A METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY MAKING ANALYSES AND A DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

Abstract: A method for continuously and automatically carrying out analyses, e.g. dissolution tests, wherein substances at each test are supplied to at least one test vessel (1), in which the analysis is carried through under agitation. Between each test the use substances are poured out of the test vessel in that this is turned upside down, whereupon the agitating means (2) and the test vessel are washed clean by means of at least one washing nozzle (8) directed into the vessel, before a new test is carried through. The agitating means (2) as well as the washing nozzle (8) participate in the emptying movement of the test vessel (1). The agitating means and/or the washing nozzle are activated during and/or after the emptying of the test vessel (1).

Description: A METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY MAKING ANALYSES AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD The present invention refers to a method for continuously a automatically carrying out analyses, e.g. dissolution test wherein substances at each test are supplied to at least one te vessel, in which the analysis is carried through under agitatio whereby between each test the used substances are poured out the test vessel in that this is turned upside down, whereupon t agitating means and the test vessel are washed clean by means at least one washing nozzle directed into the vessel, before new test is carried through. The invention also refers to device for performing the method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For ascertaining a constant supply of a medical preparation to patient during an extended period of time the pharmaceutica industry has developed tablets, capsules, etcetera, slowl emitting the active substance. In order to control in a labora- torical and uniform manner the manufactured product, there is standardized equipment for determining emitting of an activ component, prescribed i.a. in European and American pharma copoeia. The method is named "dissolution test" and the apparatu consists of a vessel having a prescribed geometry and made of a inert, transparent material, and which vessel is immersed in bath heated to 37°C. In the vessel is furthermore provided eithe an agitator or a rotating tablet basket, which have also pre¬ scribed geometry. The rotational speed of the agitator is hel constant during the entire test period. The vessel is fille with a buffer solution, the volume of which is defined and th temperature of which is also held at 37°C. The preparations whic shall be tested are introduced into the vessel or in the rotatin basket and the buffer solution is analysed at determined tim intervals regarding the content of active substance. This gives measure on the properties of the preparation regarding supply o active substance to the patient. Standardized equipments for "dissolution test" incorporating u to 6 test vessels per unit are on the market since many year (Prolabo, Hansen, etcetera). These equipments however are inten ded for manual operation regarding emptying after concluded test cleaning and filling up buffer solution and control of correc buffer solution at intended temperature. These operations ar time-wasting and monotonous, which makes an automatizatio desirable. Hansen therefore has introduced an automatic mechanism fo filling up the buffer solution. Perkin-Elmer and Zymark use thei laboratory robots for distribution of preparations to the tes vessels and for taking out test samples for analysis. Zymark als has introduced a device for automatical emptying and cleaning o the the vessels, which device consists of a hose manipulated by laboratory robot, and which hose with a pump empties the vessel Cleaning liquid is thereupon pumped in and sucked out in severa cycles and the buffer solution is finally 'filled up. When thi has reached a temperature of 37°C the sucking hose is lowered b the robot to a level specific for every vessel and the excess i sucked off. This method for emptying and cleaning has proven it self to be uncertain, as residual tablets and capsules may hav been left in the vessel or have caused clogging of hoses an valves. There is also known a method and a device for continuou automatic analysis of solid test samples according to DE-A-15 2 059, which device incorporates a number of test vessels, whic in level with the vessel bottom are provided with a pivot shaft about which the test vessel may be swung to an emptying positio thus that the content may be emptied in a discharge hopper. I the hopper is also provided a washing nozzle, which can was clean the interior of the thus swung down test vessel. The desig implies, that the agitating means, if such are used, will not b cleaned between different tests, and therefore will contaminat the new test solution. Another drawback is that the structur will not allow the test vessels to be immersed in a tempere bath, whereby rather big temperature variations may occur. Th cleaning effect is neither quite satisfactory as residual tablet and the the like has a tendency to stick very firmly to th vessel walls. PURPOSE AND MOST ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to provide a reliable, auto matical emptying of the test vessel and a careful cleaning o this and of its agitating means and the filling and washin nozzels, which may be immersed in the vessel. The cleaning mus be 100% effective thus that the manual control is entirel eliminated. The design shall be simple, with a minimum of movabl parts and permit that analyses can be made all around the clock. These tasks have been solved in that the agitating means as wel as the washing nozzle participate in the emptying movement of th test vessel, and that the agitating means and/or the washin nozzle are activated during and/or after the emptying of th test vessel. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention hereinafter will be further described wit reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows the analysis apparatus according to the invention i a side view and with the test vessel in position for analysis. Fig. 2 shows also a side view of the analysis apparatus accordin to Fig. 1 with the test vessel in a swung up cleaning and washin position. Fig. 3 shows the analysis apparatus according to Fig..l in a vie from above. Fig. 4 shows the analysis apparatus according to Fig. 3 in a front view. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT The analysis apparatus according to the invention consists of a test vessel 1, preferably of transparent material, e.g. glass, in which is immersed an agitating means 2, which can be wings, table basket or the like. The test vessel in its analysi position is immersed in an outer vessel 3 filled with a thermo statically controlled bath for maintaining a constant temperatur on the substance, which is introduced in the vessel 1. The oute vessel 3 and the test vessel 1 are both provided with a commo cover 4, which is pivotably supported at the upper edge of th outer vessel 3 about a horizontal shaft 5. On the cover i fixedly arranged a driving device 6 for the agitating means and holder 7 for a combined filling tube and washing nozzle 8, whic latter is immersed in the test vessel 1. At one end edge of th cover 4 is provided a discharge opening 9 just in front of th pivot shaft 5, through which opening the content of the tes vessel is emptied in a discharge hopper 10 or a gutter, when th test vessel is in the cleaning and washing position, shown i Fig; 2. In the analysis position shown in Fig. 1, the test vessel 1 i supplied with the substances to be tested, e.g. a buffer solu- tion, in a somewhat bigger volume than that prescribed for th test. When the solution has obtained the correct temperature the excess is sucked off to a level calibrated for the vessel The substance to be tested, e.g. a tablet, a capsule or the lik is thereupon positioned in the vessel, and this can be mad either manually or automatically by means of a robot, a feeder o the like. After completed test, during which the agitating mean rotates at a constant speed, the content is poured out of th test vessel, during which emptying motion the agitating mean preferably continue to work, thus that any sedimentation o heavier particles in the test substance is avoided. The discharg opening 9 of the cover 4 thereby shall be so big that residua tablets or the like can pass freely. With the test vessel stil in cleaning position according to Fig. 2 the inner side of th vessel and the agitating means is cleaned by washing with one o more rinsing agents, which under pressure is introduced throug the combined filling and washing nozzle 8. The last rinsing i made with buffer solution, whereupon the vessel is returned t analysis position according to Fig. 1 and a new test cycle i initiated. Several test vessels are preferably arranged in the same out vessel 3, such as shown in Fig.s 3 and 4. The test vessels m also be pivotable individually and independent of each other they may be emptied together by a single driving device 11 comm for all test vessels.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for continuously and automatically carrying ou analyses, e.g. dissolution tests, wherein substances at each tes are supplied to at least one test vessel (1), in which th analysis is carried through under agitation, whereby between eac test thes usedi substances are poured out of the test vessel i that thiss is3 turned upside down, whereupon the agitating mean (23 and thestessfe vessel are washed clean by means of at least on washing nozzle CBJ directed into the vessel, before a new test i carried through, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the agitating means (2) as well as the washing nozzle (8) participate in the emptying movement of the test vessel (1), an that the agitating means and/or the washing nozzle are activate during and/or after the emptying of the test vessel. 2o A device for performing the method according to claim 1 a automatic analysis apparatuses, which incorporate at least on test vessel (1), which for emptying is pivotable about a mainl horizontal shaft (5), thus that the test content is discharge able, and;which apparatus is provided with at least one agitatin means (2) and a washing nozzle (8) arranged in the test vessel, c h a r-a-c-t er ± z e d t h e r e i n, that the agitating means (2) and its driving device (6) and th washing nozzle (8) with its holder (7) are arranged to partici pate in the emptying motion of the test vessel (1), and that the agitating means (2) and the washing nozzle (8) ar activatable during the pivoting movement of the test vessel. 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the test vessel (1) is equipped with a cover (4), on whic are mounted the agitating means (2), its driving device (6) an the washing nozzle (8). 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the cover (4) at one side edge is pivotably supported abou said shaft (5), and that the cover (4) at said side edge i provided with a discharge opening (9). 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the test vessel (1) in analysis position is situated insid an outer vessel (3) and that the pivot shaft (5) of the tes vessel (1) is fitted to the .upper edge of the outer vessel. 6. A device as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that below the pivot shaft (5) for the cover (4) is provided discharge hopper or gutter (10). 7. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 2 - 6 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that several test vessels (1) are arranged in a row beside eac other and which are dischargeable together or alternativel separately.

Inventors: LAMMERT JOERGEN, LAMMERT, JOERGEN
Applicants: LAMMERT JOERGEN, LAMMERT, JOERGEN
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G01N35
IPC codes: B01L11, G01N13, G01N33, G01N35