US4001584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic sample changer
Assignee: Actus Inc
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Filing: 1975-10-29
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Granted: 1977-01-04
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Expires: 1995-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An automatic sample changer particularly suited for use in counting biomedical samples from in vitro tests using radiopharmaceuticals such as the technique of radioimmunoassay. A plurality of samples, such as gamma ray emitting samples housed in test tubes, are automatically circulated around a continuous track and are sequentially associated with a radiation counting device by way of an elevator mechanism. A single rotating driving wheel is effective in moving one hundred samples independently travelling on the continuous track. Also disclosed is a breakaway safety mechanism associated with the elevator, and means for detecting and signaling jams in the track and elevator.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony A. Mueller
- 👤 Frank W. Bao
- 👤 Stephen D. Parker
- 👤 James L. Hummeldorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T7/00; G01T7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples along a track, and for sequentially studying the characteristics of the samples being tested in a testing region remote from the track, the sample changer comprising: conveyor means for sequentially associating the samples with the testing region; a continuous elongated track which directly encounters said conveyor means at one location along its length; a plurality of independent transport means sequentially positioned along substantially the entire length of said track, each of which is adapted to associate with a sample; and indexing means for associating with said plurality of transport means to advance the samples associated therewith along said continuous track, said indexing means comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of extensions thereon each of which contacts and moves a plurality of said transport means at spaced locations along said track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples along a track, and for sequentially studying the characteristics of the samples being tested in a testing region remote from the track, the sample changer comprising: conveyor means for sequentially associating the samples with the testing region; a continuous elongated track which directly encounters said conveyor means at one location along its length; a plurality of independent transport means sequentially positioned along substantially the entire length of said track, each of which is adapted to associate with a sample; and indexing means for associating with said plurality of transport means to advance the samples associated therewith along said continuous track, said indexing means comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of extensions thereon each of which contacts and moves a plurality of said transport means at spaced locations along said track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said hub comprises four extensions projecting therefrom, and wherein each of said extensions intersects a discreet region of said track to prevent movement of said transport means at spaced locations along said track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sample changer recited in claim 2, wherein each of said projections limits movement of a portion of said transport means when one of said transport means is in association with said conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sample changer recited in claim 3, wherein a transport means is isolated from the remaining transport means when in association with said conveyor means; said isolation being between adjacent ones of said extensions intersecting said track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said track is in the form of a continuous slot through a plate, said transport means being carried in said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sample changer recited in claim 5, wherein each of said transport means is in the form of a puck having a groove into the perimeter thereof; and wherein said pucks slide in said continuous slot by association with their respective grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sample changer recited in claim 6, wherein said pucks are cylindrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sample changer recited in claim 6, wherein each puck has a bore therethrough for supporting the samples being tested.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said hub comprises a plurality of extensions projecting therefrom, and wherein all of said extensions intersect said track to prevent movement of all of said transport means when one of said transport means is in association with said conveyor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sample changer recited in claim 9, wherein adjacent ones of said extensions isolate said one transport means when in association with said conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The sample changer recited in claim 9, wherein each of said extensions serves to advance a portion of said transport means along said track; and wherein each of said extensions indexes its respective portion of said transport means by one transport means each time said extensions associate with subsequent discrete portions of said track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said track is symmetrical about at least one line of symmetry; and wherein said rotatable hub is mounted for rotation on a line of symmetry of said track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises an elevator mechanism for sequentially moving said transport means from a first position associating with said track into a second position associating with said testing region; and wherein said elevator mechanism includes a cage having first and second resilient arms for grasping said transport means when in association therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sample changer recited in claim 13, wherein said first and second arms are contoured to follow the perimeter of said transport means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sample changer recited in claim 14, wherein said transport means are cylindrical; and wherein the cooperating surfaces of said first and second arms are concave.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, and further comprising alignment means associating with said indexing means to ensure that one of said transport means is in association with said conveyor means before said conveyor means becomes operative.