GB2532213A

GB2532213A - Device for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system

Info

Publication number: GB2532213A
Application number: GB1420031.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grohbuhl Bernd; Trump Martin; Lowien Thomas; Stiess Erich
Original assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Current assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Priority date: 2014-11-11
Filing date: 2014-11-11
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Also published as: GB201420031D0

Abstract

A device for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system comprises an outer reservoir 20 accessible by a user, an outer supply line 25 fluidly connecting the outer reservoir and an inner reservoir 30. An inner feed line 35 fluidly connects the inner reservoir and the analyser system, wherein the outer reservoir is replaceable and/or refillable. The device further comprises a supply controller 60 indicating to the user consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir. A sensor 41 may be provided that detects the presence/absence of the liquid in the outer supply line. A method for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system comprises the steps of supplying the liquid from an outer reservoir, accessible to a user to an inner reservoir fluidly connected to the analyser system. The method also includes monitoring an amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir, such as via a level sensor 44, monitoring a presence of the liquid in the outer reservoir, and replacing the outer reservoir after detecting an absence of the liquid in the outer reservoir.

Description

Title: Device for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system

Field of the Invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to a device and a method for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system.

Background of the invention

[0002] Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and life sciences are produced by a number of companies. For example, the Stratec Biomedical AG, Birkenfeld, Germany, produces a number of devices for specimen handling and detection for use in automated analyser systems and other laboratory instrumentation.

[0003] Automated analyser systems require continuous liquid supply of bulk and reagent liquids for efficient use of such systems. A known concept of continuous liquid supply employs two supply reservoirs or bottles, sometimes referred to as the "A-B-bottle" concept, in which the automated analyser system is supplied with liquid from one of the two outer reservoirs, while the other of the two outer reservoirs may be accessed by an user, for instance for refill or replacement.

[0004] The "A-B-bottle" concept requires the presence of two bottles for any specific bulk or reagent liquid used within the automated analyser system, which increases demands on inventory and space management. For instance, use of two bottles per bulk or reagent liquid requires unambiguous indication to the user of which of the two bottles needs to be replaced. Therefore, fill levels of two bottles have to be tracked and monitored. This requires more complex and more expensive software for controlling the automated analyser system.

[0005] For any spec fic bulk or reagent liquid, means for verifying fill levels, for control access, supply access, etc. need to be in place twice. For instance, larger drawers for user access have to be provided. Sensors, actuators, supply tubes and electrical cables need to be arranged and assembled into a working automated analyser system. This increases costs in terms of space and of required hardware control means.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to guarantee continuous supply of a bulk or reagent liquid, bottles need to be replaced in a timely manner. This implies that often bottles are replaced that still have remnants of the bulk or reagent liquid, such that the liquid is wasted.

Object of the Invention [0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system which requires only one single user accessible outer supply reservoir for any bulk or reagent liquid supplied to the automated analyser system.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a device for continuously supplying a liquid to an automated analyser system. The device comprises an outer reservoir accessible by a user, an outer supply line fluidly connecting the outer reservoir and an inner reservoir, and an inner feed line fluidly connecting the inner reservoir and the automated analyser system, wherein the outer reservoir is replaceable and/or refillable and the device further comprises a supply controller indicating to the user consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir.

[0009] The device may further comprise a supply sensor that detects a presence or an absence of the liquid in the outer supply line.

[0010] The outer reservoir may be positioned above the inner reservoir for hydrostatically supplying the liquid, and the device may further comprise a supply valve in the outer supply line.

[0011] The device may further comprise a supply pump for supplying the liquid from the outer reservoir to the inner reservoir.

[0012] The supply controller may further control the supply valve or the supply pump.

[0013] The device may further comprise ventilation tubes for ventilating the inner reservoir and/or the outer reservoir.

[0014] The inner reservoir may further comprise a drainage port for draining and/or flushing the inner reservoir.

[0015] The present invention further relates to an automated analyser system comprising at least one device according to the invention for continuously supplying a liquid to the automated analyser system.

