Optics cup with curved bottom

The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria, in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optics cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; wherein the walls are angled to allow for better coating and better striations of the light. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optics cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer, wherein the optics cup also has a floor in the shape of an inverted arch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria, in biological samples such as urine. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optics cup or cuvette having a tapered surface. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in a sample processor and the optics cup or cuvette in an optical analyzer, wherein the optics cup also has a floor in the shape of an inverted arch.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In general, current-day practice for identifying micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in urine samples, involves a complex, lengthy, and expensive process for identifying and specifying micro-organisms in microbiology labs. In the current process, the samples are accepted into the lab. These specimens are then sorted, labeled, and then they are inoculated onto blood agar medium using a sterilized loop. The specimens are then inserted into a dedicated incubator for a 24-hour period. A day later, the lab technicians screen the specimens for positive and negative cultures. In general, most of the cultures are negative and they are manually reported. The organisms for the positive cultures are isolated and suspended in a biochemical fluid. This involves suspension, dilution, vortexing, and turbidity measurements resulting in biochemical waste products. The cultures are then subjected to a species identification and antibiotics susceptibility testing exposing the suspensions to multiple reagents. After another 6 to 24-hour incubation period, the findings are interpreted and reported by lab technicians. This entire process generally takes 11 steps and 50 hours to obtain specimen results and the process is labor intensive.

Commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0037135 A1, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, discloses a system for identification and quantification of a biological sample suspended in a liquid. As disclosed in the reference, sample cuvettes are used for holding the biological sample. The reference states that these cuvettes are said to be well known in the art, are typically square or rectangular in shape (having a well area to contain the sample), and are made of a transparent material such as glass or a polymeric material. However, the reference fails to disclose any specific description/design of the cuvettes.

There is a need, therefore, particularly for species identification of the above lab procedure to provide an improved design for an optics cup or cuvette and a method for manufacturing the optics cup or cuvette or for holding samples, which optics cup or cuvette may be used in a system for an optical analysis of the sample, thereby allowing the process for species identification to be more efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to such an optics cup or cuvette referred to above for holding a sample, e.g., biological sample, chemical sample, or toxicant sample, e.g. urine, for optical analysis. If the sample is a urine sample, then the optical analysis would be for micro-organism or organisms, e.g. bacteria, in the urine.

In one embodiment, an optics cup for holding a biological sample for use in an optical analysis has a generally rectangular-shaped container made of a transparent material and adapted to contain the biological sample. The container includes a pair of side walls having a longitudinal axis therebetween, a first end wall, and a second end wall spaced apart from the first end wall, and a floor. The container has a rectangular opening for receiving the biological sample and a lower tapered area extending from the first end wall inwardly and downwardly direction relative to the rectangular opening. The tapered area extends downwardly to the floor, wherein the floor has the shape of an inverted arch extending continuous along the entire length of the floor. The inverted arch is symmetric about the longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, an optics cup for holding a biological sample for use in an optical analysis has a generally rectangular-shaped container made of a transparent material and adapted to contain the biological sample. The container includes a pair of side walls having a longitudinal axis therebetween, a first end wall, and a second end wall spaced apart from the first end wall, and a floor. The second end wall extends at an angle B3of between 1°-3° with respect to a vertical axis extending through a meeting point between the floor and the second end wall. The container has a rectangular opening for receiving the biological sample and a lower tapered area extending from the first end wall inwardly and downwardly direction relative to the rectangular opening. The tapered area extends downwardly to the floor. The tapered area is angled at an angle of between approximately 43.5° and 44.5° relative to a vertical plane extending through the optics cup. The floor has the shape of an inverted arch extending continuous along the entire length of the floor. The inverted arch is symmetric about the longitudinal axis.

