IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0145695
(2002-05-16)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Ammann,Kelly G.
- Hansberry,Ernest V.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
44 인용 특허 :
240 |
초록
▼
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; one or more container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation
What is claimed is: 1. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; one or more container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation and being constructed and ranged to hold a container therein, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure so as to be rotatable therewith and so that said axis of rotation of each container holder is generally parallel to said first axis of rotation; a container holder mounting assembly associated with each container holder, said container holder mounting assembly being constructed and arranged to mount said associated container holder to said turntable structure and to permit said associated container holder to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is generally parallel to and spaced from both said first axis of rotation and said axis of rotation of said associated container holder; and rotational motion coupling elements operatively associated with said turntable structure and said container holder mounting structure and constructed and arranged to cause each container holder to rotate about said second axis of rotation as said turntable structure rotates about said first axis of rotation. 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising four container holders spaced 90 degrees from each other. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said turntable structure is in the form of a right angle cross comprising four 90 degree-spaced arms extending radially from said first axis of rotation. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein three of said four arms are of generally the same length and a fourth arm is longer than the other three arms. 5. The device of claim 3 further comprising four container holders, each of said container holders being mounted on an associated one of said arms of said turntable structure, and all of said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure at an equal radial distance from said first axis of rotation. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein each container holder comprises: a generally cylindrical member having an open top end for receiving and holding a container; and a container retainer spring spanning a lateral slot formed in a side portion of said cylindrical member for holding the container within said cylindrical member. 7. Amended) The device of claim 6, wherein said container holder mounting assembly comprises: a vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said turntable structure; and a shaft block assembly adapted for mounting said cylindrical member to said vertical shaft, said shaft block assembly comprising: a block structure having curved end portions which conform to an inside wall of said cylindrical member, a generally circular aperture for receiving said vertical shaft, a first slot extending from said aperture to an end of said block structure, and a second slot extending from an edge of said block structure generally perpendicularly to said first slot so as to define a cantilevered arm; and a screw extending through a through-hole formed laterally through said block structure, across said first slot, and into an aligned, threaded hole formed laterally through said cantilevered arm so that as said screw is tightened, said cantilevered arm deflects in such a manner as to tighten said aperture around said vertical shaft. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said rotational motion coupling elements comprise: a planetary gear operatively associated with each of said one or more container holders so as to be rotatable therewith; and a sun gear fixed with respect to said turntable structure, each said planetary gear being operatively engaged with said sun gear so that rotation of said turntable structure about said first axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of each said planetary gear and associated container holder about said second axis of rotation. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a bar code scanner mounted adjacent said turntable structure and constructed and arranged to scan bar code information on a container carried in said container holder. 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor system constructed and arranged to determine the rotational position of said turntable structure. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said sensor system comprises: four optical sensors fixed with respect to said turntable structure and mounted adjacent thereto at 90 degree intervals; and a sensor tab fixed to said turntable structure and positioned so as to activate each of said four optical sensors in sequence during rotation of said turntable structure. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said tab is fixed to said turntable structure at a location corresponding to a one of said container holders. 13. The device of claim 11, wherein said turntable structure is in the form of a right angle cross comprising four 90 degree-spaced arms extending radially from said first axis of rotation, and said sensor tab extends from a one of said four arms. 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising an extension connected to the end of one of said four arms, making said arm to which said extension is attached longer than the other three arms, wherein said sensor tab is connected to said extension. 15. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; four container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation and being constructed and arranged to hold a container therein, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure so as to be rotatable therewith and so that said axis of rotation of each container holder is generally parallel to said first axis of rotation, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure at equal radial distances from said first axis of rotation, each of said container holders comprising a generally cylindrical member having an open top end for receiving and holding a container and a container retainer spring spanning a lateral slot formed in a side portion of said cylindrical member for holding the container within said cylindrical member; a container holder mounting assembly associated with each container holder, said container holder mounting assembly being constructed and arranged to mount said associated container holder to said turntable structure and to permit said associated container holder to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is generally parallel to and spaced from bath said first axis of rotation and said axis of rotation of said associated container holder; and rotational motion coupling elements operatively associated with said turntable structure and said container holder mounting structure and constructed and arranged to cause each container holder to rotate about said second axis of rotation as said turntable structure rotates about said first axis of rotation. 16. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; four container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation and being constructed and arranged to hold a container therein, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure so as to be rotatable therewith and so that said axis of rotation of each container holder is generally parallel to said first axis of rotation, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure at equal radial distances from said first axis of rotation, each of said container holders comprising a generally cylindrical member having an open top end for receiving and holding a container and a container retainer spring spanning a lateral slot formed in a side portion of said cylindrical member for holding the container within said cylindrical member; a container holder mounting assembly associated with each container holder, said container holder mounting assembly being constructed and arranged to mount said associated container holder to said turntable structure and to permit said associated container holder to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is generally parallel to and spaced from both said first axis of rotation and said axis of rotation of said associated container holder; and rotational motion coupling elements operatively associated with said turntable structure and said container holder mounting structure and constructed and arranged to cause each container holder to rotate about said second axis of rotation as said turntable structure rotates about said first axis of rotation, wherein said rotational motion coupling elements comprise: a planetary gear operatively associated with each of said four container holders so as to be rotatable therewith; and a sun gear fixed with respect to said turntable structure, each said planetary gear being operatively engaged with said sun gear so that rotation of said turntable structure about said first axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of each said planetary gear and associated container holder about said second axis of rotation. 17. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; four container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation and being constructed and arranged to bold a container therein, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure so as to be rotatable therewith and so that said axis of rotation of each container holder is generally parallel to said first axis of rotation, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure at equal radial distances from said first axis of rotation; a container holder mounting assembly associated with each container holder, said container holder mounting assembly being constructed and arranged to mount said associated container holder to said turntable structure and to permit said associated container holder to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is generally parallel to and spaced from both said first axis of rotation and said axis of rotation of said associated container holder; and rotational motion coupling elements operatively associated with said turntable structure and said container holder mounting structure and constructed and arranged to cause each container holder to rotate about said second axis of rotation as said turntable structure rotates about said first axis of rotation, wherein said rotational motion coupling elements comprise: a planetary gear operatively associated with each of said four container holders so as to be rotatable therewith; and a sun gear fixed with respect to said turnable structure, each said planetary gear being operatively engaged with said sun gear so that rotation of said turntable structure about said first axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of each said planetary gear and associated container holder about said second axis of rotation. 18. A device for agitating the fluid contents of at least one container, said device comprising: a turntable structure constructed and arranged to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation; one or more container holders, each of said container holders having an axis of rotation and being constructed and arranged to bold a container therein, said container holders being mounted on said turntable structure so as to be rotatable therewith and so that said axis of rotation of each container holder is generally parallel to said first axis of rotation, each of said container holders comprising a generally cylindrical member having an open top end for receiving and holding a container and a container retainer spring spanning a lateral slot formed in a side portion of said cylindrical member for holding the container within said cylindrical member; a container holder mounting assembly associated with each container holder, said container holder mounting assembly being constructed and arranged to mount said associated container holder to said turntable structure and to permit said associated container holder to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is generally parallel to and spaced from both said first axis of rotation and said axis of rotation of said associated container holder; and rotational motion coupling elements operatively associated with said turntable structure and said container holder mounting structure and constructed and arranged to cause each container holder to rotate about said second axis of rotation as said turntable structure rotates about sad first axis of rotation, wherein said rotational motion coupling elements comprise: a planetary gear operatively associated with each said container holder so as to be rotatable therewith; and a sun gear fixed with respect to said turntable structure, each said planetary gear being operatively engaged with said sun gear so that rotation of said turntable structure about said first axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of each said planetary gear and associated container holder about said second axis of rotation.
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