[0016] The invention further relates to a method for continuously supplying a liquid to an automated analyser system. The method comprises the steps of supplying the liquid from an outer reservoir, which is accessible to a user, to an inner reservoir fluidly connected to the automated analyser system, the step of monitoring an amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir, the step of monitoring a presence of the liquid in the outer reservoir, the step of replacing the outer reservoir after detecting an absence of the liquid in the outer reservoir.

[0017] The step of supplying of the liquid may be driven hydrostatically or by generating pressure.

[0018] The step of supplying of the liquid may comprise stopping the supplying when the amount of the liquid in the inner reservoir reaches a predetermined upper filling amount.

[0019] The step of supplying of the liquid may comprise initiating the supplying when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir reaches a predetermined lower filling amount and/or when a predetermined feed amount of the liquid has been fed from the inner reservoir to the automated analyser system.

[0020] The step of monitoring of the presence of the liquid in the outer reservoir may comprise indicating to the user detection of an absence of the liquid in the outer reservoir for replacing and/or refilling the outer reservoir.

[0021] The invention further relates to a use of at least one device according to the invention for continuously supplying at least one liquid to an automated analyser system.

Summary of the Figures

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an aspect of device for continuously supplying a liquid to an automated analyser system.

[0023] Fig 2 shows an example of how the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir is monitored.

Detailed Description of the Invention and the Figures [0024] The invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings. It will be understood that the embodiments and aspects of the invention described herein are only examples and do not limit the protective scope of the claims in any way. The invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. It will be understood that features of one aspect or embodiment of the invention can be combined with a feature of a different aspect or aspects and/or embodiments of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows one aspect of a device 10 for continuously supplying liquid to an automated analyser system 100 according to the invention. Upon supply of the liquid, the automated analyser system 100 further processes the liquid.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows the device 10 for continuously supplying liquid to the automated analyser system 100 as a device, which is external to and separate from the automated analyser system 100. However, it is likewise conceivable that the device 10 for continuously supplying liquid to the automated analyser system 100 is a part of the automated analyser system 100. Therefore, the following descriptions with reference to Fig. 1, where the device 10 is external to the automated analyser system 100, also analogously relate to the case, in which the device 10 is a part of the automated analyser system 100.

[0027] The device 10 comprises an outer reservoir 20 containing a liquid (not shown) to be supplied to the automated analyser system 100. The outer reservoir 20 is refillable and/or replaceable by a user. The outer reservoir 20 may be refilled or replaced when the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20 is consumed. The outer reservoir 20 may, for example, be replaced by detaching, e.g. unscrewing or unlocking, the outer reservoir 20 from an outer supply port 22.

[0028] The device 10 further comprises an inner reservoir 30. The inner reservoir 30 is fluidly connected to the outer reservoir 20 by an outer supply line 25. In the aspect shown in Fig. 1, the outer supply line 25 fluidly connects to the outer reservoir via the outer supply port 22, and fluidly connects to the inner reservoir via an inner supply port 32. The inner reservoir 30 can thus be filled with the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20 by supplying the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30.

[0029] Providing a single one of the outer supply reservoir 20 within the device 10 enables a simpler set up of the automated analyser system 100. Less space of the automated analyser system 100 needs to be accessible by the user. For instance, instead of drawers simply flap doors may be used for user access to the automated analyser system 100. Furthermore, fewer user interfaces such as the outer supply port 22 need to be provided, ensuing less device and maintenance costs. The number of fluid lines such as the outer supply line 25 may also be reduced, further reducing device costs. Thereby, the overall length of the fluid lines is reduced making flushing and rinsing easier.

[0030] In one aspect of the invention, the outer reservoir 20 may be positioned above the inner reservoir 30. Thereby, hydrostatic pressure may drive the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30.

[0031] The device 10 may further comprise a supply valve 42 within the outer supply line 25. The supply valve 42 may let a supply flow of the liquid pass through the outer supply line 25 such that the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30 occurs. The supply valve 42 may likewise block the supply flow of the liquid through the outer supply line 25 and thus interrupt the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30.

