US20020042141A1 - Apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on organic liquids and other substances - Google Patents
Apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on organic liquids and other substances Download PDFInfo
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- US20020042141A1 US20020042141A1 US10/014,256 US1425601A US2002042141A1 US 20020042141 A1 US20020042141 A1 US 20020042141A1 US 1425601 A US1425601 A US 1425601A US 2002042141 A1 US2002042141 A1 US 2002042141A1
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- rotation
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- 238000004062 sedimentation Methods 0.000 title claims description 33
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims description 31
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title 1
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 24
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 206010001497 Agitation Diseases 0.000 abstract description 13
- 238000005119 centrifugation Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002269 spontaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N15/04—Investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions
- G01N15/042—Investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions by centrifuging and investigating centrifugates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
- B04B—CENTRIFUGES
- B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
- B04B5/04—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers
- B04B5/0407—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles
- B04B5/0414—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
- B04B—CENTRIFUGES
- B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
- B04B5/04—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers
- B04B5/0407—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles
- B04B5/0414—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes
- B04B5/0421—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes pivotably mounted
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/111666—Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/113332—Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/113332—Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
- Y10T436/114165—Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack with step of insertion or removal from test line
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
- Y10T436/25375—Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
Definitions
- the invention relates to an apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on previously treated organic liquids which have to be agitated in containers of test-tube type, such as the so-called E.S.R., and for similar uses.
- Such an apparatus comprises: an assembly, on a base structure, which assembly oscillates about a horizontal oscillation axis between two limit positions, a rotor, on said assembly, which rotor is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation orthogonal to said horizontal axis, a ring of seats for test tubes on said rotor, each seat being arranged and oriented symmetrically about said axis of rotation with an inclination in relation to said axis of rotation in the respective diametral plane.
- the apparatus also comprises means of moving said assembly into a position with the axis of rotation of the rotor roughly horizontal, to carry out an agitation stage, and into a position with the axis of rotation vertical, to carry out a reading stage.
- Means are provided, in a reading station, for optical reading along the test tube, when this test tube arrives in the reading station by intermittent movements of said rotor when it is arranged with the axis of rotation oriented upwards.
- the aim of the invention is to shorten the time necessary for carrying out a cycle of operations (which is slowed down mainly by the stage of sedimentation by gravity) in an apparatus of the abovementioned type.
- said rotor can be actuated by motor means with—in addition to relatively slow motion for agitation in the position with the axis of rotation roughly horizontal, and in addition to intermittent motion in the position with the axis of rotation vertical for consecutive positioning of the test tubes in the reading station—relatively fast motion as well in order to obtain a centrifugation effect in the contents of the test tubes and therefore accelerated sedimentation, after the agitation stage and before the reading stage; moreover, in the vertical position of said axis of rotation, the test tubes are oriented, on said rotor, with their bottom facing outwards during the fast rotation for centrifugation.
- said seats for the test tubes are fixed on the rotor and oriented with an angle of the order of 45° in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor, with the bottom of the test tubes further than their mouth from the axis of rotation.
- each of said seats for the test tubes oscillates on the rotor about a tangential axis and tends to adopt, by gravity, a position parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor when the latter is vertical and moved in order to bring the test tubes consecutively to the reading station; on the other hand, the seats and the test tubes adopt, by centrifugal effect, an inclined position during fast rotation, until they are orthogonal to said axis of rotation of the rotor.
- the rotor In the centrifugation stage, the rotor can be actuated with relatively fast motion, in particular of the order of 300 revolutions per minute.
- the optical reading means also comprise, on a slide capable of sliding parallel to the test tube in the reading position, reading means for bar-codes or similar, which may be present on the individual test tubes, as well as means of reading the liquid by transparency.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and lateral views respectively of an example of a test tube capable of being used with the analysis apparatus according to the invention, in partial section;
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show views of the test tube sectioned along transverse planes on lines III-III and IV-IV in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of a first example of an apparatus according to the invention, in which use can be made of a test tube as illustrated in the preceding figures;
- FIG. 6 shows a partial view similar to FIG. 5, in which the section is taken along a vertical plane rotated by 90° in relation to the plane in FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 shows a partial view of the apparatus sectioned along a plane on line VII-VII in FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 shows a concise view, similar to that in FIG. 5, with the rotor in the position for carrying out the agitation stage;
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second example of an apparatus according to the invention in a diagrammatic plan view and in the section X-X in FIG. 9, in reading position, and, in broken lines, in the centrifugation position;
- FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 but shows the position for agitation of the test tubes
- FIGS. 12 and 13 show a view along XII-XII in FIG. 11 and a detail of this with parts removed.
- the test tube 1 comprises a container body with an essentially prismatic cavity 3 of essentially rectangular section and with a cylindrical connection 5 for filling and closure by means of a stopper which is not shown in the drawing.
- the prismatic cavity 3 has flat walls 3 A, 3 B (FIGS. 1 and 3) of a thickness which is approximately constant apart from a slight variation for the dimension of cavity 3 for extraction of the test tube from the production mould, the test tube preferably being moulded in transparent plastic material.
- These walls 3 A, 3 B are intended to be passed through orthogonally, according to arrows F (FIG. 3), by the light rays of an electro-optical analysis apparatus.
- the test tube also comprises a flat laminar zone 7 formed as an extension of one of the walls of said cavity 3 parallel to the direction F of the rays of the optical analysis system.
- This flat laminar zone 7 is capable of accommodating indications which can be read using reading means of, for example, optical type, such as bar-codes or equivalent.
- said laminar zone 7 is formed symmetrically on opposite sides of the essentially prismatic cavity.
- the longitudinal edges 7 A, 7 B of said laminar zone and a further longitudinal projection 7 C at a distance from said edges define the shape of the test tube so as to make it possible to centre the test tube in a cylindrical housing.
- Said longitudinal projection 7 C can be formed along a plane of symmetry orthogonal to said laminar zone 7 .
- test tube offers the possibility of using a large flat surface 7 for accommodating bar-codes and/or other useful data for the operations for which the test tube is used.
- FIGS. 5 to 8 an example of analysis apparatus according to the invention is illustrated.
- This comprises a support structure 103 (FIG. 5) equipped with a base 101 and with a hinge support 103 A defining a horizontal axis X-X for an assembly 104 which can rotate about said axis X-X to adopt two end positions, as will be described below.
- Said assembly 104 comprises a disc 107 and a rotor 106 which is capable of being inclined about an axis of rotation Y-Y orthogonal to said horizontal axis X-X.
- the rotor 106 comprises a disc 111 which is keyed coaxially onto a bush 111 A which is rotatable, by means of bearings 109 , about a shaft 105 .
- the lower part 111 B of the bush 111 A is externally toothed in order to receive, by means of a toothed drive belt 113 , the movement provided by a step motor 115 .
- An annular disc 117 on the periphery of which notches cut in radially are provided for reading the angular position of the rotor by means of a double optical position sensor 119 supported, by means of a bracket 119 A, by the support disc 107 , is mounted below the rotatable disc 111 and coaxially therewith.
- the rotor 106 also comprises a ring of seats 121 (in particular for test tubes such as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 ) which are fixed or formed peripherally on said disc 111 and arranged in such a manner that the test tubes 1 , when inserted in the seats 121 , are arranged and oriented symmetrically about said axis of rotation Y-Y with an inclination of approximately 45°, and with their bottom facing downwards and outwards in relation to said axis of rotation Y-Y, in the respective diametral plane and in the vertical position of said axis Y-Y.
- Each seat 121 for a test tube comprises a front plate 121 C in which a hole is formed for the introduction of the test tube and to which a leaf spring 123 is fixed.
- Each seat 121 also comprises a cradle part 121 A which is formed with essentially the same length as the test tube 1 and is capable of receiving the longitudinal edges 7 A, 7 B of the flat surface 7 of the test tube.
- the spring 123 acts on the test tube to hold it in bearing contact inside the cradle 121 A.
- a notch 121 D is formed, which is capable of allowing the passage, with slight play, of the ridge 7 C of the test tube for positioning the test tube angularly about its own axis.
- a longitudinal opening 121 B (FIG. 7) is formed, which leaves the view of the flat surface 7 of the test tube 1 clear, on which surface a bar-code and/or other indications are present, which can be read automatically.
- a reading unit 125 (FIG. 6) is fixed to the support disc 107 in a position rotated by 90° in relation to the plane in FIG. 5; in FIG. 5, the space which said reading unit 125 occupies in relation to the support disc 107 is indicated by way of demonstration.
- the reading unit 125 comprises a pair of cylindrical guides 127 for a slide 129 , said slide having the shape of an essentially parallelepipedal block.
- the guides 127 are fixed to the support disc 107 , by means of brackets which are not shown in the drawing, with the same inclination as the test tubes, in other words approximately 45° in relation to the Y-Y axis.
- Running parallel to the guides 127 is one strand of a toothed belt 130 which is fixed to the slide 129 by means of a plate 131 and screw fastening means (not shown); a step motor 133 with a toothed pulley, fixed to the support disc 107 by means of a bracket 133 A, and a return pulley 135 make it possible to move the slide 129 along the guides 127 .
- Two square profiles 137 , 139 are fixed to the slide 129 , which are parallel to one another and to the guides 127 .
- An emitter/sensor pair 141 A- 141 B and a bar-code reader 143 are fixed respectively to the free ends of said square profiles.
- the mutual spacing of the squares 137 , 139 is such that it is possible to receive between them a test tube 1 inserted in a cradle 121 ; the emitter 141 A and the detecting sensor 141 B are positioned on opposite sides and close to the walls 3 A, 3 B of the test tube 1 while the bar-code reader 143 is positioned to read the codes present on the flat surface 7 of the test tube 1 through the longitudinal opening 121 B.
- a protective casing 144 which encloses the rotor 106 and the seats 121 with any test tubes inserted, is fixed to the support disc 107 of the assembly 104 .
- the casing can be removed and can have an opening for loading and removal of the test tubes.
- the assembly 104 can be rotated by 90° about the axis X-X by means of an actuator 145 articulated at 145 A on the vertical support structure 103 and at 145 B on a bracket 107 A fixed to the support disc 107 .
- Two proximity sensors 147 , 149 are fixed to said support structure 103 to detect the presence of the disc 107 in a first position of the rotor 106 with the axis of rotation Y-Y arranged vertically (FIGS. 5 and 6) and, respectively, in a second position, indicated by 101 K in FIG. 8 and in indicative lines by 107 K in FIG. 5, in which said axis of rotation Y-Y is horizontal.
- the apparatus is equipped with an electronic control unit (not shown) which, once the test tubes 1 have been loaded into the seats 121 , automatically carries out a predetermined analysis cycle.
