MXPA96002286A - Mechanism of load for tray of point of so - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading mechanism for receiving a quantity of disposable elements in a plurality of vertically separated sets and for supplying each set to an element utilization station, the mechanism comprising: a trough having an upper part open for retaining a plurality of sets of disposable items; a holding mechanism for retaining the lowermost set of disposable items; a transport mechanism having movable arms to cooperatively support the lowermost game, as the retaining mechanism released the game further lower and to lower the released play while the retention mechanism, catches and holds the next lower set, and a pivot member disposed next to the retention mechanism preventing the pivot element from retracting the retention mechanism until it is released by interference with the transport mechanism

Description

MECHANISM OF LOAD FOR PROBE TIP TRAY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of part load components and, in particular, to a load mechanism for transferring trays of probe tips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is known in the art, there is a tendency in hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other locations to carry out tests (tests) on samples of patient specimens, such as blood, spinal fluid, urine, serum, plasma and I know that it uses automated analyzer systems. The relatively sophisticated automated analyzer systems typically accept a plurality of different patient specimen samples and perform different tests on each of the different samples. A sample in such systems should not be allowed to contaminate another sample. Devices such as aspiration probes can use disposable probe tips with each sample to prevent such contamination. Therefore, a problem that arises involves the automated provision of a large number of disposable probe tips or the like. The provision typically involves the frequent intervention of technicians who must have some familiarity with the replenishment of such disposable items. To keep up with the intended functionality of automated analyzer systems, such a peak provision must involve minimal human intervention. In addition, any human intervention required must be as intuitive and as tested as possible. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism for administering a non-interruptible quantity of disposable elements such as probe tips to supply said quantity to an automated analyzer system as required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a mechanism for providing a plurality of disposable probe tips to a system such as an automated analyzer system. Multiple sets of probe tips are loaded into a channel in the machine. A pair of arms, mounted on a vertical arrow, are ciled upwards from a substantially vertical position in a horizontal position as the arrow rises below the gutter. As the arrow reaches its upper limit of travel, an associated leaf spring and latch is pressed away from the lowest tray in the chute. Simultaneously, tray guides, which retain the trays inside the chute, are rotated away from the tray in preparation for releasing the lower tray. At the upper arrow path limit, the leaf spring and latch spring over the upper surface of the lowermost tray, attaching a tray cover, while the tray guides separate, releasing the lowermost tray toward the pair. of b zos. A delivery rack, associated with a close stacking system, proceeds under the parallel arms and, recieves the tray by engaging a portion of tray base with a p of staples. The delivery rack then separates the base portion and, the probe tips disposed thereon, to the analyzer system. Meanwhile, the arrow descends causing the parallel arms to relax to the vertical position, thereby emptying the lid into a waste receptacle or waste container. When the analyzer system has consumed the probe tips disposed in the tray base portion, the delivery rack returns the base portion to the parallel arms, then empties the empty base portion toward the waste receptacle or waste chute. . The cycle starts again. It is an object of the present invention to provide a microprocessor-based control unit to allow the viewing of an endless number of probe tips arranged in trays, limiting the required interaction of technicians or support personnel to occasional re-storage of the mechanism. . An additional object is to make such hands-free provision as simple and intuitive as possible by providing features that ask for the wrong tray load into the chute. Sensors are provided in alternative modalities to perceive an empty gutter condition and to perceive stacked trays, or ruling in this way the additional object 1 provides a point of provision of intelligent probe tip. 3REVE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features of the present invention are more fully set forth below in the entire exemplary description and accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a partially detailed view of elements of the mechanism of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially detailed view of a probe tip tray as used in the caging mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a package of trays for use in the loading mechanism of the Figur Figure 4 is a front top perspective view of a tray base portion as used in the load mechanisms of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top view of the tray bas portion of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a front view of the tray base portion of Figure;; Figure 7 is a rear view of the tray base portion of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a bottom view of the tray bas portion of Figure 4; Figure 9 is a right side view of the tray base portion of Figure 4; Figure 10 is a left side view of the tray base portion of Figure 4; Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrate relative positions of the loading mechanism elements of Figure 1 in the initial stages of transfer of a tray / Figure 14 is a perspective view of inverse angle of loading mechanism elements of Figure 1; Figure 15 is a top section view of an arrow and associated slotted optical sensor for use in the loading mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 16 is a side section view of a tray guide and tray guide fastening feature for use in the loading mechanism of Figure 1; Figures 17, 13 and 19 illustrate relative positions of load mechanism elements of Figure 1 in additional steps of transferring a tray; and Figure 20 illustrates the relative positions of the load mechanism elements of Figure 1 when unloading an empty tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In Figure 1 there is provided an overview of a first embodiment of the present invention. In general, the present invention allows a user to load multiple trays 1 each supporting a plurality of unreachable probe tips 12, towards a trough 22 of a loading mechanism 20. In the illustrated embodiment, up to six of these trays 10 can be loaded into the trough 22 at the same time. As will be illustrated in greater detail subsequently, the probes of a first tray are janged to the inner regions of corresponding probes in a second underlying tray, thereby reducing the vertical space requirements. In general, when a probe tray 10 is required by an automated analyzer system, generally referred to as 30, a pair of parallel arms 24 is placed under the canister and transports the lowermost tray 10 towards a delivery zipper 32 that is moves horizontally with respect to both, the loading mechanism 20 and the analyzer system. This llera 32 cream, driven by a motor, for example, then transports the tray 10 to the analyzer system 30, which in one embodiment includes a probe 31 that requires disposable probe tips. Once the delivery rack 32 is in position close to the analyzer 30, the probe 31 is manipulated in two dimensions to mount and remove the next disposable tip 12 available from the tray 10. A motor 28 provides the energy to make an arrow to be censored and lowered on which the arms are mounted. 24. In a first embodiment of the present invention, motor 28 and delivery rack 32 respond to controls from a microprocessor-based control unit 18. After all the probe tips of the tray 10 have been consumed within the analyzer system, the delivery rack 32 returns tray 10 to the parallel arm 24 for disposal and, the cycle begins again. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, associated trays 10 and probe tips 12 are described. Each tray 10 is formed of a base portion 14 and a tray cover 16. The base portion 14 is provided with a plurality of holes, preferably arranged in a two-dimensionally aligned pattern through which the probe tips 12 are discarded. The upper collars 13 of each probe tip are of a diameter larger than the holes, thus preventing the tips from falling through the holes in the base 14. One hundred and twenty probe tips are provided in each tray 10 illustrated, the last one being plastic injection molding in a modality. In addition, tray bases 14 and lids 16 are recyclable a preferred embodiment.

In order to prevent the loaded tips 12 from being pushed up and out of the tray base 14, a cover 16 having holes corresponding to the holes in the tray base 14 and of a diameter smaller than the diameter is provided. of the upper tip collar collars 13. In this way, the upward force on the probe tips 12 is resumed by the overlying cover 16. The lid 16 coincides with the tray b 14 in a first mode by sliding horizontally in the direction of the arrows 19) on guides 15 disposed within the base 14. The holes in the lid 16 are aligned with the holders in FIG. the tray 14 for facilitating the stacking of multiple trays 10. Specifically, a portion of the probe tips 12 extending from a top tray 10 is inserted into the corresponding probe tips 12 provided in an underlying tray 10. The particularities projected on the outside of each probe tip 12 limit the insertion rate. In one embodiment, packages of three probe tip trays 10 are provided, held together with a packing gage 17. After the insertion of the trays 10 d of the loading mechanism 20, as illustrated in Figure 1, it is important to remove this band 17, since only one band 10 at a time