Abstract:
A compact analyzer for dry biochemical analysis of blood samples, integrating onto a common chassis (11): a measuring chamber (20) adapted to receive a disposable rotor (13) including microtanks (13A, 13B) containing dry reagents, a digital dilution module (21) of fixed or variable ratio defined as a function of the species of the sample to be analyzed, a sample centrifuging module (12) adapted, inside the measuring chamber, to centrifuge the rotor and position it angularly, an optical module adapted to apply beams of light to microtanks of the rotor, this optical module including a flash-lamp type light source (14) and a reference light sensor (16), an electronic processing and control system (23, 24, 25) including an external memory reader (26) adapted to read a portable external memory (27) containing at least information characteristic of at least the disposable rotor in use.
Abstract:
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
Abstract:
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
Abstract:
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
Abstract:
A surface plasmon resonance measuring apparatus is provided with a dielectric block, a metal film formed on a surface of the dielectric block, a light source for emitting a light beam, an optical system for making the light beam enter the dielectric block at various angles of incidence so that a condition for total internal reflection is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer, and a photodetector for detecting the intensity of the light beam satisfying total internal reflection at the interface. In the measurement chip to be utilized in the surface plasmon resonance measuring apparatus, the dielectric block is formed from a synthetic resin in which, when said light beam is p-polarized outside said dielectric block and then strikes the interface, the intensity of a s-polarized component at the interface is 50% or less of the intensity of the light beam at the interface.
Abstract:
A photoelectric measuring apparatus for use in an automatic chemical analyzer in which a plurality of test items are analyzed by using light beams having different wavelengths, including a white light source for emitting a polychromatic light beam, a grating for diffracting the polychromatic light beam into a plurality of light beams having predetermined different wavelengths, a plurality of light guides for guiding the light beams emanating from the grating to a plurality of cuvettes containing test liquids to be analyzed, a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light beams transmitted through the cuvettes, an additional light guide for guiding a polychromatic light beam emanating from the grating as the zero order light beam to a cuvette via an optical filter having a desired transmission wavelength, and an additional light receiving element for receiving a light beam transmitted through the cuvette.
Abstract:
An analytic instrument for kinetically measuring light absorption characteristics of a plurality of independent samples contained in disposable test tubes arranged in a circular pattern about a single light source. The instrument is designed to be used with a host personal computer and is not specific to any particular type of assay. The instrument obtains and temporarily stores raw data in the form of digitized output signals from the plurality of photodetectors and periodically passes them to the host computer. An incubator has test tube wells arranged in a circular array equidistant from a single incandescent light source. The circular symmetry controls the thermal gradients in the incubator such that all of the samples are disposed on the same isotherm and all of the photodetectors are disposed on the same isotherm. The instrument is designed for use with disposable test tubes, and sources of error arising from optical variation in such test tubes are minimized by providing a separate detector for each tube and by holding the tube fixed with respect to the detector. The light output from the single light source is continuously monitored and is kept constant.
Abstract:
A monochromatic spectrometer for evaluating contamination changes in the surface condition of lenses, reflectors and similar optical samples in the vacuum of a space mission includes a vacuum ultraviolet beam source redirected from a dispersion grating through a test station and reflected from a mirror to a photodetector. A rotatable carrier supports two or more optical samples, both transmissive and reflective and selectively positions one sample at a time at the test station so that the selected sample modifies the VUV beam according to its surface condition. The mirror is movable from a first position in which it reflects the beam transmitted through a sample to second position in which it reflects the beam reflected from a sample. The sample condition measured by the photodetector, the position of the rotatable carrier and mission elapsed time are recorded in a memory for re-transmission or later read out.
Abstract:
A procedure for photometric measurement of liquids in a reaction vessel in an automatic analyser, with a radiation flow having its course perpendicular to a row of the reaction vessel, so as to provide a reliable and positively operating measuring method for the photometric measurement of the liquids. The procedure is characterized in that the radiation flow and the reaction vessel are in movement relative to each other during the measurement. The invention affords the advantage of improved accuracy of measurement and improved reliability since it becomes possible, by measuring a moving object and at the same time calculating the mean of the radiant flux over accepted portions of the signal, to eliminate the error of measurement introduced by a dirt particle or by a scratch. The invention also concerns a row of reaction vessels employed in the procedure, wherein each reaction vessel is contiguous to the next and separated by a wall. The row of reaction vessels is characterized in that the bottom of each reaction vessel consists of a lens focussing luminescence radiation. This affords the advantage that the lens enables a luminiscence measurement to be performed simultaneously with the photometric measurement.
Abstract:
Cuvette positioning apparatus for use in a spectrophotometer adapted for comparing first and second material samples includes a carrier in which cuvettes to be alternately analyzed are arranged end-to-end. The carrier is reciprocated along a vertical axis to expose the cuvettes in alternation to the monochromatic beam of the apparatus. The rate of reciprocation is selected to avoid cavitation of the samples, and a sinusoidal drive arrangement increases the exposure time of the samples to the light beam and minimizes transit time for optimum measurement efficiency. Circuitry responsive to synchronizing signals derived from the drive arrangement is utilized to form an output signal indicative of the difference in measured characteristics between the samples.