In an additional embodiment, a disposable cartridge for use in the identification and quantification of micro-organisms in biological samples has a plurality of compartments for positioning and supporting a plurality of disposable components including a centrifuge tube, a pipette and an optics cup adapted to contain the processed biological sample for use in an optical analysis. The optics cup has a generally rectangular shape with opposing sidewalls having a longitudinal axis therebetween and a tapered area extending from a first end wall of the optics cup into which a light source travels for the optical analysis of the processed biological sample. The cup also has a reflective surface for enhancing the optical analysis. The tapered area extends in a direction outwardly as the second end wall extends upwardly from the floor at an angle A5of between approximately 43.5°-44.5° with respect to a vertical plane extending through the optics cup. The compartment for positioning and supporting the optics cup has a rectangular-shaped opening for receiving and supporting the rectangular-shaped optics cup. The tapered area of the optics cup extends downwardly to a floor. The floor has the shape of an inverted arch extending continuously along the entire length of the floor, and the inverted arch is symmetric about the longitudinal axis.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0105837, the content of which are herein incorporated by reference, discloses an optics cup for use in identifying and quantifying a biological sample suspended in a liquid. The present invention is directed to a specific optics cup having a floor in the shape of an inverted arch.

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings where like reference numbers correspond to like elements.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific components illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

FIG. 1discloses “A System for Conducting the Identification of Bacteria in Urine” set forth in PCT Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/079533, filed on Oct. 10, 2008, which is commonly owned and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, an optical analyzer16includes an optics system44, a thermal control unit (not shown), a drawer51which has a rotatable table52which receives, supports, and rotates a magazine54containing a plurality of holders56for receiving the disposable cartridges112in which optics cups or cuvettes122contain the processed urine samples which are to be analyzed, and a bar code reader58.

Referring toFIG. 1, an optics cup or cuvette122may be used in the optical analyzer16. Preferably, urine samples are prepared with a saline solution since saline solutions minimize background fluorescence while maintaining the integrity of the bacteria which is particularly important when using optics in the urine analysis process. The optics cup or cuvette122will include a reflective coating to assist in the optical analysis. The optics cup or cuvette122may be made of an ABS plastic material, glass or a metallic material, e.g., aluminum, and then coated with or layered with the reflective material. Alternatively, in the manufacturing of the optics cup or cuvette122, the layer of reflective material may be incorporated onto the plastic, glass or metallic material.

As best shown inFIG. 3, the optics cup or cuvette122includes a tapered end indicated at124in order to assist with the optical analysis. It is anticipated that the UV-light source in the optical analyzer16(FIG. 1) be directed down the middle of the cup or cuvette122for the optical analysis of the urine specimen in the cup or cuvette122.

Returning toFIG. 1, the optics system44will include a light-tight enclosure or housing64in order to minimize light entering the optics system44, and the camera of the CCD device will include a thermal electric cooler (TEC) (not shown) for transferring heat from the camera chip to the enclosure or housing64of the optics system44.

FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment for a disposable cartridge generally indicated as112, which may be used for conducting the identification and quantification of contaminants, e.g., micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in samples, e.g., urine samples. Disposable cartridge112contains and carries several disposable components which include a centrifuge tube118, a pipette tip120, and the optics cup or cuvette122. The pipette tip120has a predetermined volume, for example, ranging between 0.1 ml to about 10 ml, preferably 1 ml to 2 ml. The centrifuge tube118is a container that has an elongated body with a tapered end. In general, the centrifuge tube118initially contains the sample and the pipette tip120may be used to dilute the dissolved sample constituents and then transfer the diluted urine sample into the optics cup or cuvette122for optical analysis. The disposable cartridge112and its disposable components118,120,122may be made of an ABS plastic material which is easily injection molded and inexpensive to manufacture and made of an ABS plastic, preferably a non-reflective black colored plastic.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the disposable components118,120,122are each contained within separate compartments130,132,134, respectively, of the disposable cartridge112. An optics cup or cuvette122is suspended within its respective compartment134via a flange154of the optics cup or cuvette122, which the flange154is supported by the top surface150of disposable cartridge112. The compartments130,132are generally cylindrical-shaped and extend substantially the length of centrifuge tube118and pipette tip120. Compartment134, for positioning supporting optics cup or cuvette122, is substantially enclosed within the disposable cartridge112and has a configuration similar to that of optics cup or cuvette122.

