Patent Publication Number: US-11397142-B1

Title: Autosampler with sample agitation system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/228,044 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,514,329), filed Aug. 4, 2016, and titled “AUTOSAMPLER WITH SAMPLE AGITATION SYSTEM,” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/202,395, filed Aug. 7, 2015, and titled “AUTOSAMPLER WITH SAMPLE AGITATION SYSTEM.” The contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/228,044 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/202,395 are herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many laboratory settings involve analyzing a large number of biochemical or chemical samples simultaneously. Mechanized sampling has been implemented and can be utilized to enhance efficiency of sample testing. This type of mechanized sampling is referred to as autosampling. Autosampling is achieved by using an automated sampling device known as an autosampler. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sample agitation system for an automated sampling device is described. In an example implementation, the sample agitation system includes a sample probe configured to contact a sample positioned within a sample vessel. Further, the sample agitation system includes an actuator coupled to the sample probe that is configured to stir the sample positioned within the sample vessel in one or more rotational directions. The directions may include, but are not limited to, clockwise motion, anti-clockwise motion, or the like. In some implementations, a sample probe support arm can be coupled to the sample probe and/or the actuator. The actuator can move the sample probe support arm in a translational, a rotational, and/or a vertical direction to rotate the sample probe and stir the sample. 
     Additionally, a method of agitating a sample is described. The method includes introducing a sample probe into a sample vessel and actuating the sample probe to rotationally oscillate within the sample vessel. In an embodiment, the method includes actuating the sample probe to rotationally oscillate in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a partial isometric view of a sample probe for a sample agitation system for an automated sampling device in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial isometric view of a sample probe positioned above a sample vessel having a sample contained therein. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic illustration of a sample probe positioned within the sample vessel in contact with the sample in a ready state to stir or agitate the sample. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the sample probe positioned in the sample vessel. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the sample probe actuated to oscillate in a direction within the sample vessel, including a motor assembly, in accordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the sample probe actuated to stir the sample within the vessel via movement of the sample probe support arm in accordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of an actuator coupled to the sample probe. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic illustration of a sample agitation system contacting the sample comprising a liquid and a solid. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic illustration of a sample agitation system actuated to move in a preprogrammed direction causing the solid to go into solution. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic illustration of a substantially uniform sample having the solid dissolved into solution, with the sample agitation system removing the probe from the sample vessel after agitating the sample. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial isometric view of a sample probe for a sample agitation system for an automated sampling device, further including structures for inducing or increasing agitation in the sample, in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  is a block diagram illustration of a sample agitation system including a controller in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  is a block diagram illustration of a sample agitation system including a controller and a drive assembly in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Often in laboratory settings, large numbers of samples are analyzed. Autosamplers can be used to facilitate the analysis of the sample compositions by removing samples from sample vessels for introduction to sample analysis systems. Uniformity throughout each sample can assist with providing more accurate test results by avoiding inaccuracies associated with concentration gradients within a sample. To achieve uniformity, samples containing immiscible liquids, partially dissolved samples, settling samples, or the like may need to be stirred or agitated prior to testing. Similarly, solid samples that must be placed in solution prior to testing may be heated, stirred, or the like. However, those methods increase the amount of time required to prepare the samples for testing. Therefore, to improve sample testing efficiency, a sample agitation system may be utilized. For example, a sample agitation system may provide laboratory personnel with an automated process to rapidly stir or mix a sample inside a sample vessel, while laboratory personnel perform other procedures. The automated mixing may shorten the amount of time needed by laboratory personnel to prepare the samples for testing, while also providing consistency in sample mixing. 
     Example Implementations 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a sample agitation system  100  of an automated sampling device in accordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure. The automated sampling device may be a part of, or may facilitate introduction of samples to a sample analysis instrument which can include, but is not limited to, a mass spectrometer, an inductively coupled plasma system, and a chromatography system. A sample agitation system  100  includes a z-axis support  102  attached to a sample probe support arm  104 . As illustrated, the z-axis is aligned with gravity or a vertical axis. The sample probe support arm  104  is coupled to a sample probe  106  configured to aspirate a sample from a sample vessel (e.g., a sample vial, a microtiter plate, etc.).  FIG. 2  depicts the sample probe  106  positioned above a sample vessel  108 . In implementations, such as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sample probe support arm  104  maneuvers vertically about the z-axis support  102  to position the sample probe  106  within the sample vessel  108  to aspirate a sample therein for analysis in a sample analysis instrument. The sample probe support arm  104  can also move (e.g., via motor control) to introduce the sample probe  106  to various positions within the sample vessel  108 . In some implementations, the sample probe  106  is mounted to the sample probe support arm  104 , which is moved through space in three dimensions, or about an axis having y-motion that is a substantially rotary motion and along an axis having x-motion which is at least substantially horizontal linear motion or translation, and along a z-axis that is at least substantially vertical, for linear motion or translation. 
