EP0195321A2 - Dispositif automatique d'équilibrage centrifuge - Google Patents

Dispositif automatique d'équilibrage centrifuge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0195321A2
EP0195321A2 EP86102975A EP86102975A EP0195321A2 EP 0195321 A2 EP0195321 A2 EP 0195321A2 EP 86102975 A EP86102975 A EP 86102975A EP 86102975 A EP86102975 A EP 86102975A EP 0195321 A2 EP0195321 A2 EP 0195321A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plate member
holding means
counterweight
axis
centrifugal force
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP86102975A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0195321B1 (fr
EP0195321A3 (en
Inventor
James Thomas Holen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Abbott Laboratories
Original Assignee
Abbott Laboratories
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Abbott Laboratories filed Critical Abbott Laboratories
Publication of EP0195321A2 publication Critical patent/EP0195321A2/fr
Publication of EP0195321A3 publication Critical patent/EP0195321A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0195321B1 publication Critical patent/EP0195321B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B9/00—Drives specially designed for centrifuges; Arrangement or disposition of transmission gearing; Suspending or balancing rotary bowls
    • B04B9/14—Balancing rotary bowls ; Schrappers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for , chemical testing, and more specifically to an automatic balancing mechanism for use with centrifuge apparatus used in such chemical testing.
  • the centrifuge apparatus includes a plate member adapted to rotate at high speeds about an axis on which there is mounted one or more holding member(s) capable of receiving a sample processor card which rotates with the plate member.
  • the holding member is adapted to receive a sample processor card; the card defines a series of channels and/or chambers through which liquid undergoing testing can be moved under the influence of centrifugal force.
  • the holding member is itself mounted for rotation relative to the plate member so that the direction of centrifugal force exerted on the sample processor card can be changed to control the flow of liquids therethrough, thereby to effect transfer and ultimate mixing of liquids from one chamber in the processor card to another.
  • the sample processor card can be provided with a reagent for mixing with, for example, a blood sample, and the mixing is effected by means of centrifugal force.
  • the centrifugal force can release the reagent, separate solid particulate matter from the fluid of the blood, measure both the reagent and the blood fluid, mix them together, and finally, transport them to a chamber from which the product of the chemical testing can be measured, for example by optical means, to determine the results of the test.
  • results will be an indication of the presence or amount of a particular analyte of interest in the sample.
  • the plate member is usually provided with two or more holding members adapted to receive a sample processor card. Since the position and weight of the holding members with sample processor cards mounted thereon is substantially the same, two sample processor cards can be mounted symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation of the plate member to balance the latter during rotation. In some instances, however, the number of sample processor cards which are physically positioned in the holding members mounted on the rotatable plate member do not distribute the weight symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation, thereby resulting in imbalance of the rotating plate member. There is accordingly a need to provide means to automatically balance the plate member so that, whether a sample processor card is present in each holding member or not, a substantially uniform balance in the rotatable plate member is nonetheless achieved.
  • the concepts of the present invention reside in apparatus for generating centrifugal forces, and preferably include a plate member adapted to rotate at high speeds about an axis on which there is mounted, radially of the axis, a holding means.
  • the holding means is mounted on the plate member for rotation therewith, and, when the holding means are more than one in number, are preferably positioned symmetrically in relation to the axis of rotation of the plate member.
  • the holding means is adapted to receive an article to be subjected to centrifugal force.
  • the article is, preferably, a sample processor card which defines a series of channels and/or chambers through which liquid undergoing testing can be moved under the influence of centrifugal force.
  • the automatic balancing mechanism of the present invention which upon such centrifugal apparatus as aforedescribed, includes at least one counterweight means positioned on the plate member between the holding means and the axis of rotation of the plate member. Also positioned on the plate member is a trigger means adjacent to the holding means and adapted to engage the article to be subjected to centrifugal force. Thus, when such an article is positioned in the holding means, the trigger means engages the counterweight means and prevents displacement by centrifugal force of the counterweight means.
  • the trigger means does not engage the counterweight means, and thus centrifugal force, when the plate member is rotated about its axis, displaces the counterweight means toward the holding means, thereby to counterbalance the holding means not containing the article.
