Abstract:
A device for analyzing samples is disclosed, which are supplied in sample vessels ( 2 ), a central unit ( 1 ) with reaction vessels ( 2 ), a transport unit ( 6 ) for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit ( 7, 8, 9 ) being provided. The central unit ( 1 ) contains a sampling unit ( 30 ), by which at least a part of the sample is transferred from the sample vessel ( 2 ) to a reaction vessel. At least a part of the reaction vessels is transferred via/by the transport unit ( 6 ) to at least one of the analytical units ( 7, 8, 9 ). Furthermore, at least one reagent vessel ( 20, . . . , 23 ) with at least one reagent is provided, which is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent. Finally, at least one measuring device ( 5 ) or at least one measuring unit for the measuring of a physical property of the sample is provided. The device according to the invention works extremely efficiently, simultaneously a minimal effort of resources being required. Thereby, particular advantageous is the modular construction of the device according to the invention, which allows an extension of the analysis capacity as required. Furthermore, the modular construction results in an easier maintenance since defective units ( 1; 7, 8, 9 ) can easily be replaced by new ones.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for analyzing samples. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Automatic sample analyzing devices are known that are used for quantifying a concentration of a substance dissolved in a liquid sample or for analyzing components of biological liquids, water or the like. Reference is made to the German Patent specification with the publication number DE 198 49 591 C2 describing an automatic analyzing device, in which samples are provided in sample vessels in order that a pipette device can transfer a predetermined sample amount into reaction vessels. Physical properties of the sample are measured by a measuring device in the reaction vessels after reagents have been added. After completion of the measurement, the reaction vessels are cleaned and provided for the next sampling and subsequent measurement. Thereby, the cleaning process proves to be exceedingly lavish and requires a big effort of resources, what is undesired. 
     Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for analyzing samples, which device does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages. 
     This object is solved by the features given in the characterizing portion of claim  1 . Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further dependent claims. 
     The invention has the following advantages: By providing a central unit with reaction vessels, a transport unit for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit, by further incorporating a sampling unit in the central unit in that at least a part of the sample is transferred from a sample vessel into a reaction vessel, by further transferring at least a part of the reaction vessels into at least one of the analytical units via the transport unit, by providing at least one reagent vessel with at least one reagent that is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent, and, finally, by providing at least one measuring device or at least one measuring unit for measuring a physical property of the sample, an analyzing unit is created which operates extremely efficiently thereby requiring a minimal effort of resources. Thereby, the modular construction of the analyzing unit particularly is advantageous which modular construction allows an extension of the analyzing capacity as it is needed. The modular construction furthermore results in an easier maintenance of the entire analyzing unit since defective units can easily be replaced by new ones. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, the present invention will be further explained by referring to exemplified embodiments which are represented in drawings. Therein, it is shown in: 
         FIG. 1 , in a schematically view, a block diagram of the device for analyzing samples according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  a first concrete embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 3  a second concrete embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 4  a third concrete embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a perspective view; and 
         FIG. 5  a fourth concrete embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a perspective view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a simplified block diagram of the device according to the present invention comprising a central unit  1  and several analytical units  7 ,  8  and  9 , which are designated with the consecutive numbers #1, #2, . . . , #n, n indicating an arbitrary integer number of analytical units. Samples to be analyzed are transferred in sample vessels  2  to the central unit  1 . Thereby, it is also conceivable that a single sample vessel  2  as well as several sample vessels  2 , the latter being preferably arranged in cassettes, is transferred to the central unit  1 . In the central unit  1 , a predetermined sample amount is taken from the respective sample vessel  2  by means of a sampling unit (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), which is, for example, a pipette device, and filled into a reaction vessel (not shown). The reaction vessels are provided by a separation unit  3 , for instance in the form of a shaking funnel, in which orientation and position of the still empty reaction vessels are clearly defined, before filling them with the predetermined sample amount. After the desired amount of a sample, as the case may be by adding water, has been filled into a reaction vessel, it is transferred to a transport unit  6  by means of a supply unit  13 . The transport unit  6  is a unidirectional transport unit for the reaction vessels, one or more of the following technologies being used for an implementation:
         conveyor belt;   shaking line;   guiding rail with carrier belt.       

     Depending on the destination of the reaction vessels, they are taken over by the transport unit  6  by means of extraction devices  14  to  16  and are transferred to the respective analytical unit  7 ,  8  or  9 , in which the reaction vessels are prepared for an analysis. The preparation exists, for instance, in that one or more reagents are brought into the respective reaction vessel for triggering a reaction or, to give another example, the sample in the reaction vessel is heated to a predefined temperature. Subsequent to these preparing steps, the physical and/or chemical properties are measured during or after a reaction taking place in the respective reaction vessel, for which one or more measuring units (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) are provided in the analytical unit  7 ,  8  or  9 . With the aid of one or more measuring units, e.g. one ore more of the following properties of the samples, which are present in the reaction vessels, can be determined:
         Optical properties, like absorption;   Turbidity (turbidimetry);   Absorption spectra within a defined wave length range;   Secondary fluorescence emission;   Polarization of the fluorescence emission.       

     As can be further seen in the block diagram schematically represented in  FIG. 1 , the sample vessels  2  are exclusively transferred to the central unit  1 , whereas the reagent vessels  20  to  23  are supplied to the analytical units  7  to  9 . This is a consequence of the modular and extensible analyzing device according to the present invention. However, it is explicitly pointed out that embodiments are provided, in which reagents are also required in the central unit  1 , for example. It is intended, for example, to perform ion selective measurements (ISE or “Ion Selective Electrode”) in a measuring device designated by  5 . By these measurements, blood electrolyte concentrations are measured, for example. Hence, the possibility exists that the device according to the invention can be used in ISE-measurements without the need of analytical units. Therefore, the possibility exists that end users who only use the analyzing device for ISE measurements must not purchase any additional modules in form of analytical units but have nevertheless the possibility to extend the analyzing device by incorporating analytical units later. 
     A control unit (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) is provided e.g. in the central unit  1 , or a control unit is connectable to the central unit  1  for the controlling of the device according to the invention. For example, a customary personal computer can be used in the last-mentioned embodiment. The control commands for each of the system components are generated, and feedbacks of the system components are interpreted and evaluated, respectively, in the control unit. Therewith, the position of each of the single reaction vessels and the samples contained therein are also and in particular recorded in the control unit. 
     In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is intended to provide a label on the reaction vessels for unique identification, which label can be read automatically by an identification unit  50 . The identification units are used at necessary positions in the central unit as well as in one or several analytical units. In the control unit, the data read in by the identification units is related to further information—like sample content, administered reagents, measurements to be performed, etc.—in a data bank. For instance, one of the following techniques is suitable for identifying or automatically reading data:
         one- or more dimensional bar code;   other optical methods;   transponder;   marking of molecules in the liquid.       

     The once used reaction vessels can be used again after a thorough cleaning. However, it has turned out that a one time use of the reaction vessels results in a lower demand for resources (e.g. cleaning agents, water, etc.). Therefore, so-called one way reaction vessels are used in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. Thereby, the construction of the device according to the invention is simplified because no cleaning processes are necessary in the analytical units. The cleaning processes in the central unit are reduced to the cleaning of the sampling unit, by which a particular sample amount is transferred from a sample vessel to a reaction vessel, and, therefore, must be cleaned between the sampling in order to avoid a contamination by transmission from one sample to another. As a result thereof, the analytical units require no cleaning devices, and, in particular, need not to be supplied with water. Thus, only the central unit  1  must be provided with a water connection. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is intended that the transport unit  6  transports the reaction vessels not only in one direction but the reaction vessels are transported back to the central unit  1  after completion of an analysis. In such an embodiment, a cleaning station is to be provided instead of the separation unit  3 , in which cleaning station the reaction vessels are cleaned and prepared for a new utilization. 
