System and method for agitation of multiple specimen containers
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B01F-011/00
출원번호
US-0800446
(2010-05-14)
등록번호
US-8709344
(2014-04-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Bishop, James C.
Guerra, Lawrence
Robinson, Ronnie J.
Fanning, Mark J.
Robbins, David M.
Taubert, Tomasz
Justice, Christopher D.
출원인 / 주소
bio Mérieux, Inc.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
6인용 특허 :
25
초록▼
A system is disclosed for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium. The system includes a plurality of racks. The racks have a plurality of receptacles, each of which is adapted for holding a specimen container. The racks include a first rack oriented in a
A system is disclosed for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium. The system includes a plurality of racks. The racks have a plurality of receptacles, each of which is adapted for holding a specimen container. The racks include a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. The system also includes a rotating turret having a frame holding the racks. The frame is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks about the axis to an access position, e.g., where a user may access the specimen containers. The system also includes an agitation assembly coupled to the racks. The agitation assembly rocks the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by the racks. In one configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument detecting whether a microbiological agent is present in the specimen container. In another configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument identifying or characterizing the microbiological agent.
대표청구항▼
1. A system for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium, comprising, in combination: a plurality of specimen container racks, each of said racks including a plurality of receptacles adapted for holding a specimen container, the racks including a first rack
1. A system for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium, comprising, in combination: a plurality of specimen container racks, each of said racks including a plurality of receptacles adapted for holding a specimen container, the racks including a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction;a rotating turret comprising a frame holding the racks, the frame rotatable about a vertical axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks including the first rack and the second rack about the vertical axis to an access position; andan agitation assembly coupled to each of said racks, the agitation assembly rocking the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by such racks; andan automated loading mechanism moveable in two orthogonal directions placed proximate to the rotating turret and including a structure for holding one of the specimen containers, the loading mechanism operable to insert a specimen container into any of the receptacles of the first or second rack when the first or second rack is rotated about the vertical axis into a loading position. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the racks includes a first rack assembly comprising at least two racks oriented vertically in alignment with each other and a second rack assembly comprising at least two racks oriented vertically in alignment with each other, and wherein the first and second racks are held by the frame of the rotating turret and oriented in opposite directions from each other. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating turret comprises a base coupled to the frame, a bearing supporting the base, a turret drive assembly coupled to the frame, and a turret drive motor for rotating the turret drive assembly. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a toothed belt driven by the turret drive motor, the toothed belt connecting the turret drive motor to the turret drive assembly wherein rotation of the belt by the turret drive motor causes the turret drive assembly to rotate thereby rotating the frame. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the agitation assembly comprises: a bearing coupling the first rack to the frame;a connecting link and a main drive link, the connecting link connecting the bearing to the main drive link;an eccentric bearing coupled to the main drive link; anda motor driving the eccentric bearing;wherein motor operates to move the eccentric bearing, main drive link and connecting link to thereby cause angular displacement of the first rack about the bearing to thereby rock specimen container(s) contained in the first rack back and forth. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of panels enclosing the racks and rotating turret, the panels including a front panel having an access door for providing user access to the rotating turret when the rotating turret is rotated to the access position. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the set of panels include side panels and a top panel wherein the side panels and top panel are insulated. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a base pan having integral air channels, the air channels having at least one outlet;one or more heater assemblies including a fan for blowing warm air into the integral air channels; andwherein the at least one outlet is positioned below the rotating turret to thereby direct warm air upward towards specimen containers held in the racks. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample containers comprise blood collection bottles. 10. An automated sample detection instrument comprising: a system for agitating multiple specimen containers processed in the automated sample detection instrument as recited in claim 1,wherein the racks further include a detection system noninvasively interrogating the sample containers held in the racks to determine whether a microbial agent is present in the sample container. 11. An automated sample identification instrument comprising a system for agitating multiple specimen containers processed in the automated sample identification instrument as recited in claim 1.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (25)
Di Guiseppi James L. (Durham NC) Thorpe Thurman C. (Durham NC), Apparatus and method for detection of microorganisms.
Calandra Michael J. (Somerset NJ) Turner James E. (Chapel Hill NC) Thorpe Thurman C. (Durham NC) DiGuiseppi James L. (Durham NC) Driscoll Richard C. (Raleigh NC) Moody Carmella S. (Oxford NC), Device and method for detecting microorganisms.
Thorpe Thurman C. (Durham NC) DiGuiseppi James L. (Durham NC) Driscoll Richard C. (Raleigh NC) Turner James E. (Hillsboro OR) Calandra Michael J. (Somerset NJ), Device and method for enhanced recovery and detection of microbial growth in the presence of antimicrobial substances.
Champseix Henri (Montferreir Sur Lez FRX) Champseix Serge (Teyran FRX) Le Comte Roger (Carnon FRX) LeFevre Didier (Saint Clement De Riviere FRX), Device for agitating and for taking samples of blood products from tubes which are grouped together in racks.
Turner James E. (Chapel Hill NC) Thorpe Thurman C. (Durham NC) Di Guiseppi James L. (Chapel Hill NC) Driscoll Richard C. (Raleigh NC), Device for detecting microorganisms.
Turner James E. (Chapel Hill NC) Thorpe Thurman C. (Durham NC) DiGuiseppi James L. (Durham NC) Driscoll Richard C. (Raleigh NC) Calandra Michael J. (Somerset NJ), Method for detecting microorganisms.
Blumenfeld Walter (Airville PA) Berndt Klaus W. (Stewartstown PA), Methods and apparatus for detecting bacterial growth by spectrophotometric sampling of a fiber-optic array.
Bachur, Jr., Nicholas Robert, System and method for optically monitoring the concentration of a gas in a sample vial using photothermal spectroscopy to detect sample growth.
Goldberg, David A.; Howson, David C.; Metzger, Steven W.; Buttry, Daniel A.; Saavedra, Steven Scott, Sensitive and rapid determination of antimicrobial susceptibility.
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