CA1292627C - Luminometer construction - Google Patents
Luminometer constructionInfo
- Publication number
- CA1292627C CA1292627C CA000524598A CA524598A CA1292627C CA 1292627 C CA1292627 C CA 1292627C CA 000524598 A CA000524598 A CA 000524598A CA 524598 A CA524598 A CA 524598A CA 1292627 C CA1292627 C CA 1292627C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cuvette
- luminometer
- carrier
- cuvettes
- construction
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/75—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
- G01N21/76—Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A luminometer construction including means for supplying samples contained in respective cuvettes, in succession to be examined, the cuvettes being introduced into a carrier having a cuvette gripper, the carrier defining an examination chamber into which the cuvettes are inserted, the carrier being rotatable between a loading and a test position in which the examination chamber is adjacent to a photo-multiplier device, whereby testing of a sample in a cuvette can be carried out, the examination chamber having an edge in a plane inclined to the axis of rotation of the carrier, and the photo-multiplier device being arranged with its optical axis perpendicular to such plane.
A luminometer construction including means for supplying samples contained in respective cuvettes, in succession to be examined, the cuvettes being introduced into a carrier having a cuvette gripper, the carrier defining an examination chamber into which the cuvettes are inserted, the carrier being rotatable between a loading and a test position in which the examination chamber is adjacent to a photo-multiplier device, whereby testing of a sample in a cuvette can be carried out, the examination chamber having an edge in a plane inclined to the axis of rotation of the carrier, and the photo-multiplier device being arranged with its optical axis perpendicular to such plane.
Description
26~'7 This inven~lon relates to a luminometer construction. A lum~n~meter is a device for measuring light photons, particularly at low light levels, produced b~ bio-luminescent or chemi-luminescent effects. The luminometer construction with which the lnvention is concerned ls designed to detect and measure light emis~ion l produced as a result of chemical or other reactions, the '¦ 10 measuxe~ent being translated into a signal whlch may take I one of many forms, aocording to particular tests belng undertaken.
Typical cl~cumstances in which the lumlnometer may be used include testing of samples of liquids to lS determine var~ous factors and the device may be used in i medical applications, in the food and drink, pharmaceutical, water treatment~ or other indust~ies. It li may also be used for research in various fields.
i The luminometer has means for presenting a ~0 sample, usually as a liquid or a liquid suspension, to a photo-multiplier device ~y means of which the actual measurement is carried out.
It may be necessary to prepare the sample ~efore presentation to the photo-mult~plier device, in various ~5 ways, depending upon the nature of the sample and upon the ^`~ re~uirements o~ the test to be conducted. This preparation ma~ lnclude extraction of A~P
~adenosine-5'-triPhOsphate~ molecules, adding ~uitable rea~ents or other proccsses to produce light emissions of sufficient intensity to be detectable and measurable by th~ photo-multiplier device, It is also possible to carry out certain functions while the sample is presented to the photo-multiplier devlce.
A nwmber of methods have been devised for 3S presenting samples to the photo-multiplier, which iæ
extremoly sensitive and must be screened a~ainst I
I
Z~'~7 extraneous influences. The requlrement for examinatlon of a large number of sample~ in successlon has re~ulted in the development of various ~y~tems for brlnging the samp~es to the apparatus in a conveyor arrangement, each sample ~eing presented in turn for examination and then returned to the conveyor arrangement. The samples are, ln such a system, contained in individual transparent cuvett~s, which are placed, in turn, into a chamber wh~ch 1~ ope~, or in communication, at least at an approprlate 10 tlme, to the photo-.multipller.
There are certain problems to be overcome in lntroduci~g and removlng cuvettes from the chamber with which the photo-multiplier communicate8. In particular, stray extraneous light or other discharges must be excluded from the chamber during the test period, since these could adversely affe~t the accuracy of detection o~
the light photons, by the photo-mulitplier, and yet the cuvettes must be easily and quickly introduced into the chamPer and removed from it, preferably without the nee~
for elaborate screening means. Light col}ection must be maximised ~ithin the cha~ber in order to provide the best ; possible conditions for accurate measurement.
It is the object of the invention to provide a lu~inometer con~truction which enables samples to be h~ead~y examined in turn and in wh~ch the accuracy of the results i~ high.
In accordance with the present invention, there i8 ~rovided a luminometer construction includin~ means for supplying samples, contained in respective lndividual cuvettes, ln succession to be examlned, to a carrier, ¦ whereby they are presented in turn to a photo-multiplier devica, the carrier comprising a rotatable structure havin~ a portion definlng an examinat~on chamber, and a cuvette qrlpper arranged to hold a cuvette in a position such that a 8ample containing portion thereof is ~lthin the examination chamber, and the carr~e~ being rotatable I
l~Z~i27 ~etween a loading position in which the cuv~ttes can be inserted into the gripper and a test pOSition in which the chamber is positioned ad~acent to t~e photo-multiplier device.
Preferably the carrier is mounted for rotation about an axls and thè cuvette ~rlpper is arran~ed for insertion o~ cuvettes in a direction substantlally parallel with that axis, the exam~nation chamber being formed in the side of the carrier with an external ed~e ~n a plane incl~ned to the said axi~ and ehe photo-. mulltplier device being positioned with its own optical ax~E perpendicular to the said p~ane of the edge of the examination chamber, Conveniently therefore, the examination chamber lS is in the form of a concave recess ot cavity in the slde of the carrier, having an edge conforming generally to the shape of the adjacent end of the operative part of the photo-multiplier device, The chamb~r has a single hole throu~h which a cuvette, in use, can extend whereby in the test position, the centre line of the cuvette intersects the optical axis of the photo-mulitpl~er device at a position close to the said plane of the edge of the examination chamber.
With thl~ arrangement the cuvette base 2S .cont?ining a sample is, in use, positioned close to the photo-multiPlier dev~ce and on its axis, 80 that the ; collection of light p~otons is optimised.
~ he cuvette ~ripper is preferably situated in a position enablinq cuvettes to be introduced through the examination cham~ar and into the 8ingle hole referred to, the Cuvettes being withdrawn also ln the op~osite direction, the examination chamber being shaped and positioned to allow for the introduction and withdrawal of cuvettes without necessity for other holes or cut-outs for ¦ 35 the passage of the cuvettes.
¦ ~ho aDqle of the ~lane of the edge of the lZ~t2ti '7 examination chamber, relativelY to the axis of rotation of the carrier ls preferably 35, ln order to enable the cuvettes to be conveniently introduced and withdrawn.
The cuvettes may be brought to and carried away from the luminometer by a conveyor arrangement. Thls may include a number of individual holders which may be brought into the cuvette loadin~ position ln turn, a cuvette being extracted from the holder and transferred into the cuvette ~rippex, the carrler then belng rotated to brlng the cuvette into the te~t position and after testing, the carrier b~in~ again rotated to the loadlng position at whlch the cuvette i8 returned to its holder.
The holders may be interconnecte~ to make up a bandolier wh~ch is driven in steps to present successlve lS cu~ettes to the instrument for test, in turn.
