Abstract:
The read head for luminometer includes a housing that encloses a cylindrical core. The housing has a through opening that aligns with a central passageway of the cylindrical core to define a confinement space. The housing and the cylindrical core are formed in two parts that diverge or converge with respect to each other under the influence of a manually controlled actuator member. When the housing parts and the core parts are in a closed convergent position an analytical line that extends through the housing and the core is maintained in a confined position within the confinement space of the housing and the core. Actuation of the housing parts and the core parts into a diverged open position opens the confinement space that accommodates the analytical line. The analytical line can thus be lifted away from the previous confinement space or reinstalled back into the open confinement space and then locked in place by an actuation of the housing parts into a closed converged position along with the core parts. Installation or removal of the analytical line from the read head is thus accomplished in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the confinement space.

Description:
This Application claims benefit of Prov. No. 60/092,771 filed Jul. 14, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sample analysis systems and more particularly to a novel read head for a luminometer employed in a sample analysis system, which read head permits easy installation and removal of an analytical line of the sample analysis system. 
     Automated sample analysis systems such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,268,167 and 5,399,497 perform a variety of different tests on a test subject, such as a serum sample, in a relatively short period of time. The serum used in the disclosed sample analysis systems is divided into a series of sample segments that move through a transparent analytical line for analysis. Consecutive sample segments in the analytical line are segregated from each other by air spaces as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,466. 
     One aspect of sample analysis includes providing respective sample segments with different reagents to produce reactions with analytes in the serum. These reactions are the basis for a battery of test information relating to the characteristics of the serum sample. During sample analysis the reaction between an analyte in a test sample segment and a reagent produces relatively low levels of light known as chemiluminescence. 
     A luminometer employs chemiluminescence to identify and quantify an analyte in a test sample segment. One type of luminometer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,388 includes an apparatus for collecting and transmitting chemiluminescence. The disclosed collecting and transmitting apparatus includes a read head with a core that supports optic fibers at their free ends to form a central passageway of the core. A transparent analytical line, which houses moving test sample segments, extends through the central passageway of the core. When reacting segments in the analytical line move through the central passageway of the core, the chemiluminescence from such segments is transmitted through the transparent wall of the analytical line to the ends of the optic fibers in the core for detection and analysis at other portions of the luminometer. 
     Occasionally the analytical line, which can be several meters long, must be removed from the read head to permit repair or replacement of the read head or the analytical line. Line removal is typically accomplished by snaking the analytical line through the central passageway of the read head core, which can be a tedious, time consuming and expensive operation. 
     It is thus desirable to provide a read head for a luminometer which permits removal of an analytical line from the read head without the need to snake the analytical line through the read head. It is also desirable to provide a read head that can be easily opened and closed to permit quick and simple installation and removal of an analytical line. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a novel read head, a novel read head including a housing and a core that permits easy installation and removal of an analytical line, a novel read head with a through opening that can be split to facilitate removal of an analytical line, a novel read head including a housing in two sections, a novel read head with a core in two half sections that are respectively secured to two sections of a read head housing, a novel read head wherein two sections of a housing and two sections of a core are convergeable toward each other to a closed position to secure an analytical line and are divergeable away from each other to an open position to permit removal or installation of an analytical line, and a novel read head with an actuator to actuate simultaneous converging movement or diverging movement of two housing sections and two core sections to permit installation and removal of an analytical line from the read head. 
     Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     In accordance with the invention, a read head for a luminometer includes a housing that encloses a cylindrical core. The housing has a through opening that aligns with a central passageway of the cylindrical core. 
     The housing is composed of a pair of housing portions pivotally joined together at a pivot member to permit converging and diverging movement of the housing portions about the pivot member. The housing portions are thus divergeable away from each other a predetermined amount to a predetermined open position and convergeable from the open position to a closed limit position. 
     The through opening in the housing is sized to confine an elongated analytical line, preferably formed of a flexible transparent plastic material. Serum segments that are being tested in a sample analysis system move within the analytical line through the read head. 
     Sections of the through opening in the read head housing are located in each housing portion. Thus when the housing portions are diverged to the predetermined open position the through opening splits into two spaced through opening sections. The analytical line can then be installed (dropped in) or removed (lifted out) from the two spaced through opening sections in a direction perpendicular to the direction of a longitudinal axis of the through opening. 
     Each of the housing portions are in the form of a hollow shell. The cylindrical core is formed in two sections with one of the core sections being mounted within one of the housing shells and the other core section being mounted within the other housing shell. The core sections define the central passageway that aligns with the through opening of the housing. The core sections are in a closed limit position when the housing portions are in their closed limit position. The central passageway of the core and the through opening of the housing thus confine and secure an analytical line therein when the housing portions are in the closed limit position. 
     The core sections are also divergeable away from each other when the housing portions are diverged from each other. Each of the core sections includes a section of the central passageway such that divergence of the core sections splits the central passageway into two spaced passageway sections. When the housing portions and the core sections are in their diverged open position the analytical line can be installed in or removed from the two spaced passageway sections of the core and the two spaced through opening sections of the housing in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pivot member is also supported on a support member outside the housing such that the housing portions are convergeable and divergeable relative to the support member. Actuator means are provided on the support member and the housing for actuating simultaneous converging movement or diverging movement of the housing portions relative to the support member. 
     The actuating means includes a moving means engageable with the housing portions for simultaneously converging or diverging the housing portions, and an actuator member for actuating movement of the moving means. The moving means include a pair of motion transfer members, with one of the motion transfer members being fixed to one of the housing portions and the other motion transfer member being fixed to the other housing portion. The moving means further include a moving member that is movable in opposite directions with respect to the housing portions, such as upwardly and downwardly with respect to the housing portions. The moving member is engageable with the motion transfer members such that movement of the moving member causes simultaneous movement of each of the motion transfer members and corresponding converging or diverging movement of the housing portions in response to the direction of movement of the moving member. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention the motion transfer members include a pin projecting from each of the housing portions and the moving member includes a bar with a horizontal slot formed at each end of the bar to permit sliding engagement of the bar relative to the pins. Thus movement of the bar in opposite directions upwardly and downwardly against the pins causes converging or diverging movement of the housing portions in response to the direction of movement of the bar. 
     The actuator member in the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a captive screw having one end held captive relative to the housing portions while being threadably engaged in the moving member. Thus rotation of the captive screw in one direction causes vertical movement of the moving member in one direction and reverse rotation of the captive screw causes vertical movement of the moving member in the opposite direction. 
     The actuating means further include a stabilizing member that is immovable with respect to the housing portion and extends through the moving member such that the moving member is movable in a vertical direction relative to the stabilizing member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the stabilizing member is in the form of a vertical pin or rod that guides and stabilizes the vertical movement of the moving member by the captive screw. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a read head for a luminometer incorporating the present invention, the read head being shown with associated fiber optic ribbon conduits; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the read head in a closed position and with an analytical line installed therein; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the read head in an open position permitting installation and or removal of the analytical line; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view thereof with the analytical line omitted; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of housing portions of the read head with a cover plate of one housing portion shown in phantom outline; 
     FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view of core sections of the read head including associated fiber optic ribbons that merge into respective conduit sections; 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are front views of the respective housing portions shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 11 is a simplified perspective view of the read head in a closed position with the cover plate of one housing portion omitted and the other housing portion being shown in phantom outline; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the read head core in a closed position to define the central passageway for the analytical line and including the fiber optic ribbons; and, 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the central portion of the read core in closed position with the analytical line shown in section in the central passageway. 
     Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a read head incorporating one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the reference number  10  in FIG.  1 . 
     The read head  10  includes a light proof opaque housing  18  (FIG. 1) having a through opening  19  to confine an analytical line  20  (FIG.  2 ). The housing  18  also includes a hollow space  28  (FIG. 5) for accommodation of a generally cylindrical core  34 . The housing  18  is composed of housing portions  24  and  26  (FIGS. 2 and 3) of identical construction and preferably formed of blackened anodized aluminum. Each of the housing portions  24  and  26  include a one-piece molded chamber section  25  (FIG. 7) and a cover plate  44  (FIGS.  3  and  6 ). FIGS. 7,  9  and  10  indicate the housing portion reference numbers  24  and  26  associated with the respective chamber sections  25 ,  25 . 
     The chamber sections  25 ,  25  (FIG. 7) each include fastener openings  40  and  42  for core securement, fastener openings  46  and  48  for cover plate securement, fastener openings  47  and  49  for conduit securement, and a pin receiving opening  51  for pin attachment. Corresponding aligned openings as shown in FIG. 6 are provided in each cover plate  44 . 
     The core  34  has a central passageway  35  (FIGS. 5 and 6) that aligns with the housing through opening  19 . The core  34  is composed of two semi-cylindrical core sections  30  and  32  (FIGS. 5 and 8) that have threaded openings  31  and  33 . The core sections  30  and  32  are respectively installed in semi-circular depressions,  38 ,  38 , (FIG. 7) formed in a wall  39  of each chamber section  25 . Fasteners  55  and  57  (FIGS. 3 and 6) pass through the openings  40  and  42  in each chamber section  25 , the corresponding aligned fastener openings in the cover plate  44  and the core openings  31  and  33  to secure the respective core sections  30  and  32  to the respective housing portions  24  and  26 . 
     The cover plate  44  is further secured to the each of the chamber sections  25 ,  25  by fasteners  43  and  45  (FIG. 3) that engage the openings  46  and  48  (FIG. 7) in the chamber sections  25 ,  25 . Corresponding fasteners  43  and  45  can also be provided in the openings  46  and  48  at the wall  39  of the chamber sections  25 ,  25 . 
     The semi-cylindrical core sections  30  and  32  include angular segments  104  (FIGS. 11,  12  and  13 ) and fiber optic ribbons  106  sandwiched between adjacent angular segments  104 . The fiber optic ribbons  106  extend from the central passageway  35  and beyond the periphery of the core sections  30 ,  32  to form fiber optic bundles that are housed in fiber optic ribbon conduits  12  and  14 . The fiber optic ribbon conduits  12  and  14  extend from opposite ends of the housing  18  to transfer light produced by sample reactions in the analytical line  20  (FIGS. 2,  3  and  13 ) to a light measuring device (not shown). U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,388 discloses the construction details of a cylindrical core, and the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,388, incorporated by reference herein, are adaptable to the construction of the semi-cylindrical core sections  30  and  32  of the core  34 . 
     The core sections  30  and  32  are installed in the housing portions  24  and  26 , and the housing portions  24  and  26  are mounted on a pivot rod  50  (FIG.  6 ). The pivot rod  50  passes through pivot rod openings  53 ,  53  (FIG. 6) formed in pivot hinge portions  52  (FIG. 7) on each chamber section  25 ,  25 . There is no corresponding pivot rod opening in the cover plates  44 ,  44 . Opposite end portions of the pivot rod  50  are supported in opposite wall portions  56  and  58  of a support means  59  that includes a support member or cradle member  60 . The cradle member  60  has a base portion  62  (FIG. 6) with a base flange  64  that extends from the base portion  62 . 
     Under this arrangement the housing portions  24  and  26 , with their respective core sections  30  and  32 , can diverge away from each other and converge toward each other about the pivot rod  50  relative to the cradle member  60 . The housing portions  24  and  26  can be locked in a closed position by a U-shaped closure plate  57  (FIGS. 2 and 3) that is slideably mounted on the housing portion  26  for movement over the housing portion  24 . A lock screw  65  threaded into an opening  61  of the housing portion  26  (FIG. 5) locks and releases the closure plate  57 . The threaded opening  61  in the housing portion  24  need not have a corresponding screw but is blocked or filled in any suitable known manner. 
     The housing portions  24  and  26  have confronting or parting surfaces  63 ,  63  (FIGS. 3 and 7) at the chamber sections  25 ,  25  and at a vertical parting or confronting edge of each cover plate  44 , as most clearly shown in FIG.  3 . The through opening  19  includes a through opening section  90  (FIGS. 3 and 7) at the confronting surface  63  of the housing portion  24  and a through opening section  88  at the confronting surface  63  of the housing portion  26 . 
     The core sections  30  and  32  have confronting or parting surfaces  67 ,  67  (FIG.  8 ). The passageway  35  includes a passageway section  85  at the confronting surface  67  of the core section  30 , and a passageway section  86  at the confronting surface  67  of the core section  32 . 
     When the housing portions  24  and  26  are in the closed position (FIG. 2) the confronting surfaces  63 ,  63  (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the housing portions abut against each other as most clearly shown in FIG. 5 to define a closed limit position. The confronting surfaces  67 ,  67  (FIG. 8) of the core sections  30  and  32  also abut each other when the housing portions  24  and  26  are in the closed limit position. Thus the core sections  30  and  32  are also in a closed position that defines the unified cylindrical form of the core  34  when the housing portions  24  and  26  are in the closed limit position. 
     When the housing portions  24  and  26  are in the closed limit position and the core sections  30  and  32  are in the closed position the analytical line  20  is surrounded by the through opening  19  of the housing  18  and the central passageway  35  of the core  34  (FIG.  13 ). 
     The read head  10  further includes actuating means  100  on the cradle member  60  and the housing  18 . The actuating means  100  includes a balance bar or moving member  68  that is elongated in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The moving member  68 , includes a horizontal slot  69  at each opposite end formed to engage respective force transfer pins  70  and  72 . The force transfer pins  70  and  72  are fixed in an opening  51 ,  51  of each housing portion  24 ,  26  but project from only one side of the housing  18  as most clearly shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Thus the force transfer pins  70  and  72  respectively project from the cover plate  44  of the housing portion  24  and from the wall portion  39  of the housing portion  26 . Corresponding openings  51 ,  51  in the other side of the housing  18  are filled in any suitable known manner. 
     The moving member  68  includes a vertical threaded opening  75  (FIG. 6) for reception of an actuator member or control rod  74  (FIG. 2) with a finger gripping portion  73  at an upper free end of the rod  74  and an opposite end portion  78 . The control rod  74  (FIG. 6) also has a threaded portion  76  in the threaded opening  75  of the moving member  68 , with the end portion  78  being held captive in a recess  80  of the base flange  64 . 
     The moving member  68  is provided with a stabilizing pin  82  alongside and parallel to the control rod  74  (FIG.  2 ). The stabilizing pin  82  has one end fixed to the base flange  64  and extends vertically through an opening  83  in the moving member  68  such that the moving member  68  is slideable in a vertical direction with respect to the stabilizing pin  82 . 
     Under this arrangement rotation of the control rod  74  at the finger gripping portion  73  can raise or lower the moving member  68  along a vertical path controlled by the control rod  74  and the stabilizing pin  82 . 
     The read head  10  is thus adjustable to permit drop-in installation or lift-out removal of the analytical line  20 . To permit adjustment of the read head  10  to an open position that permits installation or removal of the analytical line  20  the closure plate  57  (FIGS. 2 and 3) is first loosened by loosening the lock screw  65 . The closure plate  57  is then slid from the locked position of FIG. 2 to the unlocked position of FIG.  3 . The control rod  74  is turned in a direction that raises the moving member  68 . The rising moving member  68  exerts an upward force on the force transfer pins  70  and  72 , which function as motion transfer members, to cause the housing portions  24  and  26  to diverge about the pivot rod  50  relative to the cradle member  60 . 
     Divergence of the housing sections  24  and  26  splits the through opening  19  into the two semi-circular through opening sections  88  and  90  that become spaced from each other (FIGS.  2  and  3 ). Divergence of the housing portions  24  and  26  also diverges the core sections  30  and  32  thereby splitting the central passageway  35  into the two semi-cylindrical passageway sections  85  and  86  (FIG. 8) that become spaced from each other. The analytical line  20  can thus be easily dropped into or lifted away from the split sections  88 ,  90  of the through opening  19  and the split sections  85 ,  86  of the central passageway  35  (FIG.  6 ). 
     Lift-away removal or drop-in installation of the analytical line  20  is in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the through opening  19 . The longitudinal axis of the through opening  19  extends in the same direction as the analytical line  20  when the analytical line  20  is confined in the housing  18  and the core  34 . 
     While the precise dimensions of the analytical line  20 , the through opening  19  of the housing  18 , and the central passageway  35  of the core  34  can vary depending upon the outside diameter of the analytical line  20  an example of suitable dimensions for these structures and structural features include an outside diameter of approximately 2.870 millimeters for the analytical line  20 , a diameter of approximately 3.0 millimeters for the through opening  19  of the housing  18  and a diameter of approximately 3.4 millimeters for the central passageway  35  of the core  34 . 
     Light proofjunction members such as  91  (FIGS. 2 and 3) are provided at the housing sections  24  and  26  where the conduits  12  and  14  exit from such housing sections. The junction members  91 ,  91  include a tubular support  92  (FIG. 5) for the conduits  12  and  14  combined with a plate or baffle member  94  (FIG. 8) having threaded openings  93  and  95 . The threaded openings  93  and  95  align with the openings  47  and  49  in the chamber sections  25 ,  25  and the corresponding aligned openings in each cover plate  44 . The junction members  91 ,  91  are held in place by fasteners  96  and  97  (FIGS. 2 and 3) that pass through the openings  47  and  49  to engage the openings  93  and  95  of the baffle member. 
     Some advantages of the present invention evident from the foregoing description include a read head for a luminometer that can be easily opened and closed to permit drop-in installation and lift-away removal of an analytical line from the read head, a read head that can be easily opened and closed by simply turning or adjusting a single adjustment member, and a read head that permits simple installation of a core with associated fiber optic conduits. Further advantages are a read head housing that is simply constructed of two different parts, namely, the chamber section  25  and the cover plate  44 , which are assembled to form each of the housing portions  24  and  26 . A further advantage is that the read head can be easily assembled and disassembled, and easily opened and closed without the need for special skills or extensive training. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
     As various changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.