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The sample changer recited in claim 16, wherein said alignment means comprises at least one camming surface on said rotatable hub, and an electrical contact associating with said camming surface; and wherein said electrical contact associates with said conveyor means for controlling the operation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means moves between a first position in association with said continuous track, and a second position in association with said testing region; and further comprising first sensing means associated with said conveyor means for sensing the presence of said conveyor means in said first and said second positions; and second sensing means associating with said indexing means for sensing the position of said indexing means when one of said transport means is in association with said conveyor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sample changer recited in claim 18, and further comprising means for sensing the simultaneous actuation of said first and second sensing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The sample changer recited in claim 19, and further comprising jam alarm means for indicating when said conveyor means is jammed between said track and said testing region; and timing means for actuating said jam alarm means upon the elapse of a predetermined interval of time without the simultaneous actuation of said first and second sensing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sample changer recited in claim 20, wherein said first sensing means resets said timing means each time said first sensing means is actuated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, and further comprising printer means for visually printing the characteristics of the samples being tested, upon the completion of a test cycle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sample changer recited in claim 22, wherein said printer means further prints the respective conveyor positions of the samples being tested.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sample changer recited in claim 1, and further comprising threshold means for programming minimum or maximum criteria allowable for the samples being tested; and indicator means for indicating when such criteria are unsatisfied.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
129 words
An automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples along a planar track and for sequentially studying the characteristics of the samples being tested in a testing region remote from the plane of said track, the sample changer comprising: an elevator means for sequentially lowering samples into said testing region, wherein said elevator means comprises a control arm for moving the sample to be tested between an uppermost position associated with said track and a lowermost position associated with said testing region; motor means for moving said control arm between its uppermost and lowermost positions; and a breakaway connection between said motor means and said control arm which enables the motor means to operate without moving the control arm should a jam occur in the elevator means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
129 words
An automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples along a planar track and for sequentially studying the characteristics of the samples being tested in a testing region remote from the plane of said track, the sample changer comprising: an elevator means for sequentially lowering samples into said testing region, wherein said elevator means comprises a control arm for moving the sample to be tested between an uppermost position associated with said track and a lowermost position associated with said testing region; motor means for moving said control arm between its uppermost and lowermost positions; and a breakaway connection between said motor means and said control arm which enables the motor means to operate without moving the control arm should a jam occur in the elevator means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sample changer recited in claim 25, and further comprising: means for detecting the actuation of said breakaway connection; and means for issuing a signal indicative of such actuation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
The sample changer recited in claim 26, and further comprising: first and second limit switch means for indicating, respectively, the orientation of said motor means and the position of said elevator means when in the uppermost and lowermost positions; and indicator means for indicating a jam in said elevator means when said first and second limit switch means fail to concurrently indicate the uppermost or lowermost positions of said control arm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sample changer recited in claim 27, and further comprising: a continuous elongated track along which the test samples are transported; and means for detecting and indicating jams in said track.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sample changer recited in claim 28, and further comprising: time delay means for delaying the indication of jams in said track for a predetermined interval of time.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sample changer recited in claim 25, wherein said breakaway connection comprises a pawl associated with said motor means, and a slidable connection between said pawl and said control arm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sample changer recited in claim 30, wherein said slidable connection comprises at least one detent and a plunger biased in the direction of said at least one detent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sample changer recited in claim 31, wherein said slidable connection comprises three spaced detents on said pawl, and said plunger on said control arm; and wherein during normal operation of said elevator means, said plunger resides in the intermediate of said three detents.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sample changer recited in claim 32, wherein said three detents are in a straight line; wherein a jam in said elevator means results in said plunger breaking away from the intermediate of said three detents; and wherein the outer two of said three detents associate with said plunger to reset said breakaway connection after the jam has been corrected.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sample changer recited in claim 25, and further comprising first and second sensing means associated with said control arm for sensing the presence of said elevator means in its uppermost and its lowermost positions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
117 words
For use in an automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples from a first location to a second location, a continuous elongated track which directly encounters said first location at one position along its length; a plurality of independent transport means sequentially positioned along substantially the entire length of said track, each of which is adapted to associate with a sample; and indexing means for associating with said plurality of transport means to advance the samples associated therewith along said continuous track, said indexing means comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of extensions thereon, each of which extensions contacts and moves a plurality of said transport means at spaced locations along said track.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
117 words
For use in an automatic sample changer for transporting a plurality of test samples from a first location to a second location, a continuous elongated track which directly encounters said first location at one position along its length; a plurality of independent transport means sequentially positioned along substantially the entire length of said track, each of which is adapted to associate with a sample; and indexing means for associating with said plurality of transport means to advance the samples associated therewith along said continuous track, said indexing means comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of extensions thereon, each of which extensions contacts and moves a plurality of said transport means at spaced locations along said track.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3187182A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |