Double bag for automated analysis device

Double bag having a first compartment containing a composition to be distributed and a second compartment for receiving a used fluid, a first bag connector communicating with the first compartment and serving to empty the latter, and a second bag connector communicating with the second compartment and serving to fill the latter.

The present invention relates to automated analysis devices and associated consumables.

For the purpose of rinsing the needles serving to collect samples of reagents or specimens, some automated devices use a rinsing liquid contained in a first reservoir, which has to be changed regularly.

After use, this liquid is conveyed to a second reservoir, which has to be replaced at the same rate as the first one.

The first and second reservoirs are in the form of cans which are received, for example, in a drawer mounted slidably on the automated device. Replacement of the cans gives rise to numerous manipulations, which complicate the use of the automated device.

The application EP 0 697 248 A1 describes an automated device in which reagents are contained in flexible bags arranged in a housing. This application does not address the problems associated with the use of a rinsing liquid in an automated device.

There is a need to further perfect the automated analysis devices in order to simplify their use and in particular to afford a solution to the problem of applying a new consumable and removing the used consumable.

The invention responds in particular to this need by making available a double bag having a first compartment containing a composition to be distributed and a second compartment for receiving a used fluid, a first bag connector communicating with the first compartment and serving to empty the latter, and a second bag connector communicating with the second compartment and serving to fill the latter.

Preferably, the first and second compartments are integrally joined to each other by manufacture of the bag.

A bag of this kind affords an elegant solution to the aforementioned problem by reducing the number of manipulations that have to be performed in order to ensure the functioning of the automated device. The one or more bags may be placed in the apparatus while full of fresh washing liquid and may be removed when they no longer contain fresh washing liquid but are full of used washing liquid. The bag may maintain a substantially constant volume in the apparatus, by virtue of the liquid contained in one compartment being transferred to the other compartment as the bag is used by the apparatus.

The risk of an error during the manipulation of the fluids is likewise reduced.

The first connector may be oriented downward when the bag rests horizontally flat with the second compartment above the first. The second connector may be oriented upward when the bag rests horizontally flat with the second compartment above the first. This horizontal functioning is optimal, since it facilitates the emptying of the first compartment by the weight of the liquid arriving in the second compartment. This reduces the risk of dead volume.

The first and second connectors are preferably equipped with valves which ensure a leaktight closure of the bag before it is placed on the apparatus and after it is removed.

The first compartment and second compartment may be separated by at least one flexible wall, for example by a double wall formed by the respective envelopes of the two compartments.

The bag may have a handle formed in the continuation of the compartments. The compartments may be formed by the joining together of flexible films, and the handle may be produced by a cutout in an end band formed by flat superpositioning of said films.

Preferably, the first bag connector and the second bag connector are arranged differently on the respective faces of the bag. This makes it possible to provide an error-proofing feature requiring that the bag is placed with a predefined orientation in the apparatus.

The composition to be distributed may be a detergent, but the invention applies in particular to all cases where a new consumable has to be supplied and this consumable has to be recovered after use.

Preferably, the second compartment contains a compound for causing said composition to thicken when the latter is brought into contact therewith, in particular a superabsorbent.

The invention further relates, according to another of its aspects, to an analysis apparatus having at least one bin for receiving a double bag according to the invention, as defined above.

The bin may be movable between a raised position for introduction or removal of the bag and a horizontal position of use by the apparatus.

The apparatus may comprise a connector arranged relative to the bin in such a way that the displacement of the bin from its raised position to its position of use causes the first bag connector to cooperate with the connector of the apparatus. The displacement of the bin may in particular be guided by rails in such a way that the movement of the bin between its raised position and its position of use includes a rotational component and a component of translation. In particular, the guiding may be effected in such a way as to impose a movement of vertical translation of the bin as it approaches the connector of the apparatus and during engagement in said connector. The rails may ensure that the bin is kept stable in the vertical position.

The apparatus may comprise a lever carrying a second apparatus connector, the lever being movable between a standby position and an active position in which the second apparatus connector cooperates with the second bag connector. The lever may be actuated by the operator tilting the bin containing the bag. The lever may be articulated by means of two link rods, and at least one return spring may be provided in order to ensure stability of the folded-down and raised positions. The stability in the folded-down position is useful for reducing the risk of leaks at the connection to the bag.

The bag may be received in a drawer of the apparatus. The bin may be carried by this drawer. Preferably, the apparatus has at least two bins, better still at least three bins.

The apparatus may have a fluid circuit with a first bag selection valve connected at the inlet to the first connectors of at least two bags, and a second bag selection valve connected to the second connectors of these bags, and a control system for controlling the functioning of the valves in such a way as to switch automatically, when the first compartment of the bag from which removal is carried out is empty, to the bag whose first compartment is full.

The fluid circuit may comprise a buffer reservoir supplied via an outlet of the first valve, a level gauge and a pump for carrying out the removal from the first compartment selected, the functioning of the pump being governed by a signal delivered by the level gauge, in such a way that consumption, by the apparatus, of the content of the buffer reservoir causes the latter to fill with composition removed by the pump from the first compartment of the bag selected by the first valve, the control circuit being arranged to detect a filling error of the buffer reservoir and to trigger the switching of the valve to the other bag in this case.

Preferably, the connection between the second apparatus connector and the second bag connector permits ventilation of the interior of the second compartment.

The bin may have openings in which there engage the connectors of the bag that is received in the inside. The connectors may be arranged to be blocked along their axis in the corresponding opening. The latter may have an edge which engages in a groove formed on the connector or between the connector and the wall of the bag to which it is attached.

The invention further relates to the analysis apparatus independently of the presence of double bags as defined above. Such an apparatus has at least one movable bin as defined above and may have all of the features mentioned above.

The invention further relates to a used double bag obtained after use of the bag according to the invention as defined above, in particular within an apparatus according to the invention as defined above, where the first compartment having contained the composition to be distributed is empty, and the second compartment contains this composition after use by the apparatus.

The invention further relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method for producing a double bag according to the invention, said method comprising the steps of producing two envelopes in a continuation of each other, which are connected by a portion that defines a fold line, folding one of the envelopes over onto the other and thereby assembling them.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting illustrative embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawing in which:

The analysis apparatus1shown partially inFIG. 1has, in a manner known per se, a sample analysis system (not shown). This analysis system has a sampling tool designed to collect a sample of the liquid to be analyzed from suitable containers.

These are, for example, blood samples. The apparatus1is also called an automated analysis device.

The sampling tool comprises a needle, which has to be cleaned between each sampling procedure.

The analysis is carried out in the presence of reagents, which are themselves collected with the aid of one or more needles of the sampling tool, which has to be cleaned between the sampling procedures.

This cleaning is carried out with the aid of a cleaning liquid, which is contaminated during the operation of cleaning the sampling tool and has to be stored in the apparatus pending its elimination. The cleaning liquid is, for example, a detergent containing at least one surfactant.

The cleaning liquid is present initially in a container which, according to the invention, is in the form of a double bag10, as is illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8in particular.

This bag10has a first compartment11containing the cleaning liquid and a second compartment12for receiving the used cleaning liquid.

The second compartment12may contain an agent for thickening the used liquid, for example a superabsorbent, so as to reduce the risk of liquid leaking out during transport of the bag, and optionally also a biocidal agent.

The bag10is produced with a first connector13, which protrudes from a first main face15of the bag and communicates with the first compartment11, and with a second connector16, which protrudes from a second main face17of the bag10, opposite the first one15, and which communicates with the second compartment12.

The analysis apparatus1has a drawer20for receiving several identical bags10, although the invention is not limited to a drawer for multiple identical bags and may be applied to a drawer for a single bag or for bags of different sizes.

Moreover, although it is advantageous that the space for receiving the one or more bags10is in the form of a drawer, the invention also applies to a receiving space of a different configuration, for example one that is accessed by displacement of a lid, for example by raising the lid, or by opening a hatch, for example a front hatch or side hatch.

In the example illustrated, the drawer20receives three bags10, being arranged to ensure functioning on at least one bag10while another one may be changed, by virtue of the fluid circuit described below.

The drawer20comprises a tray21supported by slides22which are mounted on a frame23formed integrally with the body of the apparatus1.

The tray21may slide horizontally between a retracted position, in which it is situated inside the frame23, and a deployed position, illustrated inFIG. 1, in which it permits access to the bags10for the purpose of their replacement.

The drawer20is preferably mounted in such a way as to open at the side of the apparatus1.

The bags10are each received in a corresponding bin30, which is movable relative to the tray21between a raised position for replacement of the bag10, in which position it is open to the top, and a lowered position for use of the bag10.

In the example inFIG. 1, one of the bins30is shown in the raised position and the other two in the lowered position.

The movement of each bin30between the raised position and lowered position is guided by a guide mechanism comprising two lateral rails33which define paths34in which rollers35circulate, said rollers35being carried by the bin30.

The rollers35are arranged in pairs in each rail33and turn about axes of rotation parallel to each other.

Each rail33has a first portion36, which is vertical, and an inwardly curved second portion37, which is vertical in the lower part and curves inward to approach the first portion.

In the raised position of the bin30, its rollers35are situated at the top of the inwardly curved second portion37and the first portion36, as will be seen inFIG. 4in particular. The rails33ensure that the bin30is held in a stable manner in the raised position, on account of the upper rollers35being blocked in the bend39formed by the rails33, as may be seen inFIG. 5.

When the bin30is tilted to the lowered position, the rollers35previously situated in the first portion36are guided vertically downward, while the rollers35previously situated at the top of the second portion37descend into the latter.

Each rail33is formed, for example, by two parallel metal rods.

Each bin30has a handle40allowing it to be maneuvered between the raised position and lowered position. This handle40is directed upward when the bin30is in the lowered position.

At the side opposite the handle40, the bin30has feet42which bear against the bottom of the tray21when the bin30is in the lowered position.

The wall45of the bin30, on which the handle40is attached, has an opening46permitting the passage of the second connector16when the bag10is inserted into this bin.

The same applies to the opposite wall48, as illustrated inFIG. 4, which has an opening49for the passage of the first connector13.

The connectors13and16may be arranged to be blocked along their axis in the corresponding opening. The latter may have an edge which engages in a groove formed on the connector or, alternatively, between the connector and the wall of the bag to which it is attached.

In the example illustrated, each bin30has a substantially rectangular cross section, of which the large sides correspond to the walls45and48.

The rollers35are carried by cylindrical guides50protruding from the wall48.

In the example in question, the bins30are produced by molding of thermoplastic material, in one or more assembled parts, for example in two shells assembled by screws53, some of which may be seen inFIG. 3in particular. In this example, the two halves of a bin are substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry, which is a median plane for the openings46and49.

When the bag10is in the lowered position, the first connector13is oriented downward and the second connector16upward.

A male connector60associated with each bin30is arranged in the bottom of the tray21in such a way as to cooperate with the first connector13, when the bin30is in a lowered position, and to be able to remove the liquid contained in the first compartment11.

The first connector13is of the female type, known per se, closed when the male connector60is not engaged inside it.

The connection to the second connector16, when the bin30is in the lowered position, is effected with the aid of a male connector70carried by a locking lever80, which is visible in particular inFIG. 6in the locking position and inFIG. 5in the unlocked, raised position.

The lever80is articulated, with the aid of two link rods82and83arranged on each side of the lever80, on fixed, vertical and parallel struts84. A return spring86is mounted between each strut84and the lever80in order to ensure that the lever80is kept stable in the raised position and in the lowered position. The spring86is fastened at points which guarantee its passage through a state of maximum traction between the lowered and raised positions of the lever80.

The lever80has two branches86, each having an outwardly directed bend87. It thus has a widened base which allows it, in the lowered position, to engage on each side of the handle40, as may be seen inFIG. 2in particular.