~ drlve mechanism ls conveniently provided to drive the cuvette ho~ders in sequence with rotational movements of the carrier and with means for transferring cuvettes from their holders into the cuvette gripper and re~urn~ng them there~o, A contxoller may be provided which is capa~le of controllin~ $unctions of the luminometer or of equipment associated with the luminometer, including identification , of a sample provided, set~ng up or adjustlng the ~,lumi~ometer in preparation for a particular test, controll~ng sample preparatlon operations, actuation of sample handling equipment, energisation of the photo-multiplier de~l~e, and proces~ing o~ data provided, in S u8e, from the photo-multiplier device to provide an output in a required form, I The controller preferably includes software j which iS dedicated to a particular test to be carr~ed out i and coPvenlently carries out all necessary functions to produce a test result.
Preferably also, the controller includes a means for monitoring the photo-multipller device, By thi~
, 1~?2tj '7 means, ~ccuracy of measurement can be mslntained at a high level.
Functions ~arrled out by the co~troller may be performed by apparatus within the luminometer constructlon or externally thereof.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing~ in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a luminometer construction ac~ording to the inventlon;
Figure la ls an enlarged sectional view of the ~hamber forming part o~ the luminometer carrier;
Figure 2 i8 an enlarged ~ross-section of a cuvette;
Figure 3 i8 a similarly enlarged cross-section of a cuvette holder;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the bandoliex drive mechanism;
Figure 5 i~ a ~ide view' showing the drive 2~ mechanism;
~igure 6 is a further view of the said drive mechanism;
Figure ~ is a diagrammatic representation of a luminometer system in accordance with the inventlon; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an '''alternative luminometer system.
~igure 1 shows a luminometer construction intended for the test of liquids or liguid suspensions, and wherein the substance~ are contained within individual transpa~ent cuvettes which are brought to the instrument in turn. The substance may be subjected to proce8ses which may be bio-luminescent or chemi-luminescent, ; creating emission of li~ht photons w~ich are detected by a photo-multi~liar device in ~he instrument.
The drawin~ shows a rotatable carrier 10 in the form of a bowl mounted for rotation about a vertical axi6 .
lZ~Z627 ll. The bowl is mounted on a short shaft 12 which i~
~arried ~n a fixed structure 13. The fixed structure 18 shown as an oute~ bowl with a lid 14 carrying a shaft 15, the centre o which is also on the axis 11. The ~haft 1~
has a gear 16 which i8 below the lid 14 and therefore within ~he space al50 OCCUp~ ed by the bowl 10. ~he gear 16 meshes with a gear 17 journalled by means of a hollow shaft 18 fixed in the upper part of the bowl 10. Within the hollow shaft is a cuvette gripper 19 for gripping a cuvette 20, to which reference will be mdde later.
The bowl lQ has a generally xustoconical shape with tbe narrowe~ end downward~ and connected to the short shaft 12. The circular side of the bowl is therefore inclined downwardly and the angle of the inclination, in thi~ example, i6 35 with respect to the vertical axis 11.
At one polnt, in the side of the bowl, there ~s defined an examina~ion chambe~ 21 which is also shown in Figure la.
This has concave form, the profile being generallY
ellipsoidal. The internal surface is reflective as indicated at 22. The edge of the cham~er 21 is therefore ~enerally cir~ular and is substantially in a plane which is inclined at 35 to the vertical axis ll.
The cuvette 20, as shown in Figure 1, can extend i into the examination chamber 21. The cuvette as shown in 1 25 5Figu~ 2 is a small transparent test tube having one end ; closed to form a generally hemi-spherical end portion 23.
Cuvettes may be made from polystyxene. In the example 1 8hown, there are, within this end portion, mou~ded ribs 24 j which ald ayitation of the contents. These could be omitted, if not required.
As seen in Figure 1, the cuvette is positloned 80 that the centre of the hem~-spherical end 23 coincides ' with the cusp of the ellipse formed by the examination ~, ' chamber ~ h~s is spaced from the plane defined by the edge of the chamber ~y a distance approximating to the external radi~s of the hemi-spherical end of the cuvette.
~' i 12~2627 Posi~loned adjacent to the cham~er 21 when it is in the. test position as shown in ~ig~re 1 is a photo-multiplier tube device 25 Thls is of highly senqitive type and reguires to be screened from extraneous light or other dischar~e sources. It ~s therefore po~itioned within the outer structure 13 in a manner sealed from external light emissions, The optical axis 26 of the photo-multiplier tube is perpendiaular to the plane of the edge of the chamber and is therefore colncident with the central axis of the elllpse formed by the chamber 21. It can ~e seen from F~gure 1 that when a cuvette ~0 is i~ the test po~ition as show~, the heml-Bpherical end o~ the cuvette is very close to the operative end of the photo-multiplier tube and the axes of the cuvette and of the photo-m~ltiplier tube optiGal sy~te~ intersect, The bowl lO is rotatable within the flxed struct~re 13 and to carry out such rotation an electric motor 27 is pxovided. Th~ carries a p~lley 2B, driving belt 29, engaging o~er a further pulley 30 which is carricd on the shor~ vertical shaft 12 for the bowl lO.
~ he bowl 10 ~s arran~ed to be rotated through 180 between a cuvette loadinq position and the te~t po6ition shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 shows a cuvette 20 ready~to be loa~ed into the bo~l. To load, the cuvettes ire lifted vertically to pass through a hole 31 in the fixed structure 13. It is possible to load a cuvette only when the chamber 21 is in the load posltion, that is, in register with the hole 31. The angle of the edge of the chamber.21 is such that the cuvette will pass the lower extremity of that edge with a small clearance. The auvette is lifted so that ~ts upper end registers with a hole 32 in the top of the chamber ~1 and this is aligned w~th the gripper l9. Although not shown, there is a short flarcd extension aligned with the hole 32 and protrudlng a short way into the chamber 21. This provides a lead-in for cuvettes. However, lt does not adversely affect the reflector characteristics to any significant ~xtent. The ' cuvette is therefore lifted verti~lly and passes into the ! chambex 21 and thence through the hole 32 into the gripper 19. The cuvette occuples a position such that when the bowl iæ indexed or rotated to the test p~sition, the cuve~te occupies the location shown in Figure 1 and des~xibed herein~efore.
To lift a cuvette, there ~s a liftin~ mechanism shown parti~ularly in Figure 6. Thls compriseS a vertical rotatable shaft 33, having its ~nds mounted in bearings in a flxed frame formlng part of the struc~ure 13. The sha~t 33 is screw threaded and a ball nut assembly 34 is engaged on the shaft so that when the shaft is rotated, the ~all nut assembly 34 will li~t. An arm on the ball nut assembly carr~e~ a vertical push r~d 35 to thé top of which is secured a pusher p~d 3~ which can engage undexneath a cuvette 20 to lift it vertically into the j loaded position. To rotate tbe shaft 33 and thus lift the ~all nut, push rod, and pusher pad assembly, a pulley 37 is secured to ~he lower end of the shaft. This is driven through a belt drive lndicated in outline in ~igure 1 at 38.
The cuvettes are brought to the luminometer by a conv3yor arrangement which co~prises a bandolier made up from a number o~ intercon~ected cuvette holders, one of , which is shown 1~ Figure 3. ~he holder 39 i8 a small ¦ tubular moulding with ~our integral lugs. One pair of lugs 40, 41, form sockets and the other two lugs 42, 43, carry pins to engage in sockets in an adjacent cuvette holder. The lug 40 is a hollo~ eye, whereaa the lug 41 is hook-shaped. The lug 42 has a 5mall circular spigot and the lug 43 has a flattened spigot. It is possible to ~oin adjacent cuvette holdexs together by engaging the lu~s.
3s The lugs 40, 42, are cngaged by dropping the pin into the socket, and the pin on the lug 43 can be engaged laterally !
2~;27 _9_ in the hook-shaPed lug 41. By this me~ns it i~ po~sible ta bulld up a bandolier of cuvette holders of any deslred len~th. ~he individual cuvettes are engaged in their holders by friction, and in the side of the cuvette holder s 39 there i~ a resllient detent 44 whlch i8 pressed aside when a cuvette is entered into the holder and which serves to provide the fr~ctional resistance against release of the cuvette out of the holder. However, when the pusher assembly e~gayes and pushes up on the bottom of a cuvette, it will readily sllde out of the holder.
The cuvette holders 39 axe driven, in turn, by means of a mechanism shown in Flg~re~ 4, 5, and 6. Two vert~cally mounted star wheels 45, 46, are carried on respective vertical shafts 47, 48. To the lower end of ~5 each of these is seeured a bevel gear 49, 50, engaging with respective beyel gears 51, 52, on a co~mon shaft 53.
The shaft 53 carries a pulley 54 engaged by a ~elt 5S, also passing over a pulley 56 on a motor shaft 57 o~ a motor 58.
- 20 The star wheels 45, 46, are relatively close together and have lobes which can engage between the cuvette holders 39 in the bandolier. This arxangement is shown in outline ln Figure 4. The cuvettes are brought i~
their holders in turn to the loadlng position which is in - the ~ ntxe between the two star wheels 45, 4~ t and at this position the pusher asse~bly lifts the cuvettes as already described.
In the top of the luminometer a liquid handling systsm is po~itioned. Th~s may ba us~d to lnject meas~red quantities of reagents and/or samples of other substances directly lnto the cuvettes, as may be required, whlle the cuvettes axe prese~ted to the photo-multiplier device or at other positions. The sy~tem ls generally identif~ed in the drawings at 59, The shaft 15 ~n the centre of the top of the lld 14 m~y carry an a~itator device 60 which drives through - 12~tZ~27 the gears 1~, 17, which carry the cuvette gripper already descri~e~. This 8erves to agitate the sample to ensure ade~uate mlxlng and thus uniformlty of the emiss10n of light photons.
~ o extract the cuvette8 from the bowl when tests have been carried out, a device ~1 is provided. This includes a pusher arranged to drlve cuvettes downwardly into engagement with their respectlve holders.
The constructlon includes appropriate electrlcal cirouits whereby the sample handllng apparatus is actuated in the reguired se~uen~e, ~ he three main sub~assemblies, comprising the bowl and its housin~ and the associated parts, ~he cuvette lift mec~anism, and the bandolier system, are all mounted on a co~mon bas~ and are so connected that movement between assemblies is prevented, in order to ensure accuracy of operation and thus reliab~lity of result. A
suitable cabinet ~ay enclose all the a~semblies.
Fig~e 7 shows in diagrammatic form, a system 20 ldyout in whiah the main sample processing unit whlch comprises the luminometer construction and its cuvette supply system, i~ connected to a controller, which in this case includes a micro-computer 61 to which are connected a disc drivR 62, a display un~t ~VDU) 63, and a printer 64.
z5 ~ Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement in which the main sample processing unit 65 is providcd with an onboard m~cro-computer 66, which is controlled through an EPROM.
In operation, the cuvettes, containing samples, ar~ brough~ to the apparatus by th~ bandoller syste~
de8cribed. Prior to measurement ln the luminometer, the samplcs may undergo pretreatment. Several pretreatment processes, such as incubatlon, iniection of reagQnts, and mix~ng at several possible pos~tions, may be avai~able under control of protocol software.
A convenient arrangcment involves calibration by ~ Ztj~7 testing the first five or so samples which would contaln a ~erial solution of ATP standards. Thls ATP concentration is to be determ~ned by interpolation from a standard curv~. sample concentration can be compared also by spiking wi~h a ~nown ATP concentration.
A~ter setting up the standard, analysis of samples is contlnuous, so that samples will be analysed before data collection commences.
Cuvettes are brought to the luminometer by the bandolier system a~ described, and each cuvet~e occupies, f or the time being, a position in the centre between the two ~tar wheels 45, 46, as indicated ln Figure 4. ~hen the cuvette i8 in such position, the lifting mechanism is actuated And the pusher pad 36 lifts the cuvette into the bowl 10 ~hich, at that time, has the chamber 21 positioned in alignment with the ouvette. When a cuvette has been loaded and is gripped in the gripper device 19, the bowl 10 is rotated through 180 to bring the chamber 21 into alignment with the photo-multiplier device 25. The in~ector device 59 may be actuated, if required, to inject app~opriate quantities of reage~ts or other substances and the vibrator 60 may be actuated to agitate the contents of the cuvette. Li~ht photons which are emitted fro~ th~
sample ar~ detected by the photo-multiplier device 25.
~ One arrangement i8 that when all samples in a batch have been tested, the computer program will return to a mcnu from which the operator may call ~or data analysi~ in various forms, such a~ a graphlc repr~sentation on the VD~ and a prlntout. A self d~agnostic program may be run continuously within the apparatus and all control may be through appropriate software.
~ he shape of the chamber 21, as well as the posl~oning of the cuvette in relation to the photo-multiplier device, optimis~s the collection of lightp~otons with minimum loss of such light.
'7 ~ hen the test on a sample has been carried out, the cuvetee ~s returned to the loading positlon by again rotating the bowl 10 through 180. The ejector device 61 is then actuated to push the cuvette down agaln into its S cuvette holder in the bandolier. The drive mechanism now advances the ~andollex by one space.
Convenlently, electrical stepping motoxs may be used for ~ome or all of the functions.
It is possible to raise the temperature of the substance within the cuvette in the test pos~tion and, for this purpose, heating means, indicated generally at 62, ls prov~ded adjace~t to the chamber 21 and in the bowl 10.
If ~equired, a cooling system may be used for cooling the photo-multiplier device 25. Piezo-electric, or other systems are suitable. ~his can ensure accurate t~mperature control of the operative portion of the photo-multipl~er device 2S, thus ensuring accuracy.
The controller, which may ~nolude or comprise a computer or equivalent device as alxeady described, may be provided to control the apparatus itsel~ as well as, i~
appropriate, other associated equipment.
Included also is means for preparing the sample, including ATP extraction, reagent adding, temperature regulation, mixing, or other unctions approprlate to the -test ~eing ~arr~ed o~t. In some cases li~ht emission may be produced prior to presentation of the sample to tne test position. Timing devices may also be actuated to bring the sample to the test position at a correct time in relation to initiation of the light cmissions. These f~nctions may be carried out wlthin or externally of the instrument.
The controller software also preferably includes means for actuating the instrument, incl~ding the sample handling ~pparatus for introducing and extracting the samplcs, and also the photo-multiplier energlsation, and o~her apparatus.
1~ 7 The signal produced by the photo-multlpller deviae i~ also processed to provlde an output ln any required form.
The eontrol~er software ia preferably dedlcated to the particular te~t to be conducted, and ls capable of cont~olling all functions from first sample identificatlon to output re~dout, or other output. As seen in Figure 8, the whole apparatus may be ln one unit which is conveniently protected against external influences, even ln a relatively hostlle environment. F~r exa~ple, a liquid su~stance to be tested, such as milk, may be introduced and a signal provided which may indicate a result in numerical or other form or in its sim~lest form, an indication of acceptanoe or rejection. The apparatus ma~ therefore ~e capable of use by an unskilled operative.
