GB2530341A

GB2530341A - Liquid preparation unit

Info

Publication number: GB2530341A
Application number: GB1416705.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernd Grobuhl; Tuna Sinangin
Original assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Current assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201416705D0

Abstract

A liquid preparation unit for supplying at least one mixed solution to an automated analyzer system, the unit comprising a water supply line 20 and at least one concentrate supply line 30, wherein the at least one concentrate supply line comprises a fluid junction 33A with the water supply line. Ideally, the water supply line comprises a water pump 25 and at least two valves 26U, 26D. The concentrate supply line may comprise two concentrate sources 31A 32A, a valve 36A, sensor 34A for detecting the presence or absence of concentrate and a pump 35A. The fluid junction 33A may be a mixing chamber with a static or motor driven helix. Downstream of the fluid junction there may be a sensor 44A for detecting the conductivity of the mixed solution, and a feed valve 46A. The feed valve directs the mixed solution to either the system or to waste. A controller 50 operates the system by receiving data from the sensors and controlling the valves. Ideally, the system is used to dilute concentrated chemicals.

Description

Title: Liquid preparation unit

Field of the Invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to a liquid preparation unit for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system, arid to a method for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system.

Background of the invention

[0002] Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and life sciences are is produced by a number of companies. For example, the Stratec Biomedical AG, Birkenfeld, Germany, produces a number of devices for specimen handling and detection for use in automated analyser systems and other laboratory instrumentation.

[0003] Automated analyser systems known in the state of the art require preparation of system liquids externally to the automated analyser system. The preparation of the system liquids includes diluting concentrates with water to a desired dilution ratio or several dilution ratios and providing the thus achieved system liquids in containers. In a subsequent step, the containers containing the system liquids are fluidly connected to the automated analyser system for supply of the system liquids.. The aforementioned steps during preparation of system liquids usually are done manually by the user, Manual preparation of system liquids is time consuming and error prone. The user thereby needs to manage several different concentrates and their required dilution ratios. The user furthermore needs to fluidly connect the containers with the correct ports of the automated analyser system. In case of failure of doing so, contamination of system liquids and the automated analyser system may occur.

Furthermore, the user has to monitor consumption of the concentrates in the containers containing them, and in case of consumption has to replace the containers, Obiect of the Invention [0004] It is an obj ect of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. It is an object of the inventionto provide for automatic diluting of concentrates to desired dilution ratios and to monitor consumption of concentrates in containers containing the concentrates. It is a further object of the invention to supply the generated system liquids to the automated analyser system.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a liquid preparation unit for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system, and to a method for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system.

[0006] The liquid preparation unit for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system comprises a water supply line and at least one concentrate supply line, wherein the at least one concentrate supply line comprises a fluid junction with the water supply line.

[0007] The water supply line may comprise a water pump upstream of the fluid junction.

[0008] The at least one concentrate supply line may comprises a concentrate pump upstream of the fluid junction.

[0009] The fluid junction is a mixing unit.

[0010] The water pump may be fluidly connected to a water container or a water supply line via an upstream water valve, and/or to the fluid junction via a downstream water valve.

[0011] The downstream water valve maybe adapted to set an amount of water flow towards the fluid junction.

[0012] The at least one concentrate supply line may fluidly connect with a concentrate source, [0013] The the concentrate source may comprise two concentrate containers, fluidly connected via a supply valve to the concentrate pump.

[0014] The liquid preparation unit may further comprise at least one concentrate sensor for detecting a presence or absence of a concentrate upstream of the fluid junction.

[0015] The liquid preparation unit may further comprise a dilution sensor downstream of the fluidjunction for detecting a dilution ratio of the at least one system liquid.

[0016] The dilution sensor may be a conductivity sensor.

[0017] The liquid preparation unit may further comprise a feed valve fluidly connecting the liquid preparation unit to the automated analyser system and to a waste container.

[00t8] The liquid preparation unit may further comprise a controller for receiving data from the dilution sensor and from the concentrate sensor, and for controlling the upstream water valve, the downstream water valve, the supply valve, and the feed valve.

[0019] The invention relates to a method for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system. The method comprises the steps of driving water to flow towards a fluid junction at a predetermined water flow rate, driving at least one concentrate towards the fluid junction at a predetermined concentrate flow rate, joining and mixing the water and the at least one concentrate, and feeding the at least one system liquid to the automated analyser system.

[0020] The method may further comprise providing the at least one concentrate in two concentrate containers containing the at least one concentrate.

[0021] the providing of the at least one concentrate may comprise providing the at least one concentrate from either one of the two concentrate containers.

[0022] The providing of the at least one concentrate may comprise detecting a presence or absence of the at least one concentrate upstream of the fluid junction.

[0023] The feeding of the at least one system liquid may comprise detecting a dilution ratio of the at least one system liquid downstream of the fluid junction.

[0024] The feeding of the at least one system liquid may comprise discarding the at least one system liquid in case of an incorrect dilution ratio.

[0025] The invention relates to a use of a liquid preparation unit for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system, the liquid preparation unit comprising a water supply line and at least one concentrate supply line, wherein the at least one concentrate supply line comprises a fluid junction with the water supply line.

Summary of the Figures

[0026] Fig. 1 is a coarse grain view of a first aspect of the liquid preparation unit according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the first aspect of the liquid preparation unit according to the invention.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a second aspect of the liquid preparation unit according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention and the Figures [0029] The invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings. It will be understood that the embodiments and aspects of the invention described herein are only examples and do not limit the protective scope of the claims in any way. The invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. It will be understood that features of one aspect or embodiment of the invention can be combined with a feature of a different aspect or aspects and/or embodiments of the invention.

[0030] In what follows, a concentrate shall be understood to be a solution comprising solutes at concentrations higher than used for processing within the automated analyser system.

[0031] A system liquid shall be understood to be a liquid derived from a concentrate by dilution with water, wherein the concentrate is chosen, and dilution ratio is set, by the user of the automated analyser system. Different ones of the system liquid may differ in respect of the concentrate chosen and/or of the dilution ratio set.

[0032] The terms "downstream" and "upstream" are to be understood with respect to the direction of flow of liquids during use of the liquid preparation unit according to the invention. The direction of flow of liquids during use of the liquid preparation unit is from the water supply and/or the concentrate supplies towards the automated analyser system.

[0033] As shown in Fig. I, in one aspect of the invention the liquid preparation unit 0 comprises a water supply line 20 and a concentrate supply line 30. The water supply line 20 and the concentrate supply line 30 supply water and a concentrate to the liquid preparation unit 10, respectively The concentrate supply line comprises a fluid junction 33 with the water supply line 20. At the fluid junction 33, the water supply line 20 and the concentrate supply line 30 join one another. Water supplied by the water supply line 20 and concentrate supplied by the concentrate supply line 30 can therefor come into fluid contact with one another at, and/or downstream of, the fluid junction 33. The fluid contact of the water and the concentrate enables mixing of the water and the concentrate, which generates a particular one of the system liquid, according to the concentrate chosen and the dilution ratio set.

[0034] The particular one of the system liquid subsequently is supplied to the automated analyser system 100. The liquid preparation unit 10 thus supplies system liquids to the automated analyser system 100 without the user having to prepare the system liquids by diluting a chosen concentrate to a set dilution ratio by himself [0035] The continuous-line arrows in figures 1 to 3 represent fluid connections. The arrow heads indicate the direction of flow.

[0036] As shown in figure 2, the water supply line 20 comprises a water pump 25. The water pump 25 provides for a flow of water towards the automated analyser system 100. Use of the water pump 25 enables supplying water within the liquid preparation unit 10 against a possible hydrostatic pressure. It is conceivable that the flow of the water towards the automated analyser system 100 is provided by hydrostatic pressure instead of, or in addition to, the pressure provided by the water pump 25.

[0037] Furthermore, the water supply line 20 comprises one of or both an upstream water valve 26U and a downstream water valve 26D. Employing one of or both the upstream water valve 26U md the downstream water valve 26D enables control of the flow of water towards the automated analyser system 100. By controlling the flow of water towards the automated analyser system 100, the dilution ration of the system liquid generated at or downstream of the fluid junction 33A may be set and adjusted in dependence on a flow of concentrate in the concentrate supply line 30 towards the fluid junction 33A.

[0038] It is conceivable to replace one of or both the upstream water valve 26U aM the downstream water valve 26D by a controllable one of the pump 25.

[0039] As shown in figure 2, the water supply line 20 is fluidly connected to a water container 21. The water container 21 may be a bottle or the like filled with water such as distilled water. By providing the water container 21, preparation of the system liquid occurs within the liquid preparation unit 10 without a user having to monitor the diluting.