     In an implementation, the components of sample probe support arm  104  are formed of carbon composite materials. Further, all exposed surfaces of the sample probe support arm  104  are made from inert or fluoropolymer-covered materials (i.e., Teflon®). It should be understood, however, that the sample probe support arm  104  may be made with various materials, including aluminum, steel, plastic, and so forth. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view showing the sample probe support arm  104  positioned over the sample vessel  108  in accordance with example implementations of the sample agitation system  100 . In an implementation, the sample probe  106  is actuated to move in a preprogrammed path and is positioned at an about ninety degree (90°) angle to the sample probe support arm  104 , however the sample probe  106  may be at a different angle other than about ninety degrees (90°) from the sample probe support arm  104 .  FIG. 5  is a top view of the sample probe  106  introduced into the sample vessel  108 , and the sample probe  106  moving in for example, but not limited to, a clockwise or anti-clockwise motion in accordance with example implementations of the sample agitation system  100 . For example, alternative sample agitation motion may include moving in a path through the x, y and/or z planes. In implementations, the sample probe  106  remains stationary relative to the sample probe support arm  104 . In implementations, the sample probe  106  rotates relative to the sample probe support arm  104  to provide a stirring motion independent of a motion of the sample probe support arm  104 . For example, the sample agitation system  100  can include a motorized assembly  118  coupled to the sample probe  106  configured to rotate the sample probe  106  relative to the sample probe support arm  104 .  FIG. 6  shows the sample probe support arm  104  positioned to move the sample probe  106  within the sample vessel  108  in a clockwise or anti-clockwise motion. While the sample probe support arm  104  is shown moving the sample probe  106  in clockwise or anti-clockwise directions, other sample agitation motions may facilitated by the sample probe support arm  104 , including, but not limited to, moving in any path through the x, y and/or z planes of the sample vessel  108 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the sample probe  106  coupled to an actuator  112 . In implementations, the actuator  112  can execute preprogrammed instructions to move the sample probe  106  offset from an initial position within the sample vessel  108  to rotationally oscillate about the original position in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction (or other directions throughout the x, y and/or z planes of the sample vessel  108 ) to agitate the sample. In implementations, oscillation of the sample probe  106  includes rapid oscillation that moves the sample probe  106  at a rate that exceeds the rate of normal movement of the sample probe support arm  104 . Following the agitation, the actuator  112  can return the sample probe  106  to its original position to prepare the sample probe  106  for aspiration of the sample. 
       FIG. 8  shows the sample probe  106  positioned within the sample vessel  108  and contacting a sample  110 . As shown the sample  110  includes a solid portion  114  and a liquid portion  116 . The sample agitation system  100  can agitate the sample  110  to dissolve at least a portion of the solid portion in solution by agitation. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 9 , sample agitation by the sample agitation system  100  may include, but is not limited to, clockwise motion, anti-clockwise motion, motion in any path through the x, y and/or z planes of the sample vessel  108 , or the like.  FIG. 9  shows the solid portion of the sample being dispersed into solution by agitation from the sample agitation system  100 . In other embodiments, the sample  110  may include, for example, an immiscible liquid that includes a gas phase and a liquid phase or multiple liquid phases.  FIG. 10  shows an example of the sample  110  uniformly mixed following agitation by the sample agitation system  100 , where the sample probe  106  is returned to its original position. 
     In another implementation, structures  120  on an outer surface of the sample probe  106  may be included, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . These structures  120  may include vanes, ridges, fins, adapters, paddles, or the like that may be positioned on the outer surface of the sample probe  106 . While  FIG. 11  shows four structures  120  (e.g., triangular fins) positioned on the outer surface of the sample probe  106 , the sample agitation system  100  can use any number of structures  120  (e.g., one, two, three, four, more than four, etc.) to provide a specific agitation pattern, sample vortex size, shape duration, or the like duration rotational oscillation of the sample probe  106  within the sample vessel  108 . The structures  120  can be applied to the sample probe  106  through, for example, molding, etching, attachment, or the like. Additionally, these structures  120  may induce or aid agitation of the sample as the sample probe  106  is actuated in the axis motion previously described. For instance, the structures  120  may agitate the sample  110  when the sample probe  106  is actuated vertically along the z-axis, horizontally through the x-y plane, or combinations thereof. In general, the structures  120  are fractionally smaller than the diameter of the sample vessel  108 , allowing the sample probe  106  to enter the sample vessel  108  with the structures  120  to permit the rotational oscillation of the sample probe  106  within the sample vessel  108  (e.g., avoiding contact of the structures  120  on the interior sample vessel walls). In an implementation, a portion of the structure  120  is offset relative to the z-axis to facilitate vortex generation within the sample within the sample vessel  108 , such as during vertical motion of the sample probe  106  within the sample vessel  108 . 
     In implementations, the sample agitation system  100  can actuate the sample probe  106  to prepare the sample  110  for aspiration. For example, the sample probe  106  can be actuated prior to aspiration of the sample  110  in order to achieve uniformity of the sample composition, which in turn can provide for more accurate testing results. 