- the cycle comprises a first stage of agitation of the organic liquid in the test tubes, which is achieved by making the rotor 106 rotate slowly about its own axis Y-Y in said second position of the assembly 104 with the axis Y-Y horizontal; in this manner, since the test tubes are inclined at 45° in relation to the axis Y-Y, these are oscillated twice on each revolution of the rotor, the contents consequently being agitated and thoroughly mixed.
- the assembly 104 is then rotated about the horizontal axis X-X until it is in said first position with the axis Y-Y vertical; in this position, the rotor is rotated at relatively high speed, for example 300 revolutions per minute, for a predetermined time to centrifuge the test tubes, bringing about rapid sedimentation of their contents.
- This stage is followed by a reading stage, in which, by means of partial rotations of the rotor on its vertical axis Y-Y, the various test tubes are brought, one after another, in front of the reading unit 125 to read the transparency of the liquid contained in the test tube and the bar-code of the test tube.
- test-tube holders 262 On the disc 211 of the assembly 206 which is capable of rotating about the axis Y-Y, supports 260 are provided peripherally for articulating, about tangential axes, individual test-tube holders 262 which therefore oscillate about respective tangential axes Z-Z; the test-tube holders 262 replace the seats 121 in the preceding example and are therefore mobile about the axes Z-Z instead of being fixed and oriented at approximately 45° as in the preceding solution.
- the individual test-tube holders 262 are capable of moving angularly between a radial position and a parallel position in relation to the axis Y-Y as can be seen in the various positions adopted by the test-tube holders and the test tubes as illustrated in the drawing; the oscillations take place within the protective casing 244 and orientation towards the position parallel to the axis Y-Y takes place by movement of said test-tube holders 262 towards the support disc 207 .
- the assembly 204 (which can move about the axis X-X) can adopt a position with the axis Y-Y vertical as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and an inclined position as shown in FIG.
- the axis Y-Y is virtually horizontal but has undergone travel (in relation to the vertical position in FIGS. 9 and 10) through an angle of slightly less than 90° (for example 87°), as a result of which the support disc 207 is slightly inclined in relation to the vertical as shown in FIG. 11.
- the sensors 247 and 249 are arranged in such a manner that the two abovementioned positions (horizontal and virtually vertical) can be adopted by the assembly 204 .
- a guide member 270 is provided, which is shaped with an active profile 270 A which is convex (FIGS. 12 and 13) towards the outside, said guide member 270 being movable in a radial direction of symmetry by means of an actuator 272 which can move said guide member 270 and its active profile 270 A between a position close to the axis Y-Y and a more distant position in relation to the axis Y-Y when the assembly 204 is moved with the axis Y-Y close to the horizontal.
- the function of the guide member 270 is to modify the spontaneous position of the oscillating test-tube holders 262 (and therefore of the test tubes 1 accommodated in these) when the assembly 204 is arranged with the axis Y-Y virtually horizontal and slightly inclined in relation to the horizontal as shown in FIG. 11.
- the freedom of movement of the test-tube holders 262 tends to keep the test tubes 1 vertical with their bottom facing downwards during the relatively slow rotation of the rotor 206 about the axis Y-Y.
- To carry out the stage of agitation of the liquid in the test tubes as each test tube is gradually lifted, by the rotation about the axis Y-Y, from the position spontaneously adopted in the lower part of the trajectory as shown in FIG.
- the test tubes tend to move, approximately halfway along the lifting trajectory, until they are in a position virtually parallel to the axis Y-Y.
- the individual test tubes come up against the active profile 270 A of the guide member 270 which has moved into the more distant position in relation to the axis Y-Y; in this manner, the active profile 270 A comes into contact with the individual test tubes, or with their test-tube holders 262 , causing an inclination towards the periphery of the assembly 204 and towards the periphery of the rotor, thus subjecting the test tubes to a relatively marked inclination of the bottom of the test tube upwards as shown in FIG. 11.
- test tubes When the stage of sedimentation accelerated by centrifugal effect is to be carried out, the test tubes tend to move, through the effect of centrifugal force, about the axes Z-Z from the vertical position facing downwards achieved spontaneously by gravity until they are in a horizontal position with their bottom facing outwards, as indicated in broken lines by 1 S, to achieve sedimentation accelerated by the centrifugal effect.
- the test tubes After centrifugation, by stopping or in any case slowing the rotation of the rotor 206 about the axis Y-Y which is still in the vertical position, the test tubes return from the radial position 1 S to the vertical downward position in a state in which they can be subjected to reading by the reading assembly 225 .
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Abstract
On a base structure (101, 103), an assembly (104) oscillates about a horizontal axis (X-X) between two limit positions; on said assembly, a rotor (106) is capable of rotating about an axis (Y-Y) of rotation orthogonal to said horizontal axis (X-X) and has a ring of seats (121) for test tubes (1); an actuator (145) moves said assembly into a position with the axis of rotation (Y-Y) roughly horizontal, to carry out an agitation stage, and into a position with the axis of rotation (Y-Y) vertical, to carry out, before the reading stage, a centrifugation stage. The ring of seats (121) for test tubes (1) oriented, in the vertical position of said axis of rotation (Y-Y), with their bottom facing downwards and outwards.
Description
- The invention relates to an apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on previously treated organic liquids which have to be agitated in containers of test-tube type, such as the so-called E.S.R., and for similar uses.
- Such an apparatus is known from, for example, Italian Patent No. 1,233,510 and from the corresponding European Patent Publication No. 391,861 (Appl. No. 90830094.0); in the apparatus described therein, the sedimentation of the preparation takes place by means of gravity alone, and has relatively long analysis times. Such an apparatus comprises: an assembly, on a base structure, which assembly oscillates about a horizontal oscillation axis between two limit positions, a rotor, on said assembly, which rotor is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation orthogonal to said horizontal axis, a ring of seats for test tubes on said rotor, each seat being arranged and oriented symmetrically about said axis of rotation with an inclination in relation to said axis of rotation in the respective diametral plane. The apparatus also comprises means of moving said assembly into a position with the axis of rotation of the rotor roughly horizontal, to carry out an agitation stage, and into a position with the axis of rotation vertical, to carry out a reading stage. Means are provided, in a reading station, for optical reading along the test tube, when this test tube arrives in the reading station by intermittent movements of said rotor when it is arranged with the axis of rotation oriented upwards.
- The aim of the invention is to shorten the time necessary for carrying out a cycle of operations (which is slowed down mainly by the stage of sedimentation by gravity) in an apparatus of the abovementioned type.
- According to the invention, said rotor can be actuated by motor means with—in addition to relatively slow motion for agitation in the position with the axis of rotation roughly horizontal, and in addition to intermittent motion in the position with the axis of rotation vertical for consecutive positioning of the test tubes in the reading station—relatively fast motion as well in order to obtain a centrifugation effect in the contents of the test tubes and therefore accelerated sedimentation, after the agitation stage and before the reading stage; moreover, in the vertical position of said axis of rotation, the test tubes are oriented, on said rotor, with their bottom facing outwards during the fast rotation for centrifugation.
- According to one possible embodiment, said seats for the test tubes are fixed on the rotor and oriented with an angle of the order of 45° in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor, with the bottom of the test tubes further than their mouth from the axis of rotation.
- According to another possible embodiment, each of said seats for the test tubes oscillates on the rotor about a tangential axis and tends to adopt, by gravity, a position parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor when the latter is vertical and moved in order to bring the test tubes consecutively to the reading station; on the other hand, the seats and the test tubes adopt, by centrifugal effect, an inclined position during fast rotation, until they are orthogonal to said axis of rotation of the rotor.
- In practice, in order to keep the test tubes in the inclined position with the bottom oriented upwards, it is possible to provide, on the oscillating assembly, a guide member along the upper trajectory of the test tubes in the position of the rotor with the axis of rotation essentially horizontal in the agitation stage. Said guide member can be moved by an actuator in order to adopt a rest position in all stages with the exception of the agitation stage.
- In the centrifugation stage, the rotor can be actuated with relatively fast motion, in particular of the order of 300 revolutions per minute.
- The optical reading means also comprise, on a slide capable of sliding parallel to the test tube in the reading position, reading means for bar-codes or similar, which may be present on the individual test tubes, as well as means of reading the liquid by transparency.
- The invention will be better understood by following the description and the attached drawing which shows a non-limiting practical embodiment of the invention and in which:
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and lateral views respectively of an example of a test tube capable of being used with the analysis apparatus according to the invention, in partial section;
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show views of the test tube sectioned along transverse planes on lines III-III and IV-IV in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of a first example of an apparatus according to the invention, in which use can be made of a test tube as illustrated in the preceding figures;
- FIG. 6 shows a partial view similar to FIG. 5, in which the section is taken along a vertical plane rotated by 90° in relation to the plane in FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 shows a partial view of the apparatus sectioned along a plane on line VII-VII in FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 shows a concise view, similar to that in FIG. 5, with the rotor in the position for carrying out the agitation stage;
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second example of an apparatus according to the invention in a diagrammatic plan view and in the section X-X in FIG. 9, in reading position, and, in broken lines, in the centrifugation position;
- FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 but shows the position for agitation of the test tubes;
- FIGS. 12 and 13 show a view along XII-XII in FIG. 11 and a detail of this with parts removed.
- With reference to FIGS.1 to 4, the
test tube 1 comprises a container body with an essentiallyprismatic cavity 3 of essentially rectangular section and with acylindrical connection 5 for filling and closure by means of a stopper which is not shown in the drawing. Along the long sides of its own section, theprismatic cavity 3 hasflat walls cavity 3 for extraction of the test tube from the production mould, the test tube preferably being moulded in transparent plastic material. Thesewalls - The test tube also comprises a
flat laminar zone 7 formed as an extension of one of the walls of saidcavity 3 parallel to the direction F of the rays of the optical analysis system. Thisflat laminar zone 7 is capable of accommodating indications which can be read using reading means of, for example, optical type, such as bar-codes or equivalent. Advantageously, saidlaminar zone 7 is formed symmetrically on opposite sides of the essentially prismatic cavity. - In a preferred embodiment, the
longitudinal edges longitudinal projection 7C at a distance from said edges define the shape of the test tube so as to make it possible to centre the test tube in a cylindrical housing. Saidlongitudinal projection 7C can be formed along a plane of symmetry orthogonal to saidlaminar zone 7. These characteristics make it possible to achieve effective centring of the test tube in seats provided in the analysis apparatus. - In any case, the test tube offers the possibility of using a large
flat surface 7 for accommodating bar-codes and/or other useful data for the operations for which the test tube is used. - In FIGS.5 to 8, an example of analysis apparatus according to the invention is illustrated. This comprises a support structure 103 (FIG. 5) equipped with a
base 101 and with ahinge support 103A defining a horizontal axis X-X for anassembly 104 which can rotate about said axis X-X to adopt two end positions, as will be described below. - Said
assembly 104 comprises adisc 107 and arotor 106 which is capable of being inclined about an axis of rotation Y-Y orthogonal to said horizontal axis X-X. Therotor 106 comprises adisc 111 which is keyed coaxially onto abush 111A which is rotatable, by means ofbearings 109, about ashaft 105. Thelower part 111B of thebush 111A is externally toothed in order to receive, by means of atoothed drive belt 113, the movement provided by astep motor 115. Anannular disc 117, on the periphery of which notches cut in radially are provided for reading the angular position of the rotor by means of a doubleoptical position sensor 119 supported, by means of abracket 119A, by thesupport disc 107, is mounted below therotatable disc 111 and coaxially therewith. - The
rotor 106 also comprises a ring of seats 121 (in particular for test tubes such as those in FIGS. 1 to 4) which are fixed or formed peripherally on saiddisc 111 and arranged in such a manner that thetest tubes 1, when inserted in theseats 121, are arranged and oriented symmetrically about said axis of rotation Y-Y with an inclination of approximately 45°, and with their bottom facing downwards and outwards in relation to said axis of rotation Y-Y, in the respective diametral plane and in the vertical position of said axis Y-Y. Eachseat 121 for a test tube comprises afront plate 121C in which a hole is formed for the introduction of the test tube and to which aleaf spring 123 is fixed. Eachseat 121 also comprises acradle part 121A which is formed with essentially the same length as thetest tube 1 and is capable of receiving thelongitudinal edges flat surface 7 of the test tube. Thespring 123 acts on the test tube to hold it in bearing contact inside thecradle 121A. On the periphery of the through-hole of theplate 121C, anotch 121D is formed, which is capable of allowing the passage, with slight play, of theridge 7C of the test tube for positioning the test tube angularly about its own axis. With this arrangement, once thetest tube 1 has been inserted so that one of its edges 6 (FIG. 1) bears against theplate 121C, it is accurately positioned in relation to therotor 106. - In the
cradle 121A, alongitudinal opening 121B (FIG. 7) is formed, which leaves the view of theflat surface 7 of thetest tube 1 clear, on which surface a bar-code and/or other indications are present, which can be read automatically. - A reading unit125 (FIG. 6) is fixed to the
support disc 107 in a position rotated by 90° in relation to the plane in FIG. 5; in FIG. 5, the space which saidreading unit 125 occupies in relation to thesupport disc 107 is indicated by way of demonstration. Thereading unit 125 comprises a pair ofcylindrical guides 127 for aslide 129, said slide having the shape of an essentially parallelepipedal block. Theguides 127 are fixed to thesupport disc 107, by means of brackets which are not shown in the drawing, with the same inclination as the test tubes, in other words approximately 45° in relation to the Y-Y axis. Running parallel to theguides 127 is one strand of atoothed belt 130 which is fixed to theslide 129 by means of aplate 131 and screw fastening means (not shown); astep motor 133 with a toothed pulley, fixed to thesupport disc 107 by means of abracket 133A, and areturn pulley 135 make it possible to move theslide 129 along theguides 127. - Two
square profiles slide 129, which are parallel to one another and to theguides 127. An emitter/sensor pair 141A-141B and a bar-code reader 143 are fixed respectively to the free ends of said square profiles. The mutual spacing of thesquares test tube 1 inserted in acradle 121; theemitter 141A and the detectingsensor 141B are positioned on opposite sides and close to thewalls test tube 1 while the bar-code reader 143 is positioned to read the codes present on theflat surface 7 of thetest tube 1 through thelongitudinal opening 121B. - By virtue of the movement of the
slide 129 brought about by themotor 133, it is possible to make said emitter/sensor pair 141A-141B slide along the test tube located in the reading station in order to read the transparency of the liquid contained in the test tube and its variation along the test tube. The bar-code reader 143 serves to read what appears on thesurface 7 of the test tube. When reading has been carried out, theslide 129 is returned to its lower position, in which saidreading members test tube 1 and thecradle 121; in this position, it is possible to rotate thedisc 111 of therotor 106 to bring a consecutive test tube into position for a new reading cycle. - A
protective casing 144, which encloses therotor 106 and theseats 121 with any test tubes inserted, is fixed to thesupport disc 107 of theassembly 104. The casing can be removed and can have an opening for loading and removal of the test tubes. Alternatively, it is possible to mount on the rotor 106 a tray with seats for the test tubes, which can be replaced by another equipped with a new set of test tubes at the end of the cycle. - The
assembly 104 can be rotated by 90° about the axis X-X by means of anactuator 145 articulated at 145A on thevertical support structure 103 and at 145B on abracket 107A fixed to thesupport disc 107. Twoproximity sensors support structure 103 to detect the presence of thedisc 107 in a first position of therotor 106 with the axis of rotation Y-Y arranged vertically (FIGS. 5 and 6) and, respectively, in a second position, indicated by 101K in FIG. 8 and in indicative lines by 107K in FIG. 5, in which said axis of rotation Y-Y is horizontal. - For the preparation and the automatic detection of the analysis parameters, the apparatus is equipped with an electronic control unit (not shown) which, once the
test tubes 1 have been loaded into theseats 121, automatically carries out a predetermined analysis cycle. - The cycle comprises a first stage of agitation of the organic liquid in the test tubes, which is achieved by making the
rotor 106 rotate slowly about its own axis Y-Y in said second position of theassembly 104 with the axis Y-Y horizontal; in this manner, since the test tubes are inclined at 45° in relation to the axis Y-Y, these are oscillated twice on each revolution of the rotor, the contents consequently being agitated and thoroughly mixed. Theassembly 104 is then rotated about the horizontal axis X-X until it is in said first position with the axis Y-Y vertical; in this position, the rotor is rotated at relatively high speed, for example 300 revolutions per minute, for a predetermined time to centrifuge the test tubes, bringing about rapid sedimentation of their contents. This stage is followed by a reading stage, in which, by means of partial rotations of the rotor on its vertical axis Y-Y, the various test tubes are brought, one after another, in front of thereading unit 125 to read the transparency of the liquid contained in the test tube and the bar-code of the test tube. - According to the variant shown in FIGS.9 to 13, the members which are identical or correspond to those of the solution in FIGS. 5 to 7 have been increased by a hundred and, where corresponding members are different, a specific description is given below.
- On the
disc 211 of theassembly 206 which is capable of rotating about the axis Y-Y, supports 260 are provided peripherally for articulating, about tangential axes, individual test-tube holders 262 which therefore oscillate about respective tangential axes Z-Z; the test-tube holders 262 replace theseats 121 in the preceding example and are therefore mobile about the axes Z-Z instead of being fixed and oriented at approximately 45° as in the preceding solution. The individual test-tube holders 262 are capable of moving angularly between a radial position and a parallel position in relation to the axis Y-Y as can be seen in the various positions adopted by the test-tube holders and the test tubes as illustrated in the drawing; the oscillations take place within theprotective casing 244 and orientation towards the position parallel to the axis Y-Y takes place by movement of said test-tube holders 262 towards thesupport disc 207. Unlike the preceding solution, the assembly 204 (which can move about the axis X-X) can adopt a position with the axis Y-Y vertical as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and an inclined position as shown in FIG. 11, in which the axis Y-Y is virtually horizontal but has undergone travel (in relation to the vertical position in FIGS. 9 and 10) through an angle of slightly less than 90° (for example 87°), as a result of which thesupport disc 207 is slightly inclined in relation to the vertical as shown in FIG. 11. Thesensors assembly 204. - In the zone of the trajectory of the
rotor 206, which is towards the top in the position which theassembly 204 adopts according to FIG. 11, aguide member 270 is provided, which is shaped with anactive profile 270A which is convex (FIGS. 12 and 13) towards the outside, saidguide member 270 being movable in a radial direction of symmetry by means of anactuator 272 which can move saidguide member 270 and itsactive profile 270A between a position close to the axis Y-Y and a more distant position in relation to the axis Y-Y when theassembly 204 is moved with the axis Y-Y close to the horizontal. The function of theguide member 270 is to modify the spontaneous position of the oscillating test-tube holders 262 (and therefore of thetest tubes 1 accommodated in these) when theassembly 204 is arranged with the axis Y-Y virtually horizontal and slightly inclined in relation to the horizontal as shown in FIG. 11. Looking at FIG. 11, the freedom of movement of the test-tube holders 262 tends to keep thetest tubes 1 vertical with their bottom facing downwards during the relatively slow rotation of therotor 206 about the axis Y-Y. To carry out the stage of agitation of the liquid in the test tubes, as each test tube is gradually lifted, by the rotation about the axis Y-Y, from the position spontaneously adopted in the lower part of the trajectory as shown in FIG. 11, the test tubes tend to move, approximately halfway along the lifting trajectory, until they are in a position virtually parallel to the axis Y-Y. In this state, the individual test tubes come up against theactive profile 270A of theguide member 270 which has moved into the more distant position in relation to the axis Y-Y; in this manner, theactive profile 270A comes into contact with the individual test tubes, or with their test-tube holders 262, causing an inclination towards the periphery of theassembly 204 and towards the periphery of the rotor, thus subjecting the test tubes to a relatively marked inclination of the bottom of the test tube upwards as shown in FIG. 11. With the subsequent return of the test tubes towards the bottom, these progressively leave theprofile 270A of theguide member 270 and return spontaneously to the position oriented towards the bottom in the lower zone of the slow agitation trajectory of the rotor about the axis Y-Y in the virtually horizontal position. The agitation stage is consequently achieved, which is equivalent to that achieved in the preceding solution with the test tubes positioned rigidly at a defined angle (approximately 45° or another angle). In fact, the movements which each test tube carries out on each revolution about the axis Z-Z in the agitation stage are more effective than those achieved in the test tubes using the preceding solution. - When the
assembly 204 is brought into the position in FIG. 10, that is to say with the axis Y-Y vertical, theguide member 270 is returned by theactuator 272 to a position close to the axis Y-Y and therefore to thecore 211A, as a result of which thisguide member 270 no longer interferes with the test tubes which spontaneously adopt the vertical position oriented downwards through the effect of gravity and of the freedom of oscillation of the test-tube holders 262. With the slow intermittent movements of therotor 206, the individual test tubes can in this state be positioned in the reading station to be read by thesensors sensors 243. - When the stage of sedimentation accelerated by centrifugal effect is to be carried out, the test tubes tend to move, through the effect of centrifugal force, about the axes Z-Z from the vertical position facing downwards achieved spontaneously by gravity until they are in a horizontal position with their bottom facing outwards, as indicated in broken lines by1S, to achieve sedimentation accelerated by the centrifugal effect. After centrifugation, by stopping or in any case slowing the rotation of the
rotor 206 about the axis Y-Y which is still in the vertical position, the test tubes return from the radial position 1S to the vertical downward position in a state in which they can be subjected to reading by the readingassembly 225. - It is intended that the drawing only shows an exemplary embodiment which is given solely by way of practical demonstration of the invention, it being possible for the invention to vary in form and arrangement without moreover leaving the scope of the idea which forms the invention itself. Any presence of reference numbers in the enclosed claims has the purpose of facilitating reading of the claims with reference to the description and to the drawing, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.
Claims (30)
1. (New) A method for determining a sedimentation rate of a sample, the method comprising the steps of:
agitating the sample;
applying, after said agitating, a combination of gravitation force and centrifugal force to the sample in a substantially constant direction with respect to the sample to settle matter in the sample;
reading a degree of sedimentation of the sample after said applying of said combination of said gravitational and centrifugal force.
2. (New) A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said applying of said gravitational and centrifugal force is performed by rotating the sample about a substantially vertical axis at a high speed to cause rapid sedimentation of the matter in the sample;
said agitating of the sample is performed by rotating the sample about an axis angularly spaced from vertical.
3. (New) A method in accordance with claim 2 , wherein:
said rotating about said substantially vertical axis is performed in a range of approximately 300 revolutions per minute.
4. (New) A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
an organic liquid is provided as the sample;
the organic liquid is placed in a container;
said agitating includes agitating the liquid by rotating said container around a rotation axis in an agitation position;
said applying of said gravitational and centrifugal force is performed to cause accelerated sedimentation of said liquid by rotating said container around a rotation axis in a sedimentation position;
said reading of the sedimentation includes reading the sedimentation rate of said liquid.
5. (New) A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein:
the container is supported on a rotor having a rotor rotation axis;
said rotor is placed with the rotor rotation axis in said agitation position;
said agitating of said liquid is performed by rotating said rotor with said rotor rotation axis in said agitation position;
said rotor is placed with the rotor rotation axis in said sedimentation position after said agitating;
said accelerated sedimentation of said liquid is performed by rotating said rotor around said rotor rotation axis in said sedimentation position.
6. (New) A method in accordance with claim 5 , wherein:
said container has a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor;
said agitating includes oscillating said container around said tangential pivot connection.
7. (New) A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein:
said sedimentation position of said rotation axis is substantially vertical.
8. (New) A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein:
said agitation position of said rotation axis is substantially horizontal.
9. (New) A method for determining a sedimentation rate of an organic liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a rotor having a rotation axis with a plurality of seats for a plurality of containers, said seats being arranged around said rotation axis;
arranging an organic liquid in said plurality of containers;
arranging each of said containers in a corresponding seat of said rotor;
placing the rotation axis of said rotor in an agitating position;
agitating said liquid in said containers by rotating said rotor at a first rotation speed around said rotation axis in said agitating position;
placing the rotation axis of said rotor in a sedimentation position;
causing sedimentation of the liquid contained in said containers by rotating said rotor at a second rotation speed around said rotation axis in said sedimentation position;
stopping rotation of said rotor and optically reading said containers to determine the sedimentation rate of the liquid in said containers.
10. (New) A method according to claim 9 , wherein said second rotation speed is higher than said first rotation speed.
11. (New) A method according to claim 9 , wherein said rotation axis is substantially vertical in said sedimentation position.
12. (New) A method according to claim 11 , wherein said rotation axis is substantially horizontal in said agitation position.
13. (New) A method according to claim 9 , wherein said seats have a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor.
14. (New) A method according to claim 10 , wherein said seats have a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor.
15. (New) A method according to claim 11 , wherein said seats have a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor.
16. (New) A method according to claim 12 , wherein said seats have a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor.
17. (New) A method according to claim 9 , wherein during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed said seats are caused to oscillate around a pivotal axis tangential to said rotor.
18. (New) A method according to claim 11 , wherein during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed said seats are caused to oscillate around a pivotal axis tangential to said rotor.
19. (New) A method according to claim 12 , wherein during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed said seats are caused to oscillate around a pivotal axis tangential to said rotor.
20. (New) A method according to claim 17 , further comprising the steps of arranging a guide member along a trajectory of said containers during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed and contacting said containers with said guide member to cause said containers to oscillate around said pivotal axis.
21. (New) A method according to claim 18 , further comprising the steps of arranging a guide member along a trajectory of said containers during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed and contacting said containers with said guide member to cause said containers to oscillate around said pivotal axis.
22. (New) A method according to claim 19 , further comprising the steps of arranging a guide member along a trajectory of said containers during rotation of said rotor at said first rotation speed and contacting said containers with said guide member to cause said containers to oscillate around said pivotal axis.
23. (New) An apparatus for analysis of sedimentation rate on agitated liquids in containers, the apparatus comprising:
a base structure;
an assembly pivotally mounted on said base structure about an oscillation axis between first and second positions;
a rotor rotatably mounted on said assembly about a rotation axis orthogonal to said oscillation axis;
a plurality of seats for receiving the containers, said seats being peripherally arranged around said rotor, each of said seats being rigidly supported by said rotor and being inclined with respect to said rotation axis and said seats receiving a container, the container being arranged with the bottom facing downwards and outwards in relation to said rotation axis;
an actuator moving said assembly and said rotor into said second position to have rotation of said rotor cause agitation of the liquids in the containers, said actuator moving said assembly and said rotor into said first position for measuring the sedimentation rate;
a reading station for optical reading along the containers;
a drive for rotating said rotor at an agitation speed when said assembly and said rotor are in said second position for agitating the liquids in the container, said drive rotating said rotor at a centrifugal speed when said assembly and said rotor are in said first position to accelerate sedimentation.
24. (New) An apparatus for analysis of sedimentation rate on agitated liquids in containers, the apparatus comprising:
a base structure;
an assembly pivotally mounted on said base structure about an oscillation axis between first and second positions;
a rotor rotatably mounted on said assembly about a rotation axis orthogonal to said oscillation axis;
a plurality of seats for receiving the containers, each of said seats having a tangential pivotal connection to said rotor for being pivotally connected to said rotor about a seat axis tangential to rotation of said rotor about said rotation axis;
an actuator moving said assembly and said rotor into said second position to have rotation of said rotor cause agitation of the liquids in the containers, said actuator moving said assembly and said rotor into said first position for measuring the sedimentation rate;
a reading station for optical reading along the containers;
a drive for rotating said rotor at an agitation speed when said assembly and said rotor are in said second position for agitating the liquids in the container, said drive rotating said rotor at a centrifugal speed when said assembly and said rotor are in said first position to accelerate sedimentation.
25. (New) The apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , wherein:
said first position of said rotor and said tangential pivotal connection of said seats cooperate with rotation of said rotor and gravity to force sediment in the liquids to a bottom of the containers;
said second position of said rotor and said tangential pivotal connection of said seats cooperate with rotation of said rotor and gravity to agitate the sediment in the liquids.
26. (New) An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , wherein:
said reading station includes a sensor for measuring a transparency of the liquids in the containers.
27. (New) An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , wherein:
said reading station includes a sensor for measuring a sedimentation rate of the liquids in the containers.
28. (New) An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , wherein:
said reading station includes a sensor for measuring Erytro Sedimentation Rate (E.S.R.) of the liquids in the containers.
29. (New) An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , wherein:
said tangential pivotal connection of said seats cooperate with gravity to position a longitudinal axis of the containers substantially vertical in said reading station;
said tangential pivotal connection cooperates with gravity to pivot the containers between first and second pivot positions and about said seat axis during rotation of said rotor in said second position.
30. (New) An apparatus in accordance with claim 29 , wherein:
said first pivot position is substantially radially outward of said rotor;
said second position of said assemble holds said rotation axis angularly spaced from horizontal to cause said second pivot position of the containers to always be on a same axial side of said rotor.
Priority Applications (1)
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US10/014,256 US20020042141A1 (en) | 1996-05-16 | 2001-12-10 | Apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on organic liquids and other substances |
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IT96FI000115A IT1286631B1 (en) | 1996-05-16 | 1996-05-16 | EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND DETERMINATION OF THE TESTS OF THE SPEED OF SEDIMENTATION OF ORGANIC LIQUIDS AND MORE |
ITFI96A000115 | 1996-05-16 | ||
US09/194,088 US6387327B1 (en) | 1996-05-16 | 1997-05-13 | Apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on organic liquids and other substances |
US10/014,256 US20020042141A1 (en) | 1996-05-16 | 2001-12-10 | Apparatus for the preparation and the performance of sedimentation velocity tests on organic liquids and other substances |
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- 1996-05-16 IT IT96FI000115A patent/IT1286631B1/en active IP Right Grant
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1997
- 1997-05-13 EP EP97922032A patent/EP0898699B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-05-13 ES ES97922032T patent/ES2180049T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-05-13 WO PCT/IT1997/000110 patent/WO1997043621A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-05-13 CA CA002254998A patent/CA2254998C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-05-13 DE DE69714434T patent/DE69714434T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-05-13 AU AU27877/97A patent/AU2787797A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-05-13 PT PT97922032T patent/PT898699E/en unknown
- 1997-05-13 JP JP54070997A patent/JP3989020B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-05-13 US US09/194,088 patent/US6387327B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-05-13 AT AT97922032T patent/ATE221651T1/en active
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2001
- 2001-12-10 US US10/014,256 patent/US20020042141A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2005094977A1 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2005-10-13 | Giovanni Passoni | Test-tube agitation device, comprising means for the optical detection of a test-tube |
US20080298162A1 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2008-12-04 | Giovanni Passoni | Test-Tube Agitation Device, Comprising Means for the Optical Detection of a Test-Tube |
US7654729B2 (en) | 2004-03-31 | 2010-02-02 | Giovanni Passoni | Test-tube agitation device, comprising means for the optical detection of a test-tube |
EP2306206A3 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2017-11-29 | Sysmex Corporation | Blood sample processing apparatus and blood sample processing method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69714434T2 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
ATE221651T1 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
WO1997043621A1 (en) | 1997-11-20 |
ES2180049T3 (en) | 2003-02-01 |
PT898699E (en) | 2002-11-29 |
CA2254998A1 (en) | 1997-11-20 |
DE69714434D1 (en) | 2002-09-05 |
US6387327B1 (en) | 2002-05-14 |
AU2787797A (en) | 1997-12-05 |
CA2254998C (en) | 2004-10-12 |
EP0898699B1 (en) | 2002-07-31 |
JP2000512006A (en) | 2000-09-12 |
EP0898699A1 (en) | 1999-03-03 |
ITFI960115A1 (en) | 1997-11-16 |
ITFI960115A0 (en) | 1996-05-16 |
IT1286631B1 (en) | 1998-07-15 |
JP3989020B2 (en) | 2007-10-10 |
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Legal Events
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