[0040] As shown in figure 2, the concentrate supply line 30 comprises a concentrate pump 35A, The concentrate pump 35A provides for a flow of the concentrate towards the fluid junction 33A and the automated analyser system 100. The concentrate pump 35A may, for example, provide the flow of the concentrate against a hydrostatic pressure. It is conceivable that the flow of the concentrate is supplied by a hydrostatic pressure instead of or in addition to the pressure generated by the concentrate pump 3 SA, [0041] The concentrate supply line 30 may be fluidly connected to concentrate source 3lA, 32A. The concentrate source 3 1A, 32A may comprise a first concentrate container 3 IA and a second concentrate container 32A. Both the first concentrate container 3 1A and the second concentrate container 32A are fluidly connected to the concentrate pump 35A via a concentrate valve 36A of the concentrate supply line 30, The concentrate valve 36A controls the flow of the concentrate from the first concentrate container 3 lÀ and the second concentrate container 32A towards the concentrate pump 35A. The controlling of the flow of the concentrate comprises controlling an amount of the flow of the concentrate as well as blocking of either a flow from the first concentrate container 31A or from the second concentrate container 32A towards the concentrate pump 35A. The concentrate valve 36A may thus be a so-called switching valve. By allowing the flow from one of the first concentrate container 3 IA and the second concentrate container 32A and by blocking of the other, only one of the first concentrate container 31 A and the second concentrate container 32A is in use at a time. Therefore, the concentrate container, which is not in use, may be replaced by the user.

[0042] The concentrate supply line 30 furthermore comprises a concentrate sensor 34A. The concentrate sensor 34A is a sensor for detecting a presence or an absence of the concentrate upstream of the concentrate pump 3 5A. Upon detecting an absence of the concentrate upstream of the concentrate pump 35A the concentrate valve 36A may switch, thereby allowing for the flow of the concentrate from the concentrate container, which up to the detection of the absence of the concentrate had been blocked off. The other concentrate container, which after the switching the concentrate valve 36A is not in use may be replaced by the user. Thereby, the user may replace empty ones of the first concentrate container 31A and the second concentrate container 32A, while one of the first concentrate container 31 A and the second concentrate container 32A is supplying concentrate to the liquid preparation unit 10. Thereby continuous supply of the concentrate to the liquid preparation unit 10 is enabled, [0043] In the aspect shown in figure 2, the fluid junction 33A is a mixing unit 33A, The mixing unit 33A may be a chamber, which accommodates both the concentrate via a fluid connection to the concentrate pump 35A and the water via a fluid connection to the water supply line 20. The water and the concentrate can thereby come into fluid contact with one another within the mixing unit 33A and can thus mix. The mixing unit 33A may further comprise means for facilitating a mixing of the water and the concentrate, Such means may impinge or impact on the water and the liquid or may influence the flow of the water as well as the flow of the concentrate.

[0044] In another aspect of the invention, the fluid junction 33A may be a Y-junction, in which the flow of the water and the flow of the concentrate meet and join one another so as to mix and generate the system liquid, which flows towards the automated analyser system 100.

The Y-junction 33A may comprise a mixing tube. The mixing tube may comprise means for facilitating the mixing of the water and the concentrate. Such means may, for instance, be a static or motor-driven helix, [0045] As shown in figure 2, the liquid preparation unit 10 may further comprise, downstream of the fluid junction 33A, a dilution sensor 44A. The dilution sensor 44A may be a conductivity sensor, which detects a conductivity of the system liquid. By detecting the dilution ratio of the system liquid, i.e. by detecting the conductivity of the system liquid, the dilution ratio of the system liquid may be monitored and compared to the dilution ratio set by the user, Thereby, incorrect dilution ratios of the system liquid may be prevented, which ensures that a processing of a sample within the automated analyser system 100 is not compromised.

[0046] As shown in figure 2, the liquid preparation unit 10 may further comprise a feed valve 46A. The feed valve 46A may control the flow of the system liquid towards the automated analyser system 00, The feed valve 46A may switch the flow of the system liquid to flow either towards the automated analyser system 100 or a waste container 90. In the case of an incorrect dilution ratio of the system liquid, detected by the dilution sensor 44A, the a feed valve 46A may switch the flow of the system liquid to flow towards the waste container 90. In the case that the dilution ratio of the system liquid corresponds to the dilution ratio as set by the user, the feed valve 46A may switch the flow of the system liquid to flow towards the automated analyser system 100 for further use during processing of samples. Providing the feed valve 46A thus enables discarding the system liquid in case of an incorrect dilution ratio.

[0047] As shown in figure 2, the liquid preparation unit 10 may further comprise a controller 50. The controller 50 receives data 51 pertaining to the presence or the absence of the concentrate upstream of the concentrate pump 35A. The controller 50 furthermore receives data 52 pertaining to the dilution ratio of the system liquid downstream of the fluid junction 33A.

[0048] The controller 50 transmits a control signal 53U and a control signal 53D to the upstream water valve 26U and the downstream water valve 26D, respectively, for controlling an opening and a shutting of the upstream water valve 26U and the downstream water valve 26D, respectively. The controller 50 further transmits a control signal 54 to the supply valve 36A for controlling an opening or a shutting of the supply valve 36A. The controller 50 further transmits a control signal 55 to the feed valve 46A for controlling an opening or a shutting of the feed valve 46A, [0049] By providing the controller 50, the liquid preparation unit 10 may monitor the presence or the absence of the concentrate upstream of the concentrate pump 35A and control the concentrate valve 36A in response to an outcome of the monitoring. When the concentrate sensor 34A detects an absence of the concentrate upstream of the concentrate valve 36A and transmits data Si pertaining to the absence of the concentrate to the controller 50, the controller 50 may control the concentrate valve 36A to switch such that the flow of the concentrate from the non-empty concentrate container is enabled. Furthermore, the controller may indicate to the user that one of the first concentrate container 3 1A and the second concentrate container 32A is empty, for instance by transmitting an acoustic signal by means of a loudspeaker, or a visual signal by means of a lamp or a screen, Upon reception of such signal from the controller 50, the user may replace the empty one of the first liquid container 31A and the second liquid container 32A.

[0050] When the dilution sensor 44A detects an incorrect dilution ratio of the system liquid downstream of the fluid junction 33A the dilution sensor 44A transmits data 52 pertaining to the incorrect dilution ratio to the controller 50. The controller 50 thereupon transmits a control signal 55 to the feed valve 46A and controls the feed valve 46A to switch the flow of the system liquid to flow towards the waste container 90. The system liquid having the incorrect dilution ratio thereby is discarded, When the dilution sensor 44A detects a correct dilution ratio corresponding to the dilution ratio set by the user, the controller 50, upon receiving data 52 from the dilution sensor 44A, transmits a control signal 55 to the feed valve 46A and controls the feed valve 46A to switch the flow of the system liquid towards the automated analyser system 100. The liquid preparation unit 10 thereby ensures that system liquids having only correct dilution ratios are feed to the automated analyser system too.

[0051] By transmitting the control signals 53U and 53D to the upstream water valve 26LT and 26D, respectively, the controller 50 controls the flow of the water towards the fluid junction 33A. The controller 50 thereby controls the flow of the water within the water supply line 20 upstream of the fluid junction 33A, [0052] Figure 3 shows a ifirther aspect of the liquid preparation unit tO according to the invention. The liquid preparation unit 10 according to this aspect of the invention comprises the water supply line 20 and at least one of the concentrate supply line 30A, 30B 30N. In the aspect shown in figure 3, the liquid preparation unit 10 comprises at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B..., 30N. Any one of the at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B 30N comprises the features of the concentrate supply line 30 shown in figure 2, Any one of the fluid junctions 33A, 33B 33N, comprised in the at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B 30N, respectively, is fluidly connected to the downstream water valve 26D of the water supply line 20.

[0053] Like in the first aspect of the invention, any one of the concentrate valves 36A, 3GB 36N, comprised in the at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B,. . . 30N, respectively, is independently controlled by the controller 50. The controller 50 transmits an independent one of the control signal 54 (see Fig, 2) to any one of the concentrate valves 36A, 3GB 36N, Like in the first aspect of the invention, any one of the concentrate sensors 34A 34N, comprised in the at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B 30N, respectively, transmits data 51 (see Fig. 2) to the controller 50 pertaining to an absence or a presence of the respective concentrate within the at least one concentrate supply line 30A, 30B 30N.

[0054] Like in the first aspect of the invention, any one of the dilution sensor 44A, 44B 44N, downstream of the fluid junction 33A, 33B 33N, respectively, transmits data to the S controller 50 (see data 52 in Fig. 2) pertaining to the dilution ratio of the respective system liquid downstream of the respective fluid junction 33A, 33B 33N. Like in the first aspect of the invention, the controller 50 transmits an independent one of the control signal 55 (see Fig. 2) to any one of the feed valve 46A, 46B 46N downstream of the fluid junction 33A, 33B 33N, respectively.

[0055] The liquid preparation unit 10 according to the second aspect of the invention thus monitors the dilution ratios of the at least one system liquid, generated at or downstream of the fluid junction 33A, 33B 33N, respectively, and fed to the automated analyser system 100, The liquid preparation unit 10 discards a particular one of the at least one system liquid in case of detecting an incorrect dilution ratio of the particular one of the at least one system liquid. The liquid preparation unit 10 according to this aspect of the invention, furthermore, monitors the presence or the absence of an concentrate upstream of any one of the concentrate valve 35A 35N, comprised in the at least one concentrate supply line 30A 30N, respectively. The liquid preparation unit 10 and may thereby indicate to the user an empty one of the at least one first concentrate container 3 IA, 3 lB 3 iN and of the at least one second concentration container 3 1B, 32B 32N. The user may thereupon replace the empty one of the at least one first concentrate container 31 A, 31 B..,, 31 N and of the at least one second concentrate container 32k 32B 32N. Thereby, continuous supply of the at least one concentrate to the liquid preparation unit 10 is ensured.