~ n an example in which the apparatus is used ~ith a continuous prooess, such as in a food processlng plant or activated sludge treatment plant, the output signal maY bc arranged for transmission to a c~ontrol unit, whereby, in the event of te~tin~ of a sample whi~h is unsatisfactorY in a predetermined way, the whole process is stopped. Other feed back, on line, uses can also be adopted.
On the other h~nd, the apparatus may be used for rese~ch in various fields, and in such circumstances an operator may be able to control variable5 in~l~din~ tha sample preparation phase, photo-multiplier performance, or subse~uent data proces~ing of the output signal.
Typical cl~cumstances in which the lumlnometer may be used include testing of samples of liquids to lS determine var~ous factors and the device may be used in i medical applications, in the food and drink, pharmaceutical, water treatment~ or other indust~ies. It li may also be used for research in various fields.
i The luminometer has means for presenting a ~0 sample, usually as a liquid or a liquid suspension, to a photo-multiplier device ~y means of which the actual measurement is carried out.
It may be necessary to prepare the sample ~efore presentation to the photo-mult~plier device, in various ~5 ways, depending upon the nature of the sample and upon the ^`~ re~uirements o~ the test to be conducted. This preparation ma~ lnclude extraction of A~P
~adenosine-5'-triPhOsphate~ molecules, adding ~uitable rea~ents or other proccsses to produce light emissions of sufficient intensity to be detectable and measurable by th~ photo-multiplier device, It is also possible to carry out certain functions while the sample is presented to the photo-multiplier devlce.
A nwmber of methods have been devised for 3S presenting samples to the photo-multiplier, which iæ
extremoly sensitive and must be screened a~ainst I
I
Z~'~7 extraneous influences. The requlrement for examinatlon of a large number of sample~ in successlon has re~ulted in the development of various ~y~tems for brlnging the samp~es to the apparatus in a conveyor arrangement, each sample ~eing presented in turn for examination and then returned to the conveyor arrangement. The samples are, ln such a system, contained in individual transparent cuvett~s, which are placed, in turn, into a chamber wh~ch 1~ ope~, or in communication, at least at an approprlate 10 tlme, to the photo-.multipller.
There are certain problems to be overcome in lntroduci~g and removlng cuvettes from the chamber with which the photo-multiplier communicate8. In particular, stray extraneous light or other discharges must be excluded from the chamber during the test period, since these could adversely affe~t the accuracy of detection o~
the light photons, by the photo-mulitplier, and yet the cuvettes must be easily and quickly introduced into the chamPer and removed from it, preferably without the nee~
for elaborate screening means. Light col}ection must be maximised ~ithin the cha~ber in order to provide the best ; possible conditions for accurate measurement.
It is the object of the invention to provide a lu~inometer con~truction which enables samples to be h~ead~y examined in turn and in wh~ch the accuracy of the results i~ high.
In accordance with the present invention, there i8 ~rovided a luminometer construction includin~ means for supplying samples, contained in respective lndividual cuvettes, ln succession to be examlned, to a carrier, ¦ whereby they are presented in turn to a photo-multiplier devica, the carrier comprising a rotatable structure havin~ a portion definlng an examinat~on chamber, and a cuvette qrlpper arranged to hold a cuvette in a position such that a 8ample containing portion thereof is ~lthin the examination chamber, and the carr~e~ being rotatable I
l~Z~i27 ~etween a loading position in which the cuv~ttes can be inserted into the gripper and a test pOSition in which the chamber is positioned ad~acent to t~e photo-multiplier device.
Preferably the carrier is mounted for rotation about an axls and thè cuvette ~rlpper is arran~ed for insertion o~ cuvettes in a direction substantlally parallel with that axis, the exam~nation chamber being formed in the side of the carrier with an external ed~e ~n a plane incl~ned to the said axi~ and ehe photo-. mulltplier device being positioned with its own optical ax~E perpendicular to the said p~ane of the edge of the examination chamber, Conveniently therefore, the examination chamber lS is in the form of a concave recess ot cavity in the slde of the carrier, having an edge conforming generally to the shape of the adjacent end of the operative part of the photo-multiplier device, The chamb~r has a single hole throu~h which a cuvette, in use, can extend whereby in the test position, the centre line of the cuvette intersects the optical axis of the photo-mulitpl~er device at a position close to the said plane of the edge of the examination chamber.
With thl~ arrangement the cuvette base 2S .cont?ining a sample is, in use, positioned close to the photo-multiPlier dev~ce and on its axis, 80 that the ; collection of light p~otons is optimised.
~ he cuvette ~ripper is preferably situated in a position enablinq cuvettes to be introduced through the examination cham~ar and into the 8ingle hole referred to, the Cuvettes being withdrawn also ln the op~osite direction, the examination chamber being shaped and positioned to allow for the introduction and withdrawal of cuvettes without necessity for other holes or cut-outs for ¦ 35 the passage of the cuvettes.
¦ ~ho aDqle of the ~lane of the edge of the lZ~t2ti '7 examination chamber, relativelY to the axis of rotation of the carrier ls preferably 35, ln order to enable the cuvettes to be conveniently introduced and withdrawn.
The cuvettes may be brought to and carried away from the luminometer by a conveyor arrangement. Thls may include a number of individual holders which may be brought into the cuvette loadin~ position ln turn, a cuvette being extracted from the holder and transferred into the cuvette ~rippex, the carrler then belng rotated to brlng the cuvette into the te~t position and after testing, the carrier b~in~ again rotated to the loadlng position at whlch the cuvette i8 returned to its holder.
The holders may be interconnecte~ to make up a bandolier wh~ch is driven in steps to present successlve lS cu~ettes to the instrument for test, in turn.
~ drlve mechanism ls conveniently provided to drive the cuvette ho~ders in sequence with rotational movements of the carrier and with means for transferring cuvettes from their holders into the cuvette gripper and re~urn~ng them there~o, A contxoller may be provided which is capa~le of controllin~ $unctions of the luminometer or of equipment associated with the luminometer, including identification , of a sample provided, set~ng up or adjustlng the ~,lumi~ometer in preparation for a particular test, controll~ng sample preparatlon operations, actuation of sample handling equipment, energisation of the photo-multiplier de~l~e, and proces~ing o~ data provided, in S u8e, from the photo-multiplier device to provide an output in a required form, I The controller preferably includes software j which iS dedicated to a particular test to be carr~ed out i and coPvenlently carries out all necessary functions to produce a test result.
Preferably also, the controller includes a means for monitoring the photo-multipller device, By thi~
, 1~?2tj '7 means, ~ccuracy of measurement can be mslntained at a high level.
Functions ~arrled out by the co~troller may be performed by apparatus within the luminometer constructlon or externally thereof.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing~ in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a luminometer construction ac~ording to the inventlon;
Figure la ls an enlarged sectional view of the ~hamber forming part o~ the luminometer carrier;
Figure 2 i8 an enlarged ~ross-section of a cuvette;
Figure 3 i8 a similarly enlarged cross-section of a cuvette holder;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the bandoliex drive mechanism;
Figure 5 i~ a ~ide view' showing the drive 2~ mechanism;
~igure 6 is a further view of the said drive mechanism;
Figure ~ is a diagrammatic representation of a luminometer system in accordance with the inventlon; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an '''alternative luminometer system.
