US3754444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical sampling and reading
Assignee: Bio Logics Products Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract Automatic sampling and reading equipment and methods for use in supplying biological samples to an automatic analyzer and in correlating test results from the automatic analyzer with the identity of the patient providing each sample. The equipment successively indexes a tray of containers each having a biological specimen therein first to a sampling station where a probe withdraws a sample comprising a desired amount of specimen and later to a reading station where an encoded identification plate affixed to the adjacent container is electronically read. The reader at the reading station experiences relative displacement in respect to the identification plate being read, caused by the operation of a drive assembly, and hold-down or guard assembly is provided to insure an accurate reading during the indicated displacement. Withdrawn samples, separated by segments of air, water, and air, are delivered seriatim to the automatic analyzer which tests each sample. An output of the test results from the automatic analyzer in the form of a strip chart is correlated with a print out of the patient identification indicia sensed at the reading station so that the results of the tests are properly related back to the correct patient from whom a given specimen was originally taken. The probe is periodically purged, flushed or cleansed of residual sample by expelling water from the tip thereof into a discharge basin. Clean water is simultaneously displaced to the analyzer between samples, being insulated by air on each side as previously indicated. A mechanism is provided for discharging any clot or clogs from the probe which are experienced during operation of the sampling equipment. Also, a liquid level detector properly locates the probe in the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 S Ure
- 👤 R Morrell
- 👤 L Davis
- 👤 D Steinicke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N35/1011; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732; G01N2035/00742; G01N2035/00772; G01N2035/1025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen comprising a flushing station comprising vessel means receiving and draining discharge flush solution; a sampling station; a plurality of containers each adapted to contain aligned biological specimen; means for sequentially positioning said containers at the sampling station; a hollow probe having a tip end adapted to be sequentially inserted into the flush solution at the flushing station and the container for liquid biological specimen present at the sampling station, said hollow probe having electrodes forming electrical contacts spaced therealong at the tip end thereof; drive means for moving the probe between stations and the probe tip into the flush solution and the container for liquid biological specimen; aspirating means connected to the end of the probe remote from the tip end thereof whereby fluid is aspirated through the said probe; circuit means including said spaced contacts for operating said drive means whereby said drive means is stopped when said tip end is immersed in liquid and a circuit is completed between said spaced electrical contacts; and means for rendering the drive means ineffective when the probe contacts the vessel means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen comprising a flushing station comprising vessel means receiving and draining discharge flush solution; a sampling station; a plurality of containers each adapted to contain aligned biological specimen; means for sequentially positioning said containers at the sampling station; a hollow probe having a tip end adapted to be sequentially inserted into the flush solution at the flushing station and the container for liquid biological specimen present at the sampling station, said hollow probe having electrodes forming electrical contacts spaced therealong at the tip end thereof; drive means for moving the probe between stations and the probe tip into the flush solution and the container for liquid biological specimen; aspirating means connected to the end of the probe remote from the tip end thereof whereby fluid is aspirated through the said probe; circuit means including said spaced contacts for operating said drive means whereby said drive means is stopped when said tip end is immersed in liquid and a circuit is completed between said spaced electrical contacts; and means for rendering the drive means ineffective when the probe contacts the vessel means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the flush solution is distilled water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the electrodes form electrically insulated, concentric tubular portions of the probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the drive means includes a motor and the means for rendering the drive means ineffective comprises a slip clutch connected to the motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, further including a projecting encoded identification device carried by each container; a reader mechanism having a head containing means for detecting encoded material on the projecting identification device; means for moving said head into and out of position to detect the encoded material; and means for disabling the means for sequentially positioning said containers at the sampling station when said head is in position to detect the encoded material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method processing blood serum specimens to be tested comprising: collecting in test tubes blood specimens from several patients; initially centrifuging the blood specimens in the collection test tubes; dispensing a measure of resin into each collection test tube; again centrifuging the specimens to achieve segregation of serum from cells with the resin being disposed at the interface therebetween; placing and retaining the collection test tubes with segregated contents at separate locations in a circular tray, non-rotatably mounting the tray to the drive of a turntable mechanism and rotating the tray to successively place the collection tubes at a sampling station, and withdrawing a sample from each collection test tube by use of an aspirating probe that is inserted into the upper portion of the specimen in each of the test tubes in turn and that is inserted into a wash solution intermediate insertion into adjacent test tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method processing blood serum specimens to be tested comprising: collecting in test tubes blood specimens from several patients; initially centrifuging the blood specimens in the collection test tubes; dispensing a measure of resin into each collection test tube; again centrifuging the specimens to achieve segregation of serum from cells with the resin being disposed at the interface therebetween; placing and retaining the collection test tubes with segregated contents at separate locations in a circular tray, non-rotatably mounting the tray to the drive of a turntable mechanism and rotating the tray to successively place the collection tubes at a sampling station, and withdrawing a sample from each collection test tube by use of an aspirating probe that is inserted into the upper portion of the specimen in each of the test tubes in turn and that is inserted into a wash solution intermediate insertion into adjacent test tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a sampling, reading and testing apparatus for biological samples, means successively delivering containers with biological specimen therein to a sampling station, the containers comprising an identification device with coded information identifying the container; means sampling each container following arrival at the sampling station and communicating each sample to automatic biological testing means, the automatic biological testing means comprising structure for printing on a medium the results of tests performed on the sample; means successively reading the coded indicia of each identification device; circuitry for processing signals obtained from the reading means; output means comprising a printer Disposed adjacent the medium and responsive to processed signals to print container identification outputs on the medium adjacent the location at which the test results from the corresponding container are printed; and paper feed mechanism comprised of opposed drive and idler roller, bracket means eccentrically carrying one of said roller means, the bracket means comprising frame mounting means rotatably coupled to the remainder of the bracket means accommodating selective displacement of the carried roller means and the bracket means between a position remote to the other roller means and a position urging the medium against the other roller means, the bracket means comprising biasing means urging the bracket means and the carried roller means toward the last-mentioned position, and power means for rotating the drive roller means to displace the medium across the printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a sampling, reading and testing apparatus for biological samples, means successively delivering containers with biological specimen therein to a sampling station, the containers comprising an identification device with coded information identifying the container; means sampling each container following arrival at the sampling station and communicating each sample to automatic biological testing means, the automatic biological testing means comprising structure for printing on a medium the results of tests performed on the sample; means successively reading the coded indicia of each identification device; circuitry for processing signals obtained from the reading means; output means comprising a printer Disposed adjacent the medium and responsive to processed signals to print container identification outputs on the medium adjacent the location at which the test results from the corresponding container are printed; and paper feed mechanism comprised of opposed drive and idler roller, bracket means eccentrically carrying one of said roller means, the bracket means comprising frame mounting means rotatably coupled to the remainder of the bracket means accommodating selective displacement of the carried roller means and the bracket means between a position remote to the other roller means and a position urging the medium against the other roller means, the bracket means comprising biasing means urging the bracket means and the carried roller means toward the last-mentioned position, and power means for rotating the drive roller means to displace the medium across the printer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |