US3831554A - Specimen agitator - Google Patents

Specimen agitator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3831554A
US3831554A US00374182A US37418273A US3831554A US 3831554 A US3831554 A US 3831554A US 00374182 A US00374182 A US 00374182A US 37418273 A US37418273 A US 37418273A US 3831554 A US3831554 A US 3831554A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
specimen
cam
driven shaft
agitator
shaft
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00374182A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Wilton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
American Optical Corp
Leica Microsystems Inc
Original Assignee
American Optical Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by American Optical Corp filed Critical American Optical Corp
Priority to US00374182A priority Critical patent/US3831554A/en
Priority to JP7146174A priority patent/JPS5654574B2/ja
Priority to DE2430945A priority patent/DE2430945A1/de
Priority to GB2863374A priority patent/GB1444065A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3831554A publication Critical patent/US3831554A/en
Assigned to WARNER LAMBERT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A CORP OF TX. reassignment WARNER LAMBERT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A CORP OF TX. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WARNER LAMBERT COMPANY
Assigned to WARNER LAMBERT COMPANY, A CORP. OF DEL. reassignment WARNER LAMBERT COMPANY, A CORP. OF DEL. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: AMERICAN OPTICAL CORPORATION,
Assigned to CAMBRIDGE INSTRUMENTS INC., A DE CORP. reassignment CAMBRIDGE INSTRUMENTS INC., A DE CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WARNER LAMBERT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/30—Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
    • G01N1/31—Apparatus therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an agitator, and more particularly to mechanical agitators for efficiently treating a plurality of specimens with a liquid.
  • Advanced microscopy'techniques frequently require that specimens being prepared for examination be subjected to treatment with one or, more liquids. Such specimens are usually treated with a succession of liquids with alternate wash or rinse. After treatment, conventional specimen preparation may include mounting or embedding and slicing to obtain a sample ready for examination.
  • the specimens being treated are generally placed in some form of porous container to prevent damage to the specimens, prevent agglomeration or clumping of specimens and enable identification of individual specimens to be maintained by isolation. It is very desirable to use the minimum amount of liquid in treatment, since it is standard practice to discard the treating liquids without re-use. Efficient circulation of the treating liquid through porous specimen containers and about the specimens is extremely desirable in order to minimize the time necessary for treatment. Since treating fluids are frequently extremely dilute solutions, efficient circulation is also essential to uniformly andthoroughly treat a plurality of specimens.
  • Thorough and continuous circulation of a treating fluid about a plurality of specimens can be obtained by slowly rotating one or more racks having a plurality of specimens in containers about an axis and periodically reciprocating the racks parallel to the axis of rotation. While the speed of rotation is generally not critical and is related to the diameter of the specimen holder rack, suitable speeds are usually within the range of 0.1 to 30 RPM. It is generally desirable to select a speed which provides a specimen holder velocity not substantially exceeding feet per minute. While continuous rotation is preferred, it may be desirable to alternate the direction of rotation periodically. Obviously, rotational motion in a given direction must be continued until at least one complete displacement has occurred.
  • Periodic axial reciprocation of the specimens during rotation is conveniently obtained by a cam action by one or more protrusions acting on a cooperating member connected to the racks and rotating therewith. It is convenient to utilize a tapered or funnel-shaped base in the agitator assembly having three or more raised areas spaced equidistant with a conical-shaped member having the same number or a multiple thereof, of recessed areas in equidistant corresponding locations. During rotation of the rack, the conical-shaped member will periodically engage the raised areas and be axially displaced and periodically return to the lower position as the raised areas become aligned with the recesses.
  • axis of rotation be vertically oriented although there are several advantages to such an arrangement.
  • One advantage is that gravity may be used to provide the motivating force for the return half of the reciprocal motion and another is that a selfengaging coupling means may be conveniently used to connect the drive means to the rack drive shaft without proper alignment by the operator and will fall into engagement during rotation when orientation occurs.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled agitator
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cam member for transferring reciprocating motion to the specimens
  • FIG. 3 is a front view, partly in section, along plane IIIIII of the cam, showing the cam in its lower most position;
  • FIG. 4 is a front view in section, along plane IV-IV of the cam, showing many of the inwardly tapering surfaces of the cam and closure when the cam is in the lower most position;
  • FIG. 5 is a front sectional view, along plane III-III of the cam, showing the cam in its elevated position;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged, exploded view showing the drive shaft, driven shaft, and coupling member
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the coupling member
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the drive shaft, driven shaft and coupling member prior to operative engagement.
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the drive shaft, driven shaft, and coupling member in operative engagement.
  • a hollow body 1 preferably of a clear material such as glass or plastic, which enables the operator to observe the action of the contents, is attached to a mounting plate 2.
  • the hollow body defines a cylindrical cavity having a longitudinal axis therethrough.
  • the mounting plate is used to 'mount the agitator assembly in operative association with apparatus (not shown) to provide desirable liquids for treating specimens with holders 3.
  • a closure 4 is attached to the mounting plate, more clearly shown in FIG. 3, and has an inwardly-tapering surface of revolution 5 with two pairs of diametrically opposed protrusions 6 (only one protrusion shown).
  • Cam 8 has an outwardly tapering surface of revolution 9 adapted to meet with inwardly tapering surface of revolution 5 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the bottom view of the cam showing the outwardly tapering surfaces 9.
  • Recesses in the outwardly tapering surface 9 are formed by diametrically opposed planar surfaces 10. Planar recesses are preferred because they provide passages permitting liquid to pass from one side of the cam to the other.
  • a driven shaft 11 is connected to cam 8 with its axis aligned coincident with the axis of the surface of outwardly tapering surface of revolution 9. Driven shaft 11 is adapted to position specimen holder racks 12 and has axially extending irregular portion 13 adapted to rotate racks l2 therewith.
  • Electric motor 14 is carried by cover 15 which may be secured to the hollow body 1 by screw 16.
  • FIGS. 6, 7, Sand 9 illustrate the preferred means for connecting the motor 14 to driven shaft 11.
  • Motor shaft l7 has a pair (only one shown) of diametrically opposed pins 18 near the distal end thereof.
  • Coupling 19 has a generally cylindrical shape with a bore 20 in one end thereof, adapted to loosely receive motor shaft 17.
  • Elongated slots 21 are diametrically opposed and attach the coupling to the motor shaft and permit universal motion of the coupling. The elongation of slots 21 further permits axial motion of the coupling with respect to the motor shaft 17.
  • an inwardly tapering surface 22 has a cavity 23 with an irregular intersurface 24 adapted to rotationally engage driven shaft 11 which is axially moveable therein.
  • the end 25 of driven shaft 11 is tapered to assist in alignment and engagement with coupling 19.
  • specimens are placed in porous holders 3 which in turn, are supported by racks 12.
  • the racks are conveniently positioned above cam 8 on shaft 11. It is not necessary that the racks must be full during operation, however, it is desirable that the racks have perforations to assist in providing uniform circulation of the liquid, particularly when the racks are full. In the event that less than a full rack is desired, it is recommended that specimens be evenly distributed in order to provide most effective circulation of the treating liquid.
  • the subassembly is inserted into the hollow body 1 and rests against closure 4. It is not essential that the cam be in any specific rotational orientation when inserted in order to obtain proper axial alignment of the driven shaft within the hollow body.
  • cover 15 which preferably has motor shaft 17 positioned to axially align with the longitudinal axis of body 1. It is not necessary for the operator to orient the irregular portion of cavity 23 with the irregular portion of driven shaft 11, since in the event of misalignment, coupling 19 will rest on top of the tapered end of driven shaft 11 as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the tapered surface 22 of the coupling in cooperation with the tapered end 25 of the driven shaft, assist in axially aligning the coupling to surround the distal portion of driven shaft 11 when properly aligned therewith.
  • Coupling 19 will drop down surrounding the distal portion of driven shaft 11 with the recess 23 as illustrated in FIG. 9 upon alignment of the respective portions.
  • cam 8 and racks 12 will be rotated.
  • the rotation of cam 8 causes engagement of alternate portions of outwardly tapering surfaces of revolution 9 with a pair of diametrically opposed protrusions 6 as shown in FIG. 5.
  • Engagement of the outwardly tapering surfaces of revolution 9 with protrusions 6 causes displacement of cam 8 in an axial direction.
  • cam 8 moves in an axial direction toward the inwardly tapering surface 5 of closure 4 until surface 9 is in engagement therewith.
  • This camming action provides periodic reciprocating motion which is transferred to racks 12 during rotation of the specimen racks.
  • An added feature of the preferred embodiment is derived from the pumping action which occurs as the cam 8 moves toward and away from inwardly tapering surface 5.
  • inlet-outlet 7 located at the bottom of the closure 4 through which the liquids may be introduced and withdrawn.
  • a specimen agitator assembly comprising a hollow open ended body, a closure for one end of said body, said body and closure being adapted to contain a liquid for treating a specimen, said closure having an internal inwardly-tapering surface of revolution, at least three equidistant raised areas on said inwardly-tapering surface, a rotary cam having a tapering surface of revolution adapted to cooperate with said inwardly-tapering surface, said cam having at least three equidistant recesses on said tapering surface on said cam to receive each of said raised areas, means to support at least one specimen within said body, said means being connected to said cam, and drive means to rotate said cam and said specimen thereby provides periodic reciprocal axial displacement of said specimen through the combined action of the raised areas and cam to provide circulation of the treating liquid.
  • said drive means includes an electric motor having a driving shaft, a coupling axially connected thereto, and a driven shaft, said coupling surrounding at least a portion of said driven shaft.
  • the secimen agitator of claim 4 wherein said coupling comprises a generally cylindrical member slidably and universally connected at one end to the distal end of said driving shaft, said cylindrical member having a recess in the opposite end thereof to slidably engage and surround a portion of said driven shaft.
  • the specimen agitator of claim 2 wherein said body has a generally cylindrical chamber therein and is positioned with the axis thereof generally vertical and said drive means includes a motor having a drive shaft, a releasable coupling attached to the distal end thereof and a driven shaft having at least a portion of one end adapted to be surrounded by said coupling, the other end of said driven shaft being connected to said cam and said driven shaft being substantially axially aligned with the axis of said cam whereby said conical member is rotated about the axis thereof and reciprocates in a direction parallel to the axis thereof in response to alternate engagement of said raised areas on said tapering surface of the cam.
  • said releasable coupling is a generally cylindrical member slidably and universally connected to said driving shaft at one end; the other end of said cylindrical member having a recess of generally increasing depth in a direction toward the axis thereof and an axially aligned cavity at the apex of said recess adapted to releasably engage said one end of said driven shaft to transfer rotational motion from said driving shaft to said driven shaft and to permit axial reciprocation of said driven shaft without disengagement.
  • the specimen agitator of claim 8 wherein the drive shaft has a pair of diametrically opposed pins extending radially outward from said driving shaft, said cylindrical member has a pair of diametrically opposed slots extended in an axial direction and to receive said pins, said cylindrical member having a bore in said one end, said bore being larger than said driving shaft to provide limited freedom of movement of said cylindrical memher, a cover to close the other end of said body with said motor being positioned to align said driving shaft in substantially axial alignment with said body and driven shaft, whereby said closure generally aligns said driven shaft and cam with the driving shaft, and gravitation forces act on said releasable coupling to engage it with said driven shaft during the first revolution of said driving shaft.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Mixers With Rotating Receptacles And Mixers With Vibration Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
US00374182A 1973-06-27 1973-06-27 Specimen agitator Expired - Lifetime US3831554A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00374182A US3831554A (en) 1973-06-27 1973-06-27 Specimen agitator
JP7146174A JPS5654574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-06-27 1974-06-24
DE2430945A DE2430945A1 (de) 1973-06-27 1974-06-27 Probenruehrvorrichtung
GB2863374A GB1444065A (en) 1973-06-27 1974-06-27 Agitators for treating specimens with liquids

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00374182A US3831554A (en) 1973-06-27 1973-06-27 Specimen agitator

Publications (1)

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US3831554A true US3831554A (en) 1974-08-27

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US00374182A Expired - Lifetime US3831554A (en) 1973-06-27 1973-06-27 Specimen agitator

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3831554A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5654574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2430945A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1444065A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107063753A (zh) * 2017-04-26 2017-08-18 江西欧范医疗器械有限公司 一种用于样本分析的混匀采样针机构
CN109109382A (zh) * 2018-07-27 2019-01-01 重庆富美包装印务有限公司 魔芋包装食品袋的制备工艺

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4141312A (en) * 1977-05-16 1979-02-27 Fisher Scientific Company Apparatus for histological tissue processing
JPS62265953A (ja) * 1986-05-13 1987-11-18 Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo Kk 家畜用固形飼料及びその製造方法

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2539802A (en) * 1949-03-15 1951-01-30 Edwin C Weiskopf Material-holder carrier for automatic immersion apparatus
US2845044A (en) * 1954-06-25 1958-07-29 Technicon Int Ltd Automatic immersion apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2539802A (en) * 1949-03-15 1951-01-30 Edwin C Weiskopf Material-holder carrier for automatic immersion apparatus
US2845044A (en) * 1954-06-25 1958-07-29 Technicon Int Ltd Automatic immersion apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107063753A (zh) * 2017-04-26 2017-08-18 江西欧范医疗器械有限公司 一种用于样本分析的混匀采样针机构
CN109109382A (zh) * 2018-07-27 2019-01-01 重庆富美包装印务有限公司 魔芋包装食品袋的制备工艺
CN109109382B (zh) * 2018-07-27 2023-07-28 重庆富美包装印务有限公司 魔芋包装食品袋的制备工艺

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1444065A (en) 1976-07-28
DE2430945A1 (de) 1975-01-16
JPS5654574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1981-12-26
JPS5038590A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-04-10

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: WARNER LAMBERT COMPANY, 201 TABOR ROAD, MORRIS PLA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN OPTICAL CORPORATION,;REEL/FRAME:004034/0681

Effective date: 19820513

Owner name: WARNER LAMBERT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; 6373 STEMMONS F

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WARNER LAMBERT COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004034/0700

Effective date: 19820514

AS Assignment

Owner name: CAMBRIDGE INSTRUMENTS INC., A DE CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WARNER LAMBERT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004893/0097

Effective date: 19880407