The optics cup or cuvette122is a container and preferably includes a reflective coating or layer to assist in the optical analysis. The optics cup or cuvette122is also shown inFIGS. 4 and 5and is discussed in further detail below. In particular, an inner surface of optics cup or cuvette122is coated with a reflective material or contains a layer of reflective material. The optics cup or cuvette122may be made of a non-reflective material, for example, an ABS plastic material or glass, or it may be made of a metallic material, e.g., aluminum. In the latter instance, that is, if the optics cup or cuvette122is made of a non-reflective material, it may be coated with or layered with the reflective material. Alternatively, in the manufacturing of the optics cup or cuvette122, the layer of reflective material may be incorporated onto the plastic or glass. As best shown inFIG. 4, the optics cup or cuvette122includes the lower tapered area indicated at124in order to assist with the optical analysis of the specimen, and it is anticipated that the UV light source provided in an optical analysis be directed into the optics cup or cuvette122for the optical analysis of the specimen, more about which is discussed herein below.

The compartment134(FIG. 3) for positioning and supporting the optics cup or cuvette122, particularly if the optics cup or cuvette122is rectangular-shaped, need not be molded in the same configuration as the optics cup or cuvette122. In this instance, the compartment134for supporting the optics cup or cuvette122in the disposable cartridge112may, in general, include a rectangular-shaped opening158(FIG. 3) located in the top surface150of the disposable cartridge112, wherein the top flange154of optics cup or cuvette122engages and is supported by the top surface150of the disposable cartridge112and the optics cup or cuvette122is suspended in the disposable cartridge. Alternatively, the compartment134for positioning and supporting the optics cup or cuvette122may be totally enclosed and may have a similar configuration to that of the rectangular-shaped optics cup or cuvette122.

FIGS. 4 and 5are prior art and illustrate an optics cup or cuvette, generally indicated as122, including a rectangular-shaped container123having a well156and a rectangular opening158contiguous to the well156for receiving a fluid sample, which is then carried in the well156. As stated above, the optics cup or cuvette122may be made of glass or plastic, preferably, an injection molded plastic. The fluid sample may be, for example, a biological, chemical, or toxicant sample, e.g., urine sample, which is optically analyzed, for example, for the type and amount of organism or micro-organism, e.g., bacteria, in the sample. The well156of the container123is formed by spaced-apart sidewalls160,162, spaced-apart first end wall166, second end wall164, and a floor168. The spaced-apart sidewalls160,162and spaced-apart first and second end walls166,164form a flange170contiguous to the rectangular opening158. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the first end wall166has an upper area172and a lower tapered area124extending inwardly of the upper area172of end wall166and downwardly relative to upper area172of the end wall166and the rectangular opening158, such that the length of the floor168is less than the length of the rectangular opening158.

With particular reference toFIG. 4, the optics cup or cuvette122also includes a ribbon liner174which extends the full length of end wall164, floor168, upper area172of end wall166, and lower tapered area124of end wall166to cover the inner surfaces of end wall164, floor168, upper area172of end wall166, and lower tapered area124of end wall166. The ribbon liner174may be referred to as a “wet” ribbon liner since it comes into contact with the liquid sample from all sides. The ribbon liner174is preferably made of a reflective material, for example, aluminum. The ribbon liner174may be made from a piece of stamped aluminum which may be pre-shaped to conform to the configuration formed by end wall164, floor168, lower tapered area124of end wall166, and upper area172of end wall166prior to the installation of ribbon liner174in well156.

