초록 ▼

Improved sampler apparatus and methods for dissolution testing include a controller that determines whether several different dissolution testing methods can be performed concurrently by the sampler and controls the sampler in response to the determination; fluid delivery apparatus adapted to pierce

Improved sampler apparatus and methods for dissolution testing include a controller that determines whether several different dissolution testing methods can be performed concurrently by the sampler and controls the sampler in response to the determination; fluid delivery apparatus adapted to pierce a septum and to deliver fluid to or from a collection receptacle through a first aperture, and to permit air flow to or from the collection receptacle through a second aperture; a syringe pump including a distributor having apertures through which fluid flows into and out of the pump chamber, the piston of the syringe pump being moveable adjacent the apertures; and/or a leak sensor responsive to the presence of spilled fluids.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sampler adapted to operate concurrently in accordance with a first test method and a second test method different from the first test method, the first test method including withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a first set of vessels at a first set of time intervals and delivering the samp

1. A sampler adapted to operate concurrently in accordance with a first test method and a second test method different from the first test method, the first test method including withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a first set of vessels at a first set of time intervals and delivering the samples to a corresponding first set of collection receptacles, and the second test method including withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a second set of vessels at a second set of time intervals and delivering the samples to a corresponding second set of collection receptacles;wherein the sampler includes a controller and a head having fluid delivery apparatus, the head and the collection receptacles being relatively positionable in response to signals from the controller to enable samples to be delivered to specified collection receptacles. 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the sampler includes a first pump unit adapted to withdraw samples of fluid from the first set of vessels and a second pump unit adapted to withdraw samples of fluid from the second set of vessels, the pump units being independently operable in response to signals from the controller.3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the controller determines whether operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.4. The invention of claim 3, wherein the controller operates the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.5. The invention of claim 3, wherein the controller precludes operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.6. The invention of claim 3 wherein, in response to a determination that operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously, the controller determines whether varying one or more parameters of the first test method and/or the second test method, other than the time intervals at which samples are to be withdrawn, would enable operating the sampler concurrently without requiring the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the controller operates the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters, in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.8. The invention of claim 6, wherein the controller precludes operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.9. The invention of claim 6, wherein the parameters include the time at which a sample is delivered to a collection receptacle.10. The invention of claim 6, wherein the parameters include the time at which tubing lines that provided to convey samples are flushed.11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the head includes first fluid delivery apparatus adapted to deliver samples of fluid from the first set of vessels and second fluid delivery apparatus adapted to deliver samples of fluid from the second set of vessels, the first and second fluid delivery apparatus being independently operable in response to signals from the controller.12. A method of operating a sampler, the sampler including collection receptacles and a head having fluid delivery apparatus, the head and the collection receptacles being relatively positionable to enable samples of fluid withdrawn from each of a set of vessels in accordance with a test method to be delivered to a corresponding set of collection receptacles, comprising:determining whether operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with a first test method and a second test method different from the first test method would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously, the first test method including withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a first set of vessels at a first set of time intervals and delivering the samples to a corresponding first set of collection receptacles, the second test method including withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a second set of vessels at a second set of time intervals and delivering the samples to a corresponding second set of collection receptacles; and controlling operation of the sampler in response to the determination. 13. The invention of claim 12, wherein controlling operation of the sampler includes controlling the operation of a plurality of independently operable pump units.14. The invention of claim 12, wherein controlling operation of the sampler includes operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.15. The invention of claim 12, wherein controlling operation of the sampler includes precluding operation of the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.16. The invention of claim 12 further comprising, in response to a determination that operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously, determining whether varying one or more parameters of the first test method and/or the second test method, other than the time intervals at which samples are to be withdrawn, would enable operating the sampler concurrently without requiring the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.17. The invention of claim 16, further comprising operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters, in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.18. The invention of claim 16, further comprising precluding operation of the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters, in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.19. The invention of claim 16, wherein the parameters include the time at which a sample is delivered to a collection receptacle.20. The invention of claim 16, wherein the parameters include the time at which tubing lines that are provided to convey samples are flushed.21. A sampler comprising:a head having one or more fluid delivery devices, each device adapted to deliver one or more samples of fluid to one or more selected collection receptacles; and a controller adapted to control relative positioning of the head and the one or more selected collection receptacles to enable the one or more samples to be delivered to the one or more selected collection receptacles, wherein: the controller is adapted to operate concurrently in accordance with a first test method and a second test method different from the first test method; the first test method includes withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a first set of vessels at a first set of time intervals and the one or more fluid delivery devices delivering the samples to a corresponding first set of collection receptacles; and the second test method includes withdrawing samples of fluid from each of a second set of vessels at a second set of time intervals and the one or more fluid delivery devices delivering the samples to a corresponding second set of collection receptacles. 22. The invention of claim 21, wherein the sampler includes first pump unit adapted to withdraw samples of fluid from the first set of vessels and a second pump unit adapted to withdraw samples of fluid from the second set of vessels, the pump units being independently operable in response to signals from the controller.23. The invention of claim 21, wherein the controller determines whether operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simutaneously.24. The invention of claim 23, wherein the controller operates the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.25. The invention of claim 23, wherein the controller precludes operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.26. The invention of claim 23, wherein, in response to a determination that operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously, the controller determines whether varying one or more parameters of the first test method and/or the second test method, other than the time intervals at which samples are to be withdrawn, would enable operating the sampler concurrently without requiring the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.27. The invention of claim 26, wherein the controller operates the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters, in response to a determination that such operation would not require the head an the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.28. The invention of claim 26, wherein the controller precludes operating the sampler concurrently in accordance with the first and second test methods with varied parameters in response to a determination that such operation would require the head and the collection receptacles to be in two different relative positions simultaneously.29. The invention of claim 26, wherein the parameters include the time at which a sample is delivered to a collection receptacle.30. The invention of claim 26, wherein the parameters include the time at which tubing lines that provided to convey samples are flushed.31. The invention of claim 21, wherein the one or more fluid delivery devices include a first fluid delivery device adapted to deliver samples of fluid from the first set of vessels and a second fluid delivery device adapted to deliver samples of fluid from the second set of vessels, the first and second fluid delivery devices being independently operable in response to signals from the controller.