     In some implementations, the sample agitation system  100  includes z-axis support  102  attached to drive assembly  122 , sample probe support arm  104  attached to z-axis support  102 , and sample probe  106  attached to sample probe support arm  104 . The sample agitation system  100  is controlled by a controller  124  that is operably coupled to the drive assembly  122  and/or the actuator  112 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . In an implementation, the drive assembly  122  causes the sample probe support arm  104  to move along a center slot in an autosampler device, in translation along an axis coaxial to z-axis support  102 , and about the z-axis for inserting sample probe  106  into a sample vessel  108 . The drive assembly  122  can include one or more motors (e.g., stepper motors) to control translation, angular rotation, and/or vertical movement of the sample probe support arm  104 . The drive assembly  122  can also include a linear drive (e.g., a worm drive). Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, the drive assembly  118  and/or the actuator  112  may be hard-wired or, in another implementation, controlled via wireless communication. Thus, wireless communications may be used to connect controller  124  with the desired analytical instrument (not shown). Utilization of wireless communications allows sample assaying to occur without requiring physical connection with a controller computer increasing mobility of the automated sampling device. In some implementations, the drive assembly  122  and/or the actuator  112  can receive programmed instructions from the controller  124 . The programmed instructions can be based on user parameters. For example, a user can select timing intervals for agitation based on the type or nature of the sample (e.g., increased agitation time for viscous samples). Other user parameters can include, but are not necessarily limited to: agitation speed and direction (e.g., clockwise, anti-clockwise, vertical, combinations thereof, etc.). 
     The clockwise and anti-clockwise motion described previously may be attributable to one or more of the axis-motions explained above. For example, in an implementation, the actuator  112  is configured to move the sample probe  106  according to one or more of the motions described above to provide sample agitation. In some implementations, the actuator  112  is configured to move the sample probe support arm  104  according to one or more of the motions described above to provide sample agitation. For example, the actuator  112  can be coupled to the drive assembly  122  and can cause the drive assembly  122  to move the sample arm assembly in a translational, rotational, and/or vertical direction to provide sample agitation (see  FIGS. 6 and 12B ). 
     A sample agitation system  100  of an automated sampling device, including some or all of its components, can operate under computer control. For example, a processor can be included with or in a sample agitation system  100  to control the components and functions of systems  100  described herein using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or a combination thereof. The terms “controller,” “functionality,” “service,” and “logic” as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software, firmware, or hardware in conjunction with controlling the systems  100 . In the case of a software implementation, the module, functionality, or logic represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on a processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or more computer-readable memory devices (e.g., internal memory and/or one or more tangible media), and so on. The structures, functions, approaches, and techniques described herein can be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms having a variety of processors. 
     A processor provides processing functionality for the system  100  and can include any number of processors, micro-controllers, or other processing systems, and resident or external memory for storing data and other information accessed or generated by the system  100 . The processor can execute one or more software programs that implement techniques described herein. The processor is not limited by the materials from which it is formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein and, as such, can be implemented via semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., using electronic integrated circuit (IC) components), and so forth. 
     The system  100  also includes a memory. The memory is an example of tangible, computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality to store various data associated with operation of the system  100 , such as software programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct the processor, and possibly other components of the system  100 , to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory can store data, such as a program of instructions for operating the system  100  (including its components), and so forth. It is noted that while a single memory is described, a wide variety of types and combinations of memory (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can be employed. The memory can be integral with the processor, can comprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both. The memory can include, but is not necessarily limited to: removable and non-removable memory components, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory card, a mini-SD memory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), magnetic memory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, hard disk memory, external memory, and so forth. In implementations, the system  100  and/or the memory can include removable integrated circuit card (ICC) memory, such as memory provided by a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), and so on. 
     The system  100  includes a communications interface. The communications interface is operatively configured to communicate with components of the system  100 . For example, the communications interface can be configured to transmit data for storage in the system  100 , retrieve data from storage in the system  100 , and so forth. The communications interface is also communicatively coupled with the processor to facilitate data transfer between components of the system  100  and the processor (e.g., for communicating inputs to the processor received from a device communicatively coupled with the system  100  and/or communicating output to a device communicatively coupled with the system  100 . It is noted that while the communications interface is described as a component of a system  100 , one or more components of the communications interface can be implemented as external components communicatively coupled to the system  100  via a wired and/or wireless connection. The system  100  can also comprise and/or connect to one or more input/output (I/O) devices (e.g., via the communications interface) including, but not necessarily limited to: a display, a mouse, and so on. 
     The communications interface and/or the processor can be configured to communicate with a variety of different networks including, but not necessarily limited to: a wide-area cellular telephone network, such as a 3G cellular network, a 4G cellular network, or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network; a wireless computer communications network, such as a WiFi network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN) operated using IEEE 802.11 network standards); an internet; the Internet; a wide area network (WAN); a local area network (LAN); a personal area network (PAN) (e.g., a wireless personal area network (WPAN) operated using IEEE 802.15 network standards); a public telephone network; an extranet; an intranet; and so on. However, this list is provided by way of example only and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. Further, the communications interface can be configured to communicate with a single network or multiple networks across different access points. 
     Although particular embodiments of this invention have been illustrated, it is apparent that various modifications and embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims appended hereto. 
     While the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or process operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.