[0032] The device 10 may further comprise a supply controller 60 controlling the supply valve 42 by transmitting control signals 62 (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. I). When driving the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30 hydrostatically, the supply controller 60 controls the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30, without the need of any further driving means for the supplying.

[0033] The device 10 may further comprise a supply sensor 41 detecting a presence or an absence within the outer supply line 25 of the liquid supplied from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30. Likewise, the supply sensor 41 may detect a presence or an absence of the liquid within the outer reservoir 20. In other words, the supply sensor 41 may detect when the outer reservoir 20 becomes empty. The supply sensor 41 may likewise detect a property related the presence or absence of the liquid, like, for instance, but not limited to, bubbles.

The supply controller 60 may receive a sensing signal 61 from the supply sensor 41 (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 1), conveying information pertaining to the absence or presence in the outer supply line 25 of the liquid supplied from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30. The supply sensor 41 may, for instance, be a bubble sensor detecting bubbles in the outer supply line 25. An appearance of bubbles in the outer supply line 25 implies that the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20 has largely been supplied to the inner reservoir 30, i.e. that the outer reservoir 30 is empty, in which case there may be a need for replacing or refilling the outer reservoir 20.

[0034] The supply sensor 41 transmits the sensing signal 61 to the supply controller 60. In the event of detecting the absence of the liquid, for example by detecting bubbles, the supply controller 60 indicates to the user consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20. The supply sensor 41 enables monitoring of the consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20. The supply controller 60 may perform the indicating of the consumption by providing a signal, for instance, but not limited to, an optical signal, an acoustic signal, a message on a screen, or possibly a combination thereof [0035] In another aspect of the invention, the device 10 may detect a presence or an absence within the outer supply line 25 of the liquid supplied from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30 by measuring the supply time needed to reach a predetermined upper filling amount of the liquid, when supplying the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30. If the supply time exceeds a predetermined threshold value, stored in a memory of the supply controller 60, the supply controller 60 may indicate to the user the consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20, i.e. that the outer reservoir 20 is empty, as explained above.

[0036] In a further aspect of the invention, the device 10 may detect a presence or an absence within the outer supply line 25 of the liquid supplied from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30 by monitoring an amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. This is explained in more detail below.

[0037] Providing a single one of the outer supply reservoir 20 further reduces the monitoring load. The supply sensor 41 needs to detect the presence or absence of the liquid in one outer reservoir 20 or one outer supply line 25 only. This further reduces a data management load, such as a software keeping track of the inventory and managing the automated analyser system 100.

[0038] In one aspect of the invention, the device 10 may further comprise a supply pump (not shown) for supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30. A pressure generated by the supply pump causes the supply flow of the liquid through the outer supply line 25. In this aspect, the outer reservoir 20 may be positioned elsewhere than above the inner reservoir 30, for instance on a same height as, or even below the inner reservoir 30.

[0039] When employing the supply pump (not shown), the device 10 may furthermore be disposed without the supply valve 42. In this case, the supply controller 60 may control the supply pump providing a pressure for the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30. Therefore, the supply valve 42 may not be required.

[0040] The device 10 further comprises an inner feed line 35 for feeding the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100. The inner feed line 35 fluidly connects the inner reservoir 30 and the automated analyser system 100.

The automated analyser system 100 is fed with liquid from the inner reservoir 30 through the inner feed line 35 when the liquid is driven to flow either hydrostatically or by means of a feed pump (not shown). A feed flow of the liquid is caused either hydrostatically or by means of the feed pump.

[0041] The device 10 may further comprise means (not shown) for controlling the feed flow of liquid for feeding the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100. Likewise, the automated analyser system 100 may comprise means (not shown) for controlling the feeding of the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100. Such means may include, but are not limited to, a feed valve, the supply controller 60, a feed controller (not shown), and the feed pump. Such means allow for controlled feeding of the liquid to further processing within the automated analyser system 100 by controlling, for example, when and/or how much liquid is fed to further processing within the automated analyser system 100.

[0042] The inner reservoir 30 further comprises a drainage port 33. The drainage port 33 is arranged at the bottom of the inner reservoir 30. The drainage port 33 allows for draining and/or flushing of the inner reservoir 30, and optionally of the outer supply line 25. The drainage port 33 may simultaneously serve as a feed port 34 for fluidly connecting the inner feed line 35 to the inner reservoir 30 (Fig. 1 shows this case). However, the inner reservoir 30 may likewise comprise separated ports, one of the ports serving as the drainage port 33, and another one of the ports serving the feed port 34.

[0043] In case the drainage port 33 and the feed port 34 are one and the same, the inner feed line 35 may be detached from the drainage port (or feed port 34) before draining and/or flushing the inner reservoir 30. Likewise, the inner feed line 35 may remain attached to the drainage port (or feed port 34), and thus be drained and/or flushed together with the inner reservoir 30. Draining and/or flushing of the inner reservoir is useful when a lot of the liquid supplied to the automated analyser system 100 is changed, for instance, when an empty one of the outer reservoir 20 is replaced with a filled one of the outer reservoir 20.

[0044] Likewise, draining and/or flushing is useful when the liquid, supplied to the automated analyser system 100, is changed. In this case, the outer reservoir 20 is replaced with another one of the outer reservoir 20 containing a different one of the liquid. The different one of the liquid may be a liquid to be processed in the automated analyser system. Equally, the different one of the liquid may be a liquid for cleaning and/or decontaminating the device 10 and/or the automated analyser system 100.

[0045] The outer reservoir 20 may further comprise an outer ventilation tube 51 for ventilating the outer reservoir 20. In Fig. 1, the outer ventilation tube 51 is fluidly connected to the outer reservoir 20 via the outer supply port 22. It is also conceivable that, at the top (with respect to Fig. 1) of the outer reservoir 20, the outer ventilation tube 51 fluidly connects to the outer reservoir 20 or that the outer reservoir comprises a ventilation opening (not shown). The outer ventilation tube 51 allows for pressure balancing within the outer reservoir 20, when supplying liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30.

[0046] The inner reservoir 30 may further comprise an inner ventilation tube 52. In Fig. 1, the inner ventilation tube 52 fluidly connects to the inner reservoir 30 via the inner supply port 32. The inner ventilation tube 52 allows for pressure balancing within the inner reservoir 30, when feeding liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100. Furthermore, the inner ventilation tube 52 may serve as an overfill outlet in the event of overfilling the inner reservoir 30 with liquid.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 2, a monitoring and controlling of an amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 and of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20 is explained. Based on the monitoring, the supply controller 60 detects and indicates to the user when one of or both the outer reservoir 20 and the inner reservoir 30 is empty. Furthermore, based on the monitoring, the supply controller 60 controls the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 through the outer supply line 25 to the inner reservoir 30.

[0048] The controlling by the supply controller 60 may result in filling of the inner reservoir 30 when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 is below a predetermined upper filling level. The controlling may further result in filling of the inner reservoir 30 when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches a predetermined lower filling amount.

[0049] In Fig. 2, the horizontal bars MAX, REFILL, and MIN indicate different levels of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. The levels MAX, REFILL, and MIN are examples of the predetermined upper filling level, the predetermined lower filling level, and a predetermined safety filling level, respectively. The values of MAX, REFILL, and MIN may be stored in the memory of the supply controller 60. The values of MAX, REFILL, and MIN may be adjusted according to the needs and/or conditions of operation of the automated analyser system 100.

[0050] A level sensor 44 may detect a level of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. The level sensor 44 transmits data 63 pertaining to the level of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir to the supply controller 60 (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 1).

[0051] When the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches one of the levels MAX, and REFILL, the supply controller 60 transmits control signals 62 (see Fig. 1) to one of or both the supply valve 42 and the supply pump (not shown), as explained in more detail below. The supply controller 60 thereby controls the supplying of liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30. When the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level MIN, the supply controller 60 indicates to the user that the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 has been consumed, as explained in more detail below. The indicating may occur by providing a signal, for instance, but not limited to, an optical signal, an acoustic signal, a message on a screen, or possibly a combination thereof [0052] The control signals 62 are transmitted upon the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaching one of the levels MAX, REFILL, or MIN, depending on an actual rate of change of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. The rate of change of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 can be one of an increasing, a maintaining, and a decreasing of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30.

[0053] Generally, the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30 and the feeding of the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100 can occur simultaneously. The control signals 62 thus depend on the sum of the supplying and the feeding, resulting in one of the increasing, the maintaining, and the decreasing of the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir. The control signals 62 depend on whether the sum of the supplying and the feeding of the liquid results in the increasing, the maintaining or the decreasing of the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 when the amount of the liquid reaches one of the levels MAX, REFILL, or MIN.

[0054] When the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level MAX, and the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 is increasing (as indicated by the arrow G in Fig. 2), the supply controller 60 transmits a control signal 62, which shuts the supply valve 42 and/or stops the supply pump (not shown).

[0055] In another aspect, it is conceivable that the supply controller 60 opens the supply valve 42 and/or starts the supply pump (not shown) when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 is below the level MAX.

[0056] When the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level REFILL, and when the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 is decreasing (as indicated by the arrow Dl in Fig. 2), the supply controller 60 transmits a control signal 62, which opens the supply valve 42 and/or starts the supply pump.

[0057] When the supply valve 42 is open and/or the supply pump has started running, and when simultaneously the levels sensor 44 detects a decreasing amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30, the supply controller 60 may indicate to the user that the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20 has been consumed, i.e. that the outer reservoir 20 is empty.

[0058] When the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches or is below the level MIN, the supply controller 60 indicates to the user consumption of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30, as explained above.

[0059] In case the level sensor 44 detects that the level of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level MIN, and simultaneously the supply sensor 41 detects consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir 20, the device 10 and/or the automated analyser system may interrupt operation. Such an interrupt may occur upon, for instance, the feed controller (not shown) transmitting control signals (not shown) to the feed valve (not shown).

[0060] The level sensor 44 may be a float switch for detecting levels of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. In a further aspect, the device 10 may comprise several ones of the level sensor 44 adapted to detect discrete ones, also referred to as point levels, of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30.

[0061] For instance, a first one of the level sensor 44 may be adapted to detect when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level MAX (see Fig. 2) during the supplying of the liquid from the outer reservoir 20 to the inner reservoir 30 (or, likewise, during an increasing of the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30). A second one of the level sensor 44 may be adapted to detect when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level REFILL (see. Fig. 2) during the feeding of the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100 (or, likewise, during a decreasing of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30).

[0062] In a further aspect of the invention, the level sensor 44 may be adapted to detect a continuous range of levels of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. In an alternative aspect of the invention, the level sensor 44 may be a barometric sensor for hydrostatically detecting a continuous of range of levels of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. In a further alternative aspect, the level sensor 44 may be a capacitance level sensor. Detecting a level of the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 may also occur by weighing the inner reservoir 30.

[0063] In a further aspect, the device 10 may, additionally or alternatively, monitor the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 by calculating a feed amount of the liquid fed from the inner reservoir 30 through the inner feed line 35 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100.

[0064] For example, the device 10 may calculate the feed amount based on a number tests conducted by the automated analyser system 100, in which for any one test a predetermined test feed amount of liquid is fed to further processing within the automated analyser system 100.

[0065] In this aspect, it is conceivable that the supply controller 60 opens the supply valve 42 and/or starts the supply pump (not shown) when the automated analyser system 100 has conducted a first predetermined number of tests. The supply controller 60 thus controls the filling of the inner reservoir 30. The supply controller 60 may count the number of conducted tests beginning from the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 being at the value MAX. When the number of conducted tests is equal to the first predetermined number of tests, the supply controller 60 may indicate to the user that inner reservoir 30 is empty.

[0066] Likewise, the supply controller 60 may detect in this aspect when the inner reservoir 30 becomes empty based on a second predetermined number of tests. The supply controller 60 thus monitors a presence or absence of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30. The supply controller 60 may count the number of conducted tests beginning from the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 being at the value MAX. When the number of conducted tests is equal to the second predetermined number of tests, the supply controller 60 may indicate to the user that inner reservoir 30 is empty.

[0067] The means for controlling the feeding may control the feeding of the liquid from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100, as explained above. The means may include the feed pump (not shown), the feed valve (not shown), the feed controller, but are not limited thereto.

[0068] The means for controlling the feeding may transmit information to the supply controller 60 pertaining to the feed amount of the liquid fed from the inner reservoir 30 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100. The supply controller 60 may then calculate the feed amount of the liquid fed from the inner reservoir 30 through the inner feed line 35 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100.

[0069] Alternatively, if the feed amount of the liquid fed from the inner reservoir 30 through the inner feed line 35 to further processing within the automated analyser system 100 is fed per sample or test, the supply controller 60 sums up the amounts of the liquid fed to the analyser system 100 during a chosen time interval, which gives the feed amount. The time interval may begin when the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 reaches the level MAX (see Fig. 2). The time interval may end when the feed amount reaches a predetermined level of the feed amount, the reaching of which the supply controller 60 may indicate to the user.

[0070] The predetermined level of the feed amount may be set such that enough liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 remains for feeding to further processing within the automated analyser system 100 during a time period needed for replacing or refilling the outer reservoir 20 by the user.

[0071] Alternatively, the supply controller 60 may continuously indicate to the user the calculated feed amount, for instance on a screen.

List of reference numerals device outer reservoir 22 outer supply port outer supply line inner reservoir 32 inner supply port 33 drainage port 34 feed port inner feed line 41 supply sensor 42 supply valve 44 level sensor 51 outer ventilation tube 52 inner ventilation tube supply controller automated analyser system MAX, REFILL, MIN levels of the amount of liquid contained in the inner reservoir 30 G arrow indicating increasing amount of the liquid in the inner reservoir 30 Dl, D2 arrow indicating decreasing amount of the liquid in the inner reservoir 30

Claims

Claims 1 A device for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system, the device comprising an outer reservoir accessible by a user, an outer supply line fluidly connecting the outer reservoir and an inner reservoir, and an inner feed line fluidly connecting the inner reservoir and the analyser system, wherein the outer reservoir is replaceable and/or refillable and the device further comprises a supply controller indicating to the user consumption of the liquid contained in the outer reservoir.
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply sensor that detects a presence or an absence of the liquid in the outer supply line.

The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer reservoir is positioned above the inner reservoir for hydrostatically supplying the liquid, and the device further comprises a supply valve in the outer supply line.

The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a supply pump for supplying the liquid from the outer reservoir to the inner reservoir.

The device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the supply controller further controls the supply valve or the supply pump.

The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising ventilation tubes for ventilating the inner reservoir and/or the outer reservoir.

The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner reservoir further comprises a drainage port for draining and/or flushing the inner reservoir.

An analyser system comprising at least one device according to any one of the claims 1 to 7.
9. A method for continuously supplying a liquid to an analyser system, the method comprising the steps of - supplying the liquid from an outer reservoir, which is accessible to a user, to an inner reservoir fluidly connected to the analyser system, -monitoring an amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir, - monitoring a presence of the liquid in the outer reservoir, - replacing the outer reservoir after detecting an absence of the liquid in the outer reservoir.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the supplying of the liquid is driven hydrostatically or by generating pressure.
11 The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the supplying of the liquid comprises stopping the supplying when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir reaches a predetermined upper amount.
12. The method according to any one claims 9 to 11, wherein the supplying of the liquid comprises initiating the supplying when the amount of the liquid contained in the inner reservoir reaches a predetermined lower amount and/or when a predetermined amount of the liquid has been fed from the inner reservoir to the analyser system.
13. The method according to any one claims 9 to 12, wherein the monitoring of the presence of the liquid in the outer reservoir comprises indicating to the user detection of an absence of the liquid in the outer reservoir for replacing and/or refilling the outer reservoir.
14. Use of at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for continuously supplying at least one liquid to an automated analyser system.