The two branches86are connected by a plate88which serves to fix the male connector70and, at the end, by a handle89which is used to maneuver it.

The lever80carries an electrical switch (not visible) by which it is possible to detect the presence of the second connector16when the lever80is folded down. The connector16is closed when the connector70is not engaged inside. The apparatus1is configured to prohibit the return of used fluid through the connector70in the absence of a bag10. In this case, an alarm may be generated for the attention of an operator.

A set of components such as pumps is fixed to a strut93of the tray21in order to ensure the circulation of the fluids between the bags and the apparatus1. To make the drawing clearer, the hoses connected to these components and joined to the connectors60and70are not shown.

FIG. 13shows an example of a fluid circuit involving two bags10. The functioning of this fluid circuit is ensured by a control circuit200such as an electronic board comprising a microcontroller or a microprocessor, for example.

The connectors60are connected to a valve100controlled by the control circuit, making it possible to select the bag10from which the washing liquid is collected.

A pump101, for example a peristaltic pump, aspirates the washing liquid in the selected bag10and delivers it to a buffer reservoir102equipped with a level gauge115. The functioning of the pump101is governed by the control circuit200to the level given by the gauge115, in such a way as to keep said level constant.

The washing liquid is used in the apparatus1to rinse a needle of a sampling tool104, shown schematically.

The used washing liquid is collected and conveyed by a pump106toward the second compartment12of the bag10from which the washing liquid was collected, by virtue of a selection made by a valve108controlled by the control circuit200.

Ventilation is provided at the connection between the connectors16and70, in such a way as to allow the air contained in the second compartment12to escape as said second compartment12is being filled.

The weight of the used rinsing liquid accumulating in the second compartment12places pressure on the fresh rinsing liquid contained in the first compartment, which makes it easier to empty the bag.

Thus, as the first compartment11of a selected bag10empties, the second compartment12fills correspondingly.

When the first compartment11is empty, the level in the buffer reservoir102drops below a certain threshold which is not normally reached on account of the control. This drop is detected by the control circuit200and causes a change of position of the valves100and108and the selection of a new bag10, of which the first compartment11is full and the second compartment12empty.

An alarm may be generated by the control circuit200for the attention of an operator, prompting the latter to replace the used bag10with a new one.

The fluid circuit illustrated inFIG. 13uses two bags10only. It may be extended to more than two bags.

There are various possible ways of producing the bags10.

Preferably, the procedure illustrated inFIGS. 9 to 12is followed, in which flexible films of thermoplastic material are joined together and cut in order to produce a continuous series of envelopes, two successive envelopes110and120of this series being intended to form the compartments11and12, respectively, of a bag10. These envelopes110and120are identical and have their connectors13and16situated on the same side, as is illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10. For example, the first compartment11is formed between a first flexible film111on a side of the first bag connector13and a second flexible film on an opposite side of the first bag connector13. Further, the second compartment12is formed between a third flexible film113on a side of the second bag connector16and a fourth flexible film114on an opposite side of the second bag connector16. The second and fourth flexible films112,114facing each other and forming a double flexible wall115separating the first and second compartments11,12.

The envelopes110and120are connected by a joining portion130which defines a fold line131, allowing one of the envelopes to be folded over onto the other one, as is illustrated inFIG. 11.

The envelopes110and120may be joined together via their contact faces, for example by adhesive bonding or welding.

The envelopes110and120may be produced with a handle150as illustrated, with which it is possible to maneuver the bag10outside the bins30.

This handle150may receive a reinforcement, if appropriate.

Each envelope110or120is preferably produced with a gusset, of which the longitudinal folds140are directed toward the inside of the bag when the latter is empty and flat. Oblique joining lines141are formed by welding in the corners.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the example that has just been described.

In particular, the bins30may be produced differently, for example from metal with the aid of welded wires.

The bags may be produced differently. For example, the envelopes intended to form the compartments may be co-extruded.

The envelopes may also be assembled prior to being placed in a bin with the aid of at least one attached holding member.