US3790346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating system
Assignee: Sherwood Medical Co
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Filing: 1971-07-30
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A testing apparatus for automatically determining prothrombin times and other similar factor assays. A turntable conveyor moves successive blood plasma samples in containers to a test station where each sample is tested, pertinent information sensed and fed to a printer for readout. Preliminary to the testing station is a first reagent dispenser where a reagent is dispensed to each sample and a second reagent dispenser is located at the testing station for adding a second reagent. Intermediate the two reagent dispensers is a sample incubation device which intimately contacts each container to apply heat thereto to incubate the sample contained therein. Each reagent dispenser is provided with a reagent reservoir and associated magnetic stirring system. A unique system for decoupling the magnetic stirring system from a magnetic stirrer and moving the magnetic stirrer out of the path of a pipette forming part of each reagent dispenser is provided. At the testing station, a unique photosensitive detection device is provided for sensing the formation of clots after the second reagent is added.
Inventors
- 👤 D Ritchie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/025; G01N2035/00346; G01N2035/00356; G01N2035/00376; G01N2035/00465; G01N2035/00534; G01N35/0098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises a turntable, said block includes a plurality of said recesses, said block further being arcuate in shape and formed of aluminum, said motor comprises a solenoid having an armature secured to said block to relatively rapidly move the same out of said path, and said moving means further includes spring means normally urging said block into said path, and said heating means includes temperature control means in said block and movable therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said block is elongated and includes a plurality of said recesses, and said motor comprises a solenoid including an armature operatively secured to said block between said block and said dashpot means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said block includes a plurality of recesses for said sample-holding containers, and means for raising the container at said testing station off said conveyor to mechanically isolate the container under test from said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dashpot means comprise a one-way dashpot operative to permit said block to move freely out of said path during operation of said motor and to restrict the rate of movement of said block onto said path to preclude the block from jarring a sample-holding container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The testing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said moving means comprise a spring normally urging said block into said path, and said electric motor comprises a solenoid having an armature connected to said block for rapidly moving said block out of said path against the force of said spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a testing apparatus wherein a plurality of samples in containers are successively advanced along a path to a testing station, the combination comprising: means defining a conveyor for carrying a plurality of sample-holding containers along said path; means adjacent said path defining a testing station including an elongated channel partially surrounding said path and having, at one end, means for sensing a predetermined condition of a sample in a container; means for operating said conveyor in a stepwise fashion to successively move each sample-holding container to said sensing means; incubation means for incubating the samples in the containers in advance of the sensing means, said incubation means comprising a heat conductive block within said channel and having at least one recess therein for receiving at least a portion of a sample-holding container; means for heating said block whereby heat will be transferred from said block to the sample in the container received in the recess to incubate the same; means mounting said block in said channel for movement into and out of said path; and block moving means responsive to said conveyor for rapidly moving said block out of said path preliminary to movement of said conveyor and for slowly moving said block into said path upon cessation of movement of said conveyor whereby a container will be received in said recess and the sample therein incubated without jarring the container, said block moving means including force applying means and solenoid means for moving said block into and out of said path, and dashpot means operatively associated with said block for retarding the rate of movement of said block into said path while permitting relatively rapid movement of said block out of said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The testing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said blocK includes a plurality of said recesses; said solenoid has an armature secured to said block for moving said block relatively rapidly out of said path, and force applying means comprises a spring operatively associated with said block and said dashpot means for slowly moving said block into said path against the retarding force of said dashpot means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The testing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said dashpot means are one-way dashpot means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |