Patent classifications
B04B5/0421
Systems and methods for sample use maximization
The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.
CENTRIFUGE
In a cell washing centrifuge for washing living cells such as blood cells, control of the remaining amount of a supernatant according to the related art greatly depends on controlling the rotation speed of a motor, and thus a highly accurate motor control part is required to prevent overshooting or the like. In place of the related art, an easy control method is required. In the discharging of a supernatant discharge by a centrifuge having a plurality of test tube holders that can radially swing through centrifugal force, a holding part using an electromagnet that can control the swinging of the test tube holders, and a cleaning liquid distribution element that supplies a cleaning liquid into a test tube, a first decanting operation ({circle around (3)}-1) is performed by rotating a rotor in the order of acceleration, settling, and deceleration in a state in which the agitating angle of the test tube is restricted and discharging the supernatant of the cleaning liquid from the test tube, and a second decanting operation ({circle around (3)}-2) is performed, at a time of a final decanting operation, by accelerating the rotor, releasing restriction on the agitating angle during the acceleration, and then decelerating the rotor.
Apparatus, system and method for performing automated centrifugal separation
Systems, methods and devices are provided for the automated centrifugal processing of samples. In some embodiments, an integrated fluidic processing cartridge is provided, in which a centrifugation chamber is fluidically interfaced, through a lateral surface thereof, with a microfluidic device, and wherein the integrated fluidic processing cartridge is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge for centrifugation. A cartridge interfacing assembly may be employed to interface with the integrated fluidic processing cartridge for performing various fluidic processing steps, such as controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the centrifugation chamber, and controlling the flow of fluids into the microfluidic device, and optionally for the further fluidic processing of fluids extracted to the microfluidic device. The integrated fluidic processing cartridge may include a supernatant chamber the extraction of a supernatant thereto, and a diluent chamber for diluting a suspension collected in the centrifugation chamber.
Rotor plate and bucket assembly and method for using same
A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis; a bucket rotatably attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis; and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis relative to the rotor plate between an open position and a closed position, when in the closed position, the stop plate is to engage the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly.
Arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method
The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel.
Centrifuge sample container, centrifuge rotor using same, and centrifuge
Provided is a centrifuge. In a centrifuge sample container (40) having a body part (41) and a bottom part (42), the body part (41) has two parallel flat surfaces, and includes an opening (44) having an elliptical shape from above view. The bottom part (42) is formed by a semi-cylindrical part (42a) and quarter spherical parts (42b) connected to the sides of the semi-cylindrical part. A height (H) of the sample container is greater than a length (L.sub.2) in the short axis direction of the opening, and a curvature radius (R.sub.1) of the outer surface of an arc part of the elliptical shape, a curvature radius (R.sub.2) of the outer surface of the semi-cylindrical part, and a curvature radius (R.sub.3) of the outer surface of the quarter spherical parts are equal. A flange part (43) that expands radially outward is formed on the opening (44) of the body part (41).
Agricultural sampling system and related methods
A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.
CENTRIFUGE SAMPLE CONTAINER, CENTRIFUGE ROTOR USING THE SAME, AND CENTRIFUGE
Provided is a centrifuge including a bucket and a swing rotor. The swing rotor includes a through hole penetrating from an upper to a lower side in an axial direction of the swing rotor and a notch formed in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the through hole and formed on a radial outer side of the swing rotor. The bucket includes a container. A flange having a seating surface seated in the notch during swinging is formed near the opening of the container, chamfering is performed in parallel on opposing outer surfaces of the container on a bottom side of the container with respect to the seating surface, a cross-section shape of the holding hole inside the container is formed to be elliptical, and a short axis direction of the cross section is arranged parallel to a swing rotation axis direction.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAMPLE USE MAXIMIZATION
The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.
FLUID DISPOSING SYSTEM
Disclosed is a fluid disposing system including a centrifugal separator that centrifugally separates a liquid that is supplied, a reagent supply module provided on one side of the centrifugal separator and that supplies a reagent to the centrifugal separator, a pipetting module provided at an upper portion of the centrifugal separator and that feeds a fluid to the centrifugal separator, a feeding module coupled to one side of the pipetting module, and that moves the pipetting module in an X axis direction and a Y axis direction corresponding to a horizontal direction, and a Z axis direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and a separation module including a magnetic bead for magnetically separating a material that has been primarily separated by the centrifugal separator.