       FIG. 2  shows a first concrete embodiment of a device according to the invention. By  1  again a central unit and by  7  and  8  two analytical units are designated. The central unit  1  comprises a separation unit  3  that brings the reaction vessels in a defined position by means of a vibrating shaking funnel. Before the reaction vessels are transferred to the transport unit  6 , a defined sample amount is filled in that reaction vessel, which is located in the foremost position, i.e. directly in front of the supply unit  13 . Subsequent to the sample transfer, the reaction vessel is transferred to the transport unit  6 , and subsequently transferred to one of the analytical units  7  or  8 . 
     The filling of the defined sample amount into the reaction vessel is carried out by means of a sampling unit  30 , which is designed as a pipette device and which takes the predefined sample amount from the sample vessels. The sampling unit  30  and the pipette needle, respectively, must be cleaned between each sampling in order that no contamination of the subsequent samples with sample parts from earlier processed samples can occur. For the cleaning, a cleaning unit (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is provided that is, for example, equipped with several flushing devices for the flushing of the pipette needle. In order that the pipette needle can reach the different positions, the pipette needle is fixed at a swivel arm, which can be swiveled by means of a drive. 
     Furthermore, the central unit  1  is equipped with a measuring device for the performing of ISE measurements. Thereto, a reaction vessel is not filled with a predetermined sample amount by means of the sampling unit  30  and transferred to the measuring device  5  but the predetermined sample amount is directly supplied to the measuring device  5  by means of the sampling unit  30  via a supply opening  34 . According to the need of the measurements performed, the reagents are taken from the reagent vessels  33  and also transferred to the measuring device  5  via the supply opening  34 . After completion of the measurements in the measuring device  5 , a flushing process is initiated within the measuring device  5  in order that a new measurement can be performed subsequently. 
     The analytical units  7  and  8  are identically constructed. Besides the transport unit  6  leading through the analytical units  7  and  8 , a circular reaction vessel holder  32 , which is rotate-able by a rotating drive unit (not shown in  FIG. 2 ), and a likewise circular reagent vessel holder  31 , which can also be rotated by a drive unit, are provided. Two transfer units  40 ,  41  are provided to position a reaction vessel underneath a corresponding reagent vessel in order that an intended amount of reagent can be administered into the reaction vessel from the reagent vessel. In a further embodiment of the mentioned kind, the transfer units  40 ,  41  are additionally used as mixers to mix the samples with the supplied reagents. 
     Embodiments are also conceivable, in which only one transfer unit or in which more than two transfer units to position the reaction vessels are provided. Moreover, embodiments are also conceivable, in which reagent vessels instead of the reaction vessels are being positioned by transfer units, or the reaction vessels as well as the reagent vessels are being positioned. 
     The reagent vessels  20  to  23  have a circle segment-like cross section for optimal exploitation of the circular reagent vessel holder  31  and are designed as a self dispending means with a nozzle on the bottom side for the dispensing of a exactly dose-able amount of reagents. The self dispensing means as well as the reagent vessel can be realized, for example, according to the manner described in the international application with the application number PCT/CH 2004/000316. Therefore, its content is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     It is explicitly pointed out that the self dispensing means can be used in all described embodiments in the foregoing mentioned sense. 
       FIG. 3  shows a second concrete embodiment of the device according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment according to  FIG. 2 , the embodiment according to  FIG. 3  consists of a central unit  1  and a single analytical unit  7 . Furthermore, the circumferences of both holders  31  and  32 , which are only represented partly, overlap each other such that reagents from one of the reagent vessels can be given into a reaction vessel. Therefore, the reagent vessel holder  31  is arranged above the reaction vessel holder  32 . 
     The central unit  1  substantially consists of the same components as the central unit according to  FIG. 2 . The two embodiments only differ from another by the different arrangement of the components and the now apparent cleaning unit  42 , in which the pipette needle of the sampling unit  30  can be cleaned. The cleaning unit  42  is provided adjacent to one side of the analytical unit  7  in the central unit  1 , and the measuring device  5  is arranged on the opposite side, whereas this is not mandatory. Furthermore, a reagent vessel holder is designated by  33 , in which the reagents required in the measuring unit  5  are contained. The sampling unit  30 , which is still centrally arranged in the central unit  1  with swiveling arm and drive unit  4  driving the swiveling arm, has good access to the samples in the sample vessels, to the reaction vessels coming from the separation unit  3  as well as to the cleaning unit  42 . 
