Patent GB-1335483-A (GB)
Title: Analytical systems
IPC: G01N35/00
Filed: 1971-05-17
Abstract: 1335483 Logarithmic amplifiers INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY Inc 17 May 1971 [12 June 1970] 15284/71 Heading G4G [Also in Divisions G1 and G3] Apparatus for automatic photometric analysis of chemical and biological (particularly blood) samples utilizes a number of cuvette assemblies containing different reagents for performing different tests on the samples, and associated with each container a record, e.g. an information bearing card, which specifies the nature of the reagent and the type of analysis to be performed and which bears instructions for setting operating parameters of the analysis apparatus &c. The photometric analysis apparatus comprises a slot 26 for receiving a cuvette assembly 40, a digital display 30 and a card reader. Also associated with the apparatus are dispensing and incubation apparatus 12, 16. A cuvette assembly comprises three chambers one or more of which contain a reagent appropriate to a particular test. The record card 44 for the test is inserted into the reader 28 whose first channel 130-1, Fig. 7, reads out dispensing instructions, the cuvette assembly at this time being mounted beneath dispenser nozzles 14, to receive the correct measures of test samples, standardizing liquid &c. The cuvette assembly is then inserted into one of incubator wells 18 appropriate to the test, coding tabs on the handle part of the assembly being sensed photo-electrically to initiate the appropriate one of three timing cycles. The construction of the cuvette assembly is described in detail, Figs. 2-4 (not shown), as is the photo-electric code reader for the incubator, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown). The cuvette assembly, after incubation (which may involve two separate periods), is then inserted in slot 26, and the photometric analysis cycle commenced by pressing start button 34. The card reader comprises a light source 28 and light distribution system 120 providing fifty output channels 122 in a 5 x 10 matrix. The information from the card is read into ten channels, one of which senses correct card positioning. Apart from 130-1 for the dispenser, and 130-2 to control the filter to be used in the photometer path, the channels are used to set and adjust circuit components and parameters in accordance with the particular test. The mode of operation is read out on channel 130-3 and is applied to control logic 162 which controls the operation of the circuit appropriately. There are three main modes of operation: " standard ", " absolute ", and " rate ". The standard mode involves producing a measure of absorbance of the sample as compared with that of a standardizing liquid. This involves adding the latter liquids to the reagent already contained in two of the chambers of the cuvette. The interior of slot 26 is provided with a motor driven shuttle under the control of circuit 162, to move the three sample chambers of the cuvette consecutively into the light path. A slotted coding disc 320 is provided to identify the cuvette position. In this mode the first chamber is empty and is used for zeroing the logarithmic converter circuit 134 which converts the absorption signal from the photodiode 110 into one of absorbance. Switch 136 is closed by circuit 162 to allow feedback via storage circuit 138. The standard solution is then moved automatically into the light path, at the same time switch 154 being closed (switch 150 is closed and the gain of amplifier 152 is set by channels 130-5 and 130-6 respectively). The output of logarithmic circuit 134 thus represents the difference of the absorbances of the standard and blank chambers, and this is stored in 156. When the third, the test sample chamber, is moved into the light path, switch 154 is opened and the circuit 134 output, representing the difference of the test sample and the blank, is fed to digital voltmeter 142 for comparison with the standard measure from 156. The ratio is displayed at 30. In the absolute mode, the sample absorbance is compared with a precision reference voltage 160, a standardizing liquid not being used. The measure obtained at voltmeter 142 may be compared with limit values read off from the record card on channel 130-8 to error logic 158 which produces an alarm signal from lamp 36 if it is outside the limits. The mode for sensing the rate of change of a characteristic of a sample uses only one chamber of the cuvette and involves differentiating the linearly increasing output of the converter 134 by device 144, other parts of the circuit being switched out. The circuit for this test also includes filter 146 and amplifier 148. The circuit of Fig. 1 is detailed in Figs. 8 and 9 (not shown) and uses solid state devices including field effect transistors and operational amplifiers. In Fig. 8 a logarithmic converter transistor 196 is connected in the feedback loop around amplifier 188 for photo-sensor output applied at 180. Circuit 198 comprises a bank of resistors 211 to 214 which are selectively switched in under the programme control at points 184, to alter the volts per decode response of the system. A list of tests which may be carried out is given and mentions determination of glucose, urea, hµmoglobin, protein, cholesterol, bilirubin, LDH, GOT, CPK and alkaline phosphatase.