FIG. 6illustrates that the wet ribbon liner174ofFIG. 4may be secured to optics cup or cuvette122via a crimping process. In this instance, the one end178of the wet ribbon liner174is bent to conform around and under the outer contour of the portion of flange154formed by end wall166and end178is fastened to flange154via a crimping process, which is well known to those skilled in the art. Even though not shown inFIG. 6, it is to be appreciated that the opposite end of ribbon liner174may be bent to conform around and then under the outer contour of the portion of flange154formed by end wall164and then fastened to flange154via a crimping process.

The optics cup or cuvette122may be made of a material known to minimize the leaching of the contaminants from the material that might be excited by the incident light used in an optical analysis of the sample. As stated above, the optics cup or cuvette122may be injection molded and made of a material, for example, ABS plastic or glass. It is anticipated that the UV light provided in an optical analysis of the sample or specimen in container123of optics cup or cuvette122be directed into the tapered area124of the well156for the optical analysis of the specimen and be reflected off of the ribbon liner174, including the lower tapered area124of end wall166. As discussed herein above, the material of the optics cup or cuvette122, the reflective material of ribbon liner174and the lower tapered area124of end wall166work in a synergistic manner to enhance the UV-light reflection to more effectively collect the fluorescence emission of the samples for the identification and quantification of the organism or micro-organism, e.g., bacteria in the samples and, at the same time, minimize the background fluorescence and/or minimize the contamination of the sample fluid from the container or wetted surfaces of the container. The collection of the fluorescence emission of the sample from the optic cup or cuvette122is discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 7-13illustrate an optics cup or cuvette, according to one embodiment of the invention, generally indicated as722. The optics cup or cuvette722includes a rectangular-like shaped container723having a well756and a rectangular opening758continuous to the well756for receiving a fluid sample which is then carried in the well756. Similar to the previously discussed optics cup or cuvette122, the optics cup or cuvette722may be made of glass or plastic. The fluid sample to be received into the well756may be, for example, a biological, chemical or toxicant sample, e.g., urine sample, which is optically analyzed, for example, for the type and amount of organism or micro-organism, e.g., bacteria, in the sample. The well756of the container723is formed by spaced-apart side walls760,762, spaced-apart first end wall766and second end wall764, and a floor768. The spaced-apart side walls760,762form a flange770contiguous to the rectangular opening758. As shown inFIG. 11, the first end wall766has an upper area772and a planar lower tapered area724extending inwardly of upper area772of end wall766and downwardly relative to upper area772of first end wall766and the rectangular opening758, such that the length F1of floor768is less than the length R1of the rectangular opening758.

The dimensions of the optics cup or cuvette722in the embodiment ofFIGS. 10 and 11are such that diversion and striations of the straight light beam have been optimized. In particular, as shown inFIG. 10, the opposed side walls760,762form an angle B1, B2, which may be 3° in a direction extending outwardly as the side walls760,762extend upwardly from the floor768with respect to vertical lines V1, V2respectively. The angles B1, B2are measured from a location or fill-line725where the top of a sample would be located within the optics cup or cuvette. The total offset angle between the side walls760,762may equal approximately 6°. Angling of the side walls760,762allows for better coating with a reflective material, such as aluminum material as discussed below. As shown inFIG. 11, the second end wall764has a top portion764aand a bottom portion764b. The bottom portion764bcan be angled at an angle B3of between 1°-3° in a direction extending outwardly as the end walls764,766extend upwardly from the floor768with respect to vertical line V3extending through the bottom of the optic cup or cuvette722. At the location on fill-line725, where the top portion of a sample would be located in the optics cup or cuvette122, the top portion764aof the second end wall764can have an additional 2° angle forming a total angle B4of between 3°-5° with respect to the vertical line V3in a direction extending outwardly as the side walls760,762extend upwardly from the floor768. The angle A5between the tapered area724and the bottom portion764bof the second end wall764extends at approximately 45.5°. The angle of the tapered area also extends at approximately between 44.5°-45.5° with respect to the vertical plane V3extending through the optics cup. This angled tapered area724supports accurate beam travel back and forth as depicted by L2-L5.

A primary difference between the prior art cuvette122and the cuvette722according to the present invention is that the floor168of the cuvette122, as illustrated inFIG. 5, is flat while the floor768of the cuvette722, as illustrated inFIG. 9, is curved. Additionally, the relative angles of the walls are difference along with other features to be discussed.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the floor768of the optics cup722has the shape of an inverted arch extending continuously along the entire length of the floor768. Furthermore, the inverted arch is symmetric about and uniform along a longitudinal axis LA (FIGS. 10 and 12) extending between the side walls760,762. As a result, the inverted arch is oriented such that light inside the illuminated cup travelling away from the optical collection cone C (FIG. 10) will be reflected to collection points along the longitudinal axis LA. By doing so, the amount of collected light will be increased. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10, light travelling along the path M2will be reflected to the collection point along line M3. Lines M2and M3are actually overlapping but shown apart for illustrative purposes.

The arch of the floor may have a single radius of curvature along the entire length or the curvature may vary, such as the curvature found in an ellipse. However, it is necessary for the curvature to be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis LA.

As shown inFIG. 11, the lower tapered area724is oriented with respect to the second end wall764such that an incoming illumination beam, illustrated by line L2, will hit and reflect, illustrated by line L3, from the lower tapered area724to the lower portion764bof the second end wall764, where it will be reflected back along line L4to the lower tapered area724, where it is reflected back along line L5. As a result, it is preferred that the deviation from a 45° angle of the angle A5of the lower tapered724is one-half the deviation of the angle B3of the bottom portion764bof the second end wall764from a vertical axis V3. As a result, the illuminating beam will travel into the cup722, reflect from the cup722along a parallel path and will not illuminate the bottom of the cup722.

As an example, at the location or fill-line725, where the top portion of a sample would be located in the cup or cuvette122, the lower portion764bof second wall764is angled at an angle B3of approximately 1°. Therefore, designing the angle A5of the tapered area724of the first wall766such that it extends at a 44.5° angle with respect to the plane or line V3, causes light beam L2to contact tapered wall764band redirect that light beam along path L3where it reflects back from the bottom portion764(b) and once again, contacts the lower tapered area724and is directed along line L5. The 44.5° angle of the lower tapered area724, with respect to vertical plane V3, prevents skewing or misdirection of the light beam within the sample.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the bottom portion764bmay form an angle B3of 1°, with respect to the vertical line V3, while the top portion764amay form an angle B4of 3°, with respect to the vertical line V3. For better surface quality, when molding the cup722, it may be desirable to design the top portion764aand bottom portion764bas a single planar surface. Under these circumstances, the bottom portion764bwould be oriented at an angle B4of 3° and aligned with the top portion764a, thereby providing such a single planar surface. Such a single planar surface, while not illustrated in the figures, may be easily envisioned from examination ofFIG. 11. However, under these circumstances, to ensure the transmitted illumination beam L2will reflect back upon line L5, the orientation of the lower taper area must also be changed to provide, for example, a surface with an angle A5of 43.5°.

Location of the snap features which are used to hold the cup within its location in the cartridge with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optics cup or cuvette722is important to the beam location inside the volume since the beam location on the angle surface as measured from the top edge of that surface will determine the beam location from the bottom surface. The total area of the bottom floor768of the well756can be approximately 84 mm2. In a preferred embodiment, the snap feature is located on the side of the cuvette with the first end wall766, as illustrated inFIG. 13.

FIG. 14illustrates that alternatively, the optics cup or cuvette722may include a full liner776, if light collection from the sidewalls760and762as well as from the end wall764, floor768, the lower tapered area724of end wall766and the upper area772of end wall766is needed for the optical analysis of a sample. This full liner776is shaped and formed to substantially clad or cover the inner surfaces of sidewalls760,762, end wall764, floor768, lower tapered area724of end wall766, and the upper area772of end wall766. The full liner776ofFIG. 14functions similarly to the ribbon liner174in the well156of the optics cup or cuvette122ofFIG. 4with regard to the UV-light of the optical analyzer.

The full liner776ofFIG. 14may be polished to obtain a desired degree of surface roughness for the reflection of the UV-light in optics cup or cuvette722. The polishing process may either be performed on the reflective material used to form wet ribbon liner, similar to liner174inFIG. 4, or full wet liner776either when the reflective material, i.e., aluminum is in raw sheet form prior to the stamping and forming process or when the liners776are formed and inserted into the optics cup or cuvette722via a bulk polishing process. That is, the reflective material may either be polished before the stamping and forming process or the stamped parts may be polished.

It is to be further appreciated that even though not shown, in the instance a full liner776ofFIG. 14is installed in the optics cup or cuvette722, that this liner776may be secured to the flange754via a crimping process. The full liner776may be stamped and folded in a progressive die and then singulated for installation in the optics cup or cuvette122. Both a ribbon liner and full liner776may be wound on a reel and the optics cup or cuvette722can be easily assembled in an automated manufacturing process. That is, both a ribbon liner and full liner776may be on a reel so that a machine can be fed with the reels and the liners inserted into the optic cups or cuvettes122.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate a reflective material for the optics cup or cuvette122as being a separate piece that is manufactured, formed and shaped for insertion or installation into the well156of the container123. The present invention envisions that instead of the liners174,176, the optics cup or cuvette722may be coated with a thin layer of reflective material as indicated at reference number780inFIG. 14. In this embodiment, the optics cup or cuvette122may be injection molded with the desired surface roughness and then coated with a thin layer of reflective material180, for example, pure aluminum, by either a vacuum metallization process or by an electroplating process. The industry has shown that it may be difficult to coat inner surfaces of a container that has a certain depth. In this instance, customized electrodes may need to be provided to achieve the desired coverage and uniformity of coating in the well756of the container723of the optics cup or cuvette722. The coating of reflective material780may extend totally along the inner surfaces of sidewalls760,762, end walls764,766and floor768of container723similar to the full liner776ofFIG. 14or the coating may extend partially along the inner surfaces of end wall764, the floor768, lower tapered area724of end wall766, and the upper area772of end wall764of the container723similar to the ribbon liner174ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 15illustrates an optics cup or cuvette888having a two-piece construction including an upper piece890and a lower piece892. As shown, the upper piece890has a rectangular body893having a rectangular opening894contiguous to the flange896, which in turn, is formed by spaced-apart sidewalls898,899and end walls900,901. Even though not shown, the upper piece890is also fully opened at the bottom and has an indented portion. The lower piece892has a rectangular opening904formed by spaced-apart sidewalls906,907and end walls908,909, and a floor910. The end wall909of the lower piece892has a tapered area912for re-directing the light. The tapered area912extends down from the rectangular opening894and extends downwardly to the floor910, thereby making the length of the floor910less than the length of the rectangular opening904.

As may be appreciated, the upper flanges of the optics cup or cuvette722of the present invention may be used for supporting the optics cup or cuvette722on a top surface150of a disposable cartridge112used in magazines126(FIG. 2) for processing the samples and then optically analyzing the samples. Also, the reflective surfaces of the optics cup or cuvette722are such that the UV light from the optical analyzer can be directed down into the cups or cuvettes and reflected off of the reflective surfaces and tapered areas as discussed in detail below to more efficiently and effectively produce the fluorescence emission necessary in obtaining the required information for optically analyzing the specimens for the identification and quantification of, for example, organisms or micro-organism, e.g., bacteria in the specimens, e.g., urine specimens.

It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the fluid sample may be, for example, a biological, chemical or toxicant sample, e.g., urine sample, which is optically analyzed, for example, for the type and amount of organism or micro-organism, e.g., bacteria, in the sample.