring means for removably mounting said sample containment apparatus on each carousel of a selected number of analyzers in an automated analyzer network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 1 wherein each of said funnel means includes an overhang disposed around each of said corresponding openings in said plurality of openings, said overhang extending inwardly towards the center of said sample container means forming said openings and, once sample has been placed in said sample container means, said overhang impairing said sample container means from being completely emptied so that said sample containment apparatus cannot be reused.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 1 wherein said ring means includes a vertical wall, a horizontal flange formed around the circumference of the top of said vertical wall, and an alignment means for being engaged by a corresponding means of said carousels for mounting said sample containment apparatus on said carousels with a predetermined orientation, said alignment means comprising a notch which is formed in said horizontal flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 1 which comprises an upper ring which is mounted on a lower ring, said lower ring comprising said plurality of sample container means, said sample container means being interconnected, and said upper ring comprising a flat surface which has formed thereon said plurality of funnel means, said funnel means and said corresponding openings being arranged radially and uniformly around said upper ring except for one area which is adapted for receiving identifying indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network comprising a plurality of analyzers, each of said analyzers being operative to perform a selected test on a plurality of samples, and each of said analyzers including a carousel having a plurality of reaction container holding means, comprising: ring means having a plurality of openings for holding a plurality of sample container means; a plurality of sample container means mountable in said plurality of openings for containing a plurality of samples to be tested; a corresponding plurality of cap means mountable on said sample container means for closing said sample container means; and mounting means attached to said ring means for removably mounting said sample containment apparatus on each carousel of a selected number of analyzers in an automated analyzer network to perform a selected plurality of tests on said plurality of samples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network comprising a plurality of analyzers, each of said analyzers being operative to perform a selected test on a plurality of samples, and each of said analyzers including a carousel having a plurality of reaction container holding means, comprising: ring means having a plurality of openings for holding a plurality of sample container means; a plurality of sample container means mountable in said plurality of openings for containing a plurality of samples to be tested; a corresponding plurality of cap means mountable on said sample container means for closing said sample container means; and mounting means attached to said ring means for removably mounting said sample containment apparatus on each carousel of a selected number of analyzers in an automated analyzer network to perform a selected plurality of tests on said plurality of samples.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 5 wherein said ring means includes a vertical wall, a horizontal flange formed around the circumferance of the top of said vertical wall, and an alignment means for being engaged by a corresponding means of said carousels for mounting said sample containment apparatus on said carousels with a predetermined orientation, said alignment means comprising a notch which is formed in said horizontal flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 5 including connecting means for connecting each of said cap means to a corresponding sample container means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 5 wherein each of said cap means includes an opening for receiving sample when said cap means is mounted to said sample container means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein each of said cap means further includes a funnel means formed around said opening for facilitating the introduction of said sample into said sample container means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 9 wherein each of said funnel means includes an overhang disposed around each of said corresponding openings in said plurality of openings, said overhang extending inwardly towards the center of said sample container means forming said openings and, once sample has been placed in said sample container means, said overhang impairing said sample container means from being completely emptied so that said sample containment apparatus cannot be reused.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 5 wherein said cap means includes a horizontal mounting surface which extends outwardly from the top of said cap means towards the center of said carousels, said surface having an area on which identifying indicia may be attached.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
A sample container means which is adapted to be mounted individually in an opening of a sample containment apparatus which comprises: a lower cylindrical portion, said lower cylindrical portion being of a diameter which permits it to be mounted in said opening; an upper cylindrical portion, said upper cylindrical portion being of a larger diameter than said lower cylindrical portion, said diameter being of a sufficient size to prevent said sample container means from slipping through said opening in said sample containment apparatus; and a cap means comprising an upper cylindrical portion and a lower cylindrical portion, said upper cylindrical portion having a larger diameter than said lower cylindrical portion, said diameter being of a sufficient size to prevent said cap means from slipping into said sample container means, and said cap means containing funnel means, said funnel means containing an opening in the center thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
A sample container means which is adapted to be mounted individually in an opening of a sample containment apparatus which comprises: a lower cylindrical portion, said lower cylindrical portion being of a diameter which permits it to be mounted in said opening; an upper cylindrical portion, said upper cylindrical portion being of a larger diameter than said lower cylindrical portion, said diameter being of a sufficient size to prevent said sample container means from slipping through said opening in said sample containment apparatus; and a cap means comprising an upper cylindrical portion and a lower cylindrical portion, said upper cylindrical portion having a larger diameter than said lower cylindrical portion, said diameter being of a sufficient size to prevent said cap means from slipping into said sample container means, and said cap means containing funnel means, said funnel means containing an opening in the center thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sample container means defined in Claim 12 wherein said sample container means contains an insert.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sample container means defined in Claim 12 wherein said funnel means includes an overhang disposed around said opening of said funnel means, said overhang extending inwardly towards the center of said sample container means and forming said opening.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of conducting a plurality of tests on a plurality of samples comprising: (a) providing a sample container apparatus adapted for separately holding a plurality of samples, each sample being of a sufficient volume so that a plurality of tests can be performed thereon; (b) placing each of said samples into said sample container apparatus; (c) providing a plurality of automated analyzers, each of said analyzers being adapted to accept said container apparatus and to perform a test on said sample; and (d) sequentially placing said container apparatus on each of said analyzers and performing said tests on said samples.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of conducting a plurality of tests on a plurality of samples comprising: (a) providing a sample container apparatus adapted for separately holding a plurality of samples, each sample being of a sufficient volume so that a plurality of tests can be performed thereon; (b) placing each of said samples into said sample container apparatus; (c) providing a plurality of automated analyzers, each of said analyzers being adapted to accept said container apparatus and to perform a test on said sample; and (d) sequentially placing said container apparatus on each of said analyzers and performing said tests on said samples.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of Claim 15 wherein multiple duplicate groups of said samples are tested by each of said analyzers simultaneously.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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