List of reference numerals liquid preparation unit water supply line 21 water container water pump 26TJ upstream water valve 26D downstream water valve concentrate supply line 31, 32 concentrate source 31 first concentrate container 32 second concentrate container 33 fluid junction 34 concentrate sensor concentrate pump 36 concentrate valve 44 dilution sensor 46 feed valve controller 51 data pertaining to the absence or presence of a concentrate 52 data pertaining to the dilution ratio of a concentrate S3TJ control signal for controlling the upstream water valve 53D control signal for controlling the downstream water valve 54 control signal for controlling a supply valve control signal for controlling a feed valve waste container automated analyser system

Claims

Claims 1. A liquid preparation unit (10) for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system, the liquid preparation unit (10) comprising a water supply line (20) and at least one concentrate supply line (30A,..., 30N), wherein the at least one concentrate supply line (30A, ..., 30N) comprises a fluid junction (33A, ..., 33N) with the water supply line (20).
2. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the water supply line (20) comprises a water pump (25) upstream of the fluid junction (33A 33N).
3. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to claim I or 2, wherein the at least one concentrate supply line (30A 30N) comprises a concentrate pump (35A 35N) upstream of the fluid junction (33A 33N).
4. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the fluid junction (33A) is a mixing unit (33A 33N).
5. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to one of claims ito 4, wherein the water pump (25) is fluidly connected to a water container (21) or a water supply line (20) via an upstream water valve (26U) , and/or to the fluid junction (33A) via a downstream water valve (26D).
6. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the downstream water valve (26D) is adapted to set an amount of water flow towards the fluid junction (33A 33N).
7. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims to 6, wherein the at least one concentrate supply line (20) fluidly connects to a concentrate source (3 1A, 32A;...;31N,32N).
8. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the concentrate source (3 IA, 32A; ..,; 31N, 32N) comprises a first concentrate container (3 1A, ..., 3 iN) and a second concentrate container (32A 32N), both fluidly connected via a supply valve (36A 36NJ) to the concentrate pump (35A, 35A).
9. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising at least one concentrate sensor (34A 34N) for detecting a presence or absence of a concentrate upstream of the fluid junction (3 3A 3 3N).
10. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a dilution sensor (44A 44N)downstream of the fluid junction (33A, 33N) for detecting a dilution ratio of the at least one system liquid.
11. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dilution sensor (44A 44N) is a conductivity sensor.
12. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims I to II, further comprising a feed valve (46A 46N) fluidly connecting the liquid preparation unit (10) to the automated analyser system (100) and to a waste container (90).
13. The liquid preparation unit (10) according to any one of claims I to 12, further comprising a controller (50) for receiving data (52) from the dilution sensor (44A 44N) and data (51) from the concentrate sensor (34A 34N), and for controlling the upstream water valve (261J), the downstream water valve (26D), the supply valve, and the feed valve (46A 46N).
14. A method for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system (100), the method comprising the steps of: -driving water to flow towards a fluid junction (33A 33N) at a predetermined water flow rate, -driving at least one concentrate towards the fluid junction (33A 33N) at a predetenuuined concentrate flow rate, -joining arid mixing the water and the at least one concentrate, -feeding the at least one system liquid to the automated analyser system (TOO),
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising providing the at least one concentrate in two concentrate containers (3 IA, 32A; .; 3 iN, 32N) containing the at least one concentrate.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the providing of the at least one concentrate comprises providing the at least one concentrate from either one of the two concentrate containers (31 A, 32A; ..,; 31 N, 32N),
17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the providing of the at least one concentrate comprises detecting a presence or absence of the at least one concentrate upstream of the fluid junction (33A 33N).
18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the feeding of the at least one system liquid comprises detecting a dilution ratio of the at least one system liquid downstream of the fluid junction (33A, ..., 33N).
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the feeding of the at least one system liquid comprises discarding the at least one system liquid in case of an incorrect dilution ratio.
20. Use of a liquid preparation unit (10) for supplying at least one system liquid to an automated analyser system (100), the liquid preparation unit (10) comprising a water supply line (20) and at least one concentrate supply line (30), wherein the at least one concentrate supply line (30A 30N) comprises a fluid junction (33A 33N) with the water supply line (20).