is provided to the analyzer system. In a further embodiment of the presently described invention, a sensor is provided in the chute 22 for determining if the band 17 is present. If it is, the user is notified of this condition and, the mechanism will not attempt to load a tray but until the band 17 has been removed. Detailed views of a first embodiment of the tray base portion 14 are provided in Figures 4 to 10. The operation of the loading mechanism 20 is now described with reference to Figures 11 and subsequent. In these illustrations, the analyzer system 30 is not illustrated to avoid excessive distraction of the present invention. Also, in Figures 11 and subsequent, only one tray 10 is illustrated, and this one without probe tips 12, again due to reasons of simplicity. Similarly, various struts and structural members are omitted in order to provide better views of the function of the mechanism claimed. As noted, up to six trays can be installed in the channel 22 of the illustrated embodiment and, in other embodiments, a greater or lesser number is possible. Once installed in the channel 22, the probe tips 12 hanging from the lower tray 10 extend below the channel 22. For discussion purposes, the movement of only one tray 10 within the present mechanism is described , this being the lowest tray 10 in the trough 22. The proper installation of the tray 10 within the trough 22 is ensured by provision of a vertically aligned protrusion 3 in one wall of the trough 22, the tray 10 including 1 t. portions of base 14 and cover 16, having a cooperative notch 38 in one edge. Inside the trough 22, the installed tray 10 rests on opposite pairs of tray guides which temporarily prevent tray 10 from falling out of the trough. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that no tray base portions 14 have been installed in the system and, therefore, it is not necessary to clean the automated analyzer system of an empty tray base 14, even when the processing of this situation will be discussed subsequently. The transfer of a complete tray 10 to the analyzer system begins, after loading the chute 22 with at least one tray 10, by raising a pair of parallel arms 24 pivotally arranged in a vertical arrow 26. This arrow 26 in a preferred embodiment has horizontal teeth vertically aligned along a creping surface 25, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the arrow of Figure 15. The rack 25 is provided as an element. separately mounted in a first modality. A nearby mover 28 has a cam 29 on a drive shaft (not shown in Figures 11 or 15), the cam acting like a pinion. This motor 28 is mounted on a first plate 42 extending below the channel 22. Other L-shaped elements or packages arranged on the first plate 42 are used to drive the present mechanism on a portion of the subject analyzer. or on another support structure. The parallel arms 24 rotate around a horizontal pivot disposed on the arrow 26. The parallel arms 24 end on the horizontal pivot 54 on cams 44 and, at a first position point generally downward (Figure 11). As the arms 24 are raised by the arrow 26, the cams 4 come into contact with the first plate 42 and the arms 24 are forced into a second horizontal position below the cage 22 (Figure 12). As shown in Figure 12, where the channel 22 has been omitted for purposes of illustration, the tray 10 remains on the tray guides 40 as the arms 24 are raised to the second position, even though the b leaves 10 is released when the arms 24 reach the second position, as described subsequently. With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the annual elevation ofthe arrow 26 and associated arms 24 force a leaf resorber 46 disposed at an upper end of the arrow 26 to extend outwardly along the angled surfaces of two spring guides 50. A latch 48 disposed at a right angle with respect to the leaf spring thus moves away from the band as it rises at the upper end of the arrow 26. At the upper stroke limit of the arrow 26, the Spring guides terminate, allowing the blade member 46 to spring back into the lowermost tray 10 installed in the chute 22. The leaf spring latch 48 is thus positioned adjacent the cover 16 and toward an opening 52. formed in it. The upper stroke limit of the arrow 26 and other critical positions are determined in one embodiment by the use of a slotted optical sensor 78 in association with the arrow 26, as shown in Figure 15. A slot 80 is cut into a Riuel 82 vertical on the arrow 26 in an intermediate position to a source 84 and a detector 86 of the optical sensor 78 when the parallel arms 24 are in a desired position. When the arrow 26 is oriented from light energy that passes from the beam 84 to the detector 86, the sensor 78 provides a position signal to the control unit 18, which in turn uses this position information to control the motor 28. Multiple slots 80 may be provided in arrow 26, depending on the mode of operation. A slot 80 may be used for each critical arrow position 26. Alternatively, a limited number of slots may be provided, with the control unit 18 commanding the machine 28 to raise or lower the arrow 26 to a known distance from a position. slot to orient the arms in another position. Simultaneous to the operation of the blade spring 46 during the raising of the arrow 26, the horizontal arrow pivot 54 progresses against the inner surface 56 of one of the tray guides 40, this tray guide 40 being forced to rotate about its axis 58 of the tray guide and away from the tray 10 disposed thereon. Each pair of tray guides 40 is joined by an interconnection member 60, so that the rotation of a tray guide 40 due to the pressure of the horizontal pivot 5 on an inner surface 56, causes the simultaneous rotation of the other one. guide tray 40 by means of the interconnection member 70. The tray guides 40 near the arrow 26 are driven in either an inward position (Figure 14) or an outward position (Figure 13) by an overcentral spring 62. The limit pins 69 provide mechanical stops for the tray guides 40. In order to cause coordinated movement in an opposite pair of tray guides 40, the pair closest to the strand 26 provides a rod 64 and link 68 to the distant pair. In this way, in the closest pair of tray guides 40 the transition from a support position of a tray 10 into the chute 22 to an outward position that allows the b to let 10 more lower pass out of the chute 22, the distant pair of tray guides 40 moves in unison. In order to prevent the inadvertent outward rotation of the trays or of the linked tray, which results in an accidental emptying of the loaded trays 10, the tray guides 40 and the interconnection member 60 closest to the arrow 26 are provided with a fastening feature 70 explained with respect to Figure 16. This view illustrates a portion of the tray guide interconnecting member 60, the tray guide 40 near the over-centered spring 62, the resorvoir 62, the rod Tray guide 64 (in shade), a portion of the tray guide link 68 and the location of the particular tray guide holder 70 with respect to these elements. The tray guide 40 and the interconnecting member 60 are shown in an inward position, fastened. In other words, the arrow 26 has not yet risen to its upper limits of travel. The elevation of the pivot arrow 54 also has the effect of rotating a horizontal end 71 of the fastening fixture towards the left, or in the left-hand direction in FIG. 16. This causes the fixture 70 to rotate in a clockwise direction about a pin. 74, and removes a portion 76 dented from below a lower edge of the portion 60 of the integer tray guide connection. Without this action, the engaged portion interferes with the free rotation of the fastening fitting 70, thereby preventing the tray guides 40 from turning outwardly. Lowering the arrow 26 from the raised position causes the horizontal arrow pivot 54 to strike a lower surface 76 of the tray guide 40 angled outward m close to the overcentral spring 62, thereby rotating the tray guides 40 from the outward position to the inward position. The attachment attachment 70 does not interfere with this inward rotation. In this way, the tray guides 40 d are prevented from releasing a tray 10 unless the arrow 26 and the associated parallel arms 24 are in position to break the lower tray. Once the tray is received and lowered away from the chute 22 (as described below), the tray guides 40 are moved to the inward position. Referring to Figure 17, the process for descending the tray 10 is described now. The tray 10 released rests on the arms 24 pairs and is retained by means of the tray 10. leaf spring latch 48 placed in lid opening 52. The delivery zipper 32 drives horizontally to a substantially, but not completely, position under the parallel arms 24 in preparation for receiving the released tray 10. The arrow 26 is lowered and the tray 10 released is deposited on the delivery rack fingers 34. The delivery crutch 32 is then further driven under the tray 10. One or more notches 90 (Figure 2) in the released tray 1 are aligned with a cooperative pole or posts 92 (Figur 12) extending from the delivery rack 32 to ensure proper alignment. With reference to Figures 2 and 18, the delivery zipper further provides one or more staples 94 that hold the tray base portion 14 in coolant access or access openings 96 formed in the tray base portion 14. These grips 94 allow the delivery rack 32 to remove the tray base portion 14, with its probe tip attachment and away from the lid 16 that initially remains in the attachment of the leaf spring latch 48 associated with the lid. arrow Once the tray base portion 14 has been completely removed by the delivery rack 34, the lid portion falls from the leaf spring latch 48 and towards the brackets 24 parallel by gravity force. The cover is no longer required and is emptied from the parallel arms 24 by lowering the arrow 26 until the cams 44 uncouple from the first plate 42 and arms 24 are angled downwards, as shown in Figure 19. In one embodiment, a Discharge chute or receptacle (not shown) is placed under the illustrated mechanism for removing the discarded covers 16. Once the probe tips 12 originally set in the tray 10 have been consumed and the tray base portion emptied, the last should be discarded before loading fresh tray 10. With reference to Figure 20, the arrow 2 rises to extend horizontally to the arms 24 for them by interference of the cams 44 with the first plate 42. Instead of placing the arms 42 in the elevation used for transfer of the section 14 from tray base to delivery line, where the leaf spring latch 48 is positioned to hold the lid portion 16, the arms 42 go to a lift slightly below this position and the latch 42 of leaf springs engages a cooperating opening in the tray base portion 14 when advanced by the delivery rack 32. Once held by the leaf spring latch 42, the delivery rack 32 retraces a short distance, decoupling the base portion 14 from the delivery rack staple 94. Next, the parallel arms 24 are raised to support the tray base portion 14 on the parallel arms 24. While this action disengages the bumper portion 14 from the leaf spring latch 42, the base portion 14 is now resting on the arms 24 parallel above the delivery rack fingers 34 and, thus is not affected by the complete horizontal removal of the delivery rack 32 With the delivery zipper 32 below the parallel arms 24, the arrow 26 is lowered by the motor 28, disengaging the contact cams 44 with the first plate 42 and allowing the parallel arms 24 to oscillate downward to empty the portion 14 of base. Again, a channel or waste receptacle is placed below the mechanism 20 illustrated in one embodiment. The mechanism is then ready to repeat the previous loading cycle. Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will now be apparent to one skilled in the art that other modalities incorporating the concertos may be used.

Items other than the disposable probe tips may be provided in the trays. In addition, the number of arches disposed in the trays is determined by the needs of the system to which the present mechanism interfaces. Alternatively, the present invention can be used to transfer stackable elements such as empty trays or other flat objects, provided that the parts to be transferred are vertically spaced apart to allow proper function of the tray guides 40. The delivery rack 32 is disposed on a horizontal track in one embodiment and is driven along this track by an engine under control of the control unit 18. Alternatively, the delivery rack 32 is positioned half an actuator having a movement scale sufficient to place the rack 32 under the trough 22 and also away from the trough 22 in a discharge position close to the analyzer system. In another embodiment of the present invention, the arrow 26 is raised and lowered by a hydraulic pneumatic actuator. In Figure 1, the loading mechanism 20 is described by providing probe tips to an automated analyzer system. However, while the present invention finds utility in transferring part pieces other than probe tips, also finds utility by providing parts to a different subject to an automated analyzer system. The mechanism 20 described herein may include a sensor or reflector sensors disposed within the chute to determine if at least one tray 10 is properly installed within the chute 22 and, if so, if the packing band 17 has been removed from the container. a package of three trays 10 installed in it. Still another sensor can be disposed of the waste trough or receptacle to detect the full capacity blockade. The outputs of these sensors can be provided to the control unit 18 to regulate the operation of the invention currently claimed. These and other examples of the invention illustrated above are intended by way of example and the actual scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS: 1. - A loading mechanism for receiving a quantity of disposable elements in a plurality of games vertically spaced and for each game to an element station, the mechanism comprising: a channel having an open upper part for retaining a plurality of games of disposable items; a retention mechanism to retain the most important set of disposable elements; and a transport mechanism having articulating arms to cooperatively support the lowermost play gives me that the latching mechanism releases the lowermost game and to lower the released game while the latching mechanism catches and holds the next game. more inferior.
2. 2. The loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of disposable elements purchased from a plurality of horizontal trays each supporting a plurality of vertically oriented probe tips.
3. 3. The loading mechanism according to claim 2, wherein each set of disposable elements purchase from one of the horizontal trays that support the plurality of vertically oriented probe tips.
4. 4. The loading mechanism according to claim 3, wherein each of the trays further comprises a tray body through which is disposed the plurality of vertically oriented probe tips and a tray cover adapted to horizontal one-dimensional movement with respect to the tray body.
5. 5. The loading mechanism according to claim 1, which further comprises a delivery mechanism having a plurality of parallel fingers, horizontally disposed delivery mechanism translatable horizontally below the channel and engaging with the articulation arms for reci bo and transport of the game released of disposable elements.
6. 6. The loading mechanism according to claim 5, the delivery mechanism further comprising at least one leaf spring for releasably coupling a portion of the set released from the disposable elements.
7. 7. The loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the articulation arms are aligned downwardly in a discharging position distant from the leash and are propelled to a horizontal loading position by interaction with a portion. of the gutter.
8. 8. The loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism further comprises a vertically translating arrow forming a high rack by means of a motor-driven pinion 9.- The loading mechanism of compliance with claim 8, further comprising an optical source and detector positioned near the arrow, the arrow further comprising samples through which the source transports light to the detector, and detector providing position feedback to the motor - with respect to wing arrow 10. The charging mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the motor is a speed motor. 11. - The loading mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a pivoting element disposed close to the retention mechanism, the pivoting element preventing retraction of the retention mechanism until it is released by interference with the mechanism of retraction; transfer. 12. A loading mechanism for receiving a plurality of horizontal probe tip trays and for dispensing one in each of the trays, the mechanism comprising: a trough having an upper part open for retaining the plurality of trays in vertical alignment; two pairs of retractable guides to retain the plurality of trays and to selectively release a lower one -of the trays through the trough; a vertically translatable arrow disposed under the channel, the arrow having a zip formed on the same one; and a pair of articulation arms disposed on the arrow to vertically translate the tray released below the duct. 13. - The loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the articulation arms are aligned downwardly in a discharging position distant from the trough and are propelled to a horizontal loading position by interference with a portion of the load. gutter 14. The loading mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the arrow moves vertically through the interaction of a motor-driven pinion with the cream 1. 15. The loading mechanism according to claim 13, further comprising an optical source and detector arranged close to the arrow, the arrow further comprising notches through which the source transmits light to the detector, the detector providing position feedback to the motor with respect to the arrow. 16. The loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the retractable guides retract mediated interference with the arrow as the articulation arms approach the channel. 17. The loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the retractable guides are pivoted inwardly by interference with the arrow as the articulation arms descend away from the channel. 18. The loading mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a pivoting element disposed next to one of the two pairs of retractable guides, the pivoting motion preventing retraction of the retractable guides until the pivoting element is released by interference with the arrow. 19. The loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein each of the trays further comprises: a tray body through which a plurality of vertically oriented probe tips are disposed; and a tray cover adapted for one-dimensional horizontal movement with respect to the tray body. 20. The loading mechanism according to claim 19, further comprising a delivery rack having a plurality of parallel fingers, horizontally engaged, the delivery rack horizontally movable d low of the channel and engaging with the pair of articulation arms for receipt and transport of the released tray. 21. The loading mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the delivery rack further comprises at least one clip to releasably attach a tray body of the released tray. 22. The loading mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the arrow further comprises a leaf spring for coupling with a tray cover of the lowermost tray when the articulation arms are close to the channel, before the release of the lowest tray -by the retractable guides. 23. A method for providing a probe tip tray to a utilization station from a loading mechanism, the tray including a base and a lid, the method comprising: inserting the tray into a channel of the mechanism; rotating and raising parallel arms disposed in an arrow from a vertical position to a horizontal position directly below the tray using the arrow as a badger and a motor as a pinion; attach the lid of the tray with a latch adjacent to the parallel arms; release the tray towards the parallel arms; attaching the base of the tray with a staple arranged on a horizontally transferable delivery rack; move the tray base to the utilization station; and unloading the remaining lid on the parallel arms by lowering the arms, whereby the arms rotate to the vertical position and the lid slides off. 24. The method according to claim 2 comprising the steps of: moving an empty base on the rack from the station of use to a position below the can; attach the empty base with the latch adjacent to the parallel arms; moving the delivery rack away from the parallel links, thereby decoupling the empty base of the delivery rack staple; raise the empty tray on the parallel arms to unload the delivery rack; additionally transfer the delivery rack in -release of the parallel arms; and unload the empty base by lowering the arms, whereby the arms rotate to the vertical position and the empty ba slides out.