BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE READER FOR FAST BIOCHEMICAL TESTING

Abstract

The present patent of invention relates to a reader device for biological samples used in the field of remote laboratory tests (TLR), for clinical diagnostic purposes, based on an optimized design constituted by a cowling (C) with inlet port (OE) and with switch (I); by a holding support (SS) containing a mirror (ES), two batteries (BT), two reading illumination arrays (BIL), operational status illumination arrays (BIS) and an elevator support (SE); by an elevator (EL); by an electronics board (PE) with energy loading circuit (PE-1), with supply circuit (PE-2), with processor (PE-3), with Bluetooth device (PE-4) and with position sensor (PE-5); and by a base (BA) with software that reads various types of biological samples, the present invention providing the advantages of: ease of use, optimized operating flows, ease of training, modularity, compactness, reduced size, portability, lightness of weight, ergonomic design, used-friendliness, enhanced practically and low cost

Claims

1. A biological sample reader for fast biochemical testing, with a mirror (ES); a camcorder (CV); LED lighting; an electronic board (PE); an external power supply (FA), with a power supply circuit (PE-2), a processor (PE-3) with memory recorded with dedicated software, a communication device (PE-4), and a position sensor (PE-5); characterized by, complementarily including: a fairing (C), in a conical frustum shape with an inlet orifice (OE) in a curved triangular shape, positioned on the upper side, with a capacitive-type switch (I) positioned on the upper inner side of the fairing flank; a support holder (SS) in a pyramidal frustum shape, containing flat-shaped mirror (ES) on the outside and facing the elevator holder (SE) and the camcorder (CV), two lithium-batteries (BT) or any other similar batteries, in a rectangular prism shape at the outside, connected in series and unidirectionally connected to the power charging circuit (PE-1) and bidirectionally to the power supply circuit (PE-2), two lighting bars for reading (BIL) with rectangular shaped LEDs, unidirectionally connected to the processor (PE-3) and to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and positioned inside, lighting bars for indicating operational status (BIS) with one circular LED top and one rectangular LED inside and unidirectionally connected to processor (PE-3) and to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and C-shaped elevator support (SE) with two prismatic rectangular channels (SE-1) with U-shaped guide channels (SE-1-A) and pins (SE-1-B) at the bottom end engageable with the base (BA) and with bore holes (SE-1-C) for fitting of the springs (EL-2), and with two curved prismatic rectangular sides (SE-2); elevator (EL) in the shape of a hollow cylinder longitudinally cut with two prismatic rectangular shaped guide rails (EL-1) with curved rectangular cuts positioned on the lower outer flank and diametrically opposite to each other, two coil springs (EL-2) connected to the guides (EL-1) and to the holes (SE-1-C), with beveled hollow cylindrical shaped shoulder (EL-3) positioned at the bottom center of the elevator and with cylindrical shaped magnet (IM) positioned at the inner center of the shoulder (EL-3) and cartridge tip lock inside the elevator with rectangular prismatic metallic sheet (EL-4) positioned on the underside and rectangular prismatic shaped guides (EL-5) with rounded edges; electronic board (PE) with power charging circuit (PE-1) model BQ24105 or similar, unidirectionally connected to battery (BT) and external power supply (FA); with power supply circuit (PE-2) model TPS62133 or similar connected unidirectionally to the processor (PE-3), to the communication device (PE-4), to the position sensor (PE-5), to the reading lighting bars (BIL), to the operating status lighting bars (BIS), to the electromagnet (EI), and to the camcorder (CV), and bi-directionally to the battery (BT); with processor (PE-3) model Intel Edson or similar with memory (PE-3-A) recorded with dedicated software (SD) and unidirectionally connected to the power supply circuit (PE-2), to the device (PE-4), to the position sensor (PE-5), to the operating status lighting bars (BIS), to the reading lighting bars (BIL), to the camcorder (CV) and the electromagnet (EI); with device (PE-4) unidirectionally connected to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and to the processor (PE-3); and with infrared position sensor (PE-5) unidirectionally connected to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and to the processor (PE-3) and to the elevator position monitor (EL); and of torispherical cap-shaped base (BA) with rubber or similar non-slip adhesive (BA-1) on the bottom, with camcorder (CV) unidirectionally connected to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and to processor (PE-3) and for reading the sample contained in the cartridge (CA) and with electromagnet (EI) unidirectionally connected to the power supply circuit (PE-2) and to the processor (PE-3).

2. The biological sample reader for fast biochemical testing, according to claim 1, characterized by, the shoulder (EL-3) automatically correcting the cartridge's (CA) positioning inside the elevator (EL) keeping always the same positioning when performing the reading.

3. The biological sample reader for fast biochemical testing, according to claim 1, characterized by, batteries (BT) warranting that electrical failures don't invalidate the exam, and allowing the reader to be used even in places without electrical power supply.

4. The biological sample reader for fast biochemical testing, characterized by, the following sequence: a) The cartridge (CA) is manually inserted into the inlet orifice (OE) and the cartridge is inserted into the elevator (EL), stretching the springs (EL-2), passing through the shoulder (EL-3) until the metallic plate at the bottom of the cartridge (CA) touches the magnet (IM), causing the position correction by the cartridge (CA) guide and fixation in the elevator (EL); b) The position sensor (PE-5) detects the presence of the elevator (E) with the cartridge (CA) and activates the electromagnet (EI) which magnetically attracts the metallic sheet (EL-4) holding the cartridge (CA) inside the reader; c) reads the exam data contained in the cartridge (CA); d) sends the cartridge (CA) code to the local remote hardware; e) extracts parameters contained in the cartridge (CA) for performing exam; f) are the parameters valid? If yes go to g), otherwise go to k); g) waits time for reading; h) captures images of the chemical reactions of the cartridge (CA) through the camcorder (CV); i) interprets cartridge (CA) results; j) send results to local remote hardware; k) the electromagnet (EI) releases the cartridge (CA) through the springs (EL-2) that expels the cartridge (CA); and l) the end.

Description

[0048] For a better understanding of this patent the following figures are attached:

[0049] FIG. 1, showing the block diagram of the components of test reader from the present patent;

[0050] FIG. 2, showing the exploded front perspective view of the test components of test reader from the present patent;

[0051] FIG. 3, showing the front perspective view of the assembled test reader from the present patent with no cartridge inserted;

[0052] FIG. 4, showing the bottom perspective of the test reader from the present patent;

[0053] FIG. 5, showing the top view of the test reader from the present patent;

[0054] FIG. 6, showing the front view with section indications AA and BB of the test reader from the present patent;

[0055] FIG. 7, showing the sectional view AA of the test reader from the present patent, with an inserted cartridge;

[0056] FIG. 8, showing the sectional view BB of the test reader from the present patent;

[0057] FIG. 9, showing the front view with indications of the CC and DD sections of the test reader from the present patent;

[0058] FIG. 10, showing the sectional view CC of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 11, showing the sectional view DD of the test reader from the present patent;

[0060] FIG. 12, showing the side perspective view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent;

[0061] FIG. 13, showing the bottom perspective view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent;

[0062] FIG. 14, showing the top view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent;

[0063] FIG. 15, showing the bottom view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent;

[0064] FIG. 16, showing the front view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent;

[0065] FIG. 17, showing the sectional view of the elevator of the test reader from the present patent; and

[0066] FIG. 18, showing the block diagram of the complete process executed aided by dedicated software installed on the processor of the test reader from the present invention.

[0067] According to FIGS. 1 and 17, the reader of the present patent is constituted of fairing (C), in a conical frustum shape with an inlet orifice (OE) in a curved triangular shape, positioned on the upper side, with a capacitive-type switch (I) positioned on the upper inner side of the fairing flank; support holder (SS) in a pyramidal frustum shape, containing flat-shaped mirror (ES) on the outside and facing the elevator holder (SE) and the camcorder (CV), two lithium-batteries (BT) or any other similar batteries, in a rectangular prism shape at the outside, connected in series and unidirectionally connected to the power charging circuit (PE-1) and bidirectionally to the supply circuit (PE-2), two lighting bars for reading (BIL) with rectangular shaped LEDs, unidirectionally connected to the processor (PE-3) and to the supply circuit (PE-2) and positioned inside, lighting bars for indicating operational status (BIS) with one circular LED top and one rectangular LED inside and unidirectionally connected to processor (PE-3) and to the power circuit (PE-2) and C-shaped elevator support (SE) with two prismatic rectangular channels (SE-1) with U-shaped guide channels (SE-1-A) and pins (SE-1-B) at the bottom end engageable with the base (BA) and with bore holes (SE-1-C) for fitting of the springs (EL-2), and with two curved prismatic rectangular sides (SE-2); elevator (EL) in the shape of a hollow cylinder longitudinally cut with two prismatic rectangular shaped guide rails (EL-1) with curved rectangular cuts positioned on the lower outer flank and diametrically opposite to each other, two coil springs (EL-2) connected to the guides (EL-1) and to the holes (SE-1-C), with beveled hollow cylindrical shaped shoulder (EL-3) positioned at the bottom center of the elevator and with cylindrical shaped magnet (IM) positioned at the inner center of the shoulder (EL-3) and cartridge tip lock inside the elevator with rectangular prismatic metallic sheet (EL-4) positioned on the underside and rectangular prismatic shaped guides (EL-5) with rounded edges; electronic board (PE) with power charging circuit (PE-1) model BQ24105 or similar, unidirectionally connected to battery (BT) and external power supply (FA); with power supply (PE-2) model TPS62133 or similar connected unidirectionally to the processor (PE-3), to the Bluetooth communication device (PE-4), to the position sensor (PE-5), to the reading lighting bars (BIL), to the operating status lighting bars (BIS), to the electromagnet (EI), and to the camcorder (CV), and bi-directionally to the battery (BT); with processor (PE-3) model Intel Edson or similar with memory (PE-3-A) recorded with dedicated software (SD) and unidirectionally connected to the power circuit (PE-2), to the Bluetooth communication device (PE-4), to the position sensor (PE-5), to the operating status lighting bars (BIS), to the reading lighting bars (BIL), to the camcorder (CV) and the electromagnet (EI); with Bluetooth communication device (PE-4) unidirectionally connected to the power circuit (PE-2) and to the processor (PE-3); and with infrared position sensor (PE-5) unidirectionally connected to the power circuit (PE-2) and to the processor (PE-3) and to the elevator position monitor (EL); and of torispherical cap-shaped base (BA) with rubber or similar non-slip adhesive (BA-1) on the bottom, with camcorder (CV) unidirectionally connected to the power circuit (PE-2) and to processor (PE-3) and for reading the sample contained in the cartridge (CA) and with electromagnet (EI) unidirectionally connected to the power circuit (PE-2) and processor (PE-3).

[0068] The process performed with the aid of dedicated software (SD) in the reader of the present invention is as follows, shown in FIG. 18:

[0069] a) The cartridge (CA) is manually inserted into the inlet orifice (OE) and the cartridge is inserted into the elevator (EL), stretching the springs (EL-2), passing through the shoulder (EL-3) until the metallic plate at the bottom of the cartridge (CA) touches the magnet (IM), causing the position correction by the cartridge (CA) guide and fixation in the elevator (EL);

[0070] b) The position sensor (PE-5) detects the presence of the elevator (E) with the cartridge (CA) and activates the electromagnet (EI) which magnetically attracts the metallic sheet (EL-4) holding the cartridge (CA) inside the reader;

[0071] c) reads the exam data contained in the cartridge (CA);

[0072] d) sends the cartridge (CA) code to the local remote hardware;

[0073] e) extracts parameters contained in the cartridge (CA) for performing exam;

[0074] f) are the parameters valid? If yes go to g), otherwise go to k);

[0075] g) waits time for reading;

[0076] h) captures images of the chemical reactions of the cartridge (CA) through the camcorder (CV);

[0077] i) interprets cartridge (CA) results;

[0078] j) send results to local remote hardware;

[0079] k) the electromagnet (EI) releases the cartridge (CA) through the springs (EL-2) that expels the cartridge (CA); and

[0080] l) end.

[0081] The operation of the reader of the present invention is as follows:

[0082] a. Turn on the cartridge reader, when initialization is complete, the reader will turn green and if the battery is discharged it is necessary to connect to the mains through power supply (FA);

[0083] b. Turn on local remote hardware;

[0084] c. Connect with the cartridge reader;

[0085] d. Collect the user sample;

[0086] e. Place the sample in the region indicated on the cartridge;

[0087] f. Cap the cartridge;

[0088] g. Insert the cartridge into the slot indicated on the reader;

[0089] h. The cartridge (CA) will be identified and the exam information (name, collection type, duration) will appear on the local remote device;

[0090] i. If successfully recognized, the reader will flash and the cartridge should be inserted all the way and the scan will begin;

[0091] j. Reached the exam waiting time, the result will be displayed on local remote device;

[0092] k. Upon completion of the exam, result can be saved or discarded; and

[0093] l. The cartridge (CA) is automatically released from the Reader.