Patent Description:
Current diagnostic analyzers often use a large number of costly, space-consuming, complex, and high-maintenance devices to transfer reaction vessels into detection systems in order to detect conditions of samples held within the reaction vessels. Other diagnostic analyzers have shutter devices to place samples in a dark environment for optical analysis; however, the shutter devices may allow external light leakage. Other current diagnostic analyzers have varying issues.

A diagnostic analyzer and method of use is needed to overcome or reduce one or more issues associated with one or more of the current diagnostic analyzers.

In one embodiment, a diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The diagnostic analyzer includes a rotating device, a first optical reader, and a second optical reader. The rotating device includes a first darkened compartment, a second darkened compartment, and an optical path along which the first darkened compartment and the second darkened compartment travel. The first optical reader is operable to read the first darkened compartment and the second optical reader is operable to read the second darkened compartment. The first and second optical readers and the first and second darkened compartments are positioned relative to one another so that when the first darkened compartment is aligned with the first optical reader the second darkened compartment is aligned with the second optical reader.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed of taking reading of.

second optical reader in order to take a reading of a second sample.

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a diagnostic analyzer <NUM>. The diagnostic analyzer <NUM> in part comprises a reagent carousel <NUM>, a pipetting device <NUM>, a sample supply device <NUM>, reaction vessel supply devices <NUM>, reaction vessel exchanger devices <NUM>, an incubation track <NUM>, processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM>, wash devices <NUM> and <NUM>, reaction vessel transfer devices <NUM>, detection devices <NUM>, and at least one processor <NUM>. It is noted that the at least one processor <NUM> may be used to control any of the components of the diagnostic analyzer <NUM>.

The at least one processor <NUM> controls the incubation track <NUM> to rotate it clockwise as needed. The reaction vessel supply devices <NUM> are controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to deliver reaction vessels <NUM> into incubation track slots <NUM> of the incubation track <NUM>. The pipetting device <NUM> is then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to pipette reagent from the reagent carousel <NUM> into the reaction vessels <NUM> in the incubation track slots <NUM>. The pipetting device <NUM> is then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to pipette samples from the sample supply device <NUM> into the reaction vessels <NUM>. The reaction vessel exchanger devices <NUM> are then controlled to transfer the reaction vessels <NUM> from the incubation track slots <NUM> of the incubation track <NUM> into processing track slots <NUM> of the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM>.

The at least one processor <NUM> is used to rotate the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM> counter-clockwise as needed. The wash devices <NUM> are then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to wash the samples in the reaction vessels <NUM> within the processing track slots <NUM> of the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM>. The pipetting device <NUM> is then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to pipette reagent from the reagent carousel <NUM> into the reaction vessels <NUM> in the processing track slots <NUM> of the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM>. The wash devices <NUM> are then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to wash the samples in the reaction vessels <NUM> within the processing track slots <NUM> of the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM>. The reaction vessel transfer devices <NUM> are then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to transfer the reaction vessels <NUM> from the processing track slots <NUM> of the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM> into the detection devices <NUM>. The detection devices <NUM> are then controlled by the at least one processor <NUM> to detect properties of the samples within the reaction vessels <NUM>. In other embodiments, the components and function of the diagnostic analyzer <NUM> may vary.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of one of the detection devices <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG>. The detection device <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> and optical readers <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is designed to keep the reaction vessels <NUM> (see <FIG>) in a darkened environment when disposed within the housing <NUM>. The optical readers <NUM> may comprise first and second optical sensors. In other embodiments, the optical readers <NUM> may vary in number, location, configuration, orientation, or position.

<FIG> illustrates an internal perspective view of the detection device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown, disposed within the housing <NUM> is a rotating device <NUM> comprising spaced-apart darkened optical reading areas which comprise spaced-apart darkened compartments <NUM>. The term "darkened optical reading area" is defined as a darkened area at which an optical reading is taken. In other embodiments, the spaced-apart darkened optical reading areas may vary in number, location, configuration, and orientation. The rotating device <NUM> comprises an optical path along which the spaced-apart darkened components <NUM> travel. This optical path comprises the circular path that the spaced-apart darkened components <NUM> travel when the rotating device <NUM> rotates. In other embodiments, the optical path of the darkened optical reading area may vary in configuration, orientation, direction, shape, and size. The rotating device <NUM> may comprise a rotating turret. In other embodiments, the rotating device <NUM> may vary. The spaced-apart darkened compartments <NUM> are each configured to hold one of the reaction vessels <NUM> within the darkened compartment <NUM>. Each darkened compartment <NUM> comprises a reaction vessel holding member <NUM> for holding a reaction vessel <NUM> within the darkened compartment <NUM>. The reaction vessel holding member <NUM> comprises a ledge <NUM> configured to hold a portion <NUM> of the reaction vessel <NUM> in place against the ledge <NUM> so that the reaction vessel <NUM> is held within the darkened compartment <NUM>. The portion <NUM> of the reaction vessel <NUM> may comprise a top shoulder <NUM> of the reaction vessel <NUM> which may abut over and against the ledge <NUM> of the darkened compartment <NUM>. In other embodiments, the reaction vessel holding member <NUM> may vary in its type, structure, configuration, orientation, or function. For instance, in one embodiment, the reaction vessel holding member <NUM> may comprise pivoting fingers as discussed below for the embodiment of <FIG>. Each darkened compartment <NUM> further comprises a push-out member <NUM> to push the reaction vessel <NUM> away from the reaction vessel holding member <NUM> so that the reaction vessel <NUM> passes out of the darkened compartment <NUM> when the optical readers <NUM> have completed their readings.

<FIG> illustrate chronological movement, for the embodiment of <FIG>, of the reaction vessels <NUM> from the processing tracks <NUM> and <NUM> into one of the detection device <NUM> to obtain readings of samples within the reaction vessels <NUM>, and subsequently out of the detection device <NUM> after the readings have been completed.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the processing track <NUM> having moved counter-clockwise in order to dispose the reaction vessels <NUM> held in the processing track slots <NUM> of the parallel lanes <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the processing track <NUM> in vertical alignment with the spaced-apart darkened compartments <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>. Reaction vessel moving member <NUM> is disposed in a lowered position under and apart in vertical alignment from a reaction vessel <NUM> held by one of the processing track slots <NUM> of lane <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> and in vertical alignment with one of the spaced-apart darkened compartments <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>. The reaction vessel moving member <NUM> comprises a shaft. In other embodiments, the reaction vessel moving member <NUM> may vary.

An identical reaction vessel moving member which is hidden from view in <FIG> is also disposed under and apart in vertical alignment from another reaction vessel <NUM> held by one of the processing track slots <NUM> of lane <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> and in vertical alignment with the other of the spaced-apart darkened compartments <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>. It is noted that although <FIG> only show the operation of one of the detection devices <NUM> and its reaction vessel moving members <NUM> that the other detection device <NUM> located over the parallel lanes <NUM> and <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> (see <FIG>) and its respective reaction vessel moving members are identical in form and function.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the processing track <NUM> of <FIG> with the reaction vessel moving member <NUM> having moved in direction <NUM> from the lowered position of <FIG>, through an intermediate position disposed against the reaction vessel <NUM> within the processing track slot <NUM>, to a raised position pushing the reaction vessel <NUM> out of the processing track slot <NUM> of lane <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> and into the aligned darkened compartment <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>. It is noted that as the reaction vessel moving member <NUM> moved in direction <NUM> thereby pushing the reaction vessel <NUM> into the darkened compartment <NUM>, that the reaction vessel <NUM> rotated into the correct alignment position within the darkened compartment <NUM> due to the guide members <NUM> of the darkened compartment <NUM>. In other embodiments, one or more guide members <NUM> of any type, configuration, orientation, or location (inside or outside of the darkened compartment <NUM> including below the processing track <NUM>) may be used to rotate/guide the reaction vessel <NUM> into the darkened compartment <NUM>. The top shoulder <NUM> of the reaction vessel <NUM> has been disposed over and against the ledge <NUM> of the darkened compartment <NUM> to hold the reaction vessel <NUM> in place within the darkened compartment <NUM>. The identical movement of the hidden reaction vessel moving member happens with respect to the other spaced-apart darkened compartment <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM> in order to push the aligned reaction vessel <NUM> of the other lane <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> into the other spaced-apart darkened compartment <NUM>. In other embodiments, the reaction vessel moving members <NUM> may be disposed in varying orientations and configurations relative to the processing track <NUM> and the rotating device <NUM> and may move between first, second, and third positions to move the reaction vessels <NUM> out of the processing track slots <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> into the darkened compartments <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the processing track <NUM> of <FIG> with the reaction vessel moving member <NUM> having moved in direction <NUM> away from the reaction vessel <NUM>, which is disposed in the fixed position within the darkened compartment <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>, and back through the processing track slot <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> into its original position disposed below and apart from the processing track <NUM>. The identical movement of the hidden reaction vessel moving member associated with the processing track slots <NUM> of lane <NUM> happens with respect to the other spaced-apart darkened compartment <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the rotating device <NUM> of <FIG> having rotated counter-clockwise to dispose the darkened compartment <NUM> and the reaction vessel <NUM> carried within it into alignment with the optical reader <NUM>. At this time, trigger pipettor <NUM> dispenses a trigger-solution into reaction vessel <NUM>, and then the optical reader <NUM> takes a reading of the sample disposed within the reaction vessel <NUM>. The other spaced-apart optical reader which is hidden from view (shown in <FIG>) takes a reading of the reaction vessel held by the other spaced-apart darkened compartment which is also hidden from view after an identical trigger pipettor dispenses trigger-solution into the reaction vessel held within the other spaced-apart darkened compartment. It is noted that each of the optical readers are configured to only take readings of the reaction vessels held by their respective assigned spaced-apart darkened compartment so that only one reading is taken of the reaction vessels held by the space-apart darkened compartments. In such manner, the first optical reader is operable to read the first darkened compartment and the second optical reader is operable to read the second darkened compartment.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the rotating device <NUM> of <FIG> having rotated counter-clockwise to dispose the darkened compartment <NUM> and the reaction vessel <NUM> carried within it at aspiration location <NUM>. An aspiration pipettor <NUM> aspirates the contents of the reaction vessel <NUM> and disposes of those contents. The rotating device <NUM> also locates the other spaced-apart darkened compartment which is hidden from view at another aspiration location at which another aspiration pipettor aspirates the contents of the reaction vessel within that hidden darkened compartment and disposes of those contents. In another embodiment, the reaction vessels <NUM> can be aspirated by the same aspiration pipettor <NUM> at the same aspiration location <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the rotating device <NUM> of <FIG> having rotated counter-clockwise to dispose the darkened compartment <NUM> and the reaction vessel <NUM> carried within it at disposal location <NUM>. Push-out member <NUM> pushes the top shoulder <NUM> of the reaction vessel <NUM> away from and off of the ledge <NUM> of the darkened compartment <NUM>. The rotating device <NUM> will later in time rotate counter-clockwise to move the hidden darkened compartment and the reaction vessel carried within it to the disposal location <NUM> at which time the hidden push-out member of the hidden darkened compartment will push the reaction vessel away and off of the ledge of the hidden darkened compartment.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the rotating device <NUM> of <FIG> showing the reaction vessel <NUM> (hidden from this view but shown in <FIG>) having fallen through the darkened compartment <NUM> into disposal container <NUM> as a result of the push-out member <NUM> having pushed the reaction vessel <NUM> off the ledge <NUM> of the darkened compartment <NUM>. Later when the rotating device <NUM> has rotated so that the hidden darkened compartment is disposed at disposal location <NUM> the push-out member of the hidden darkened compartment will push the reaction vessel disposed in the hidden darkened compartment away and off of the ledge of the hidden darkened compartment so that the reaction vessel falls through the hidden darkened compartment and into disposal container <NUM>.

The rotating device <NUM> will continue to rotate counter-clockwise in order to repeat the steps of <FIG> to read the samples disposed within all of the reaction vessels <NUM> carried by the processing track slots <NUM> of both lanes <NUM> and <NUM> of the processing track <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Similarly, the rotating device of the detection device <NUM> disposed over the processing track slots <NUM> of lanes <NUM> and <NUM> of processing track <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) will also repeat these same steps to read the samples disposed within all of the reaction vessels <NUM> carried by their processing track slots <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the diagnostic analyzer <NUM> of <FIG> may vary in form or function. For instance, one or more of the components of the diagnostic analyzer <NUM> may be varied or not present, or an additional component may be added.

<FIG> illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of another diagnostic analyzer 10A showing some of its components. <FIG> illustrate varying perspective views of particular components of the diagnostic analyzer 10A of the embodiment of <FIG>. The diagnostic analyzer 10A functions similarly as the diagnostic analyzer <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG> with a few exceptions identified in the following discussion of <FIG>.

As shown collectively in <FIG>, the reaction vessel moving member 60A for moving between the lowered, intermediate, and raised positions to move the reaction vessel 32A out of the processing track slot 26A of the processing track 24A into the darkened compartment 44A comprises a hollow shaft 60B which is sized to allow a bottom portion 32B of the reaction vessel 32A to be disposed within an interior of the hollow shaft 60B. The darkened compartment 44A comprises a darkened optical reading area. As best shown in <FIG>, the hollow shaft 60B comprises an anti-rotation member 60C to prevent the reaction vessel 32A from rotating relative to the hollow shaft 60B. The anti-rotation member 60C comprises a pocket which a ledge 32C of the reaction vessel 32A sits within. In other embodiments, the anti-rotation member 60C of the hollow shaft 60B may vary.

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first mating member <NUM> and a second mating member <NUM> are mated causing the hollow shaft 60B to rotate as it moves between the lowered and the raised positions in order to precisely locate the reaction vessel 32A within the darkened compartment 44A at the reaction vessel holding member 46A. The first mating member <NUM> comprises a fixed pin and the second mating member <NUM> comprises a patterned groove disposed in an exterior of the hollow shaft 60B.

The reaction vessel holding member 46A comprises a plurality of pivoting members 46B and 46C which have an open position shown in <FIG> in which the pivoting members do not hold the reaction vessel 32A within the darkened compartment 44A and a closed position shown in <FIG> in which the pivoting members 46B and 46C hold the reaction vessel 32A within the darkened compartment 44A. When the hollow shaft 60B rotates to locate the reaction vessel 32A within the darkened compartment 44A the hollow shaft 60B abuts against the pivoting members 46B and 46C forcing them to pivot away from one another into their open position. Subsequently, at its top point the hollow shaft 60B locates the ledge 32C of the reaction vessel 32A against the top portions 46D and 46E of the pivoting members 46B and 46C. As shown in <FIG>, the hollow shaft 60B then retracts from the darkened compartment 44A allowing the pivoting members 46B and 46C to come towards one another into their closed position so that the top portions 46D and 46E of the pivoting members 46B and 46C are left holding the ledge 32C of the reaction vessel 32A in a fixed position within the darkened compartment 44A.

In other embodiments, the diagnostic analyzer 10A of <FIG> may vary in form or function. For instance, one or more of the components of the diagnostic analyzer 10A may be varied or not present, or an additional component may be added.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method <NUM> of taking a reading of a sample using a diagnostic analyzer. The method <NUM> may utilize any of the diagnostic analyzers of the instant disclosure. In other embodiments, the method <NUM> may utilize varying diagnostic analyzers.

In step <NUM>, a first reaction vessel is held within a first processing track slot of a processing track. In step <NUM>, a reaction vessel moving member is moved from a lowered position directly under and apart from the first reaction vessel held by the first processing track slot of the processing track to an intermediate position disposed against the first reaction vessel within the first processing track slot. In one embodiment, the reaction vessel moving member comprises a shaft. In another embodiment, step <NUM> comprises disposing a bottom portion of the first reaction vessel within a hollow interior of a shaft with an anti-rotation member of the shaft preventing the first reaction vessel from rotating relative to the shaft. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation member of the shaft may comprise a pocket of the shaft. In other embodiments, the anti-rotation member of the shaft may vary.

In step <NUM>, the reaction vessel moving member is moved from the intermediate position disposed against the first reaction vessel in the first processing track slot to a raised position disposed through the first processing slot and locating the first reaction vessel against a reaction vessel holding member within a darkened compartment of a rotating device disposed above the processing track. The darkened compartment comprises a darkened optical reading area. The rotating device may comprise a turret. In other embodiments, the rotating device may vary. The reaction vessel holding member holds the first reaction vessel within the darkened compartment.

In one embodiment, step <NUM> comprises locating the first reaction vessel against a ledge of the darkened compartment. In another embodiment, step <NUM> comprises pivoting at least one pivoting member from an open position in which the at least one pivoting member does not hold the first reaction vessel within the darkened compartment to a closed position in which the at least one pivoting member holds the first reaction vessel within the darkened compartment. In still another embodiment, step <NUM> comprises a first mating member and a second mating member causing a shaft to rotate as it moves between a lowered and raised position. The first mating member and the second mating member may comprise a pin and a groove. In other embodiments, the first and second mating members may vary.

In step <NUM>, a reading of a sample disposed within the first reaction vessel is taken as the first reaction vessel is held by the reaction vessel holding member within the darkened compartment. In one embodiment, step <NUM> comprises a processor controlling a first optical reader so that the first optical reader only takes readings within a first darkened compartment of the rotating device, and the processor controlling a second optical reader so that the second optical reader only takes readings within a second darkened compartment of the rotating device. In step <NUM>, a push-out member disposed in the darkened compartment pushes the reaction vessel away from the reaction vessel holding member and out of the darkened compartment.

In other embodiments, one or more steps of the method <NUM> may vary in substance or in order, one or more steps of the method <NUM> may not be followed, or one or more additional steps may be added to the method <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method <NUM> of taking readings of samples using a diagnostic analyzer. The method <NUM> may utilize any of the diagnostic analyzers of the instant disclosure. In other embodiments, the method <NUM> may utilize varying diagnostic analyzers.

In step <NUM>, at least one reaction vessel moving member moves first and second reaction vessels carried by a processing track out of the processing track and into first and second darkened compartments of a rotating device. The first and second darkened compartments comprises darkened optical reading areas. In one embodiment, step <NUM> comprises at least one shaft moving the reaction vessels by disposing bottom portions of the reaction vessels within a hollow interior of the at least one shaft, and an anti-rotation member of the at least one shaft preventing the reaction vessels from rotating relative to the at least one shaft. The anti-rotation member may comprise a pocket of the at least one shaft. In other embodiments, the anti-rotation member may vary. In one embodiment, step <NUM> may further comprise a first mating member of the diagnostic analyzer mating with a second mating member of the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate as it moves between positions. In one embodiment, the first and second mating members comprise a pin and a groove mating. In other embodiments, the first and second mating members may vary. In still another embodiment, the at least one reaction vessel moving member may vary.

In step <NUM>, the rotating device is rotated along an optical path. In one embodiment, step <NUM> comprises rotating a turret along an optical path. In another embodiment, the rotating device may vary. In step <NUM>, the first darkened compartment of the rotating device is read with a first optical reader in order to take a reading of a first sample disposed in the first reaction vessel. In step <NUM>, the second darkened compartment of the rotating device is read with a second optical reader in order to take a reading of a second sample disposed in the second reaction vessel.

In one embodiment, steps <NUM> and <NUM> comprise a first reaction vessel holding member of the first darkened compartment holding the first reaction vessel containing the first sample, and a second reaction vessel holding member of the second darkened compartment holding the second reaction vessel containing the second sample. In one embodiment, steps <NUM> and <NUM> comprise a first ledge of the first darkened compartment holding the first reaction vessel, and a second ledge of the second darkened compartment holding the second reaction vessel. In another embodiment, steps <NUM> and <NUM> comprise a first pivoting member of the first darkened compartment holding the first reaction vessel, and a second pivoting member of the second darkened compartment holding the second reaction vessel. In other embodiments, the first and second reaction vessel holding members may vary.

In step <NUM>, a first push-out member disposed in the first darkened compartment pushes the first reaction vessel away from the first reaction vessel holding member and out of the first darkened compartment, and a second push-out member disposed in the second darkened compartment pushes the second reaction vessel away from the second reaction vessel holding member and out of the second darkened compartment.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure provides a diagnostic analyzer and method of its use which uses less-costly, less space-consuming, less complex, and lower-maintenance devices, than one or more current diagnostic analyzers, to transfer reaction vessels into detection systems in order to detect conditions of samples held within the reaction vessels. One or more embodiments of the disclosure may further reduce one or more additional issues associated with one or more of the other current diagnostic analyzers and methods of their use.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claim 1:
A diagnostic analyzer (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotating device (<NUM>) having a first darkened compartment (<NUM>), a second darkened compartment (<NUM>), and an optical path along which the first darkened compartment (<NUM>) and the second darkened compartment (<NUM>) travel;
a first optical reader (<NUM>); and
a second optical reader (<NUM>);
wherein the first optical reader (<NUM>) is operable to read the first darkened compartment (<NUM>) and the second optical reader (<NUM>) is operable to read the second darkened compartment (<NUM>), and the first and second optical readers (<NUM>) and the first and second darkened compartments (<NUM>) are positioned relative to one another so that when the first darkened compartment (<NUM>) is aligned with the first optical reader (<NUM>) the second darkened compartment (<NUM>) is aligned with the second optical reader (<NUM>).