OPEN VIAL ASPIRATOR AND PROBE WASHER

Abstract: The aspirator (100) includes a probe assembly (112) and a co-acting wash cup assembly (114) which are supported on a frame (116). Probe assembly (112) also includes a wash block (124) slideably mounted on an annular probe (122) for washing the outer surface of probe (122). When an open distal end (122b) of probe (122) is contained within wash block (124) and wash cup (125) cleaning fluid or diluent may be pumped into probe (122) backwashing any contaminants in probe (122) into a well (153) of wash cup (154) and drained from well (153) via a drain port (157).

Description: OPEN VIAL ASPIRATOR AND PROBE WASHER Field of the Invention The invention relates to a diagnostic medical device, and in particular to a blood cell analyzer which by manual or automatic operation withdraws and analyzes a minimal amount of blood from an open vial. The analyzer includes a manually or automatically operated self cleaning sampling device for open vials. Background of the Invention Blood sample analysis systems are known in which the operator must position and hold in place tubes or vials of the samples to be analyzed. The systems include needles which pierce a closure on a sample tube to provide communication between blood in the sample tube and the system. Such prior art systems expose operators to the risk of contamination and infection from blood samples, as well as the risk of being cut by broken glass or other shattered materials. In addition, the prior art systems can only accept a limited number of sizes of tubes or vials. Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to a vial aspirator and a probe washer comprising an elongated annular probe for withdrawing fluid from a vial. A wash block is disposed on the probe for washing the external surface of the probe. A wash cup is interconnected with the wash block and engages therewith such that an end of the probe is received between the wash block and the wash cup to effect back washing of the interior of the probe. The vial aspirator may include a support shaft and a slider which is slideably disposed on the support shaft. The wash block is connected to the slider. A traveler is slideably disposed on the support shaft. The wash cup is connected to the traveler and the traveler is interconnected to the slider. The wash block may be pivotally mounted to the slider and the probe may be pivotally mounted to a support frame. In this configuration, movement of the slider along the probe would force the probe to pivot into a use position. The wash block may include a probe bore in which the probe is slideably disposed and an inlet bore which is in fluid communication with the probe bore. An outlet bore may be provided in fluid communication with the probe bore. The vial aspirator and probe washer may include a belt drive assembly for translating the slider from a first position in which the wash block and the wash cup are away from the end of the probe to a second position in which the wash cup and the wash block surround the open distal end of the probe. Brief Description of the Drawings and Photographs For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and photographs. The drawings and photographs show one embodiment of the invention as presently preferred. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings and photographs. FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of a form of the open vial aspirator and probe washer of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the aspirator of FIG. 1 shown in the washing position. FIG. 3 is a side view of the slider/ traveler side the aspirator of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the probe side of the aspirator of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wash block. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wash cup. FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are schematic diagrams of the fluid system of the aspirator of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is an orthogonal view of another form of an open vial aspirator. FIG. 11 is a side view of the slider/ traveler side of the aspirator of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a side view of the slider/ traveler side of the aspirator of FIG. 10 in the upper position. FIG. 13 is a side view of the probe side of the aspirator of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wash cup of the aspirator of FIG. 10. Detailed Description of the Invention In FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an open vial aspirator and probe washer which is generally designated by the numeral 100. The aspirator 100 includes a probe assembly 112 and a co-acting wash cup assembly 114 which are supported on a frame 116. The probe assembly 112 is pivotally attached to a pivot rod 118 which extends transversely from the upper end of one face of the frame 116. The probe assembly 112 includes a pivot block 120 which is journaled on the distal end of the pivot rod 118 and an elongated annular probe 122 which is carried by the pivot block 120. The probe 122 is attached to the pivot block 120 adjacent the proximal end 122a of the probe 122, while the distal end 122b of the probe 122 is free to accept a sample tube or the like (not shown) . The probe assembly 112 also includes a wash block 124 slideably mounted on the annular probe 122 for washing the outer surface of the probe 122. A pair of mounting blocks 126 and 128 are attached to the side of the frame 112 opposite the probe assembly 112. The mounting blocks 126 and 128 are located at the upper and lower ends of the frame 112, respectively. A pair of parallel guide shafts 130 and 132 extend between the mounting blocks 126 and 128 in spaced apart relationship. A slider 134 is slideably mounted on the guide shafts 130 and 132. The slider 134 includes a bore 136 and a slot 138 which receive the guide shafts 130 and 132, respectively. A pivot rod 140 extends transversely from one side of the slider 134 at the fore end 139 thereof. The pivot rod 140 extends past the front edge 142 of the frame 116 toward the probe assembly 112. The pivot rod 140 is journaled to accept the wash block 124, which is pivotally mounted thereon. As best seen in FIG. 4, the wash block 124 is offset laterally from the pivot block 120 so that the probe 122 is disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical. Moving the slider 134 toward the upper end of the frame 116, forces the probe 122 to pivot outwardly away from the frame 116, as shown in phantom. As shown in FIG. 1 , the wash cup assembly 114 includes a traveler 144 slideably mounted on the guide shafts 130 and 132. The traveler 144 includes a bore 146 and an elongated slot 148 which receive the guide shafts 130 and 132, respectively. An arm 150 is attached to the traveler 144 and extends past the front edge 142 of the frame 116. A wash cup 152 is disposed on the arm 150 to be in alignment with the wash block 124 when the wash block 124 and the wash cap are in the closed position. The arm 150 includes a protrusion 154 extending from the front edge of the arm 150 and defining a manual actuating lever. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of a cable 156 is connected to the traveler 144 by a fastener 158 located within the slot 148. As best shown in FIG. 1 , the cable 156 extends through the slot 138 in slider 134 and around a pulley 160 rotatably mounted in a slot 162 in mounting block 126. As shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the cable 156 is connected to the slider 134 via a fastener 164. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 156 interconnects the slider 134 and the traveler 144 for cooperative movement. A coil spring 166 is attached to the slider 134 and the lower mounting block 128. One end of the coil spring 166 is connected to the fastener 164. As shown in FIG. 2, the spring 166 extends through a bore 168 in the slider 134. As shown in FIG. 3, the other end of the coil spring 166 is attached to the mounting block 128 via a fastener 170. The cylinder 174 of an airpot 175 is attached to the lower mounting block 128 via a bracket 176. Attached to the traveler 144 is an L- shaped bracket 178. At the end of the long leg 180 of the L- shaped bracket 178 is an extension 182. The piston rod 184 of the airpot 175 is mounted to the extension 182. The airpot 175 fitted with a one-way relief valve (not shown) and an adjustable air restricter (not shown) which allows free downward movement of the airpot 175 piston (not shown) attached to the piston rod 184 and resists movement of the traveler 144 in the upward direction, thereby controlling the speed thereof. However, it is contemplated that the pressure in the airpot 175 can be adjusted to select a speed at which the traveler 144 moves. A solenoid 186 is also attached to the lower mounting block 128. The moving core 188 of the solenoid 186 serves as a latch which engages the traveler 144 on an upper surface 189 thereof. The traveler 144 is provided with a beveled surface 190 the underside thereof for engaging the latch 188 of the solenoid and displacing same. As best seen in FIG. 5, the wash block 124 includes a longitudinal bore 125 through which the annular probe 122 extends. An inlet bore 127 and an outlet bore 129 are also provided in the wash block 124. Both the inlet and the outlet bores 127 and 129 intersect with the probe bore 125. The lower portion 131 of the wash block 124 has a frustoconical shape which fits within the well 153 (FIG. 6) of the wash cup 152. The well may have a cylindrical/conical shape as shown, a conical shape, or any other suitable shape. As best seen in FIG. 6, the wash cup 152 includes an outlet bore 155 and a drain channel 157 connected to the well 153 of the wash cup 152. The aspirator 100 operates in the following manner. At the end of the wash cycle, the wash block 124 and wash cup 152 are in the position shown in FIG. 3. The user presses downwardly on the actuating lever 154, forcing the traveler 144 to slide downwardly on the shafts 130 and 132. As the traveler 144 moves downwardly, the cable 156 pulls the slider 134 upwardly along the guide shafts 130 and 132, stretching the attached coil spring 166. The movement of the traveler 144 also displaces the piston rod 184 of the airpot 175, limiting the speed as described above. Near the bottom of the stroke of the slider 144, the beveled surface 190 of the traveler 144 engages the extended latch 188 of the solenoid 186, displacing it into the solenoid 186. This permits the traveler 144 to bottom out against the lower mounting block 128. When the traveler 144 bottoms out, the latch 188 will extend outwardly, engaging the upper surface 189 of the traveler and locking it in this position. While the traveler 144 is moving downwardly, the slider is simultaneously moving upwardly under the influence of the cable 156. As this occurs, the probe 122 is forced to pivot outwardly to its normal use position shown in FIG. 1. The aspirating cycle of the aspirator 100 is shown in FIG. 7. A vial 199 of whole blood, or the like, is placed on the distal end 122b of the probe 122. The user actuates a button (not shown but connected to the microswitch 101 shown in FIG. 4) to initiate the start of the aspirating cycle which withdraws a quantity of fluid from the vial through probe 122. This is accomplished by the use of a selector valve 200 and a peristaltic pump (not shown), or the like, attached to the proximal end 122a of the probe 122 which draws the fluid into the analyzer 10 for testing. After a predetermined time period, the controller (not shown) sounds an alarm, such as an audible alarm or a visual indicator, which indicates that the next stage of the cycle is about to commence. This warns the user to remove the vial 199 from the probe 122. At this point the probe washing portion of the cycle begins as illustrated in FIG. 8. At the beginning of this phase, the controller sends a signal to the solenoid 186 to release the latch 188. When the latch 188 releases, the force of the spring pulls the slider 134 and the traveler 144 together to the position shown in FIG. 3. The airpot 175 also serves to regulate the speed at which the slider 134 and traveler 144 move. As the slider 134 begins its descent, the probe wash cycle is initiated. Diluent, such as a saline solution, or a cleaning fluid (from a suitable supply 202) is pumped through bore 127 and into probe bore 125 of the wash block 124. This cleans the external surface of the probe 122 within the probe bore 125 as the cleaning fluid flows within the bore 125 and the wash block 124 travels down the probe 122 under the action of the moving slider 134. Simultaneously, the cleaning fluid is withdrawn through the bore 129 via a peristaltic pump, or the like, connected to bore 129 and deposited in a waste receptacle 204. It is contemplated that the rate of fluid flow out of bore 129 should be greater than the rate of fluid flow into bore 127 to avoid excess fluid within probe bore 125. In addition, it has been found that the use of peristaltic pumps with this scheme serves to clean the probe 122 and associated tubing better due to their ability to pump both air and fluid together. It should of course be understood that the fluid can be pumped into the wash block 124 via bore 129 and out of the wash block 124 via bore 127 instead. During this phase of the cleaning cycle, any cleaning fluid which escapes the bore 125 will drip into the well 153 of wash cup 152. This fluid is drained from the well 153 via drain bore 157 and into a waste receptacle 204 during this phase. When the slider 134 and traveler 144 meet at the approximate center of the frame 116, as seen in FIG. 3, a small gap is maintained between the wash block 124 and the wash cup 152, with the distal end 122b of the probe 122 therebetween. The gap between the wash block and the cup 152 allows air to enter the cup 152 which permits the liquid to be filled and drained therefrom without pneumatic influence from the ongoing wash cycle being performed in the wash block 124. At this point the traveler 144 will contact a "cup closed" limit switch 206 (FIG. 2) which initiates the next part of the cycle. As seen in FIG. 9, since the open distal end 122b of the probe 122 is contained within the engaged wash block 124 and wash cup 152, the internal probe washing portion of the wash cycle can now commence. The selector valve 200 is actuated so that the probe is in fluid communication with a source of cleaning fluid or diluent 202. The cleaning fluid is pumped into the probe 122, back washing any remaining contaminants, such as remaining sample and other diluents into the well 153 of the wash cup 154. Since the initial backwash contains the highest concentration of contaminants, this fluid is immediately drained out drain port 157 to waste receptacle 204. After this initial drain portion of the phase, the outflow through drain bore 157 is stopped. This allows the well 153 to fill with backwash from probe 122, effectively rinsing the external frustoconical portion 131 of the wash block 124. During this portion, the backwash is drained from the upper end of the wash cup 152 out bore 155 and into waste receptacle 204. After a preselected time interval, the pumping of cleaning fluid through probe 122 is stopped and the wash cup 153 is drained of any remaining fluid. After this internal probe wash ceases, the aspirate path is air dried by aspirating air through the closed wash block 124 and cup 152 for a sufficient time to eliminate saline or diluent residue which might impair subsequent sample aspiration. After all the wash cycles are completed, the aspirator 100 can then be readied for operation by a user by pressing on the actuator 154 and moving the traveler 144 and slider 134 into the position shown in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 10-14, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention with similar elements denoted with primes (')• The aspirator 100' is similar to the aspirator 100 with the exception that the slider 134 and the traveler 144 are translated on the guide shafts 130 and 132 by a drive assembly 300. The drive assembly 300 includes a pair of pulleys 302 and 304. A drive belt 306 is carried on the pulleys 302 and 304. The drive belt 306 includes a plurality of spaced teeth 308 on the inner surface of the belt 306 as best seen in FIG. 10. The upper pulley 302 is disposed within a slot in the frame 116' . The slot is not shown in the drawings but extends vertically on the frame 116' and allows the pulley 302 to be adjustably positioned therein to control the tension of the belt 306. A drive motor 310, such as a stepper or servo motor, is provided for driving the lower pulley 304. A second drive belt 312 is attached to the drive motor 310 and the lower pulley 304 for driving the drive belt 306. The traveler 144' includes a transversely extending bracket 314. The bracket 314 includes a transverse lip 316 which engages the teeth 308 on the front run 306a of the belt 306. Similarly, the slider 134' includes a bracket 318 which includes a transversely extending lip 320. The lip 320 engages the teeth 308 of the a rear run 306b of the belt 306. In this way, rotation of the belt 306 by the drive motor 310 serves to translate the slider 134' and the traveler 144' in opposite directions to open and close the wash block 124' and the wash cup 152'. The bracket 318 also includes an extending leg 322 having a transverse flange 324. A pair of photo detectors 326 and 328 are located on the frame 116'. The detectors 326 and 328 are aligned with the flange 324 when the upper traveler 134' translates vertically on the frame 116' . The flange 324 is designed to interrupt the photo sensors 326 and 328 for detecting the two extremes of the movement of the slider 134'. The upper detector 328 senses when the slider 134' is at an uppermost position and allows the stepper motor 310 to move a known number of steps beyond this detection point to a final target stopping point which pivots the probe 122' for optimal access for aspiration of the sample. At this uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 12, the wash cup 152' is also at its lowermost position to afford maximum unencumbered access to the aspiration probe 122'. The aspirator 100' operates in the following manner. At the end of the wash cycle, the wash block 124' and the wash cup 152' are in the positions shown in FIG. 12. Near the top of the stroke of the slider 134', the flange 324 trips the photo detector 328 to signal that the standby position has been reached. The operator actuates the micro switch 101' to initiate the start of an aspirating cycle to withdraw a quantity of fluid from the vial through the probe 122'. After the alarm sounds to indicate the beginning of the next phase (as described in connection with the previous embodiment), the controller begins the wash cycle and sends a signal to the stepper motor 310 to begin rotation of the drive belt 306 at a controlled speed to bring the slider 134' and the traveler 144' back to the closed position shown in FIG. 13. As the closing motions starts the external wash of probe 122 commences as described in connection with FIGS. 1-10. As the slider 134' and the traveler 144' approach the center meeting point, the flange 324 trips the photo detector 326 to signal a "cup closed" position. The probe 122 internal wash cycle then continues as described in connection with FIGS. 1-10. After all the wash cycles are completed, a command is given to open the sliders 134' and the traveler 144' to denote the end of the operating cycle and to present the exposed probe 122' into a "ready to run" mode. Optionally, if the aspirator 100' is idle for an extended period of time, a timer can trigger the aspirator to execute preventative measures to sound an alarm, reclose and wash the wash cup and wash block, and to leave them in the closed position to prevent the occurrence saline encrustation. In FIG. 14, an alternate embodiment of the wash block 124' is shown. In this embodiment, the wash block 124' includes an annular skirt 330 which surrounds the lower portion of the wash block 124' and prevents escape of any fluid in the wash cup 152' during the cleaning cycle. The present invention may be embodied in other variant forms where the variation does not substantially differentiate from the essential novelty and uniqueness revealed in the foregoing disclosure. Reference should therefore be made to the appendant claims rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. It should be understood that many modifications, variations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A vial aspirator and probe washer comprising: an elongated annular probe for withdrawing fluid from a vial; a wash block disposed on the probe for washing the external surface of the probe; and a wash cup interconnected with the wash block and engaging therewith such that an end of the probe is received between the wash block and wash cup to effect back washing of the interior of the probe. 2. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 1 , further comprising: a support shaft; a slider slideably disposed on the support shaft, the wash block being connected to the slider; a traveler slideably disposed on the support shaft, the wash cup being connected to the traveler, the traveler being interconnected to the slider. 3. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 2, further comprising: a solenoid operated latch for securing the traveler in a first position in which the wash block and wash cup are away from the end of the probe, whereby a vial can be placed on the probe. 4. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 3, further comprising: a spring attached to the slider for moving the traveler and slider into a second position in which the wash cup and wash block surround the open distal end of the probe. 5. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 2, wherein the wash block is pivotally mounted to the slider and the probe is pivotally mounted to a support frame, movement of the slider along the probe forces the probe to pivot into a use position. 6. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 2, wherein the wash block includes a probe bore in which the probe is slideably disposed, an inlet bore in fluid communication with the probe bore, and an outlet bore in fluid communication with the probe bore. 7. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 2 further comprising a belt drive assembly for translating the slider from a first position in which the wash block and wash cup are away from the end of the probe, whereby a vial can be placed on the probe to a second position in which the wash cup and wash block surround the open distal end of the probe. 8. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 7, wherein the wash block is pivotally mounted to the slider and the probe is pivotally mounted to a support frame, movement of the slider along the probe forces the probe to pivot into a use position. 9. The vial aspirator and probe washer of claim 7, wherein the wash block includes a probe bore in which the probe is slideably disposed, an inlet bore in fluid communication with the probe bore, and an outlet bore in fluid communication with the probe bore.

Inventors: BOURDELLE PETER A, PRESTON CHARLES R, BOURDELLE, PETER, A., PRESTON, CHARLES, R.
Applicants: BIOCHEM IMMUNOSYSTEMS INC, BOURDELLE PETER A, PRESTON CHARLES R, BIOCHEM IMMUNOSYSTEMS INC., BOURDELLE, PETER, A., PRESTON, CHARLES, R.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G01N1
IPC codes: G01N1, G01N33, G01N35