REAGENT STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract: A reagent storage and delivery apparatus. The invention includes containers (11, 12, 13) with elastomeric septums (16) in the mouth portions (15) thereof. When attached to a supporting rack (19), a hollow needle (24) on the supporting rack (19) pierces the elastomeric septums (15) and allows the reagent to be dispensed from the containers (11, 12, 13) through the needle (24).

Description: REAGENT STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The invention relates to the field of contain- ing apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a container system which includes a means for dispens¬ ing a substance- from the containers. By way of further characterization, but not by way of limitation thereto, the invention includes at least one container which is secured to a rack wherein, upon securing the container to the rack, a seal on the container is pierced to allow the liquid within the container to be drained therefrom. Description of the Prior Art In analytical instruments, such as medical instrumentation, samples of body fluids are combined with reagents or other substances and tested for specific components and percentages thereof. It is important, when utilizing these reagents or substances, that the reagents be kept sterile and free from contamination. In addition, the substances must be stored when not in use. Many instruments employ refillable reservoirs into which the new reagent is added. Many other instruments employ reagent bottles into which tubing may be inserted and pumps are used to pump out the liquids or other sub- stances to be used. While these arrangements are suited for their intended purpose, it would be desirable to have a containment system wherein the bottles of reagents may be inserted onto or removed from the instrument easily, with no or minimal leakage, and stored safely. Long-term storage of the reagents is done in a refrigerated atmosphere and thus the storage system used for the reagents must allow for easy and rapid insertion onto and removal from the instrument. In addition, the reagents must be kept substantially sealed within the container to prevent leakage and contamination. Summary of the Invention The invention is an apparatus for supplying one or more substances "to an analytical instrument. It in¬ cludes at least one container defining an interior of predetermined volume with a neck portion having an open¬ ing through the container communicating with the in- terior. A sealing means is insertable into the mouth. A supporting means onto which the container is secured includes a means for piercing the sealing means when the container is secured to the supporting means. The supporting means includes a rack having receptacles to engage and secure the containers by engag¬ ing with a neck portion on the containers. The recepta¬ cles include a hollow needle to pierce the septum which seals the opening in the neck portion of the container. When the containers are secured to the supporting rack, the hollow needle extends through the septum such that an inlet in the needle allows the reagent or other substance in the container to flow from the container through the needle and into an analytical instrument. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned view of the containers and the supporting rack; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the container secured to the rack; Fig. 3 is a view of the containers in a separ- ate storage rack; and Fig. 4 shows a container with a collapsible liner therein. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, a plurality of containers 11, 12, and 13 each have a neck portion 14 defining a mouth 15 into which a septum 16 is inserted. Neck por¬ tions 14 include threads 17 on the outside thereof. Containers 11, 12, and 13 also include a frangible vent- tab 18. Containers 11, 12, and 13 each define an in- terior of predetermined volume. A supporting rack 19 includes container caps 21, 22, and 23, respectively, sized to fit containers 11, 12, and 13. Caps 21, 22, and 23 are attached to supporting rack 19. Caps 21, 22, and 23 include threaded portions on the interior of the caps • for engagement with threaded neck portions 14 on contain¬ ers 11, 12, and 13. Caps 21, 22, and 23 also include a hollow needle 24 preferably at the center of each cap. A conduit 25 is connected to hollow needle 24. Referring to Fig. 2 , the attachment of a con- tainer to supporting rack 19 is shown. For purposes of illustration, this attachment will be described with ref¬ erence to container 11 , but it should be expressly under¬ stood that containers 12 and 13 are attached in a like manner. Neck portion 14 of container 11 is threadably engaged with cap 21 , itself attached to supporting rack 19. Septum 16 seals a liquid or other substance within the interior of container 11. Hollow needle 24 pene¬ trates septum 16 and extends into the interior of con¬ tainer 11 such that an inlet 26 in hollow needle 24 com- unicates with the predetermined volume in container 11 allowing the liquid to flow therethrough. Conduit 25 is attached to hollow needle 24. Referring to Fig. 3, containers 11, 12, and 13 may be placed in a separate storage rack 27 to allow storage of the reagents apart from the analytical instru¬ ment. Containers 11, 12, and 13 include holes 28 left by the removal of the frangible vent tab 18 (Fig. 1). Referring to Fig. 4, a container 29 is shown including a collapsible liner 31 in the interior prede¬ termined volume of container 29. In this alternate em¬ bodiment, as with the previously described containers 11, 12, and 13, the threaded neck portion 14 may be attached to a supporting rack 19. Septum 16 is configured as described above. Mode of Operation Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, containers 11, 12, and 13 define predetermined volumes into which a reagent or other substance is placed. Septum 16, fitting in mouth 15 of neck portions 14, provides a liquid and air¬ tight seal such that the reagent or other substance en¬ closed in containers 11, 12, and 13 is prevented from escaping. Septums 16 are made of an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber such that, when containers 11, 12, and 13 are screwed into caps 21, 22, and 23, respec¬ tively, needles 24 pierce septum 16 and extend into the interior defined by the containers. This is more clearly shown in Fig. 2 where container 11 is shown in place as screwed into cap 21. Reagent is conducted from container 11 to a reaction site (not shown) through hollow needle 24 and conduit 25. To equalize the pressure between the exterior and interior of container 11, frangible valve 18 is opened, such as by breaking the tab, so as to permit uniform flow of reagent. The containers shown in Fig. 1 may be removed from rack 19 without leakage of the contents of contain- ers 11, 12 or 13. That is, if, for example, at the end of a day all the reagents are not used from containers 11, 12, or 13, then the containers may be removed to be stored in a refrigerated environment or other suitable location. Upon unscrewing containers 11, 12, and 13, needle 24 will be pulled back through septum 16. Because of the elastomeric nature of septum 16, however, the elastomeric material will fill the space formally occu¬ pied by the needle and thus the hole punched by the nee- die 24 will be effectively sealed. In the container illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, once the frangible vent is opened a hole is formed in the container bottom. Thus, if the contents of the container is not completely used and the container is to be stored for reuse, the container may be placed in a suitable holding means for storage such as storage rack 27 to keep the bottles turned neck down as shown in Fig. 3. This rack may then be placed into the desired storage loca¬ tion. This rack is similar to rack 19 except that no needles are included to penetrate septum 16. Alternatively to the frangible vent tab 18 shown in Fig. 1 , as shown in. Fig. 4 a collapsible liner 31 can be used in a container 29, eliminating the need for venting container 29. That is, as reagent is drawn from collapsible liner 31, no air is needed to equalize the pressure inside the liner and thus venting is un¬ necessary. Container 29 is otherwise identical to con¬ tainers 11, 12 and 13 including septum 16 and threaded neck portion 14, the structure and function of which have been described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. In addition to the convenience of disposable bottles and ease of handling, the invention provides a safe contamination-free package for reagents to ensure __O PI reproducible results when employed with an analytical • instrument. In addition, the removability of the con¬ tainers from the rack allows them to be placed into a storage rack if all the reagent is not used. Different size threads may be used on each container and corres¬ ponding cap. In this way correct placement of each con¬ tainer on the supporting rack may be assured. Alterna¬ tively, color coding could be used. The resealable sep¬ tum prevents leakage when the containers are removed from the supporting rack. The collapsible liner may also be made opaque such that- light-sensitive reagents may be protected. While a silicone rubber septum has been dis¬ closed, it should be understood that any elastomeric material would be suitable for use as a septum. Addi¬ tionally, while threads have been used to secure the containers to the rack, it should be understood that any type of fastening means such as clamps, snap fit, or press fit may be used. In addition, while a hollow needle has been disclosed as a means for piercing the septum, it should be expressly understood that any type of piercing means may be employed such as a knife, etc. Additionally, the hole in the hollow needle, while pref¬ erably placed on the side, may be advantageously placed in various positions on the needle in order to facilitate flow of the reagent from the container. Also, while frangible vent tabs have been disclosed to vent the con¬ tainers, it should be understood that any type of vent may be employed such as removable plugs, a double needle, .etc. While particular forms of the invention have been disclosed with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited as changes and modi¬ fications may be made without departing from the full intended scope of the invention.

Claims: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. Apparatus supplying one or more substances to an analytical instrument comprising: at least one container, each said container defining an interior of predetermined volume and including an opening communi¬ cating with said interior; means, cooperative with each said container, for supporting each said container; means, insertible into said opening, for sub¬ stantially sealing said interior; means, cooperative with each said container and said supporting means, for securing each said container to said supporting means; and means, connected to said supporting means and communicable with said interior, for con¬ ducting said substances from said contain- . er. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support¬ ing means includes: a supporting rack; and at least one cap connected to said rack, said cap adapted to receive said at least one container. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means includes an elastomeric septum. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means includes mating threaded portions on said container and said supporting means. own 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conduct¬ ing means includes a needle connected to said sup¬ porting means, said needle oriented to pierce said sealing means when said container is secured to said supporting means. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said needle includes: an at least partially hollow needle communicat¬ ing with said predetermined volume, one end of said hollow needle configured to penetrate said sealing means and the other end of said hollow needle connectible to an analytical instrument; and said hollow needle including at least one inlet communicating with said predetermined volume. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said at least one inlet is on a side wall of said hollow needle. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said contain- er includes a concave bottom portion opposite to said opening, said concave bottom including a frang¬ ible vent thereon. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said contain¬ er includes a deformable, flexible, liner within said predetermined volume. 10. A liquid storage and delivery system comprising: a supporting rack; at least one container defining an interior of predetermined volume, each such container including a neck portion having an open- ■ υRE ing, said neck portion including an en- gageable area matable with an engageable area on said supporting rack; an elastomeric septum insertible into the open- ing of each said container; and at least one needle, adjacent said engageable area on said rack and communicating with said interior. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said needle includes: an at least partially hollow needle communicat¬ ing with said interior, one end of said hollow needle configured to penetrate said elastomeric septum and the other end of said hollow needle connectible to an ana¬ lytical instrument; and said hollow needle including at least one inlet for communication with said interior. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said at least one inlet is on a side wall of said hollow needle. 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said con¬ tainer includes a concave bottom portion opposite to said open mouth portion, said concave bottom portion including a frangible vent thereon. 14. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said con¬ tainer includes a deformable, flexible liner within said predetermined volume. 15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said engage- ' able area includes mating threads on said neck por¬ tion and said supporting rack.

Inventors: HARRIS ARTHUR MILTON, HARRIS, ARTHUR, MILTON
Applicants: BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS INC, BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G01N37
IPC codes: B01L3, B01L9, B67D3, G01N1