     According to  FIG. 3 , the samples can be transferred to the central unit  1  in two differently sized sample holders. Therewith, sample holders having five and fifteen samples can be transferred to the central unit  1 . 
     The analytical unit  7  has again a circular reaction vessel holder  32  and a reagent vessel holder  31  overlapping the reaction vessel holder  32 , in which reagent vessel holder  31  the circle-segment-shaped reagent vessels  20  to  22  are hold, the reagent vessel holder  31  and the associated reaction vessels not being represented in  FIG. 2  within the overlapping area of the holders  31  and  32 , so that the further units lying in the overlapping area can be seen. The further units are at first mixing units  35  and  36 , a reading unit  50 , which is used for instance for the reading of a bar code on a reagent vessel or a reaction vessel, and measuring units  36  to  39 . The last mentioned can also be arranged outside the overlapping area. The mixing units  35  and  36  are used for mixing the samples in the reaction vessels, the mixing units  35  and  36  being particularly activated after adding a reagent. Furthermore, the mixing units  35  and  36  are preferably used before a measuring takes place in one of the measurement units  36  to  39 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a third concrete embodiment of the device according to the invention that is again represented in a perspective view with a cover partially cut open. A central unit  1  in combination with two analytical units  7  and  8  are visible. The sample vessels are supplied to the central unit  1  in cassettes, five sample vessels being contained in each cassette. The cassettes are inserted into the central unit  1  on one side. For sampling, again a sampling unit (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) is included, which transfers the predefined sample amount either into the measuring device or into a reaction vessel. 
     The analytical units  7  and  8  are, in contrast to those in the embodiments according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , not equipped with a circular but with a stationary rectangular reagent vessel holder  31 . In case a reagent must be administered into a reaction vessel, it is brought under the nozzle of the corresponding reagent vessel by a Φ-R-positioning unit. Thereafter, the reaction vessel is guided, if necessary, to a measuring unit in the same manner. 
     Finally,  FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention, again in perspective view. From  FIG. 5 , it can be clearly seen that the analytical units  7 ,  8  now comprise a pipette device  43 , by means of which the reagents are supplied to the reaction vessels, which are contained in a circular reaction vessel holder  32 . The pipette device  43  is thereby realized as X-Y positioning unit, which takes a required reagent from a reagent vessel and administers it in a reaction vessel. The pipette needle must be cleaned between each pipette processes in order that a reagent is not contaminated by another reagent, which still adheres at the pipette needle from the previous pipette process. For this reason, a needle cleaning unit  44  is provided, by which the pipette needle is cleaned between the pipette processes. 
     For all described embodiments of the device according to the invention, it is conceivable that temperature adjustment units  51  are provided in the analytical units in order to set the temperature of the reagents in the reagent vessels and/or the temperature of the samples in the reaction vessels to predefined values. Therefore, the reagent vessel holders and/or the reaction vessel holders are enclosed to a large extend such that heat inflows or heat outflows are prevented as much as possible. Therefore, the temperature adjustment unit  51 , for example, only acts on the reagent vessels while a further temperature adjustment unit only acts on the reaction vessels, the reagent vessels being kept, for example, at a temperature of approx. 10° Celsius and the reaction vessels being kept, for example, at a temperature of approx. 37° Celsius. 
     In the same manner, so-called sample pre-treatment units can be comprised in at least one or in all analytical units described along the above-mentioned embodiments, in which sample pre-treatment units, for example, the separation of a cellular part of the sample or an extraction, a separation and/or a purification of certain sample constituents is performed. Such sample pre-treatments are necessary for example in immunological, molecular or clinical-chemical analysis. The sample pre-treatment unit is preferably directly arranged at the transfer position of a reaction vessel to an analytical unit.