US2879141A - Automatic analyzing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

L. T. SKEGGS AUTOMATIC ANALYZING APPARATUS March 24, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 16, 1955 INVENTOR. .Zea/*mrd 7,5feyy5 BY wm er ATTORNEYS March- 24, 1959 v L. T. sKEGGs v 2,879,141 i AUTOMATIC` ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 16, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY 5mm', 34;6 a?

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ATTORNEYS March 24, 1959 L. T.sKEGGs 1 AUTOMATIC ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 16, 1955 3. Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 0 n 2,879,141 AUTOMATIC ANALYZING APPARATUS Leonard T. Skeggs, Berea, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Technicon Instruments Corporation, Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application November 16, 1955, Serial No. 547,087 18 Claims. (Cl. 23-253) The present invention relates, in general, to automatic apparatus for treating various liquids for analysis or other purposes.

One object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for automatically feeding in succession a plurality of different liquid samples.

. Another object is the provision of a sample supplying device which serves to condition or treat the samples before the supply thereof.

A further object is to provide an automatic and selfcleansing action of the tubing through which the various liquids are conducted during the operation of the apparatus, whereby to prevent the contamination of one sample by the Vestiges or deposits on the tubing of one or more preceding samples or of any particular liquid and, more generally, only when the apparatus is used for processing a plurality of different samples but also when the apparatus is used for analyzing or otherwise processing any particular liquid, so that the process may be continued in operation without requiring frequent interruptions for cleaning purposes.

Another object is the provision of an automatic feed device for the automatic feed of a plurality of body fluid samples to an apparatus for automatically analyzing said samples. In accordance with the foregoing object, a further object is the provision of the sample feeding device which is especially adapted for the feeding of blood samples by preventing the separation of the blood into plasma and red blood cells prior to or during the feed thereof to the analyzing apparatus.

A further object is to provide a generally simplified and highly efficient device for the automatic feed in succession of a plurality of different samples to a testing or analyzing apparatus.

The above and other objects, features and advantages tof the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out the invention:

Fig. 1 is a top planv view of an automatic sample feeding apparatus pursuant to the present invention, a portion thereof being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the automatic feed apparatus with portions broken away and illustrated in section for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken in the direction of thearrow 7 inFig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of on an enlarged scale, taken to maintain the tubing in clean condition 'noty an'automatic n 2,879,141 Patented Mar. 24, .1959

ice l analyzing apparatus provided with the automatic `feed device of the present invention.

Pursuant to the present invention, provision is made for an automatic feeding device, generally indicated by thereference numeral 10, for supplying a plurality of samples in succession to the analyzing apparatus, generally indicated by thereference numeral 12, in Fig. 8.

Thefeed device 10 comprises arotary plate 14 having provision to hold a plurality of samples, the plate being rotated relative to suction-intake tube 16 through which the samples are fed or supplied to the analyzingapparatus 12. l

As here shown, the sample holder is constituted by a circular plate preferably formed of a suitable plastic and provided adjacent the circumference thereof with a plurality of recessed orcontainer portions 18. As here shown, provision is made for twenty recesses orsample receptacles 18 so that theplate 14 is adapted to hold twenty different samples. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the boundingwall surface 20 of eachrecess 18 is substantially normal to thebottom wall 22 of the recess. Each boundingwall surface 20 is provided with asloped portion 24 which extends from theupper surface 26 of theplate 14 to thebottom wall 22 of therecess 18. As is best shown in Fig. 1, the various slopedportions 24 are all similarly related relative to the periphery 28 of each of therecesses 18 and said sloped portions lie. upon a circle which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of theplate 14. Centrally thereof theplate 14 is provided with anaperture 30, as best illustrated inFig. `3. Theplate 14, is also provided with a plurality of apertures 32which are equal in number to therecesses 118, theapertures 32 being radially aligned with saidrecess'e's 18 and being defined in theplate 14 along a circle adjacent to theaperture 30.

In order to mount theplate 14 in operative disposition thereof, provision is made for themounting plate 34 which is suitably secured as at 36 at a cut-out 38 pro vided in a suitable support member or table 40. Thesupport plate 34 mounts abearing 42, as by the vsecuring means 44, within anaperture 35 in `the support plate. A plate 46' rests on thebearing 42 and theholder plate 14 rests on theplate 46. f

In order to effect the rotation of theholder 14 in the direction of thearrow 48 in Fig. l, provision is madekfor a motor 50 which depends from thesupport plate 34, being secured thereto as by thesecuring means 52. The motor S0 drives a gear 54, through a gear reduction device 55, to mesh with agear 56. Gear 56 is secured t'o a drive shaft 58, as at 60 (Fig. 3). The drive shaft '5,8 is journalled in thebearing 42 and, at the upper yend thereof, is provided with an enlarged yoke portion .62 which extends through thecentral aperture 30 provided in theholder plate 14. Alever 64 is pivotally mounted between the arms 66-66 of theyoke portion 62 by apivot pin 68 carried by said yoke arms. At the free end thereof, thelever 64 is provided with apin 71 which is adapted to engage in anaperture 32 of theplate 14,.as best illustrated in Fig. 2, for releasably connecting theholder plate 14 to the drive shaft S8.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that with thelever 64 connected to theplate 14, the motor 5,0"is operative to rotate theplate 14 in the directionof thearrow 48 through themeshed gears 54 and 56, and through the shaft 58 secured to thegear 56. j

The previously mentionedinlet tube 16, through which the contents of therecesses 18 are withdrawn from theholder plate 14, is mounted laterally outwardlyfof the holder plate.` More specifically, provision is made for amounting plate 70 which is secured to the previously mentioned support by the securingAelements 72 and74. It will be noted that the securing element 74 :extends through an enlargedslot 76 for adjustment of theplate 70 on thesupport 40. Theplate 70 mounts a cylindrical mounting member 78T which is secured thereto as at 8.0-80. Themounting member 78 is provided with acentral bore 82 and with an, additional bore 84'lat'erally offset from the central bore. A conduit carrier oranchor member 86 is mounted in themounting member 78. More specifically, theanchor member 86 is provided withanvelongated stem 88 which terminates in anozzle 90. The stem 8S is provided with a bore orair passageway 92 which extends from thenozzle 90 through the stem and into the enlargedhead 94 ofthemember 86. Thehead 94 is also providedv with. atransverse bore 96 which extends from the exterior thereof andcommunicates with the longitudinal bore v92. Themember 86 is `mounted for rotation relative to themount 78 and in this connection it will be noted that thestem 88 extends through the bore. 82 in themount 78 with thenozzle 90 projecting A through theplate 70 and thesupport member 40.

In` order to retain the conduit carrier 86.in position on themounting member 78, provision is made for thespring ring 98 which may be snapped into position in agroove 100 provided on thestem 88 below themounting plate 70 to prevent the inadvertent upward removal or disengagement of themember 86 from themember 78.

.Avcompression spring 102 is disposed in the previously mentionedbore 84 in themount 78 and at the upper end mounts aball 104 for engagement in arecess 106 provided in theconduit member 86 for disposing the latter in the operative position thereof, shown in full line in Fig. 6.

Apivot pin 107 is press fitted into thehead 94 of theconduit member 86 and mounts apivot member 108 for pivotal movement thereon. The previously mentionedtube 16, which is preferably formed of stainless steel or other suitable material, is mountedin thepivot member 1,18 and extends therethrough for connection to the flexiblesample inlet tube 110 of the analyzingapparatus 1 2. The end of thetube 16, remote from itspivot carrer 108, is downturned as at 112 for insertion into arecess 18 of theholder plate 14 in the full line position of thetube 16, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.

Anair tube 114, preferably formed of stainless steel or other suitable material, is closed at one end, as at 116, and is open at the other end 113 thereof. Theopen end 118 is press fitted into the previously mentioned bore 96 so that thetube 114 is in airflow communication with the bore orconduit 92. At the under surface thereof, thetube 114 is provided with a plurality' of angular and out wardly directed bores 120 which extend from the hollow interior of the tube, through the lower outer surface thereof,- for a substantial distance from the outerclosed endj 1,16 thereof toward theinner end 118 thereof. With thenozzle 90 connectedv to a suitable compressed air supply as. bythev conduit 122, it will be readily apparent that air will be discharged in angularly directed jets from the various bores 120.

In order to replace or remove asample holder 14 in thefeed device 10, thelever 64 is pivoted to the vertical position thereof indicated in broken line in Fig. 2. This disengages the holder 14A from the drive shaft 58. Thesample inlet tube 16 is then pivoted to the broken line position thereof illustrated in Fig. 2, to clear theplate 14 in position in thefeed device 10. Theconduit holder 86 is then rotated in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1., until the latter engages thedetent pin 124 provided inthe mountingmember 78, as illustrated in the broken line position of theconduit carrier 86 in Fig. 6. In this "position, both theair tube 114 and thesample tube 16 are disposed laterally outwardly of theplate holder 14 andclear the latter as best illustrated in broken line in Fig. l. Thesample holder 14 may now be withdrawn upwardly from theplate 46 to clear theupstanding lever 64 and removed from the feed device. Another sample holder, Provided` with theV various samples to be tested,

may now be inserted in position on theplate 46 with thelever 64 extending through thecentral aperture 30 therein. The new sample holder may then be manually adjustably rotated in position on the mountingplate 46 until therecess 18, containing the first sample which is to be analyzed, is substantially in the position indicated by thearrow 126 in Fig. l. The lockinglever 64 is now moved into the full line position thereof illustrated in Fig. 2 to engage thepin 71, carried by thelever 64, into the underlyingaperture 32 provided in thesample holder 14 and radially aligned with the recess containing the first sample to be analyzed. Theconduit carrier 86 is now rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1 until the latter engages they detent pin 128 carried by themount 78, as illustrated in full line in Fig. 6, in which position the spring pressedball 104 automatically snaps into therecess 106 provided in the conduit mount 86 to releasably lock the latter in its operative position. The sample pick-uptube 16 is now brought down into the full line position thereof illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 wherein theinlet end 112 thereof is immersed into the liquid contents of the underlying recess orsample container 18.

Compressed or pumped airis now permitted to flow through theconduit 122 into thebore 92 and the motor 50 isV energized to rotate theholder plate 14 in the direction of thearrow 48 in Fig. l. As best illustrated in Fig. 1, the airjet forming bores 120 in theair tube 114 extend over both therecess 18 into which the pick-uptube 16 extends and also overlies the next recess which will be moved into position under theinlet 112 of the pick uptube 16. The air jets issuing from thejet outlets 120 will therefore be directed at the contents both of therecess 18 into which the pick-uptube 16 extends, as well as at the contents in the next followingrecess 18 which will be moved into position under theinlet 112. These air jets serve to treat or condition the samples by agitating the liquid contents of these recesses so as to prevent the separation of the liquid contents both during the withdrawal thereof into thesample inlet tube 16 and immediately prior to the period during which a recess moves into position for the withdrawal of the contents thereof. This prevents any tendency of the sample being separated out into different constituents thereof and is extremely important in the case where blood samples are being supplied to the analyzingapparatus 12, since the agitation of the blood by the air jets prevents the separation of each blood sample into plasma and red blood cells. The liquid content from eachrecess 18 are withdrawn therefrom during the relatively slow movement of theholder plate 14 relative to the fixedinlet tube 16. As the slopedportion 24 `of eachrecess 18 engages theinlet end 112 of the sample tube, the sample tube will slowly pivot aboutpin 107 and gradually ride out of the recess, from which it had been withdrawing a sample, onto the upper surface portion of thesample holder 14 between saidrecess 18 and theadjacent recess 18 which is moving into the position indicated by thearrow 48 in Fig. l. When said adjacent recess arrives underneath the inlet end of the sample tube, the tube will' drop, by gravity, from the surface of the holder plate into theunderlying recess 18. During the period that the tube is withdrawn from arecess 18, and before it falls into the followingrecess 18, air is being drawn into the suction inlet tube by means of the suction line through which the various samples are 'being drawn into the body analyzing apparatus, said apparatus providing the necessary suction, as hereinafter explained in detail. It will be noted that that. the air drawn into the suction inlet tube serves to separate the individual samples which pass as a flowing stream but with the samples separated from `each other, into thesuction line 110 of theapparatus 12. Thefeed device 10 operates in the described manner until all of the samples have been withdrawn. therefrom at which point the operation of the motor S0 will be stopped and the asta-.1M

ments which thus ow through the tubing serve to prevent the lformation of deposits on the walls of the tubing which might otherwise occur as explained in my above- Vmentioned U. S. Patent lNo. 2,797,149, with reference to Fig. 3Y thereof.

While the feed device of the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with an apparatus for analyzing body iiuids, it will be readily apparent that it is not limited for use with such particular type of apparatus but may be utilized in connection with any type .of apparatus where it is desirable to automatically provide a plurality of samples in succession. It will also be apparent that the feed device l may be constructed to provide a greater or a lesserhnumber of samples than that illustrated in the present construction.

While I have shown and described the preferred ernbodiments of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. Sample supply apparatus comprising means having provision to hold a plurality of samples, sample intake means, and means for effecting relative movement of said sample holding means and said intake means to immerse said intake means in succession in each sample, and air-jet defining means operable to agitate the samples during and prior to the withdrawal thereof by said intake means.

2. An automatic feed device comprising a movable member provided with a plurality of sample receptacles, a suction intake tube mounted relative to said rotary member with the inlet end of said tube overlying said member, and means for moving said member to present each receptacle in succession to said inlet end of said intake tube, and an air-jet defining member overlying said movable member to direct air jets at the receptacles thereof.

3. Automatic sample feed apparatus comprising a rotary member provided with a plurality of sample recesses arranged in a row thereon, a pivoted suction intake tube mounted relativeto said rotary member with the inlet end of said tube gravity biased into overlying engagement with said rotary member at said row of recesses for pivotal movement of the inlet end of said tube into an underlying recess, each recess having a cam portion adapted topivot said tube to withdraw said inlet end from the underlying recess in response to moveme-nt of the underlying recess away from said inlet end, and means for rotating said rotary member to effect said pivotal movement .of said inlet end into and out of each recess.

4. Automatic sample feed apparatus comprising a rotary member provided with a plurality of sample recesses arranged in a row thereon, a pivoted suction intake tube mounted relative to said rotary member with the inlet end A of said tube gravity biased into overlying engagement withv said rotary member at said row of recesses for pivotal movement of the inlet end of said tube into an underlying recess, each recess having a cam portion adapted to pivot said tube to withdraw said inlet end from the underlying recess in response to movement of the underlying recess away from said inlet end, means for rotating said rotary member to effect said pivotal movement of said inlet end into and out of each recess, and an air-jet delining`r tube overlying said rotary member to direct air jets at each recess during and prior to the withdrawal of its sample therefrom.

5.` Automatic sample feed apparatus comprising a rotary member provided with a plurality of sample recesses arranged in a row thereon, a pivoted suction intake tube mounted relative to said rotary member' with the inlet end of said tube gravity biasedinto overlying engagement with said rotary member at said row. of recesses for pivotal movement of the inlet end of said tube into an underlying recess, each recess having'a cam` portion adapted to Pivot Said tubs t0 Withdraw Said islet @adv from the under.-

lying recess in response to movement of the underlying recess away from said inlet end, means for rotating said rotary member to effect said pivotal movement of said inlet end into and out of each recess, an air-jet defining tube overlying said rotary member todirect air jets at each recess during and prior to the withdrawal of its Isample therefrom, and means mounting said tubes for movement to a position laterally of said rotary member, whereby to facilitate the upward withdrawal of said rotary member from said feed apparatus.

6. Automatic feed apparatus comprising a rotary plate having a central aperture and a plurality of apertures arranged in a row about said central aperture, said plate having defined in its upper surface a row of recesses outwardly of said row of apertures, the recesses and apertures of said rows, respectively, being radially aligned, drive means projecting through said central aperture and having provision to effect a releasable connection with one of said plurality of apertures to rotate said plate, a pivotally mounted suction tube having an inlet biased into overlying contact with said rotary plate along said row of recesses for movement of said inlet into an underlying recess, and means for effecting movement of said inlet out of the underlying recess as the latter is moved away from said inlet, whereby the rotation of said plate will result in the pivotal movement of said tube inlet successively into and out of said recesses.

7. Automatic feed apparatus comprising a rotary plate having a central aperture and a plurality of apertures arranged in a row about said central aperture, said plate having defined in its upper surface a row of recesses outwardly of said row of apertures, the recesses and apertures of said rows, respectively, being radially aligned, drive means projecting thro-ugh said central aperture-and having provision to effect a releasable connection with one of said plurality of apertures to rotate said plate, and a pivotally mounted suction tube having an inlet biased into overlying contact with said rotary plate along said row of recesses for movement of said inlet into an underlying recess, and each recess having a sloped wall portion extending to said upper surface of said rotary plate to effect the pivotal movement of said tube outwardly of each of said recesses, whereby the rotation of said plate will result in the pivotal movement of said tube inlet successively into and out of said recesses. v

8. Automatic feed apparatus comprising a rotary plate having a central aperture and a plurality of apertures arranged in a row about said central aperture, said plate having defined in its upper surface a row of recesses outwardly of said row of apertures, the recesses and apertures of said rows, respectively, being radially aligned, drive means projecting through said central aperture and having provision to effect a releasable connection with one of said plurality of apertures to rotate said plate, and a pivotally mounted suction tube having an inlet biased into overlying contact with said rotary plate along said row of recesses for movement of said inlet into an underlying recess, and means for effecting movement of said inlet out of the underlying recess as the latter is moved away from said inlet, whereby the rotation of said plate will result in the pivotal movement of said tube inlet successively into and out of said recesses, and an airjet defining member overlying said rotary plate and having provision to direct air jets at each recess during and prior to the withdrawal of the contents thereof.

9. Automatic feed apparatus comprising a rotary plate having a central aperture and a plurality of apertures arranged in a row about said central aperture, said plate having dened in its upper surface a row of recesses outwardly of said row of apertures, the recesses and apen tures of said rows, respectively, being radially aligned, drive means projecting through said central aperture and having provision to eect a releasable connection with one of said plurality of apertures to rotate said plate, and a pivotally mounted suction tube having aninletbiased locking lever 64 disengaged from thesample holder 14 vfor replacement of the latter, as previously described.

The feed device may be utilized in connection with an analyzing apparatus of the type illustrated and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 330,211 led January 8, 1953 which has` matured into Patent No. 2,797,149, owned by the assignee of this application. As fully illustrated and described therein, and as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 herein, provision is made for the conventional pump in which a plurality of parallel metal `fingers 130, actuated by acam 132 and acam shaft 134 rotating at a predetermined speed, press consecutively against a section of a highly flexible tubing of relatively small diameter, thus progressively moving through the tubing the material that is being pumped. In lieu of a finger pump, any other pump suitable for the purpose may be used, for example, the pump illustrated and claimed in the copending application of Andres Ferrari, Ir. and Jack vIsreeli, Serial No. 463,860, led October 22, 1954, and assigned to the assignee hereof, may be used. The previously mentionedflexible tube 110 connected to thedamper inlet tube 16 extends through avalve 133 into theconduit 134, the pump lingers 130 providing the necessary suction for withdrawing the samples from thefeeding device 10, as previously described.` Aflexible tube 136 extends from the conduit `134 through the twoway valve 138 into asupply 140 of saline solution or into asupply 142 of buffer solution. Aflexible tube 144 extends from theconduit 134 through the two-way valve 146 to the open air, as at 148, or into asupply 150 of urease solution. Aexible tube 152 extends from aconduit 154 through a one-way valve 156 to the open air, as at one 158. Aflexible tube 160 extends from theconduit 154 through a twoway valve 162 to asupply 164 of ferricyanide solution or to the open air as at 166. Aflexible tube 168 extends from theconduit 154, through a twoway valve 170, to asupply 172 of ferricyanide solution, or to a supply 174 of water. Aflexible tube 176 extends from asupply 178 of Nesslars reagent through a one-way valve 180 to areaction tube 182.

As illustrated herein, the analyzing apparatus is equally adapted to take samples containing either glucose or urea to analyze the samples for these factors. The valves are designated V and V" depending on whether they are oneway or two-way valves. As indicated, a sample containing glucose or urea or some other diagnostically significant factor is supplied to theapparatus 12 by thefeed device 10 by means of thesuction line 110 provided with the one-way valve 133. Thecontaiiners 140, 164 and 172, by means oflines 136, 160 and 168, supply the saline solution and the solution of potassium ferricyanide. Air is supplied bylines 144 and 152, the latter being provided with a one-way valve 156. Each of thelines 136, 144, 160 and 168 includes a two way valve, as described, which is provided in order that the operator operating apparatus may, if he desires to switch from an analysis of glucose to an analysis for urea. The twoway valve 138 permits for the processing media to be drawn either from the saline solution incontainer 140 or from the buffer solution incontainer 142. The two-way valve 146 permits for the supply of either air or urea solution from thecontainer 150. The two-way valve 162 provides for the supply of either ferricyanide solution from thecontainer 164 or air. The two-way valve 170 provides for the supply of either ferricyanide solution from thecontainer 172 or water from the container 174. The two way valve designated 181 permits the mixtures of processing media and sample to be directed to adialyzer 184 by either one of two alternative routes. One of these, for use where the sample is being analyzed for glucose, is throughline 186 through the two-way valve 188, and then throughline 190 leading to theupper half 192 ofdialyzer 184. The other route, for use where the analysis is for urea, is throughline 194, through acoil 196 in a low tempera-4ture waterV bath 198, and thence throughline 200, the

two-way valve 188 and theline 190 into theupper'hal'f 192 of thedialyzer 184. Whatever the nature of the mix- 'ture of processing media and sample, which depends on the nature of the diagnostically significant factors for which the analysis is being made, the crystalloid constituents of the samples diffuse through the dialyzer from the upper half to the lower half thereof and what remains after the diagnostically significant factor or crystalloids have been removed in thedialyzer 184 is discarded through theline 202.

If the analysis that is being made is for glucose, potassium ferricyanide solution is drawn fromcontainers 164 and 172 through the twoway valves 162 and 170 into thelines 160 and 168. Simultaneously, air is drawn into the system by way ofairline 152. The mixture that results wherelines 152, 160 and 168 meet is fed by way ofcommon line 154 to thelower half 204 ofdialyzer 184, from which the mixture passes by means ofline 206 into the two-way valve 208 and through it toline 210. It proceeds thence to thehigh temperature bath 212, in which it is heated to a temperature equal to or approach` ing that of boiling water. After passing through acooling coil 214, the mixture passes through thelines 216 and 218 to acontinuous ilow cell 220.

If, however, the analysis that is being made is not for glucose but for urea, the mixture sent to thelower half 204 of thedialyzer 184 by way of thecommon line 154 consists of water from container 174 and air fromlines 152 and 160. After having passed through thelower half 204 ofdialyzer 184, this mixture, which now includes ammonium salt derived from urea in the sample, passes throughline 206, two-way valve 208 andline 222 intoreaction tube 182. Simultaneously, Nesslars reagent fromcontainer 178 is admitted to thereaction tube 182 by way ofline 176. The final mixture, which is colored, passes, into theow cell 220 by way of the discharge line 224'" into thecommon line 218` In the system illustrated in Fig. 8 there is a minimum of seven exible lines on which the pump can 4operate by means of thepump fingers 130, thecam 132 and thecam shaft 134. With seven lines arranged as shown, the operator can switch from glucose to urea or vice versa by opening or closing one-way valves marked V and setting two-way valves marked V", as indicated by the foregoing description. Thus the apparatus can be operated to provide an analysis for the contents of the various samples in thefeed device 10 for either glucose or urea.

By suitable adaptation, the analysis to be made may be for other constituents of blood, urine and like body fluids; for example, the metallic constituents. The colored mixture flows into theHow cell 220, which preferably is of the type illustrated and claimed in the copending application of Andres Ferrari, Jr., Serial No. 516,300, led June 17, 1955, and assigned to the assignee hereof. The ow cell f" 220 is mounted in aholder 226 provided with alight passageway 228 having aconstricted opening 230 adjacent one arm of theflow cell 220. Light passing from thelight source 232 through the restrictedlight aperture 230 is transmitted through the colored mixture in theow cell 220 to a photoelectric device orphoto tube 234. The output of the photo-tube 234 is amplified by theamplifier 236 and then applied to arecorder 238 which makes a continuous record of the changes in the color concentration of the mixture flowing through theliow cell 220 into thedischarge outlet 240. The samples being drawn into the inlet line through thefeed device 10 are separated from each other by air which is drawn into the system as theinlet tube 16 moves out of eachsample recess 18 into thenext recess 18, to form air bubbles between succeeding samples.

It will be apparent that during the flow of the liquids through the tubing, the air which is introduced into the uid streams during the ilow of the liquids in the tubing divides each of said streams into alternate liquid segments separated by intervening air segments, and the air seg.

into overlying contact with said rotary plate along said row of recesses for movement of said inlet intov an underlying recess, and means for eiecting movement of said inlet out of the underlying recess as the latter is moved away from said inlet, wherebyv the rotation of said plate will result in the pivotal movement of said tube inlet successively into and out of said recesses, an air jet dening member overlying said rotary plate and having provision to direct air jets at each recess during and prior to the withdrawal of the contents thereof, and a rotary mount for said suction tube and said air jet member for moving said tube and air jet member laterally of said rotary plate to clear the latter for withdrawing the plate from said drive means.

10. Apparatus for analyzing or processing a series of individual liquid samples, comprising means in which said series of samples are received for subjecting them to treatmentrequired for their analysis processing, said treatment means having an intake device for said samples, a device for holding said series of samples, means for immersing said intake device successively into said samples for feeding said series of samples automatically in succession and separated from each other to and through said treatment means in the form of a flowing stream but with the samples separated from each other in said stream, and means responsive automatically in succession to changes in said samples, respectively, during the ow thereof in said stream for automatically passing air through said intake device between successive samples.

l1. Apparatus for analyzing or processing a series of individual liquid samples, comprising means in which said series of samples are received for subjecting them to treatment required for their analysis processing, said treatment means having an intake device for said samples, a device for holding said series of samples, means for immersing said intake device successively into said samples for feeding said series of samples automatically in succession and separated from each other to and through said treatment means in the form of a owing stream but with the samples separated from each other in said stream, and means responsive automatically in succession to changes in said samples, respectively, during the flow thereof in said stream for indicating said changes, means operable automatically between successive immersions of said intake device for passing air through said intake device between successive samples, and means operable automatically at least during the periods of immersion of said intake to introduce air into said liquid samples in the treatment means whereby each sample of said ilowing stream is divided into alternate segments of liquid separated by an intervening segment of air.

12. Apparatus for analyzing or processing a series of individual liquid samples, comprising means in which said series of samples are received for subjecting them to treatment required for their analysis, a device for including sample receptacle means feeding said series of samples automatically in succession and separated from each other to and through said treatment means in the form of a flowing stream but with the samples separated from each other, dialyzer means, and means responsive automati cally in succession to changes in said samples, respectively, during the flow thereof in said stream for indicating said changes, said device having provision to agitate said series of samples during and prior to the feed thereof to said dialyzer, means for preventing the separation of the various samples into the respective components thereof, said agitating means comprising a member having provision to direct air-jets at the samples in said sample receptacle means.

13. Apparatus for analyzing a series of individual liquid samples containing crystalloid and non-crystalloid constitutents to obtain a quantitative indication of a substance contained in said crystalloid constituent, comprising a movable device having a plurality of compartments for holding said series of samples, means for intermittently y10 moving said device, means for forming' a flowing of said samples but with said samples separated from each other in said stream, said stream forming means having an intake device, means for automatically operating said intake device in timed relation to said holding device successively immersing said intake device into said liquid samples, dialyzer means in the path of flow of said stream for separating from said ilowing stream a portion of the crystalloid constituent of each sample from the non-crystalloid constituent thereof in proportion to the quantity thereof in the liquid sample to be analyzed, means for forming a second liquid stream owing concurrently with said rst stream in a path to intercept and mix with the separated portions of said crystalloid substances, and means in the path of flow of the second stream for analyzing said second stream.

14. Apparatus for analyzing a series of individual liquid samples containing crystalloid and non-crystalloid constituents to obtain a quantitative indication of a substance contained in said crystalloid constituent, comprising a rotary device having a plurality of compartments for holding said series of samples, means for intermittently moving said device, means for forming a ilowing stream of said samples but with said samples separated from each other in said stream, said stream forming means having an intake device, means for automatically operating said intake device in timed relation to said holding device successively immersing said intake device into said liquid samples, dialyzer means in the path of flow of said stream for separating from said flowing stream a portion of the crystalloid constituent of each sample from the noncrystalloid constituent thereof in proportion to the quantity thereof in the liquid sample to be analyzed, means for forming a second liquid stream flowing concurrently with said first stream in a path to intercept and mix with the separated portions of said crystalloid substances, and means in the path of tlow of the second stream for analyzing said second stream, and means associated with said sample holding device to agitate said series of samples during and prior to the feed thereof to said dialyzer means.

l5. Apparatus for analyzing or processing a series of individual liquid samples, comprising means in which said series of samples are received for subjecting them to treatment required for their processing, said treatment means having an intake device for said samples, a device for holding said series of samples, means for immersing said intake device successively into said samples for feeding said series of samples automatically in succession and separated from each other to and through said treatment means in the form of a owing stream but with the samples separated from each other in said stream, said treatment means comprising tubing through which said stream flows, and means operable automatically during the ilow of said stream for injecting air into said tubing for dividing the uid of each sample into a series of alternate segments of liquid separated by intervening air segments, respectively.

16. Apparatus for treating a liquid for analysis or other processing, comprising tubing for conducting said liquid, means operable in conjunction therewith for passing a stream of the liquid therethrough together with a uid for treating said liquid to at least partially condition it for processing and means operable during the ow of said stream in said tubing to inject air into said tubing and thereby dividing the liquid stream into alternate segments of liquid separated from each other by intervening air segments, respectively, while said stream ows through said tubing.

17. Apparatus for treating a liquid for analysis or other processing, comprising tubing for conducting said liquid, means operable in conjunction therewith for passing a stream of the liquid therethrough together with a fluid for treating said liquid to at least partially condition it for processing and means operable during the ow 0f "and thereby dividing the liquid stream into alternate segments of liquid separated from each other by intervening air segments, respectively, while said stream ilows through said tubing, and pump means for pumping said liquid and air segments through said tubing and for injecting the air therein.

18. Automatic sample feed apparatus comprising a rotary member provided with a plurality of sample receptacles arranged in a row thereon, a suction intake tube positioned laterally of said rotary member outwardly thereof and having its inlet end in a position overlying said receptacles during the rotation of said rotary member, means mounting said suction intake tube in said position for movement in relation to said rotary member for moving said inlet end of said suction intake tube into `and out of said receptacles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary member to position said receptacles in succession in lregistry with and under the inlet end of said suction intake tube, and means for effecting the movement of the inlet end of said suction intake tube -into each of said receptacles.

References Cite'd in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS' 897,170 Spinelli Aug. 25, 1908 1,350,673 Sebring Aug. 24, 1920 1,742,871 North 1an. 7, 1932 1,873,010 Mitton Aug. 23, 1932 1,971,852 Goebels Aug. 28, 1934 2,377,624 Gordon June 5, 1945 2,408,900 Alston et al Oct. 8, 1946 2,797,149 Skeggs June 25, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 738,614 France Oct. 18, l193:2

Disclaimer` and Dedication 2,879,141r-Le0nar0l T. Slceggs, Berea, Ohio. AUTOMATIC ANALYZING APPARATUS. Patent dated Mar. Q4, 1959. Disclaimer and dedication filed Mar. 24, 1966, by the assignee, Tec/#miem Instruments Oorpomtz'on. v Hereby disclaims and dedicates to the publie that portion of the term of said patent subsequent to June 25, 197 4.

[Ooz'at Gazette M afg 3,1.966.]

Claims (1)

1. SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS HAVING PROVISION TO HOLD A PLURALITY OF SAMPLES, SAMPLE INTAKE MEANS, AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID SAMPLE HOLDING MEANS AND SAID INTAKE MEANS TO IMMERSE SAID INTAKE MEANS IN SUCCESSION IN EACH SAMPLE, AND AIR-JET DEFINING MEANS OPERABLE TO AGITATE THE SAMPLES DURING AND PRIOR TO THE WITHDRAWAL THEREOF BY SAID INTAKE MEANS.

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