~igure 1 shows a luminometer construction intended for the test of liquids or liguid suspensions, and wherein the substance~ are contained within individual transpa~ent cuvettes which are brought to the instrument in turn. The substance may be subjected to proce8ses which may be bio-luminescent or chemi-luminescent, ; creating emission of li~ht photons w~ich are detected by a photo-multi~liar device in ~he instrument.
The drawin~ shows a rotatable carrier 10 in the form of a bowl mounted for rotation about a vertical axi6 .
lZ~Z627 ll. The bowl is mounted on a short shaft 12 which i~
~arried ~n a fixed structure 13. The fixed structure 18 shown as an oute~ bowl with a lid 14 carrying a shaft 15, the centre o which is also on the axis 11. The ~haft 1~
has a gear 16 which i8 below the lid 14 and therefore within ~he space al50 OCCUp~ ed by the bowl 10. ~he gear 16 meshes with a gear 17 journalled by means of a hollow shaft 18 fixed in the upper part of the bowl 10. Within the hollow shaft is a cuvette gripper 19 for gripping a cuvette 20, to which reference will be mdde later.
The bowl lQ has a generally xustoconical shape with tbe narrowe~ end downward~ and connected to the short shaft 12. The circular side of the bowl is therefore inclined downwardly and the angle of the inclination, in thi~ example, i6 35 with respect to the vertical axis 11.
At one polnt, in the side of the bowl, there ~s defined an examina~ion chambe~ 21 which is also shown in Figure la.
This has concave form, the profile being generallY
ellipsoidal. The internal surface is reflective as indicated at 22. The edge of the cham~er 21 is therefore ~enerally cir~ular and is substantially in a plane which is inclined at 35 to the vertical axis ll.
The cuvette 20, as shown in Figure 1, can extend i into the examination chamber 21. The cuvette as shown in 1 25 5Figu~ 2 is a small transparent test tube having one end ; closed to form a generally hemi-spherical end portion 23.
Cuvettes may be made from polystyxene. In the example 1 8hown, there are, within this end portion, mou~ded ribs 24 j which ald ayitation of the contents. These could be omitted, if not required.
As seen in Figure 1, the cuvette is positloned 80 that the centre of the hem~-spherical end 23 coincides ' with the cusp of the ellipse formed by the examination ~, ' chamber ~ h~s is spaced from the plane defined by the edge of the chamber ~y a distance approximating to the external radi~s of the hemi-spherical end of the cuvette.
~' i 12~2627 Posi~loned adjacent to the cham~er 21 when it is in the. test position as shown in ~ig~re 1 is a photo-multiplier tube device 25 Thls is of highly senqitive type and reguires to be screened from extraneous light or other dischar~e sources. It ~s therefore po~itioned within the outer structure 13 in a manner sealed from external light emissions, The optical axis 26 of the photo-multiplier tube is perpendiaular to the plane of the edge of the chamber and is therefore colncident with the central axis of the elllpse formed by the chamber 21. It can ~e seen from F~gure 1 that when a cuvette ~0 is i~ the test po~ition as show~, the heml-Bpherical end o~ the cuvette is very close to the operative end of the photo-multiplier tube and the axes of the cuvette and of the photo-m~ltiplier tube optiGal sy~te~ intersect, The bowl lO is rotatable within the flxed struct~re 13 and to carry out such rotation an electric motor 27 is pxovided. Th~ carries a p~lley 2B, driving belt 29, engaging o~er a further pulley 30 which is carricd on the shor~ vertical shaft 12 for the bowl lO.
~ he bowl 10 ~s arran~ed to be rotated through 180 between a cuvette loadinq position and the te~t po6ition shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 shows a cuvette 20 ready~to be loa~ed into the bo~l. To load, the cuvettes ire lifted vertically to pass through a hole 31 in the fixed structure 13. It is possible to load a cuvette only when the chamber 21 is in the load posltion, that is, in register with the hole 31. The angle of the edge of the chamber.21 is such that the cuvette will pass the lower extremity of that edge with a small clearance. The auvette is lifted so that ~ts upper end registers with a hole 32 in the top of the chamber ~1 and this is aligned w~th the gripper l9. Although not shown, there is a short flarcd extension aligned with the hole 32 and protrudlng a short way into the chamber 21. This provides a lead-in for cuvettes. However, lt does not adversely affect the reflector characteristics to any significant ~xtent. The ' cuvette is therefore lifted verti~lly and passes into the ! chambex 21 and thence through the hole 32 into the gripper 19. The cuvette occuples a position such that when the bowl iæ indexed or rotated to the test p~sition, the cuve~te occupies the location shown in Figure 1 and des~xibed herein~efore.
To lift a cuvette, there ~s a liftin~ mechanism shown parti~ularly in Figure 6. Thls compriseS a vertical rotatable shaft 33, having its ~nds mounted in bearings in a flxed frame formlng part of the struc~ure 13. The sha~t 33 is screw threaded and a ball nut assembly 34 is engaged on the shaft so that when the shaft is rotated, the ~all nut assembly 34 will li~t. An arm on the ball nut assembly carr~e~ a vertical push r~d 35 to thé top of which is secured a pusher p~d 3~ which can engage undexneath a cuvette 20 to lift it vertically into the j loaded position. To rotate tbe shaft 33 and thus lift the ~all nut, push rod, and pusher pad assembly, a pulley 37 is secured to ~he lower end of the shaft. This is driven through a belt drive lndicated in outline in ~igure 1 at 38.
The cuvettes are brought to the luminometer by a conv3yor arrangement which co~prises a bandolier made up from a number o~ intercon~ected cuvette holders, one of , which is shown 1~ Figure 3. ~he holder 39 i8 a small ¦ tubular moulding with ~our integral lugs. One pair of lugs 40, 41, form sockets and the other two lugs 42, 43, carry pins to engage in sockets in an adjacent cuvette holder. The lug 40 is a hollo~ eye, whereaa the lug 41 is hook-shaped. The lug 42 has a 5mall circular spigot and the lug 43 has a flattened spigot. It is possible to ~oin adjacent cuvette holdexs together by engaging the lu~s.
3s The lugs 40, 42, are cngaged by dropping the pin into the socket, and the pin on the lug 43 can be engaged laterally !
2~;27 _9_ in the hook-shaPed lug 41. By this me~ns it i~ po~sible ta bulld up a bandolier of cuvette holders of any deslred len~th. ~he individual cuvettes are engaged in their holders by friction, and in the side of the cuvette holder s 39 there i~ a resllient detent 44 whlch i8 pressed aside when a cuvette is entered into the holder and which serves to provide the fr~ctional resistance against release of the cuvette out of the holder. However, when the pusher assembly e~gayes and pushes up on the bottom of a cuvette, it will readily sllde out of the holder.
The cuvette holders 39 axe driven, in turn, by means of a mechanism shown in Flg~re~ 4, 5, and 6. Two vert~cally mounted star wheels 45, 46, are carried on respective vertical shafts 47, 48. To the lower end of ~5 each of these is seeured a bevel gear 49, 50, engaging with respective beyel gears 51, 52, on a co~mon shaft 53.
The shaft 53 carries a pulley 54 engaged by a ~elt 5S, also passing over a pulley 56 on a motor shaft 57 o~ a motor 58.
- 20 The star wheels 45, 46, are relatively close together and have lobes which can engage between the cuvette holders 39 in the bandolier. This arxangement is shown in outline ln Figure 4. The cuvettes are brought i~
their holders in turn to the loadlng position which is in - the ~ ntxe between the two star wheels 45, 4~ t and at this position the pusher asse~bly lifts the cuvettes as already described.
In the top of the luminometer a liquid handling systsm is po~itioned. Th~s may ba us~d to lnject meas~red quantities of reagents and/or samples of other substances directly lnto the cuvettes, as may be required, whlle the cuvettes axe prese~ted to the photo-multiplier device or at other positions. The sy~tem ls generally identif~ed in the drawings at 59, The shaft 15 ~n the centre of the top of the lld 14 m~y carry an a~itator device 60 which drives through - 12~tZ~27 the gears 1~, 17, which carry the cuvette gripper already descri~e~. This 8erves to agitate the sample to ensure ade~uate mlxlng and thus uniformlty of the emiss10n of light photons.
~ o extract the cuvette8 from the bowl when tests have been carried out, a device ~1 is provided. This includes a pusher arranged to drlve cuvettes downwardly into engagement with their respectlve holders.
The constructlon includes appropriate electrlcal cirouits whereby the sample handllng apparatus is actuated in the reguired se~uen~e, ~ he three main sub~assemblies, comprising the bowl and its housin~ and the associated parts, ~he cuvette lift mec~anism, and the bandolier system, are all mounted on a co~mon bas~ and are so connected that movement between assemblies is prevented, in order to ensure accuracy of operation and thus reliab~lity of result. A
suitable cabinet ~ay enclose all the a~semblies.
Fig~e 7 shows in diagrammatic form, a system 20 ldyout in whiah the main sample processing unit whlch comprises the luminometer construction and its cuvette supply system, i~ connected to a controller, which in this case includes a micro-computer 61 to which are connected a disc drivR 62, a display un~t ~VDU) 63, and a printer 64.
z5 ~ Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement in which the main sample processing unit 65 is providcd with an onboard m~cro-computer 66, which is controlled through an EPROM.
In operation, the cuvettes, containing samples, ar~ brough~ to the apparatus by th~ bandoller syste~
de8cribed. Prior to measurement ln the luminometer, the samplcs may undergo pretreatment. Several pretreatment processes, such as incubatlon, iniection of reagQnts, and mix~ng at several possible pos~tions, may be avai~able under control of protocol software.
A convenient arrangcment involves calibration by ~ Ztj~7 testing the first five or so samples which would contaln a ~erial solution of ATP standards. Thls ATP concentration is to be determ~ned by interpolation from a standard curv~. sample concentration can be compared also by spiking wi~h a ~nown ATP concentration.
A~ter setting up the standard, analysis of samples is contlnuous, so that samples will be analysed before data collection commences.
Cuvettes are brought to the luminometer by the bandolier system a~ described, and each cuvet~e occupies, f or the time being, a position in the centre between the two ~tar wheels 45, 46, as indicated ln Figure 4. ~hen the cuvette i8 in such position, the lifting mechanism is actuated And the pusher pad 36 lifts the cuvette into the bowl 10 ~hich, at that time, has the chamber 21 positioned in alignment with the ouvette. When a cuvette has been loaded and is gripped in the gripper device 19, the bowl 10 is rotated through 180 to bring the chamber 21 into alignment with the photo-multiplier device 25. The in~ector device 59 may be actuated, if required, to inject app~opriate quantities of reage~ts or other substances and the vibrator 60 may be actuated to agitate the contents of the cuvette. Li~ht photons which are emitted fro~ th~
sample ar~ detected by the photo-multiplier device 25.
~ One arrangement i8 that when all samples in a batch have been tested, the computer program will return to a mcnu from which the operator may call ~or data analysi~ in various forms, such a~ a graphlc repr~sentation on the VD~ and a prlntout. A self d~agnostic program may be run continuously within the apparatus and all control may be through appropriate software.
~ he shape of the chamber 21, as well as the posl~oning of the cuvette in relation to the photo-multiplier device, optimis~s the collection of lightp~otons with minimum loss of such light.
'7 ~ hen the test on a sample has been carried out, the cuvetee ~s returned to the loading positlon by again rotating the bowl 10 through 180. The ejector device 61 is then actuated to push the cuvette down agaln into its S cuvette holder in the bandolier. The drive mechanism now advances the ~andollex by one space.
Convenlently, electrical stepping motoxs may be used for ~ome or all of the functions.
It is possible to raise the temperature of the substance within the cuvette in the test pos~tion and, for this purpose, heating means, indicated generally at 62, ls prov~ded adjace~t to the chamber 21 and in the bowl 10.
If ~equired, a cooling system may be used for cooling the photo-multiplier device 25. Piezo-electric, or other systems are suitable. ~his can ensure accurate t~mperature control of the operative portion of the photo-multipl~er device 2S, thus ensuring accuracy.
The controller, which may ~nolude or comprise a computer or equivalent device as alxeady described, may be provided to control the apparatus itsel~ as well as, i~
appropriate, other associated equipment.
Included also is means for preparing the sample, including ATP extraction, reagent adding, temperature regulation, mixing, or other unctions approprlate to the -test ~eing ~arr~ed o~t. In some cases li~ht emission may be produced prior to presentation of the sample to tne test position. Timing devices may also be actuated to bring the sample to the test position at a correct time in relation to initiation of the light cmissions. These f~nctions may be carried out wlthin or externally of the instrument.
The controller software also preferably includes means for actuating the instrument, incl~ding the sample handling ~pparatus for introducing and extracting the samplcs, and also the photo-multiplier energlsation, and o~her apparatus.
1~ 7 The signal produced by the photo-multlpller deviae i~ also processed to provlde an output ln any required form.
The eontrol~er software ia preferably dedlcated to the particular te~t to be conducted, and ls capable of cont~olling all functions from first sample identificatlon to output re~dout, or other output. As seen in Figure 8, the whole apparatus may be ln one unit which is conveniently protected against external influences, even ln a relatively hostlle environment. F~r exa~ple, a liquid su~stance to be tested, such as milk, may be introduced and a signal provided which may indicate a result in numerical or other form or in its sim~lest form, an indication of acceptanoe or rejection. The apparatus ma~ therefore ~e capable of use by an unskilled operative.
~ n an example in which the apparatus is used ~ith a continuous prooess, such as in a food processlng plant or activated sludge treatment plant, the output signal maY bc arranged for transmission to a c~ontrol unit, whereby, in the event of te~tin~ of a sample whi~h is unsatisfactorY in a predetermined way, the whole process is stopped. Other feed back, on line, uses can also be adopted.
On the other h~nd, the apparatus may be used for rese~ch in various fields, and in such circumstances an operator may be able to control variable5 in~l~din~ tha sample preparation phase, photo-multiplier performance, or subse~uent data proces~ing of the output signal.
Claims (17)
1. A luminometer construction including means for supplying samples, contained in respective individual cuvettes, in succession to be examined, to a carrier, whereby they are presented in turn to a photo-multiplier device, the carrier comprising a rotatable structure having a portion defining an examination chamber, and a cuvette gripper arranged to hold a cuvette in a position such that a sample containing portion thereof is within the examination chamber, and the carrier being rotatable between a loading position in which cuvettes can be inserted into the gripper, and a test position in which the chamber is positioned adjacent to the photo-multiplier device.
2. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier is mounted for rotation about an axis, and the cuvette gripper is arranged for insertion of cuvettes in a direction substantially parallel with that axis, the examination chamber being formed in the side of the carrier with an extarnal edge in a plane inclined to the said axis, and the photo-multiplier device being positioned with its own optical axis perpendicular to the said plane of the edge of the examination chamber.
3. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 2, wherein the examination chamber is in the form of a concave cavity in the side of the carrier, having an edge conforming generally to the shape of the adjacent end of the operative part of the photo-multiplier device.
4. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a single hole through which a cuvette, in use, can extend, whereby in the test position, the centre line of the cuvette intersects the optical axis of the photo-multiplier device at a position close to the said plane of the edge of the examination chamber.
5. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle of the plane of the edge of the examination chamber, relatively to the axis of rotation of the carrier is 35°, and a hole for introduction of cuvettes is positioned to allow cuvettes to be introduced or withdrawn in a direction parallel with the said axis of rotation of the carrier.
6. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein a conveyor arrangement is provided for supplying cuvettes to, and removing cuvettes from the apparatus.
7. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveyor arrangement includes a plurality of individual holders arranged to be brought into the cuvette loading position in turn, a cuvette being extracted from the holder and transferred into the cuvette gripper, the carrier then being rotated to bring the cuvette into the test position, and after testing, the carrier being again rotated to the loading position at which the cuvette is returned to its holder.
8. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the holders are interconnected to make up a bandolier which is driven in steps to present successive cuvettes to the instrument for test, in turn.
9. A luminometer construction as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8, further comprising a drive mechanism to drive the cuvette holders, in sequence with rotational movements of the carrier and means for transferring cuvettes from their holders into the cuvette gripper and returning them thereto.
10. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a controller capable of controlling functions of the luminometer and of equipment associated with the luminometer, including identification of a sample provided, getting up or adjusting the luminometer in preparation for a particular test, controlling sample preparation operations, actuation of sample handling equipment, energisation of the photo-multiplier device, and processing of data provided, in use, from the photo-multiplier device to provide an output in a required form.
11. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller includes software which is dedicated to a particular test to be carried out and conveniently carries out all necessary functions to produce a test result.
12. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim lo or claim 11, wherein the controller includes a means for monitoring the photo-multiplier device.
13. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an injector for injecting materials into samples held in cuvettes when in the test position.
14. A luminometer construction as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an agitator, whereby the contents of cuvettes can be agitated.
15. A method of testing samples in a luminometer construction comprising supplying samples, contained in respective individual cuvettes, in succession, to a carrier, the carrier being rotated from a cuvette loading position, to a test position in which the cuvette is disposed within an examination chamber formed in the carrier, actuating a photo-multiplier device to which a sample containing portion of the cuvette is exposed within said examination chamber, analysing the signal received from the photo-multiplier device, and returning the cuvette to the loading position, unloading the cuvette in readiness for the supply of a further cuvette.
16. A method of testing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sample is subjected to pretreatments.
17. A method of testing as claimed in either claim 15 or 16, wherein cample analysis is carried out in comparison with a standard.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8529889 | 1985-12-04 | ||
| GB858529889A GB8529889D0 (en) | 1985-12-04 | 1985-12-04 | Luminometer construction |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1292627C true CA1292627C (en) | 1991-12-03 |
Family
ID=10589243
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000524598A Expired - Fee Related CA1292627C (en) | 1985-12-04 | 1986-12-04 | Luminometer construction |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4755055A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0226374A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS62209340A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6611086A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1292627C (en) |
| DK (1) | DK577186A (en) |
| FI (1) | FI864960A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB8529889D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (52)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR970003276B1 (en) * | 1987-04-09 | 1997-03-17 | 가부시끼가이샤 메이덴샤 | Instrument for quantative analysis |
| GB2211607A (en) * | 1987-10-29 | 1989-07-05 | Cardiff Energy & Resources | Injection systems for luminometers |
| JP2841519B2 (en) * | 1989-08-11 | 1998-12-24 | ミノルタ株式会社 | IC card controller for electronic equipment |
| US5082628A (en) * | 1989-09-19 | 1992-01-21 | Park Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Luminometer |
| JPH0823559B2 (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1996-03-06 | 三共株式会社 | Method for setting calibration curve in enzyme immunoassay device |
| JP2626738B2 (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1997-07-02 | 三共株式会社 | Chemiluminescence detector |
| US5086233A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1992-02-04 | Dynatech Corporation | Luminometers with sample container displacement controlled by ramped abutment |
| US6436349B1 (en) | 1991-03-04 | 2002-08-20 | Bayer Corporation | Fluid handling apparatus for an automated analyzer |
| CA2384514C (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 2006-07-25 | Bayer Corporation | Automated analyzer |
| US6498037B1 (en) | 1991-03-04 | 2002-12-24 | Bayer Corporation | Method of handling reagents in a random access protocol |
| SE469198B (en) * | 1991-10-29 | 1993-05-24 | Perstorp Analytical Ab | LUMINOMETERANORDNING |
| CA2092026A1 (en) * | 1992-04-06 | 1993-10-07 | Burkard Rosenberg | Processing station for an analytical device |
| CA2093481A1 (en) * | 1992-04-30 | 1993-10-31 | Gottlieb Schacher | Processing station for carrying out fluorescence polarization measurements in an analyzer |
| US5443739A (en) * | 1992-09-17 | 1995-08-22 | J. Vogel Premium Water Company | Water purification and dispenser with uncontaminated mineral addition |
| AU687363B2 (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1998-02-26 | Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp. | Luminometer |
| US5441891A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1995-08-15 | Burkovich; Robert A. | Transfer mechanism within an incubator |
| US5456883A (en) * | 1994-06-27 | 1995-10-10 | Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. | Mechanism for reading and removing reaction cuvettes in an incubator |
| US5599501A (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1997-02-04 | Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp. | Incubation chamber |
| JP3822637B2 (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 2006-09-20 | プレシジョン・システム・サイエンス株式会社 | measuring device |
| US5686046A (en) * | 1995-07-13 | 1997-11-11 | Chiron Diagnostics Corporation | Luminometer |
| US5657118A (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 1997-08-12 | Lee; John T. S. | Device and method for detection/measurement of light |
| US5714388A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1998-02-03 | Bayer Corporation | Apparatus and method for detecting chemiluminescent light |
| US5798263A (en) * | 1996-09-05 | 1998-08-25 | Promega Corporation | Apparatus for quantifying dual-luminescent reporter assays |
| US5795784A (en) | 1996-09-19 | 1998-08-18 | Abbott Laboratories | Method of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample |
| US5856194A (en) | 1996-09-19 | 1999-01-05 | Abbott Laboratories | Method for determination of item of interest in a sample |
| US8337753B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2012-12-25 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Temperature-controlled incubator having a receptacle mixing mechanism |
| EP1614475B1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2007-05-30 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Device for agitating the fluid contents of a container |
| JP2002532181A (en) | 1998-12-23 | 2002-10-02 | メディスペクトラ， インコーポレイテッド | Optical method and system for cervical screening |
| US6103534A (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2000-08-15 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Cyclone aerosol sampler and biological aerosol chemiluminescent detection system employing the same |
| US7187810B2 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2007-03-06 | Medispectra, Inc. | Methods and systems for correcting image misalignment |
| US20020007122A1 (en) * | 1999-12-15 | 2002-01-17 | Howard Kaufman | Methods of diagnosing disease |
| US7260248B2 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2007-08-21 | Medispectra, Inc. | Image processing using measures of similarity |
| DE10136865B4 (en) * | 2001-07-28 | 2007-11-15 | Berthold Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Apparatus for measuring chemiluminescence |
| DE10136866A1 (en) * | 2001-07-28 | 2003-02-20 | Berthold Tech Gmbh & Co Kg | Radiation measuring device, in particular for measuring luminescence |
| BRPI0214680B1 (en) * | 2001-12-06 | 2018-09-18 | Biocontrol Systems Inc | instrument for use in monitoring a product, ingredient, environment or process, instrument for detecting light emission from a sample and method for monitoring a sample of a product, ingredient, process or environment |
| US20030209653A1 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2003-11-13 | Biocontrol Systems, Inc. | Sample collection and testing system |
| US7469160B2 (en) | 2003-04-18 | 2008-12-23 | Banks Perry S | Methods and apparatus for evaluating image focus |
| US7309867B2 (en) * | 2003-04-18 | 2007-12-18 | Medispectra, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for characterization of tissue samples |
| US7282723B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2007-10-16 | Medispectra, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing spectral data for use in tissue characterization |
| US7459696B2 (en) * | 2003-04-18 | 2008-12-02 | Schomacker Kevin T | Methods and apparatus for calibrating spectral data |
| US7136518B2 (en) | 2003-04-18 | 2006-11-14 | Medispectra, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for displaying diagnostic data |
| US6768918B2 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2004-07-27 | Medispectra, Inc. | Fluorescent fiberoptic probe for tissue health discrimination and method of use thereof |
| US7951329B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2011-05-31 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. | Rotary luminometer |
| CA2599576C (en) | 2005-03-10 | 2015-09-15 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Systems and methods to perform assays for detecting or quantifying analytes within samples |
| US9046507B2 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2015-06-02 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure |
| AU2012222178B2 (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2014-12-18 | Gen-Probe Incorporated | Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector |
| US9446406B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2016-09-20 | Biocontrol Systems, Inc. | Sample collection and bioluminescent analysis system |
| USD758224S1 (en) | 2015-03-13 | 2016-06-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Handheld luminometer |
| WO2016148922A1 (en) | 2015-03-13 | 2016-09-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Light detection system and method of using same |
| USD759520S1 (en) | 2015-03-13 | 2016-06-21 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Handheld luminometer |
| EP3268721B1 (en) | 2015-03-13 | 2022-03-30 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Light detection system |
| US10422753B2 (en) | 2015-03-13 | 2019-09-24 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Light detection system and method of using same |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB425602A (en) * | 1933-09-25 | 1935-03-25 | Norman Parker Stoate | Apparatus for detecting the presence of foreign bodies in or on transparent vessels |
| US3745090A (en) * | 1970-08-04 | 1973-07-10 | Nasa | Method of detecting and counting bacteria in body fluids |
| US3756920A (en) * | 1971-04-30 | 1973-09-04 | Nasa | In biological samples my measuring light reactions automatic instrument for chemical processing to dedect microorganisms |
| US3764214A (en) * | 1972-06-19 | 1973-10-09 | Baxter Laboratories Inc | Photometer apparatus |
| US4052161A (en) * | 1974-08-22 | 1977-10-04 | The Perkin-Elmer Corporation | Kinetic analyzer |
| GB1545538A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1979-05-10 | Gradient Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for simultaneously recording reaction times |
| GB2001434A (en) * | 1977-07-19 | 1979-01-31 | Tarkkanen V | Measurement of somatic cells in milk |
| US4385113A (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1983-05-24 | Nasa | Rapid, quantitative determination of bacteria in water |
| GB2073885B (en) * | 1980-04-15 | 1983-12-21 | Whitlock G D | Method of and apparatus for detecting the presence of live organisms in substances |
| US4319842A (en) * | 1980-07-17 | 1982-03-16 | Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. | Photomultiplier protector for a fluorometer |
| US4472352A (en) * | 1982-09-24 | 1984-09-18 | Biosys S.A. | Device for biochemical quantitative analysis of successive samples |
| DE3239866A1 (en) * | 1982-10-27 | 1984-05-03 | Laboratorium Prof. Dr. Rudolf Berthold, 7547 Wildbad | DARK-OUT MEASURING STATION OF A PHOTOMETER |
-
1985
- 1985-12-04 GB GB858529889A patent/GB8529889D0/en active Pending
-
1986
- 1986-12-01 DK DK577186A patent/DK577186A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-12-01 EP EP86309341A patent/EP0226374A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-12-04 CA CA000524598A patent/CA1292627C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-12-04 FI FI864960A patent/FI864960A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-12-04 AU AU66110/86A patent/AU6611086A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1986-12-04 JP JP61289747A patent/JPS62209340A/en active Granted
- 1986-12-05 US US06/938,522 patent/US4755055A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0145020B2 (en) | 1989-10-02 |
| FI864960A (en) | 1987-06-05 |
| DK577186D0 (en) | 1986-12-01 |
| DK577186A (en) | 1987-06-05 |
| GB8529889D0 (en) | 1986-01-15 |
| FI864960A0 (en) | 1986-12-04 |
| EP0226374A3 (en) | 1988-08-10 |
| AU6611086A (en) | 1987-06-11 |
| EP0226374A2 (en) | 1987-06-24 |
| JPS62209340A (en) | 1987-09-14 |
| US4755055A (en) | 1988-07-05 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1292627C (en) | Luminometer construction | |
| US5270211A (en) | Sample tube entry port for a chemical analyzer | |
| JP6005683B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for determining interfering substances and physical dimensions in liquid samples and containers analyzed by a clinical analyzer | |
| US4808380A (en) | Automatic chemical analyzing apparatus | |
| US7171863B2 (en) | Transfer unit and automatic analyzing apparatus having such transfer unit | |
| EP0035320B1 (en) | Sample feeding system | |
| US4406547A (en) | Apparatus for effecting automatic analysis | |
| US4683120A (en) | Biological fluid assay system | |
| JP4260435B2 (en) | Auxiliary sample supply for clinical analyzers | |
| US5250440A (en) | Cuvette delivery module and turntable for a chemical analyzer | |
| JP2003322656A (en) | Method for calibrating clinical analyzer and method for automatically aligning dispenser of the same | |
| EP0329183A2 (en) | Analyzing apparatus in which liquid can be stirred and analyzing method thereof | |
| SK159698A3 (en) | Apparatus for performing laboratory tests | |
| JPH08338840A (en) | Method and apparatus for determination of sedimentation velocity of blood | |
| US20090004681A1 (en) | Platelet aggregation measuring method and platelet aggregation measuring apparatus | |
| US5292484A (en) | Cuvette and cuvette cartridge for a chemical analyzer | |
| JPS5845888B2 (en) | Chemical reaction monitoring method and apparatus | |
| Burtis et al. | Development of an analytical system based around a miniature fast analyzer | |
| US5334349A (en) | Liquid transfer module for a chemical analyzer | |
| JPS5848053B2 (en) | Kogakubun Sekiyoueki Oileruyouki | |
| EP0353206B1 (en) | An analyzer for the determination of the phenotype and the abo blood group | |
| JPS6327661B2 (en) | ||
| JP2590688Y2 (en) | Blood coagulation analyzer | |
| JPH05172828A (en) | Automatic analyser | |
| JPS62228935A (en) | Automatic chemical analyzing instrument |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |