US20010028864A1 - Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples - Google Patents
Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010028864A1 US20010028864A1 US09/845,304 US84530401A US2001028864A1 US 20010028864 A1 US20010028864 A1 US 20010028864A1 US 84530401 A US84530401 A US 84530401A US 2001028864 A1 US2001028864 A1 US 2001028864A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pipetting
- fluid
- container
- arm
- volume
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 130
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 100
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 39
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 210000001124 body fluid Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010028980 Neoplasm Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012491 analyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012502 diagnostic product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014951 hematologic disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012913 prioritisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004549 pulsed laser deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012898 sample dilution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002700 urine Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1009—Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
- G01N35/1011—Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/115831—Condition or time responsive
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/119163—Automated chemical analysis with aspirator of claimed structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/12—Condition responsive control
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
- Y10T436/2575—Volumetric liquid transfer
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for sensing small fluid samples in a vessel and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining the volume of a fluid in a vessel, such as a test tube, using a bottom sensing device (e.g., tip jam device).
- a bottom sensing device e.g., tip jam device
- a sample of fluid is first taken from a person and analyzed either by hand or by an automatic analyzer or other device of the type well known in the art.
- the bodily fluid is disposed in a tube which, in turn, is disposed on a carousel or other conveying mechanism.
- the carousel or other conveying mechanism conveys the tube though scanning stations, for example, and under a pipetting station in order for a pipetting probe to aspirate a sample of the fluid.
- the sample level in the tube is normally determined by the pipette probe which is connected to a sample sensing means such as a capacitive or conductive circuit.
- the sensing means is triggered upon contact of the pipette tip with the surface of the sample.
- the pipette probe is then further lowered a distance into the sample sufficient to allow withdrawal of the required volume.
- the pipette tip will only be allowed to be lowered to a certain level within the tube resulting in a volume of sample, called the dead volume, that is unavailable for testing.
- the maximal distance the pipette tip is allowed to be lowered, and thus the nominal dead volume is set by the manufacturer of the automatic analyzer. It is noted that the actual dead volume is variable and is dependent on several dimensional tolerances that exist within and between different instruments. A more dimensionally precise automatic analyzer would allow the pipette tip to aspirate fluids at a lower level than other less precise automatic analyzers, and thereby allow the manufacturer to set a smaller sample dead volume. Any amount of sample fluid below the preset dead volume level can not be utilized to perform a test or tests thereon despite the fact that the fluid in the test tube below the dead volume level may still be sufficient to perform a test or tests thereon.
- a system that determines the exact volume of a fluid below a threshold level which may be defined as a near bottom tube level.
- a threshold level which may be defined as a near bottom tube level.
- the near bottom tube level is an arbitrary level of fluid in the tube, and may be predefined by the manufacturer of an automatic analyzer. The determination of the exact volume of a fluid in the tube will allow the automatic analyzer or other device to determine whether there is a sufficient amount of fluid in the tube in order to perform a certain predetermined test or tests.
- a pipetting station having a bottom sensing device in conjunction with one of any known liquid level sensing devices.
- the bottom sensing device includes a pipetting probe spring mounted to a pipetting arm of the pipetting station.
- the bottom sensing device also includes a sensor for determining when a pipetting tip of the pipetting probe is in contact with a bottom of a tube.
- the bottom sensing device of the present invention permits the pipetting probe to measure the volume of fluid in the tube by allowing the pipetting tip to be lowered to the bottom of the tube beyond the sensed fluid level (and the near bottom tube level).
- the pipetting arm is further lowered until the pipetting probe triggers a sensor which stops the downward movement of the pipetting arm.
- the exact distance between actual tip jam and triggering of the tip jam sensor, and therefore the actual bottom of the tube, is known and configured for each instrument.
- the determination of the volume of fluid in the tube is based on (i) the sensed level of the fluid as determined by the level sensor (in relation to a “home” position of the pipetting arm), (ii) the distance the pipetting arm traveled from the level of the sample fluid to the time when the pipette tip contacts the bottom of the tube and (iii) the type of tube used for holding the fluid. If sufficient fluid is present, then the pipetting tip is raised slightly above the known tube bottom level in order to aspirate sample fluid or reagent therefrom.
- FIG. 1 is generalized block diagram of an instrument used with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a partial view of an automated analyzer used with the present invention
- FIG. 3 a is a pipetting station in a raised position using a bottom sensing device of the present invention
- FIG. 3 b is a pipetting station in a lowered position using a bottom sensing device of the present invention
- FIG. 3 c is a pipetting station in a lowered position with the bottom sensing device of the present invention being activated;
- FIG. 4 is a comparison of a standard tube and a conical bottom tube located in a tube holding device
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the processing steps of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an alternate flow chart of the processing steps of the present invention.
- the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sensing fluids of small samples in a tube and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for determining the volume of a fluid in a tube that is below a near bottom tube level using a bottom sensing device.
- the bottom sensing device is used to determine the volume of a fluid in a tube, as described in detail below.
- a pipetting station of an automatic analyzer or other device may aspirate fluids of small samples for testing thereon.
- a bottom sensing device is implemented in conjunction with a pipetting tip having a capacitive level sensor or other means of sensing fluid levels.
- a pipetting capacitive level sensor contemplated for use with the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the capacitive level sensor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727 includes a pipetting probe having an elongated shaft having a conductive tip, and an integrated circuit chip containing a capacitive sensing circuitry. When the conductive tip is lowered and contacts a sample fluid, an increase in capacitance is sensed.
- This sensed increase in capacitance is used to determine the level of the sample fluid in relation to a “home” position of the pipetting arm. It is well understood that other level sensors may also be used with the present invention, such as, for example, electrically conductive sensors or air pressure sensors.
- the bottom sensing device includes a spring loaded pipetting arm having a sensor which senses when the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube. It is noted that the automatic analyzer or other device does not identify that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube until after the sensor is triggered. Accordingly, the automatic analyzer or other device identifies the bottom of the tube when the spring loaded pipetting arm travels until the sensor is “flagged” (e.g., triggered). The distance between the actual tube bottom and the triggering of the sensor is a known configured number of steps on a stepper motor. In a preferred embodiment, the triggering of the sensor will stop the downward movement of the pipetting arm.
- a determination may be made as to (i) the volume of fluid and (ii) whether there is sufficient sample fluid in the tube to perform a test or tests thereon.
- the determination of the volume of fluid in the tube is based on, in part, (i) the distance the pipetting arm traveled from the level of the sample fluid to the time when the sensor was triggered minus the certain distance traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube and (ii) the known shape of the type of tube used to hold a sample fluid.
- FIGS. 3 a - 3 c show a detailed view of the pipetting station using the bottom sensing device of the present invention
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show a detailed flow diagram explaining a process used with the bottom sensing device of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an automatic analyzer which may be used with the present invention.
- the automatic analyzer 10 is connected to a computer 12 via data communication lines 14 which are used to supply information from the automatic analyzer 10 to the computer 12 .
- This information may be, for example, bar coded information placed on the sample fluid tubes.
- the automatic analyzer 10 is preferably operated under the direction of on-board microprocessors (not shown). It is well understood that the block diagram of FIG. 1 is not critical to the understanding of the present invention and that other devices depicted in other block diagrams may equally be used with the present invention, including non-medical devices.
- FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the automatic analyzer 10 in greater detail.
- the automatic analyzer 10 of FIG. 2 is an IMMULITE 2000TM manufactured by DPC® Cirrus (a subsidiary of Diagnostic Products Corporation) of Randolph, N.J.; however, it is noted that the automatic analyzer of FIG. 2 is merely representative of one automatic analyzer used with the present invention and it is well understood that the present invention may easily be implemented with other automatic analyzers or other fluid sample devices known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is further important to note that the automatic analyzer of FIG.
- a sample carrier tube 20 is transported by a carousel 22 towards a reagent pipetting station 24 and sample pipetting station 24 A.
- the sample carrier tube 20 may be transported through a bar code reader 26 .
- the bar code reader 26 may identify the person (of which the sample fluid belongs to) or type of tube being used such as, for example, a pediatrics or micro sample tube.
- the computer of FIG. 1 will include an alternative look-up table in order to calculate the volume of the fluid in the sample, as discussed below.
- the information from the bar code reader 26 is sent to the memory of the computer 12 , which may also track the position of the sample carrier tube 20 on the carousel 22 .
- the computer may be preprogrammed to include the volume table of known volumes of tubes (such as conical bottom tubes and micro sample tubes) as well as the volume of fluid needed to perform a certain test or tests on the fluid.
- the computer may also be programmed to prioritize which tests may be performed with the amount of fluid present in the tube. For example, if three tests must be performed on the fluid, the system and method of the present invention may prioritize that the first and third test be performed to the exclusion of the second test since only enough sample fluid is present in the tube to perform the first and third test.
- the present invention may also be provided for by the present invention.
- the reagent pipetting station 24 and sample pipetting station 24 A include a reagent pipetting arm 32 and a sample pipetting arm 32 A, respectively, which both may travel a circular path.
- the pipetting station 24 and sample pipetting station 24 A are referred to as the pipetting station 24 and the reagent pipetting arm 32 and sample pipetting arm 32 A are referred to as the pipetting arm 32 .
- the pipetting arm 32 may extend to the sample carrier tube 20 in the carousel 22 , a reagent 28 in the reagent carousel 40 , and a probe wash station 30 .
- the pipetting arm 32 may also travel in other paths, and may equally extend to other carriers or stations, such as for example, a sample dilution well 31 .
- a downward projecting pipetting tip (shown in FIGS. 3 a - 3 c ) is positioned at the free end of the pipetting arm 32 . To perform pipetting operations, the pipetting tip is inserted into and out of the sample carrier tubes 20 and other stations along its Z-axis (perpendicular to the plane of the paper).
- the pipetting station 24 includes the pipetting arm 32 that moves in the direction of arrow 42 , and a pipetting probe 34 spring mounted to the pipetting arm 32 of the pipetting station 24 .
- the pipetting probe 34 includes a pipetting tip 36 having a capacitive level sensor as described with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727.
- the capacitive sensor senses a level of the fluid and determines that level in relation to a known “home” position.
- the tube 20 is placed in a holding device (see FIG. 4) so that a bottom of the tube 20 is at the reference line “X” which is used as a reference point for discussion purposes only.
- the bottom sensing device of the present invention includes a spring mechanism 38 and a sensor 40 mounted between the pipetting probe 34 and the pipetting arm 32 .
- the spring mechanism 38 is mounted to the pipetting probe 34 in the pipetting arm 32 and permits the pipetting arm 32 to work independently of the pipetting probe 34 as seen more clearly with reference to FIG. 3 b and FIG. 3 c .
- the pipetting arm 32 lowers the pipetting probe 34 until the pipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 (past a near bottom tube level) (FIG. 3 b ).
- the pipetting arm 32 is then further capable of being lowered an incremental distance while the pipetting probe 34 remains stationary and the pipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 (FIG. 3 c ).
- the sensor 40 determines when the pipetting arm 32 has traveled the incremental distance, such as, for example, approximately in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm or more, while the pipetting probe 34 remains stationary (represented as “Z” distance in FIGS. 3 b and 3 c ). It is noted that the bottom sensing device of the present invention determines that the pipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 when the sensor 40 is triggered, at which time the downward movement of the pipetting arm 32 is stopped, and in embodiments the pipetting tip 36 may be raised an incremental amount within the fluid so that pipetting tip 36 will not become occluded when aspiration of the fluid begins.
- FIG. 3 b shows the pipetting probe 34 in a lowered position and the pipetting tip 36 in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 .
- the tube 20 remains stationary throughout the process while the pipetting arm 32 and pipetting probe 34 are lowered. It is readily apparent that the pipetting arm 32 and the pipetting probe 34 are synchronously lowered until the pipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 .
- FIG. 3 c shows the pipetting arm 32 being lowered an incremental distance “Z” while the pipetting probe 34 is stationary and the pipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube.
- the sensor 40 is activated after the pipetting arm has been lowered the incremental distance “Z”.
- the independent movement of the pipetting arm 32 with relation to the pipetting probe 34 is due to the spring loaded mechanism 38 described with reference to FIG. 3 a .
- the incremental distance between the actual bottom of the tube and the triggering of the sensor of the pipetting arm 32 is configured for each individual pipetting station 24 such that the traveled distance may vary between different pipetting stations.
- the pipetting tip 36 can be lowered past the level of the fluid and the volume measurement of the fluid in the tube 20 can be determined. This is provided by the use of the spring loaded mechanism 38 in conjunction with the independent movement of the pipetting arm 32 and the activation of the sensor 40 as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 a - 3 c . Once the volume of fluid is known, the system of the present invention can determine whether a sufficient amount of fluid remains in the tube 20 in order to perform a certain predefined test.
- the volume of the sample fluid in the tube 20 is calculated by (i) a known volume based on a type of tube used to hold a sample fluid, (ii) a top level of the sample fluid in the tube as sensed by the level sensor, and (iii) a distance of movement of the pipetting arm minus the certain distance the pipetting arm traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube.
- the present invention can prioritize between which tests are to be performed on the fluid, as discussed above.
- FIG. 4 shows a comparison between a standard tube (having a rounded bottom) and a conical bottom tube in a tube holding device.
- the standard tube is held in the tube holding device 42 by use of a resilient spring 44 biasing the standard tube against a wall 47 of an opening 45 .
- an opening 46 is configured such that the bottom of the standard test tube remains at the reference line “X” as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 a - 3 c .
- the opening 46 allows the bottom of the conical shape tube to exceed beyond the reference line “X” to reference line “Y”.
- the distance between the reference line “X” and the reference line “Y” is about 0.10 inches; however, it is well understood that any other distance may also be contemplated for use with the present invention.
- the pipetting tip may be lowered past the reference line “X” (step S 58 a ) to reference line “Y” such that the system of the present invention will automatically identify that a conical shaped bottom tube is being used with the present invention.
- the sample volume of the tube will be calculated by reference to an alterative look-up table which is different from the look-up table for the standard tube.
- the invention can be implemented using a plurality of separate dedicated or programmable integrated or other electronic circuits or devices (e.g., hardwired electronic or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, or programmable logic devices such as PLDs, PLAs, PALs, or the like).
- a suitably programmed general purpose computer e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller or other processor device (CPU or MPU), either alone or in conjunction with one or more peripheral (e.g., integrated circuit) data and signal processing devices can be used to implement the invention.
- CPU or MPU microprocessor, microcontroller or other processor device
- peripheral e.g., integrated circuit
- FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the process of using the bottom sensing device of the present invention. Specifically, at step S 40 , a “home position” is determined and stored in the memory of the computer. At step S 42 , the pipetting arm is lowered and, at step S 44 , a determination is made as to whether any fluid is sensed at or above a near tube bottom level position, typically 250 ⁇ l or other determined level. If fluid is sensed at the near bottom tube level position, at step S 46 , a sample of the fluid is aspirated into the pipetting probe and a test is performed thereon. However, if no fluid is sensed at the near bottom tube level position, at step 48 , the pipetting arm is lowered until a fluid level is sensed. At this step, it is preferred that the lowering of the pipetting arm be slower than the previous movement of the pipetting arm to ensure that the pipetting tip does not contact the bottom of the tube at such a rate of speed as to damage or destroy the tube or pipetting tip or arm.
- step S 50 a determination is made as to whether the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom (discussed in detail below) of the tube fluid prior to sensing any fluid within the tube. If no fluid is sensed, a determination is made that there is no fluid in the tube and the process of the present invention stops, at step S 52 . However, if a fluid is sensed, at step S 54 , a position reading of the pipetting arm (or probe or tip) with relation to a “home” position is determined and stored in the memory of the computer. The position reading is determinative of the level of sensed fluid.
- step S 56 the pipetting tip is lowered until it is in contact with the bottom of the tube.
- the pipetting station does not know that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube at this step.
- step S 58 the pipetting arm is lowered an incremental distance while the pipetting probe remains stationary until the sensor is triggered. Once the sensor is triggered at step S 58 , the downward movement of the pipetting arm is stopped.
- step S 60 the pipetting arm and pipetting probe may be raised an incremental amount within the fluid, preferably just above the known tube bottom level, so that the pipetting tip 36 will not become occluded when the fluid is aspirated by the pipetting probe. It is at this step S 58 , that the pipetting station knows that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube and may thus determine the volume of fluid present in the tube.
- the pipetting tip may be lowered past the reference line “X” (step S 58 a ) by a certain distance such that the system of the present invention will identify that a conical shaped bottom tube is being used with the present invention.
- the conical shaped tube in the embodiments of the present invention, preferably extend past the reference line “X” so that when the pipetting tip passes the reference line “X” the system of the present invention will automatically identify that such a conical shaped bottom tube is being used herein.
- the sample volume will be calculated by reference to an alterative look-up table which is different from the look-up table for a standard tube.
- the volume of fluid in the tube is determined (as described above with reference to FIG. 3 a ). That is, the volume of the tube is calculated by using a look-up table for the tube and by(i) a known shape of the type of tube used to hold a sample fluid, (ii) a top level of the sample fluid in the tube as sensed by the liquid level sensor, and (iii) a distance of movement of the pipetting arm minus the certain distance the pipetting arm traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube.
- step S 66 a determination is made as to whether there is sufficient amount of fluid in the tube to perform desired specific tests. If there is not a sufficient amount of fluid, then the process of the present ends at step S 68 . However, if there is enough fluid present in the tube, then at step S 70 , the present system may prioritize which tests may be performed on the fluid sample and being aspiration of the fluid for testing thereon. Alternatively, the operator can be alerted that insufficient sample is available to complete all of the required tests, and the operator can then select manually which test or tests may be performed on the sample fluid.
- a known volume table for tubes is provided to the system of the present invention. This allows the present invention to “look up” an appropriate table in order to calculate the volume of the tube based on the movement of the pipetting arm with relation to a sensed level of the fluid and a determined bottom position of the tube. It is also readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the system of the present invention also stores in memory or the like the amount of fluid needed for the specific test or tests.
- FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an alternative process of using the bottom sensing device of the present invention.
- the sample tube is a conical or a round bottom micro tube which is contained in a special bar coded insert or rack.
- an identification is provided by a second interrogation of the sample carousel or conveyer by the bar code reading station.
- the preconfigured new tube bottom position based on the detected tubes would be different from each of these tubes as well as being different from the standard tube.
- each tube has its own look-up table such that the sample volume of each different tube may be calculated by reference to a specific look-up table.
- step S 40 the tube is passed by a bar code scanner for reading of a bar code (step S 41 a ).
- the bar code reader provides the bar code information to the computer such as, but not limited to, (i) the type of tube being used to hold the fluid and (iii) the identifying information of the fluid (e.g., person).
- the system of the present invention may also consult a look up table to determine the amount of fluid needed for a specific test or tests to be performed on the fluid. The remaining steps of FIG. 5 may then be implemented.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for sensing small fluid samples in a vessel and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining the volume of a fluid in a vessel, such as a test tube, using a bottom sensing device (e.g., tip jam device).
- Analyses of fluids, especially bodily fluids such as urine and blood, are important to the diagnoses and treatment of various illness and other conditions. These illnesses and conditions can range from various forms of cancers to blood diseases to drug use and others.
- In order to analyze a bodily fluid, a sample of fluid is first taken from a person and analyzed either by hand or by an automatic analyzer or other device of the type well known in the art. In the case of an automatic analyzer, for example, the bodily fluid is disposed in a tube which, in turn, is disposed on a carousel or other conveying mechanism. The carousel or other conveying mechanism conveys the tube though scanning stations, for example, and under a pipetting station in order for a pipetting probe to aspirate a sample of the fluid.
- The pipetting probe is then lowered into the tube in order to aspirate a sample of the fluid. Thereafter, and depending on the specific test or tests to be performed on the fluid, a specific reagent may be combined with the fluid in order for a chemical reaction to occur. This chemical reaction is then analyzed to determine, for example, the amount of analyte in a sample of fluid.
- It is not uncommon for many different tests to be performed on the sample fluid using different reagents. However, in order for the appropriate tests to be performed on the sample fluid a sufficient amount of the sample fluid must be present in the tube. Accordingly, when using automatic analyzers, the sample level in the tube is normally determined by the pipette probe which is connected to a sample sensing means such as a capacitive or conductive circuit. The sensing means is triggered upon contact of the pipette tip with the surface of the sample. The pipette probe is then further lowered a distance into the sample sufficient to allow withdrawal of the required volume. However, to ensure that an insufficient volume of sample will not be drawn, owing to the sample level being too close to the bottom of the tube, the pipette tip will only be allowed to be lowered to a certain level within the tube resulting in a volume of sample, called the dead volume, that is unavailable for testing. The maximal distance the pipette tip is allowed to be lowered, and thus the nominal dead volume, is set by the manufacturer of the automatic analyzer. It is noted that the actual dead volume is variable and is dependent on several dimensional tolerances that exist within and between different instruments. A more dimensionally precise automatic analyzer would allow the pipette tip to aspirate fluids at a lower level than other less precise automatic analyzers, and thereby allow the manufacturer to set a smaller sample dead volume. Any amount of sample fluid below the preset dead volume level can not be utilized to perform a test or tests thereon despite the fact that the fluid in the test tube below the dead volume level may still be sufficient to perform a test or tests thereon.
- Thus, what is needed is a system that determines the exact volume of a fluid below a threshold level which may be defined as a near bottom tube level. It is noted that the near bottom tube level is an arbitrary level of fluid in the tube, and may be predefined by the manufacturer of an automatic analyzer. The determination of the exact volume of a fluid in the tube will allow the automatic analyzer or other device to determine whether there is a sufficient amount of fluid in the tube in order to perform a certain predetermined test or tests.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for determining a bottom of a tube or other container.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for determining the volume of a fluid in a tube or other container.
- It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of measuring a reagent in a reagent container.
- It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for determining whether a sufficient amount of fluid is present in a tube for a specific test or tests.
- In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, a pipetting station having a bottom sensing device is provided in conjunction with one of any known liquid level sensing devices. The bottom sensing device includes a pipetting probe spring mounted to a pipetting arm of the pipetting station. The bottom sensing device also includes a sensor for determining when a pipetting tip of the pipetting probe is in contact with a bottom of a tube.
- The bottom sensing device of the present invention permits the pipetting probe to measure the volume of fluid in the tube by allowing the pipetting tip to be lowered to the bottom of the tube beyond the sensed fluid level (and the near bottom tube level). In the embodiments of the present invention, the pipetting arm is further lowered until the pipetting probe triggers a sensor which stops the downward movement of the pipetting arm. The exact distance between actual tip jam and triggering of the tip jam sensor, and therefore the actual bottom of the tube, is known and configured for each instrument.
- A determination is then made as to (i) an exact volume of fluid and (ii) whether there is sufficient sample fluid in the tube to perform a test or tests thereon. The determination of the volume of fluid in the tube is based on (i) the sensed level of the fluid as determined by the level sensor (in relation to a “home” position of the pipetting arm), (ii) the distance the pipetting arm traveled from the level of the sample fluid to the time when the pipette tip contacts the bottom of the tube and (iii) the type of tube used for holding the fluid. If sufficient fluid is present, then the pipetting tip is raised slightly above the known tube bottom level in order to aspirate sample fluid or reagent therefrom.
- The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is generalized block diagram of an instrument used with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a partial view of an automated analyzer used with the present invention;
- FIG. 3a is a pipetting station in a raised position using a bottom sensing device of the present invention;
- FIG. 3b is a pipetting station in a lowered position using a bottom sensing device of the present invention;
- FIG. 3c is a pipetting station in a lowered position with the bottom sensing device of the present invention being activated;
- FIG. 4 is a comparison of a standard tube and a conical bottom tube located in a tube holding device;
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the processing steps of the present invention; and
- FIG. 6 is an alternate flow chart of the processing steps of the present invention.
- The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sensing fluids of small samples in a tube and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for determining the volume of a fluid in a tube that is below a near bottom tube level using a bottom sensing device. The bottom sensing device is used to determine the volume of a fluid in a tube, as described in detail below. By using the apparatus and method of the present invention, a pipetting station of an automatic analyzer or other device may aspirate fluids of small samples for testing thereon.
- In order to accomplish the objectives of the present invention, a bottom sensing device is implemented in conjunction with a pipetting tip having a capacitive level sensor or other means of sensing fluid levels. A pipetting capacitive level sensor contemplated for use with the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In general, the capacitive level sensor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727 includes a pipetting probe having an elongated shaft having a conductive tip, and an integrated circuit chip containing a capacitive sensing circuitry. When the conductive tip is lowered and contacts a sample fluid, an increase in capacitance is sensed. This sensed increase in capacitance is used to determine the level of the sample fluid in relation to a “home” position of the pipetting arm. It is well understood that other level sensors may also be used with the present invention, such as, for example, electrically conductive sensors or air pressure sensors.
- The bottom sensing device includes a spring loaded pipetting arm having a sensor which senses when the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube. It is noted that the automatic analyzer or other device does not identify that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube until after the sensor is triggered. Accordingly, the automatic analyzer or other device identifies the bottom of the tube when the spring loaded pipetting arm travels until the sensor is “flagged” (e.g., triggered). The distance between the actual tube bottom and the triggering of the sensor is a known configured number of steps on a stepper motor. In a preferred embodiment, the triggering of the sensor will stop the downward movement of the pipetting arm.
- In the preferred embodiments, once the pipetting arm is raised or during raising thereof, a determination may be made as to (i) the volume of fluid and (ii) whether there is sufficient sample fluid in the tube to perform a test or tests thereon. The determination of the volume of fluid in the tube is based on, in part, (i) the distance the pipetting arm traveled from the level of the sample fluid to the time when the sensor was triggered minus the certain distance traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube and (ii) the known shape of the type of tube used to hold a sample fluid. FIGS.3 a-3 c show a detailed view of the pipetting station using the bottom sensing device of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a detailed flow diagram explaining a process used with the bottom sensing device of the present invention.
- In order to practice the present invention, an automatic analyzer or other known device is needed to perform the specific tests on the fluid samples. In general, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an automatic analyzer which may be used with the present invention. The
automatic analyzer 10 is connected to acomputer 12 viadata communication lines 14 which are used to supply information from theautomatic analyzer 10 to thecomputer 12. This information may be, for example, bar coded information placed on the sample fluid tubes. Theautomatic analyzer 10 is preferably operated under the direction of on-board microprocessors (not shown). It is well understood that the block diagram of FIG. 1 is not critical to the understanding of the present invention and that other devices depicted in other block diagrams may equally be used with the present invention, including non-medical devices. - FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the
automatic analyzer 10 in greater detail. It is noted that theautomatic analyzer 10 of FIG. 2 is an IMMULITE 2000™ manufactured by DPC® Cirrus (a subsidiary of Diagnostic Products Corporation) of Randolph, N.J.; however, it is noted that the automatic analyzer of FIG. 2 is merely representative of one automatic analyzer used with the present invention and it is well understood that the present invention may easily be implemented with other automatic analyzers or other fluid sample devices known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is further important to note that the automatic analyzer of FIG. 2 is merely described herein for illustrative purposes and to better understand the present invention, and that only the bottom sensing device of the pipetting station and the method of use discussed herein (with reference to FIGS. 3a-6) are part of the present invention. - Referring more specifically now to FIG. 2, a
sample carrier tube 20 is transported by acarousel 22 towards areagent pipetting station 24 andsample pipetting station 24A. Prior to being transported to thepipetting stations sample carrier tube 20 may be transported through abar code reader 26. In the embodiments of the present invention, thebar code reader 26 may identify the person (of which the sample fluid belongs to) or type of tube being used such as, for example, a pediatrics or micro sample tube. In the case of a pediatrics or micro sample tube, the computer of FIG. 1 will include an alternative look-up table in order to calculate the volume of the fluid in the sample, as discussed below. - It is noted that the information from the
bar code reader 26 is sent to the memory of thecomputer 12, which may also track the position of thesample carrier tube 20 on thecarousel 22. It is further noted that the computer may be preprogrammed to include the volume table of known volumes of tubes (such as conical bottom tubes and micro sample tubes) as well as the volume of fluid needed to perform a certain test or tests on the fluid. The computer may also be programmed to prioritize which tests may be performed with the amount of fluid present in the tube. For example, if three tests must be performed on the fluid, the system and method of the present invention may prioritize that the first and third test be performed to the exclusion of the second test since only enough sample fluid is present in the tube to perform the first and third test. Of course other variations may also be provided for by the present invention. - As seen further in FIG. 2, the
reagent pipetting station 24 andsample pipetting station 24A include areagent pipetting arm 32 and asample pipetting arm 32A, respectively, which both may travel a circular path. (Hereinafter, thereagent pipetting station 24 andsample pipetting station 24A are referred to as thepipetting station 24 and thereagent pipetting arm 32 andsample pipetting arm 32A are referred to as thepipetting arm 32.) In this path, thepipetting arm 32 may extend to thesample carrier tube 20 in thecarousel 22, a reagent 28 in thereagent carousel 40, and aprobe wash station 30. Thepipetting arm 32 may also travel in other paths, and may equally extend to other carriers or stations, such as for example, a sample dilution well 31. A downward projecting pipetting tip (shown in FIGS. 3a-3 c) is positioned at the free end of thepipetting arm 32. To perform pipetting operations, the pipetting tip is inserted into and out of thesample carrier tubes 20 and other stations along its Z-axis (perpendicular to the plane of the paper). - Referring now to FIG. 3a, a detailed view of the pipetting station in a “home” position is shown. The
pipetting station 24 includes thepipetting arm 32 that moves in the direction ofarrow 42, and apipetting probe 34 spring mounted to thepipetting arm 32 of thepipetting station 24. Thepipetting probe 34 includes apipetting tip 36 having a capacitive level sensor as described with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,727. The capacitive sensor senses a level of the fluid and determines that level in relation to a known “home” position. Thetube 20 is placed in a holding device (see FIG. 4) so that a bottom of thetube 20 is at the reference line “X” which is used as a reference point for discussion purposes only. - The bottom sensing device of the present invention includes a
spring mechanism 38 and asensor 40 mounted between thepipetting probe 34 and thepipetting arm 32. Specifically, thespring mechanism 38 is mounted to thepipetting probe 34 in thepipetting arm 32 and permits thepipetting arm 32 to work independently of thepipetting probe 34 as seen more clearly with reference to FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c. In general, thepipetting arm 32 lowers thepipetting probe 34 until thepipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 (past a near bottom tube level) (FIG. 3b). Thepipetting arm 32 is then further capable of being lowered an incremental distance while thepipetting probe 34 remains stationary and thepipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube 20 (FIG. 3c). - The
sensor 40, preferably positioned proximate thepipetting arm 32, determines when thepipetting arm 32 has traveled the incremental distance, such as, for example, approximately in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm or more, while thepipetting probe 34 remains stationary (represented as “Z” distance in FIGS. 3b and 3 c). It is noted that the bottom sensing device of the present invention determines that thepipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of thetube 20 when thesensor 40 is triggered, at which time the downward movement of thepipetting arm 32 is stopped, and in embodiments thepipetting tip 36 may be raised an incremental amount within the fluid so that pipettingtip 36 will not become occluded when aspiration of the fluid begins. - FIG. 3b shows the
pipetting probe 34 in a lowered position and thepipetting tip 36 in contact with the bottom of thetube 20. As seen with reference to the line “X”, thetube 20 remains stationary throughout the process while thepipetting arm 32 andpipetting probe 34 are lowered. It is readily apparent that thepipetting arm 32 and thepipetting probe 34 are synchronously lowered until thepipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of thetube 20. - FIG. 3c shows the
pipetting arm 32 being lowered an incremental distance “Z” while thepipetting probe 34 is stationary and thepipetting tip 36 is in contact with the bottom of the tube. At this stage thesensor 40 is activated after the pipetting arm has been lowered the incremental distance “Z”. The independent movement of thepipetting arm 32 with relation to thepipetting probe 34 is due to the spring loadedmechanism 38 described with reference to FIG. 3a. It is noted that the incremental distance between the actual bottom of the tube and the triggering of the sensor of thepipetting arm 32 is configured for eachindividual pipetting station 24 such that the traveled distance may vary between different pipetting stations. - Thus, by using the bottom sensing device of the present invention, the
pipetting tip 36 can be lowered past the level of the fluid and the volume measurement of the fluid in thetube 20 can be determined. This is provided by the use of the spring loadedmechanism 38 in conjunction with the independent movement of thepipetting arm 32 and the activation of thesensor 40 as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3a-3 c. Once the volume of fluid is known, the system of the present invention can determine whether a sufficient amount of fluid remains in thetube 20 in order to perform a certain predefined test. The volume of the sample fluid in thetube 20 is calculated by (i) a known volume based on a type of tube used to hold a sample fluid, (ii) a top level of the sample fluid in the tube as sensed by the level sensor, and (iii) a distance of movement of the pipetting arm minus the certain distance the pipetting arm traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube. Alternatively, the present invention can prioritize between which tests are to be performed on the fluid, as discussed above. - FIG. 4 shows a comparison between a standard tube (having a rounded bottom) and a conical bottom tube in a tube holding device. Specifically, the standard tube is held in the
tube holding device 42 by use of aresilient spring 44 biasing the standard tube against awall 47 of an opining 45. At a bottom of thetube holding device 42 is anopening 46. Theopening 46 is configured such that the bottom of the standard test tube remains at the reference line “X” as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3a-3 c. However, theopening 46 allows the bottom of the conical shape tube to exceed beyond the reference line “X” to reference line “Y”. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the reference line “X” and the reference line “Y” is about 0.10 inches; however, it is well understood that any other distance may also be contemplated for use with the present invention. As discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pipetting tip may be lowered past the reference line “X” (step S58 a) to reference line “Y” such that the system of the present invention will automatically identify that a conical shaped bottom tube is being used with the present invention. In this case, when the system of the present invention automatically identifies that such a conical shaped bottom tube is being used, the sample volume of the tube will be calculated by reference to an alterative look-up table which is different from the look-up table for the standard tube. - Prior to discussing FIGS. 5 and 6, it is noted that the calculation of the volume of the fluid in the tube is calculated by the CPU of the computer or other similar device. It is also readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that all other calculations and determinations discussed herein are also calculated by the CPU of the computer or other similar device. These calculations and determinations may further include the prioritization of the tests being performed on the fluid as well as the near tube bottom position (e.g., the position of prior art systems in which one was assured that there was enough fluid to run a specific test or tests).
- More specifically, the invention can be implemented using a plurality of separate dedicated or programmable integrated or other electronic circuits or devices (e.g., hardwired electronic or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, or programmable logic devices such as PLDs, PLAs, PALs, or the like). A suitably programmed general purpose computer, e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller or other processor device (CPU or MPU), either alone or in conjunction with one or more peripheral (e.g., integrated circuit) data and signal processing devices can be used to implement the invention. In general, any device or assembly of devices on which a finite state machine capable of implementing the flow charts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used as a controller with the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the process of using the bottom sensing device of the present invention. Specifically, at step S40, a “home position” is determined and stored in the memory of the computer. At step S42, the pipetting arm is lowered and, at step S44, a determination is made as to whether any fluid is sensed at or above a near tube bottom level position, typically 250 μl or other determined level. If fluid is sensed at the near bottom tube level position, at step S46, a sample of the fluid is aspirated into the pipetting probe and a test is performed thereon. However, if no fluid is sensed at the near bottom tube level position, at step 48, the pipetting arm is lowered until a fluid level is sensed. At this step, it is preferred that the lowering of the pipetting arm be slower than the previous movement of the pipetting arm to ensure that the pipetting tip does not contact the bottom of the tube at such a rate of speed as to damage or destroy the tube or pipetting tip or arm.
- At step S50, a determination is made as to whether the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom (discussed in detail below) of the tube fluid prior to sensing any fluid within the tube. If no fluid is sensed, a determination is made that there is no fluid in the tube and the process of the present invention stops, at step S52. However, if a fluid is sensed, at step S54, a position reading of the pipetting arm (or probe or tip) with relation to a “home” position is determined and stored in the memory of the computer. The position reading is determinative of the level of sensed fluid.
- At step S56, the pipetting tip is lowered until it is in contact with the bottom of the tube. As discussed above, the pipetting station does not know that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube at this step. Thus, in order to determine that the pipetting tip is in contact with the tube, at step S58, the pipetting arm is lowered an incremental distance while the pipetting probe remains stationary until the sensor is triggered. Once the sensor is triggered at step S58, the downward movement of the pipetting arm is stopped. At step S60, the pipetting arm and pipetting probe may be raised an incremental amount within the fluid, preferably just above the known tube bottom level, so that the
pipetting tip 36 will not become occluded when the fluid is aspirated by the pipetting probe. It is at this step S58, that the pipetting station knows that the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube and may thus determine the volume of fluid present in the tube. - In an alternate embodiment, the pipetting tip may be lowered past the reference line “X” (step S58 a) by a certain distance such that the system of the present invention will identify that a conical shaped bottom tube is being used with the present invention. This is based on the fact that the conical shaped tube, in the embodiments of the present invention, preferably extend past the reference line “X” so that when the pipetting tip passes the reference line “X” the system of the present invention will automatically identify that such a conical shaped bottom tube is being used herein. In this case, the sample volume will be calculated by reference to an alterative look-up table which is different from the look-up table for a standard tube.
- At step S62, the volume of fluid in the tube is determined (as described above with reference to FIG. 3a). That is, the volume of the tube is calculated by using a look-up table for the tube and by(i) a known shape of the type of tube used to hold a sample fluid, (ii) a top level of the sample fluid in the tube as sensed by the liquid level sensor, and (iii) a distance of movement of the pipetting arm minus the certain distance the pipetting arm traveled after the pipetting tip is in contact with the bottom of the tube.
- At step S66, a determination is made as to whether there is sufficient amount of fluid in the tube to perform desired specific tests. If there is not a sufficient amount of fluid, then the process of the present ends at step S68. However, if there is enough fluid present in the tube, then at step S70, the present system may prioritize which tests may be performed on the fluid sample and being aspiration of the fluid for testing thereon. Alternatively, the operator can be alerted that insufficient sample is available to complete all of the required tests, and the operator can then select manually which test or tests may be performed on the sample fluid.
- As discussed above, a known volume table for tubes is provided to the system of the present invention. This allows the present invention to “look up” an appropriate table in order to calculate the volume of the tube based on the movement of the pipetting arm with relation to a sensed level of the fluid and a determined bottom position of the tube. It is also readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the system of the present invention also stores in memory or the like the amount of fluid needed for the specific test or tests.
- FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an alternative process of using the bottom sensing device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sample tube is a conical or a round bottom micro tube which is contained in a special bar coded insert or rack. In the case of the micro tube (and in embodiments the conical bottom tube), an identification is provided by a second interrogation of the sample carousel or conveyer by the bar code reading station. The preconfigured new tube bottom position based on the detected tubes would be different from each of these tubes as well as being different from the standard tube. It is further noted that each tube has its own look-up table such that the sample volume of each different tube may be calculated by reference to a specific look-up table.
- More specifically, after step S40, the tube is passed by a bar code scanner for reading of a bar code (step S41 a). This step may also be performed prior to step S40. The bar code reader provides the bar code information to the computer such as, but not limited to, (i) the type of tube being used to hold the fluid and (iii) the identifying information of the fluid (e.g., person). In this embodiment of the present invention, the system of the present invention may also consult a look up table to determine the amount of fluid needed for a specific test or tests to be performed on the fluid. The remaining steps of FIG. 5 may then be implemented.
- It is noted that when using the conical bottom tube, the system of the present invention will automatically identify such a conical bottom tube when the pipetting tip exceeds the reference line “X” at step S56.
- While the invention has been described in terms of a single preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (28)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/845,304 US6417008B2 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2001-05-01 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,282 US6270726B1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 1999-09-30 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
US09/845,304 US6417008B2 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2001-05-01 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,282 Division US6270726B1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 1999-09-30 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010028864A1 true US20010028864A1 (en) | 2001-10-11 |
US6417008B2 US6417008B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 |
Family
ID=23619825
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,282 Expired - Lifetime US6270726B1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 1999-09-30 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
US09/845,304 Expired - Lifetime US6417008B2 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2001-05-01 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,282 Expired - Lifetime US6270726B1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 1999-09-30 | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6270726B1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050014285A1 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2005-01-20 | Miller David Jeffrey | Method for resupplying reagents in an automatic clinical analyzer |
US20080050279A1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-28 | Kyozo Fujita | Sample analyzer |
US20090133511A1 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | Perkinelmer Las, Inc. | Fluid handling device with ultrasound sensor and methods and systems using same |
US20120222773A1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2012-09-06 | Takashi Yamato | Analyzer and position confirming method |
US20130064737A1 (en) * | 2010-01-13 | 2013-03-14 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Automatic analyzer |
US20140199779A1 (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2014-07-17 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Automatic analyzer |
WO2016028598A1 (en) * | 2014-08-20 | 2016-02-25 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Pipetting system |
EP3336557A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-20 | Horiba, Ltd.g | Analysis apparatus |
CN109690325A (en) * | 2016-09-21 | 2019-04-26 | 株式会社日立高新技术 | Automatic analysing apparatus |
Families Citing this family (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19847759A1 (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-04-20 | Dade Behring Marburg Gmbh | Interchangeable vibrating pipette needle |
JP2002001092A (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2002-01-08 | Shimadzu Corp | Apparatus for discharging liquid |
DE50000145D1 (en) * | 2000-09-27 | 2002-06-13 | Uhlmann Visiotec Gmbh | Procedure for checking the filling of a blister pack for medicinal products |
EP1354211A1 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2003-10-22 | Tecan Trading AG | Pipetting device |
JP4351875B2 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2009-10-28 | シスメックス株式会社 | Liquid suction device and analyzer equipped with the same |
DE602004000441T2 (en) * | 2004-01-15 | 2006-08-10 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. (n.d.Ges.d.Staates Delaware), Palo Alto | Positioning for a fluid transfer |
JP3980031B2 (en) * | 2005-02-09 | 2007-09-19 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Automatic analyzer |
FR2887982B1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2009-03-06 | Biomerieux Sa | AUTOMATIC PIPETTING DEVICE FOR ENSURING THE TRACEABILITY OF THE REALIZED ANALYSIS |
US7284453B2 (en) * | 2005-07-15 | 2007-10-23 | Beckman Coulter, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maximizing liquid aspiration from small vessels |
CA3122671A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2008-05-15 | Meso Scale Technologies, Llc. | Assay apparatuses, methods and reagents |
CN101310188B (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2012-06-13 | 株式会社东芝 | Autoanalyzer and method of up-and-down moving of probe |
US8192698B2 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2012-06-05 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Sampling probe, gripper and interface for laboratory sample management systems |
US7621181B2 (en) * | 2006-04-12 | 2009-11-24 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. | Fluid level detector and analyzer |
JP4949788B2 (en) * | 2006-09-22 | 2012-06-13 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Liquid suction device |
US7814788B2 (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2010-10-19 | Abbott Laboratories, Inc. | Liquid level sensor |
CN101168160B (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2012-02-01 | 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 | Reaction cup cleaning mechanism |
US8703492B2 (en) | 2007-04-06 | 2014-04-22 | Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc. | Open platform hybrid manual-automated sample processing system |
US7985375B2 (en) * | 2007-04-06 | 2011-07-26 | Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc. | Sample preparation system and method for processing clinical specimens |
JP5377866B2 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2013-12-25 | シスメックス株式会社 | Sample analyzer |
US8776621B2 (en) * | 2009-03-06 | 2014-07-15 | Dionex Corporation | Fluid sample delivery system and method |
WO2011063139A1 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2011-05-26 | Qiagen | Laboratory central control unit method and system |
US8367022B2 (en) * | 2010-05-03 | 2013-02-05 | Integra Biosciences Corp. | Unintended motion control for manually directed multi-channel electronic pipettor |
DE102010022552B4 (en) * | 2010-06-02 | 2013-06-27 | Perkinelmer Chemagen Technologie Gmbh | Device and method for the complete absorption of liquids from vessels |
CH704388A2 (en) | 2011-01-27 | 2012-07-31 | Tecan Trading Ag | Adjusting for microplate washing device. |
JP5714410B2 (en) * | 2011-05-16 | 2015-05-07 | 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ | Automatic analyzer and method |
BR112013033985A2 (en) * | 2011-07-01 | 2017-02-14 | Beckman Coulter Inc | low transition percentage liquid handling probe for an automated analyzer |
US9315334B2 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2016-04-19 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. | Intelligent bidirectional multifunctional carrier and integrated automation system for material distribution and transportation |
EP2633913B1 (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2019-05-08 | Eppendorf AG | Pipette device and multi-channel pipette device |
EP4109106A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-12-28 | Abbott Laboratories | Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods |
WO2015092844A1 (en) * | 2013-12-16 | 2015-06-25 | 株式会社島津製作所 | Liquid collection device and automated analyzer provided therewith |
JP6649088B2 (en) * | 2014-01-07 | 2020-02-19 | 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ | Automatic analyzer |
US9797917B2 (en) * | 2014-07-11 | 2017-10-24 | Intellicyt | Contact sensing probe and methods of use for microplate liquid sampling |
ES2895944T3 (en) * | 2014-12-13 | 2022-02-23 | Hoffmann La Roche | Device for storing fluid containers |
CN105842013B (en) | 2016-04-28 | 2019-03-19 | 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 | A kind of liquid collector and the intelligent closestool including the liquid collector |
US11372014B2 (en) * | 2016-05-12 | 2022-06-28 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. | Clinical analyzer probe crash detection mechanism and process |
WO2020018483A1 (en) * | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-23 | Waters Technologies Corporation | Twist lock compliant needle for detection of contact |
WO2022139793A1 (en) * | 2020-12-21 | 2022-06-30 | Tecan Trading Ag | Dead volume reduction and method therefor |
Family Cites Families (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4276260A (en) * | 1980-01-28 | 1981-06-30 | Coulter Electronics, Inc. | Fluid transfer mechanism |
US4326851A (en) * | 1980-10-24 | 1982-04-27 | Coulter Electronics, Inc. | Level sensor apparatus and method |
JPS5798862A (en) | 1980-12-12 | 1982-06-19 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Distributor |
US5084241A (en) | 1982-09-20 | 1992-01-28 | V-Tech, Inc. | Apparatus including a sample petter tube for obtaining reproducible liquid samples of small volume |
JPS60237369A (en) | 1984-05-11 | 1985-11-26 | Eisai Co Ltd | Continuous measuring apparatus for reaction solution in very small container |
US4794085A (en) * | 1984-07-19 | 1988-12-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for detecting liquid penetration by a container used for aspirating and dispensing the liquid |
AU585033B2 (en) * | 1986-07-04 | 1989-06-08 | Tosoh Corporation | Quantitative dispenser for a liquid |
US4707337A (en) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-11-17 | Multi-Technology, Inc. | Medical micro pipette tips for difficult to reach places and related methods |
US4721680A (en) | 1986-08-11 | 1988-01-26 | Multi-Technology, Inc. | Methods of using micro pipette tips |
US5045286A (en) * | 1988-02-25 | 1991-09-03 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Device for aspirating a fixed quantity of liquid |
US5027075A (en) * | 1989-09-18 | 1991-06-25 | Nova Biomedical Corporation | Apparatus for determination of probe contact with a liquid surface |
US5358831A (en) | 1990-12-13 | 1994-10-25 | Eastman Kodak Company | High dye stability, high activity, low stain and low viscosity small particle yellow dispersion melt for color paper and other photographic systems |
US5143849A (en) * | 1991-03-21 | 1992-09-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Tip to surface spacing for optimum dispensing controlled by a detected pressure change in the tip |
US5133392A (en) * | 1991-04-10 | 1992-07-28 | Eastman Kodak Company | Liquid injection using container bottom sensing |
US5223225A (en) | 1991-05-17 | 1993-06-29 | Bio 101 | Scale-marked pipet tip for precision dispensing of fluids over a large range of volumes |
DE4203638A1 (en) | 1992-02-08 | 1993-08-12 | Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh | LIQUID TRANSFER DEVICE FOR AN ANALYZER |
DE4209620C1 (en) | 1992-03-25 | 1993-12-16 | Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler | Method for correcting the volume error ïV in a pipetting system |
US5270210A (en) | 1992-07-16 | 1993-12-14 | Schiapparelli Biosystems, Inc. | Capacitive sensing system and wash/alignment station for a chemical analyzer |
SE512416C2 (en) | 1993-10-12 | 2000-03-13 | Cma Microdialysis Ab | Methods for collecting small quantities of liquid, and sample containers for collecting small quantities of liquid |
US5550059A (en) | 1994-02-23 | 1996-08-27 | Bayer Corporation | Fluid sensing pipette |
US5529754A (en) | 1994-05-02 | 1996-06-25 | Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. | Apparatus for capacitatively determining the position of a pipetting needle within an automated analyzer |
US5496523A (en) | 1994-05-06 | 1996-03-05 | Sorenson Bioscience | Filtered micropipette tip for high/low volume pipettors |
US5582798A (en) | 1995-02-23 | 1996-12-10 | Cyberlab Inc. | Volume sensing device |
SE9502183D0 (en) * | 1995-06-15 | 1995-06-15 | Pharmacia Ab | Safety device at a pipette arm |
US5843378A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1998-12-01 | Ljl Biosystems | Method of producing a probe for aspirating and dispensing probe having surface sensing capability |
US5744099A (en) | 1995-09-15 | 1998-04-28 | Cytek Development Inc. | Apparatus for transfer of biological fluids |
US5763278A (en) | 1995-11-01 | 1998-06-09 | Tecan Ag | Automated pipetting of small volumes |
TW384398B (en) | 1995-12-19 | 2000-03-11 | Toa Medical Electronics | Sample agitating and sucking apparatus |
US5665601A (en) * | 1996-01-22 | 1997-09-09 | Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. | Avoiding bubble formation while sensing air-liquid interface using pressurized air flow |
JP3158054B2 (en) | 1996-07-19 | 2001-04-23 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Liquid sampling device |
EP0913671A1 (en) * | 1997-10-29 | 1999-05-06 | Roche Diagnostics GmbH | Method and device for liquid transfer in an analyzer |
US6060320A (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 2000-05-09 | Bayer Corporation | Method of verifying aspirated volume in automatic diagnostic system |
-
1999
- 1999-09-30 US US09/409,282 patent/US6270726B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-05-01 US US09/845,304 patent/US6417008B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7029922B2 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2006-04-18 | Dade Behring Inc. | Method for resupplying reagents in an automatic clinical analyzer |
US20050014285A1 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2005-01-20 | Miller David Jeffrey | Method for resupplying reagents in an automatic clinical analyzer |
US8329101B2 (en) | 2006-08-18 | 2012-12-11 | Sysmex Corporation | Sample analyzer |
US20080050279A1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-28 | Kyozo Fujita | Sample analyzer |
US8163239B2 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2012-04-24 | Sysmex Corporation | Sample analyzer |
US8726745B2 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2014-05-20 | Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc. | Fluid handling device with ultrasound sensor and methods and systems using same |
US20090133511A1 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | Perkinelmer Las, Inc. | Fluid handling device with ultrasound sensor and methods and systems using same |
US20130064737A1 (en) * | 2010-01-13 | 2013-03-14 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Automatic analyzer |
US20120222773A1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2012-09-06 | Takashi Yamato | Analyzer and position confirming method |
US20140199779A1 (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2014-07-17 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Automatic analyzer |
US9772264B2 (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2017-09-26 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Automatic analyzer |
WO2016028598A1 (en) * | 2014-08-20 | 2016-02-25 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Pipetting system |
CN107073473A (en) * | 2014-08-20 | 2017-08-18 | Rai策略控股有限公司 | Liquor-transferring system |
US9927452B2 (en) | 2014-08-20 | 2018-03-27 | Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. | Pipetting system |
CN109690325A (en) * | 2016-09-21 | 2019-04-26 | 株式会社日立高新技术 | Automatic analysing apparatus |
EP3336557A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-20 | Horiba, Ltd.g | Analysis apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6417008B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 |
US6270726B1 (en) | 2001-08-07 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6270726B1 (en) | Tube bottom sensing for small fluid samples | |
US5648727A (en) | Capacitive level sensing pipette probe | |
US5985215A (en) | Analyzing apparatus having a function pipette samples | |
JP5178830B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
EP0526210A1 (en) | Apparatus for detecting bubbles in reagent pipetting apparatus | |
JP4538478B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
EP2525230A1 (en) | Automatic analyzing device | |
JPH0217448A (en) | Air type detection system | |
JP5943825B2 (en) | Method and system for distinguishing bulk liquid from foam and bulk liquid residue | |
US9945882B2 (en) | Method for pipetting liquids in an automated analysis apparatus | |
EP0164679B1 (en) | Apparatus for fluid level sensing | |
EP1007913A1 (en) | Device and method for determining liquid-probe contact | |
JPH0510958A (en) | Analysis device | |
US6890761B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
EP2207039A2 (en) | Process and system for measuring liquid volumes and for controlling pipetting processes | |
EP2075587B1 (en) | Automatic analyzer and dispensing method thereof | |
US6107810A (en) | Analyzer with function of detecting liquid level | |
US11415589B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
JP4045211B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
JP3860313B2 (en) | Ultrasonic liquid level detection device and liquid level detection method using this device | |
JP4110082B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
JP3120180U (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
JP7301764B2 (en) | automatic analyzer | |
JP3694755B2 (en) | Pipetting method, pipetting device, and storage medium | |
JP6338898B2 (en) | Automatic analyzer |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS DIAGNOSTICS, NEW YORK Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:DPC CIRRUS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019440/0617 Effective date: 20061227 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC., NEW YORK Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS DIAGNOSTICS;REEL/FRAME:021423/0942 Effective date: 20071231 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |