초록 ▼

The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includ

The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The cartridge ports include a cartridge dock which is shaped to receive the cartridges and a balance weight dock which is located radially inward from the cartridge dock. The cartridge dock is shaped to receive a balance weight. A locking mechanism is provided which holds the cartridge in the cartridge dock during rotation of the cartridge rotor plate. A balancing mechanism is provided which includes a balance weight which is movable to the balance weight dock when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge dock. An ejection mechanism is provided which ejects the test cartridge from the cartridge port after processing of the test cartridge is completed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids, said instrument comprising:A) a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges, said cartridges comprising an analytical system which requires centrifugal force to operate and a test element which provides a detectable analytical pr

1. An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids, said instrument comprising:A) a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges, said cartridges comprising an analytical system which requires centrifugal force to operate and a test element which provides a detectable analytical property of said fluid, said cartridge carousel assembly comprising: a) a cartridge rotor plate which comprises a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from said center, said cartridge ports comprising a cartridge dock having radially extending side walls defining a cartridge chamber which is shaped to receive said cartridges and a balance weight dock which is located radially inward from said cartridge dock, said balance weight dock having radially extending side walls defining a balance weight chamber which is shaped to receive a balance weight; b) a rotary drive mechanism which rotates said cartridge rotor plate about the center thereof, wherein rotation of said cartridge rotor plate provides the centrifugal force required to operate the analytical system of said cartridge; c) a locking mechanism which holds said cartridge in said cartridge chamber during rotation of said cartridge rotor plate; d) a balancing mechanism which comprises a balance weight wherein said balance weight is movable to said balance weight chamber when said cartridge is inserted into said cartridge chamber and wherein said balance weight remains in said cartridge chamber during rotation of said cartridge rotor plate when a cartridge is not present in said cartridge chamber, and wherein the distance between the radially extending side walls of said cartridge chamber is greater than the distance between the radially extending side walls of said balance weight chamber, said balancing mechanism comprising a support yoke to which said balance weight is attached for movement between said cartridge chamber and balance weight chamber and a support yoke track located in each of the radially extending side walls of said cartridge chamber and said balance weight chamber, said support yoke being mounted within said support tracks to provide slidable movement of said support yoke in said support yoke tracks between said cartridge chamber and said balance weight chamber; and e) an ejection mechanism which ejects said cartridge from said cartridge port; B) a detector which measures said detectable analytical property of said fluid sample which is provided by the test element of said cartridge; and C) a tracking and control unit which tracks and controls said rotary drive mechanism, said locking mechanism and said ejection mechanism, said tracking and control unit comprising a user input interface for receiving data input from a user of the instrument, a central processing unit, a real time processor and a data output interface which provides output of results of the measurements made by said detector.