  • a sample processor card positioned in the holding means can be counterbalanced by the counterweight means when no corresponding sample processor card is positioned in any other holding means on the plate member. Because this automatic balancing feature is virtually self-activating without the need for a separate actuation, apart from positioning or not positioning a sample processor card in the holding means, the user of the centrifugal apparatus is assured that it will be balanced even when it is used with an odd number of sample processor cards.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 illustrate preferred centrifugal apparatus embodying the concepts of the invention.
  • the centrifuge generally shown includes a plate member 10 which is mounted for rotation about an axis 12.
  • the plate member 10 is preferably driven by a suitable drive means 14, which may be, for example, an electric motor operating at high speeds. While plate member 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 as a circular plate, it will be understood that its configuration is not critical to the practice of the invention. For example, it is equally possible to employ a centrifugal arm mounted for rotation about an axis.
  • the card holder 16 is preferably in the nature of a tray and is rotatably mounted relative to the plate member 10 on an axis 18, specifically connected to means 20 ( Figure 2) to rotate the card holder 16. Since the particular means 20 to rotate the holding means 16 forms no part of the present invention, the details thereof have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of simplicity.
  • the axis of rotation 12 of the plate member 10 is illustrated in Figure 2 as being vertical, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the orientation of the axis 12 is not critical to the practice of the invention. Accordingly, the axis of rotation of the plate member 10, while preferably vertical, can also be horizontal, or inclined in any direction, since the effects of gravity on the sample processor card rotating with the plate member 10 are negligible.
  • the card holder 16 can be rotated or indexed relative to the plate member 10 by the means 20.
  • the holding means 16 can be rotated or indexed substantially 90° relative to the plate member 10.
  • the holding means 16 can be rotatable by an amount greater than 90°, up to and including a full 360°. The important feature is that the card holder 16 be adapted to receive the sample processor card which is rotated relative to the plate member 10 so that the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the sample processor card can be altered to effect the necessary fluid-transport functions during the chemical testing operation.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are a pair of holding means 16 mounted symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation 12 of the plate member. 10.
  • the plate member 10 it is equally possible, and sometimes preferred, to equip the plate member 10 with only one or a greater number than two, of holding means 16 which can be, and preferably are, symmetrically spaced about the plate member 10.
  • the automatic balancing device of the present invention includes a pair of counterweights 22 and 22' which are capable of displacement along a radius of the axis of rotation 12 of the plate member 10 toward and away from the holding means 16.
  • Each of the' counterweights 22 and 22' is spring-biased by means of spring means 24 and 24', whereby the counterweight can be maintained in a stored position, illustrated by reference to the counterweight 22' in Figure 1.
  • a trigger means 26 pivotally mounted about a pivot point 28.
  • the trigger means 26 has a portion 30 adapted to engage a corresponding engagement means 32 of the counterweight 22.
  • the trigger means includes a cam surface 34 which is adapted to engage a lateral surface 36 of a sample processor card 38, when the latter is positioned in the holding means 16.
  • a sample processor card 38 placed in the holding means 16, serves to pivot the trigger means 26' against the effect of a spring 40', so that the engaging portion 30' of the trigger means 26' engages the corresponding engaging means 32' of the counterweight 22'.
  • the counterweight 22' is prevented, by the engagement of the trigger means 26' with the counterweight 22', from being displaced toward the holding means 16.
  • a sample processor card 38 by means of the trigger means 26', causes the counterweight 22' to remain in the stored position because of its presence, while the absence of a sample processor card in the left-hand holding means 16 allows the counterweight 22 to be displaced. away from the axis of rotation 12 of the plate member 10 to a balancing position, thereby to offset and counterbalance the absence of the sample processor card in the left-hand holding means 16 of Figure 1.
  • a gap 42 exists between an upper edge 32" of the engagement means 32' of the counterweight 22'; and portion 30' of the trigger means 26'; the gap 42 is present at the beginning of rotation of the plate member 10 when the centrifuge is initially placed in operation, as is the case when, for example, assays or chemical tests are being performed using the centrifuge.
  • the trigger means 26' is in contact with the card 38 along its cam surface 34'.
  • the weight of the counterweight 22' bearing against the trigger means 26' further rotates the latter so that the gap 42 closes and the portion 30' of the trigger means 26' contacts the upper edge 32' of the engagement means 32'.
  • the trigger means 26' therefore is no longer in contact along its cam surface 34' with the card 38.
  • the card 38 can rotate freely relative to the plate member 10 without being hindered by the action of trigger means 26'.
EP19860102975 1985-03-19 1986-03-06 Dispositif automatique d'équilibrage centrifuge Expired EP0195321B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US71351585A 1985-03-19 1985-03-19
US713515 1985-03-19

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0195321A2 true EP0195321A2 (fr) 1986-09-24
EP0195321A3 EP0195321A3 (en) 1986-12-10
EP0195321B1 EP0195321B1 (fr) 1990-01-24

Family

ID=24866447

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19860102975 Expired EP0195321B1 (fr) 1985-03-19 1986-03-06 Dispositif automatique d'équilibrage centrifuge

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0195321B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS61216758A (fr)
CA (1) CA1259974A (fr)
DE (1) DE3668425D1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0262060A2 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-03-30 KIS PHOTO INDUSTRIE S.a.r.l. Dispositif de centrifugation pour la réalisation d'analyses
FR2605108A1 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-15 Kis Photo Ind Dispositif automatique pour la realisation d'analyses notamment biologiques et medicales
FR2605104A1 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-15 Kis Photo Ind Dispositif d'equilibrage dynamique d'un appareil centrifugeur
US5061381A (en) * 1990-06-04 1991-10-29 Abaxis, Inc. Apparatus and method for separating cells from biological fluids
CN112044608A (zh) * 2020-10-12 2020-12-08 武汉成名仪器有限公司 实验室离心机转子平衡锁定装置、离心机转子和离心机
US11292014B2 (en) 2015-04-05 2022-04-05 Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc. Centrifuge counterbalance with adjustable center of gravity and methods for using the same

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3762635A (en) * 1971-04-14 1973-10-02 Damon Corp Apparatus for balancing a bucket centrifuge rotor
US3834613A (en) * 1971-03-01 1974-09-10 Int Equipment Co Centrifuge rotor with sample holding means and means for balancing the same
EP0160901A2 (fr) * 1984-05-03 1985-11-13 Abbott Laboratories Centrifuge

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3834613A (en) * 1971-03-01 1974-09-10 Int Equipment Co Centrifuge rotor with sample holding means and means for balancing the same
US3762635A (en) * 1971-04-14 1973-10-02 Damon Corp Apparatus for balancing a bucket centrifuge rotor
EP0160901A2 (fr) * 1984-05-03 1985-11-13 Abbott Laboratories Centrifuge

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0262060A2 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-03-30 KIS PHOTO INDUSTRIE S.a.r.l. Dispositif de centrifugation pour la réalisation d'analyses
FR2605108A1 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-15 Kis Photo Ind Dispositif automatique pour la realisation d'analyses notamment biologiques et medicales
FR2605104A1 (fr) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-15 Kis Photo Ind Dispositif d'equilibrage dynamique d'un appareil centrifugeur
EP0262060A3 (en) * 1986-09-25 1989-03-08 Kis Photo Industrie (Societe Anonyme) Centrifugal arrangement for carrying out analyses
US4865810A (en) * 1986-09-25 1989-09-12 Kis Photo Industrie Centrifuge for performing medical analyses
US5061381A (en) * 1990-06-04 1991-10-29 Abaxis, Inc. Apparatus and method for separating cells from biological fluids
US11292014B2 (en) 2015-04-05 2022-04-05 Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc. Centrifuge counterbalance with adjustable center of gravity and methods for using the same
CN112044608A (zh) * 2020-10-12 2020-12-08 武汉成名仪器有限公司 实验室离心机转子平衡锁定装置、离心机转子和离心机
CN112044608B (zh) * 2020-10-12 2024-04-16 武汉成名仪器有限公司 实验室离心机转子平衡锁定装置、离心机转子和离心机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0195321B1 (fr) 1990-01-24
CA1259974A (fr) 1989-09-26
JPS61216758A (ja) 1986-09-26
EP0195321A3 (en) 1986-12-10
DE3668425D1 (de) 1990-03-01

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