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WO2009024956A1 - Ensemble de récipients et son procédé de production - Google Patents

Ensemble de récipients et son procédé de production Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009024956A1
WO2009024956A1 PCT/IE2008/000078 IE2008000078W WO2009024956A1 WO 2009024956 A1 WO2009024956 A1 WO 2009024956A1 IE 2008000078 W IE2008000078 W IE 2008000078W WO 2009024956 A1 WO2009024956 A1 WO 2009024956A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cuvette
carrier strip
securing
layer
assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IE2008/000078
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Walsh
Alain Michel Rousseau
Original Assignee
James Walsh
Alain Michel Rousseau
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 James Walsh, Alain Michel Rousseau filed Critical James Walsh
Publication of WO2009024956A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009024956A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
    • G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • B01L9/06—Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
    • G01N21/13—Moving of cuvettes or solid samples to or from the investigating station
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/021—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having a flexible chain, e.g. "cartridge belt", conveyor for reaction cells or cuvettes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/12—Specific details about manufacturing devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/18—Transport of container or devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
    • B01L2300/0636—Integrated biosensor, microarrays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0848—Specific forms of parts of containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/12—Specific details about materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/16—Surface properties and coatings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0406—Individual bottles or tubes
    • G01N2035/0408—Individual bottles or tubes connected in a flexible chain

Definitions

  • a cuvette assembly and a method for producing a cuvette assembly
  • the present invention relates to a cuvette assembly, and in particular, to a cuvette assembly for use in apparatus for analysing fluid samples, such as, for example, clinical apparatus for analysing samples of bodily fluids, for example, blood, urine and the like, and in particular though not limited to a cuvette assembly for use in clinical apparatus for analysing samples of blood plasma in order to determine coagulation of the haemostasis blood parameters.
  • the invention also relates to a cuvette of the cuvette assembly, and the invention further relates to a method for producing such a cuvette assembly.
  • Such apparatus are adapted for receiving a plurality of cuvettes secured to an elongated carrier strip.
  • the carrier strip with the cuvettes attached thereto is supplied in the form of a roll, and the carrier strip with the attached cuvettes is unwound from the roll in the analytical apparatus.
  • Each cuvette comprises a base and a pair of spaced apart side walls extending upwardly from the base joined by spaced apart end walls also extending upwardly from the base.
  • the base, side and end walls define a hollow interior region for accommodating a fluid sample, and the side and end walls define an upwardly facing open mouth for accommodating the fluid sample into the hollow interior region.
  • the base of each cuvette is adapted for supporting and guiding a ferromagnetic ball with oscillating motion between the opposite side walls in an oscillating plane extending perpendicularly to the opposite side walls.
  • Support tabs extend outwardly on respective opposite sides of each cuvette from the respective side walls for facilitating supporting of the cuvette in the apparatus.
  • the cuvettes are secured to the carrier strip with the carrier strip closing or partly closing the open mouths of the respective cuvettes, and with the oscillating plane and the support tabs of the respective cuvettes extending parallel to each other and transversely relative to the carrier strip.
  • a rivet-like projection extends upwardly from each support tab of each cuvette, and the rivet-like projections of the support tabs of respective cuvettes engage a corresponding pair of holes in the carrier strip at spaced apart locations with an interference type fit for releasably securing the cuvettes to the carrier strip.
  • the cuvettes together with their respective support tabs and rivet-like projections are integrally injection moulded in one piece of transparent polystyrene material, and the carrier strip is of transparent polyester material.
  • the apparatus for analysing the fluid samples in the cuvettes unwinds the carrier strip with the cuvettes attached thereto from the roll.
  • the cuvettes while still attached to the carrier strip are guided along and between two parallel spaced apart pairs of retaining rails within the apparatus, and the pairs of retaining rails engage the respective support tabs extending on opposite sides of the cuvettes.
  • Each pair of retaining rails comprises a lower rail for supporting the corresponding support tabs of the cuvettes and an upper rail for retaining the corresponding support tabs on the lower rail against upward pressure.
  • the carrier strip is sequentially detached from the cuvettes by winding the carrier strip onto a reel at a level above the retaining rails, so that the carrier strip is urged upwardly from the cuvettes.
  • the upper rails of the pair of retaining rails act on the corresponding support tabs, thereby preventing upward movement of the cuvettes, and thus resulting in the rivet-like projections on the support tabs disengage the carrier strip.
  • the cuvettes disengaged from the carrier strip are then urged along the retaining rails to a transfer station, from which they are transferred sequentially through a number of stations in which different steps in the analysis process of the fluid samples contained in the respective cuvettes are carried out.
  • the cuvettes are individually and sequentially transferred from station to station within the apparatus by suction transfer mechanisms.
  • Each suction transfer mechanism comprises a pair of vacuum suction pads for engaging upwardly facing surfaces of the support tabs of each cuvette.
  • the suction pads are lowered onto the support tabs of each cuvette and by applying a vacuum to the respective suction pads, the suction pads should firmly grip the support tabs of each cuvette.
  • the rivet-like projection extends upwardly from each support tab, the area of each support tab available for engagement by the corresponding suction pad is considerably limited.
  • a further problem associated with prior art cuvettes is that it is difficult to determine whether a cuvette is in fact engaged by the suction pads of a suction transfer mechanism or whether the cuvette has become disengaged therefrom.
  • back pressure from the suction pads is monitored during transfer of the cuvette from one station to another by the suction transfer mechanism in order to determine whether a cuvette is engaged or has become disengaged from the suction transfer mechanism.
  • one or both of the suction pads are misaligned with the corresponding support tabs of the cuvette leakage can occur between the suction pad and the support tab, thus leading to an increase in the monitored back pressure, and in turn a spurious result.
  • the occurrence of such spurious results render it substantially impossible to determine whether a cuvette is engaged or has become disengaged from the suction transfer mechanism.
  • leakage between the suction pads and the corresponding support tabs of the cuvette can arise as a result of one or both of the suction pads not being in complete sealable engagement with the corresponding support tab. This can be caused by the suction pad snagging on the upwardly extending rivet-like projection of the support tab, or being misaligned with the support tab, as a result of the relatively small uninterrupted planar surface area of the support tab.
  • the fluid sample is blood
  • the coagulating parameters of which are to be determined blood plasma from the blood sample is prepared by centrifuging, and the blood plasma sample is pipetted into one or more of the cuvettes in one pipeting station, before the cuvette is transferred by the suction transfer mechanism to the next pipeting station where an anticoagulant is pipeted into the cuvette for mixing with the blood plasma sample.
  • the cuvette or cuvettes are sequentially transferred from one pipeting station to the next by the suction transfer mechanism, and at each pipeting station various appropriate reagents are added to the blood plasma sample in the cuvette.
  • the cuvette or cuvettes are then transferred by a suction transfer mechanism to an analysis station.
  • the analysis station may carry out the analysis on the blood plasma sample or samples using an electromagnetic detection system or an optical measurement system.
  • an electromagnetic detection system an electromagnetic field in the analysing station is operated to cause the ball in the cuvette to oscillate.
  • a suitable monitoring apparatus monitors the oscillations of the ball in the cuvette until the ball ceases to oscillate, or until the amplitude of oscillation of the ball reduces to a predetermined level as a result of coagulation of the blood plasma sample.
  • the coagulating parameters of the blood sample are determined as a function of the time it takes for the ball to cease oscillating, or the time it takes for the amplitude of oscillation of the ball to reduce to the predetermined level.
  • a suitable system measures variation in the optical density of the blood plasma sample in the cuvette as it reacts with appropriate reagents.
  • the cuvettes are of polystyrene material, which tends to be a brittle material
  • the rivet-like projections are an interference fit in the corresponding holes in the carrier strip
  • the force fitting of the rivet-like projections into the holes in the carrier strip can lead to the possibility of particles of the rivet-like projections becoming detached and collecting in the hollow interior region of the corresponding cuvette.
  • Such particulate matter in the hollow interior region of the cuvettes would interfere with the analysis of the fluid samples, and thus would lead to spurious results.
  • the monitoring system for monitoring the presence of a cuvette on the suction transfer mechanism may indicate a disengaged cuvette due to a leaky engagement between one or both suction pads and the cuvette, which similarly leads to a stoppage of the apparatus.
  • the present invention is directed towards providing such a cuvette assembly, and to a cuvette for use in the cuvette assembly, and the invention is also directed towards a method for producing such a cuvette assembly.
  • a cuvette assembly comprising a plurality of cuvettes located along and secured to an elongated carrier strip, each cuvette having at least one support tab extending to one side thereof, and sidewardly of the carrier strip, the support tab having an upwardly facing uninterrupted major planar surface.
  • each cuvette comprises a hollow interior region and an upwardly facing open mouth defined by an upper portion of the cuvette to provide access to the hollow interior region, the upper portion of the cuvette defining the open mouth defining an upwardly facing abutment surface adjacent a rim of the open mouth, the abutment surface being adapted to abut the carrier strip for securing the cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the carrier strip defines respective opposite first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being adapted for abutting and securing to the abutment surface of each cuvette.
  • one of the first major surface of the carrier strip and the abutment surface of each cuvette is provided with a means for securing the cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the means for securing each cuvette to the carrier strip comprises a layer of material on the one of the first major surface of the carrier strip and the abutment surface of the cuvette suitable for securing the cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the securing layer for securing each cuvette to the carrier strip comprises a layer of material suitable for bonding the cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the securing layer for bonding each cuvette to the carrier strip is an adhesive layer.
  • the securing layer for bonding each cuvette to the carrier strip is a temperature curable adhesive.
  • the securing layer for securing each cuvette to the carrier strip comprises a layer of material suitable for thermo-welding to the other of the carrier strip and the cuvette.
  • the securing layer for securing each cuvette to the carrier strip comprises a layer of material suitable for thermo- fusing to the other of the carrier strip and the cuvette.
  • the securing layer for securing each cuvette to the carrier strip is located on the carrier strip.
  • the carrier strip comprises at least two layers of material laminated together, one of the layers being the securing layer for securing the carrier strip to the cuvettes and the other layer being a carrier layer.
  • At least the securing layer of the carrier strip is of a plastics material.
  • the carrier layer of the carrier strip is of a plastics material.
  • the carrier layer of the carrier strip is of a material, having a melt temperature higher than the melt temperature of the securing layer.
  • the carrier layer is of a material which is temperature stable at temperatures to which the securing layer must be heated to effect securing of each cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the carrier layer of the carrier strip is of polyester material.
  • the carrier layer of the carrier strip is of a polyamide material.
  • the securing layer is of a material compatible with the material of the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer is polypropylene.
  • the carrier strip is flexible.
  • the carrier strip is translucent.
  • the carrier strip is transparent.
  • each cuvette comprises a pair of support tabs, the support tabs extending on respective opposite sides of the cuvette, and on respective opposite sides of the carrier strip, and the upwardly facing major planar surfaces of the support tabs of each cuvette defining a common plane.
  • each cuvette is recessed to a level lower than the upwardly facing major planar surface of the support tab of the cuvette.
  • the abutment surface defined by each cuvette is recessed to a level below the level of the upwardly facing major planar surface of the support tab, the distance between which levels being greater than the thickness of the carrier strip.
  • the carrier strip is located in the recess within which the abutment surface of each cuvette is formed.
  • each cuvette is of a thermoplastics material.
  • thermoplastics material of each cuvette is thermo-weldable at a temperature substantially similar to the thermo-weld temperature of the securing layer of the carrier strip.
  • thermoplastics material of each cuvette is thermo-fusable at a temperature substantially similar to the thermo-fuse temperature of the securing layer of the carrier strip.
  • each cuvette is of polypropylene.
  • each support tab of each cuvette is integrally formed with the cuvette.
  • each support tab of each cuvette is of material identical to the material of the cuvette.
  • each cuvette comprises a base, the base being adapted for supporting and guiding a ball of magnetic material in an oscillating plane.
  • the oscillating plane in which the ball is guided by the base extends transversely of the carrier strip.
  • each cuvette comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls extending upwardly from the base, the side walls lying in planes extending transversely of the oscillating plane in which the ball is guided by the base, and a pair of spaced apart end walls extending upwardly from the base between the side walls.
  • the cuvettes are secured to the carrier strip with adjacent end walls of adjacent cuvettes substantially abutting each other.
  • each cuvette is of translucent material.
  • each cuvette is of a transparent material.
  • each cuvette is releasably secured to the carrier strip.
  • each cuvette is sealably secured to the carrier strip.
  • each cuvette is sealably secured to the carrier strip for sealing the hollow interior region.
  • each support tab of each cuvette extends transversely relative to the carrier strip.
  • the cuvette assembly is adapted for winding onto a reel.
  • the invention also provides a cuvette for use in the cuvette assembly according to the invention.
  • the invention provides a method for producing a cuvette assembly comprising a plurality of cuvettes secured to and located along an elongated carrier strip, the method comprising forming each cuvette with at least one support tab extending on one side thereof and sidewardly of the carrier strip, the support tab being formed with an upwardly facing uninterrupted major planar surface, and securing the cuvettes to the carrier strip.
  • each cuvette is formed with a hollow interior region and an upwardly facing open mouth defined by an upper portion of the cuvette to provide access to the hollow interior region, the upper portion of the cuvette defining the open mouth defining an upwardly facing abutment surface adjacent a rim of the open mouth, and abutting the abutment surface adjacent the rim of the open mouth against the carrier strip for securing the cuvette to the carrier strip.
  • the carrier strip defines respective opposite first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being adapted for abutting and securing to the abutment surface of each cuvette.
  • one of the first major surface of the carrier strip and the abutment surface of each cuvette is provided with a means for securing the carrier strip to each cuvette.
  • the advantages of the invention are many.
  • the cuvette assembly is particularly suitable for use in analytical apparatus.
  • the support tabs of the cuvettes are provided with uninterrupted upwardly facing major planar surfaces, a relatively large surface area is available for engagement by vacuum suction pads of a suction transfer mechanism of such analytical apparatus. This permits the cuvettes to be readily easily transferred from station to station within the analytical apparatus with little and in most cases no danger of the cuvettes disengaging the suction pads of the suction transfer mechanisms.
  • the suction pads are readily easily alignable with the upwardly facing major planar surfaces of the support tabs so that the suction pads can engage the support tabs with leak free engagement. This, thus, permits the presence or absence of a cuvette on the suction pads to be accurately determined by monitoring the back pressure on the suction pads of the suction transfer mechanism.
  • the cuvettes are secured to the carrier strip by thermo-welding the only alignment which is required between the carrier strip and the cuvettes is to ensure that the recesses in which the abutment surfaces of the cuvettes are formed are aligned with each other, so that the carrier strip can then readily easily be aligned with the recesses and accurately located in the recesses.
  • the cuvettes are secured to the carrier strip with rivet-like projections extending from support tabs.
  • the advantage of providing the recesses in the cuvettes is that it facilitates alignment of the cuvettes with each other, and in particular it facilitates alignment of the cuvettes with the carrier strip.
  • the cuvettes are formed of polypropylene material, which is a considerably more malleable material than polystyrene, there is little, and in general, no danger of fragments or particles of the cuvettes being severed from the cuvettes during welding of the carrier strip to the cuvettes or subsequently during peeling of the carrier strip from the cuvettes in the analytical apparatus.
  • the carrier strip is thermo-welded to the cuvettes, there is no danger of particulate matter from either the cuvettes or the carrier strip becoming detached and collecting in the hollow interior regions of the respective cuvettes.
  • polypropylene material is not quite as transparent as polystyrene
  • the polypropylene material is sufficiently transparent to allow photometric measurement and optical detection and monitoring of the oscillating movement of the ferromagnetic balls in the respective cuvettes.
  • the analytical apparatus be of the type which uses an optical measurement system for analysing the sample
  • the polypropylene material is also sufficiently transparent to allow variation in the optical density or other parameters of the sample to be detected and measured.
  • a further advantage of forming the cuvettes of polypropylene material, which is a polyolefin, is that it has little or no affinity to proteins, such as enzymes, antibodies and antigens, which, in general, are essential in the reactions carried out in clinical chemistry, haemostasis and immunochemistry.
  • proteins such as enzymes, antibodies and antigens, which, in general, are essential in the reactions carried out in clinical chemistry, haemostasis and immunochemistry.
  • the affinity of proteins to polypropylene is significantly less than the affinity of proteins to polystyrene from which prior art cuvettes have been formed, and thus more accurate results are obtained from samples tested in the cuvettes according to the invention than those obtained from samples tested in prior art cuvettes.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a cuvette assembly according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a part of the cuvette assembly of Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the part of Fig. 2 of the cuvette assembly of Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional front end elevational view of the part of
  • Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the part of Fig. 2 of the cuvette assembly of Fig. 1 on the line V-V of Fig. 3,
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a cuvette also according to the invention of the cuvette assembly of Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a carrier strip of the cuvette assembly of Fig. 1.
  • the cuvette assembly 1 comprises an elongated carrier strip 2 and a plurality of cuvettes 5 located along and releasably secured to the carrier strip 2.
  • the carrier strip 2 is of flexible transparent plastics material, and the cuvettes 5 are injection moulded of transparent plastics material.
  • the cuvettes 5 are of transparent polypropylene material, and each cuvette 5 comprises a base 7, a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls 8 extending upwardly from the base 7 joined by a pair of spaced apart end walls 9 also extending upwardly from the base 7 and defining with the base 7 and the side walls 8 a hollow interior region 10 for a fluid sample.
  • the side walls 8 and end walls 9 define an upwardly facing open mouth 12 for accommodating the fluid sample into the hollow interior region 10.
  • the base 7 is of arcuate shape and concave when viewed downwardly in plan, and is adapted for supporting and guiding a ball 14 of ferromagnetic material to oscillate between the side walls 8 about a centre of radius 16, see Fig. 4, in an oscillating plane 15 extending transversely of the carrier strip 2.
  • Arcuate guide tracks 18 formed in the base 7 and extending between the side walls 8 guide the ball 14 to oscillate in the oscillating plane 15.
  • a magnetic field is generated, which causes the ball 14 to oscillate in the oscillating plane 15.
  • the end walls 9 extend almost parallel to each other but diverge slightly outwardly upwardly from the base 7 and are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the ball 14.
  • the diameter of the ball 14 is 2.38mm, and the spacing between the end walls 9 adjacent the ball 14 is approximately 4mm in order to provide clearance for the ball 14 as it oscillates.
  • the radius R of the arcuate guide tracks 18 on which the ball 14 is supported and guided is 9.60mm, see Fig. 4.
  • Support tabs 20 extend sidewardly outwardly on opposite sides of each cuvette 5 from the side walls 8 adjacent the open mouth 12 for supporting the cuvette 5 in the analytical apparatus.
  • the support tabs 20 define respective upwardly facing uninterrupted major planar surfaces 22 which lie in a common plane.
  • the end walls 9 and inner portions of the side walls 8 adjacent a rim 23 of the open mouth 12 define an upwardly facing planar abutment surface 24 for abutting the carrier strip 2, and to which the carrier strip 2 is releasably and sealably secured for sealing the hollow interior region 10 of the cuvette, as will be described below.
  • the abutment surface 24 is recessed below the common plane defined by the upwardly facing major planar surfaces 22 of the support tabs 20 and defines a recess 25 between the support tabs 20 for accommodating the carrier strip 2 therein between the support tabs 20.
  • the depth d of the recess 25 between the upwardly facing major planar surfaces 22 of the support tabs 20 and the abutment surface 24 is greater than the thickness t of the carrier strip 2, so that when the carrier strip 2 is secured to the abutment surface 24 of each cuvette 5 a top surface 26 of the carrier strip 1 lies just below the common plane defined by the upwardly facing major planar surfaces 22 of the support tabs 20.
  • the depth d of the recess 25 in this embodiment of the invention is approximately 0.25mm.
  • the carrier strip 2 defines a first major surface, namely, a downwardly facing bottom major surface 27, and a second major surface, namely, the upwardly facing top surface 26.
  • the carrier strip 2 is formed by a laminate of two layers of plastics material, namely, a carrier layer 28 which defines the top surface 26 and a securing layer 29 which defines the bottom surface 27 and which provides a securing means suitable for securing the carrier layer 28 and in turn the carrier strip 2 to the cuvettes 5.
  • the carrier layer 28 is of polyester material and is approximately 50 microns thick
  • the securing layer 29 is of polypropylene material and is of thickness of approximately 30 microns, thus the thickness of the two layers 28 and 29 sum to approximately 80 microns, which is the thickness t of the carrier strip 2.
  • the securing layer 29 is of polypropylene material, it is similar to the material of the cuvettes 5 and is suitable for releasable thermo-welding to the cuvettes 5, so that the carrier sheet 2 is releasably peelable from the cuvettes 5.
  • the polypropylene material of the securing layer 29 is temperature weldable at a temperature in the range of 150°C to 170 0 C, while the polyester material of the carrier layer 28 is temperature stable up to temperatures of at least 190 0 C.
  • a temperature welding head (not shown) at a temperature of between 150 0 C and 170 0 C can be brought into contact with the top surface 26 of the carrier layer 28 without affecting the integrity of the carrier layer 28, so that heat is transferred through the carrier layer 28 to the securing layer 29, and in turn to the polypropylene of the cuvette of each cuvette 5 adjacent the abutment surface 24 for releasably and sealably thermally welding the securing layer 29 to the cuvettes 5 around the abutment surface 24.
  • the carrier sheet 2 is located in the recesses 25 of the cuvettes 5.
  • a suitable welding head (not shown) at an appropriate temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 17O 0 C is brought into engagement with the top surface 26 of the carrier strip 2 adjacent the first cuvette 5 for welding the carrier strip to the cuvette 5 by raising the temperature of the securing layer 29 of the carrier strip 2 and a portion of the cuvette 5 adjacent the abutment surface 24 to their respective welding temperatures for welding the carrier strip 2 to the cuvette 5.
  • the welding head (not shown) is then stepped along the carrier strip 2 for sequentially welding the carrier strip 2 to the respective cuvettes 5.
  • the temperature of the welding head (not shown) is maintained at an appropriate temperature in the temperature range 150° to 170° to form the weld between the securing layer 29 and the cuvettes 5 so that the cuvettes 5 are sealably secured to the carrier strip 2 with the carrier strip 2 sealing the hollow interior regions 10 of the respective cuvettes 5, while at the same time permitting subsequent peeling of the carrier strip 2 from the abutment surfaces 24 of the cuvettes 5.
  • the carrier sheet 2 can be readily peeled from the cuvettes 5. It has been found that a good seal between the carrier strip 2 and the cuvettes 5 which adequately sealably secures the cuvettes 5 to the carrier strip, and which is subsequently easily peelable is achieved with the welding head at a temperature of approximately 160 0 C.
  • the strength of the bond between the cuvettes 5 and the carrier strip 2 is sufficient to retain the cuvettes 5 sealably secured to the carrier strip 2 during handling and subsequent processing of the cuvette assembly, while at the same time permitting peeling of the carrier strip from the cuvettes subsequently.
  • the carrier strip 2 is fused to the cuvettes 5 to the extent that the carrier strip 2 is not peelable from the cuvettes 5.
  • the carrier strip 2 with the cuvettes attached thereto is wound onto a reel (not shown) with the cuvettes 5 extending in a general radial direction outwardly of the carrier strip 2 relative to the reel.
  • the wound cuvette assembly 1 is suitable for locating in analytical apparatus of the type hereinbefore described in the form of a roll.
  • the cuvettes 5 while still attached to the carrier strip 2 are engaged and urged along respective pairs of retaining rails of the analytical apparatus with the retaining rails engaging the support tabs 20.
  • the carrier strip 2 While the support tabs 20 are retained in engagement with the retaining rails, the carrier strip 2 is wound onto another reel located at a level above the retaining rails, thereby causing the carrier strip 2 to sequentially peel away from the abutment surface 24 of the cuvettes 5. Thereafter the cuvettes 5 are transferred through the analytical apparatus by one or more vacuum suction transfer mechanisms, each of which comprises a pair of suction pads for engaging the upwardly facing uninterrupted major planar surfaces 22 of the support tabs 20.
  • cuvette assembly comprising cuvettes of particular construction, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the cuvettes may be of any other suitable construction, and will, in general, be of a construction which is compatible with the analytical apparatus with which they are to be used.
  • the cuvettes have been described as comprising a ferromagnetic ball located in the hollow interior regions thereof, any other suitable ball or other article could be located in the hollow interior regions. It is also envisaged that instead of the ball being adapted for oscillating within the hollow interior region, the ball could be adapted for revolving around a circular path formed in the base of the cuvette. In which case, it is envisaged that the cuvette would comprise a substantially circular base with a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the base.
  • cuvettes according to the invention could be provided of different shapes and construction.
  • the cuvettes of the cuvette assembly have been described as being of the type within which a ferromagnetic ball is located for determining the coagulation time of fluid samples, it is envisaged that in certain cases the cuvettes of the cuvette assembly may be used for many other purposes. Indeed, by virtue of the fact that the hollow interior region of each cuvette is sealed by the carrier strip, it is envisaged that the cuvettes may be provided with chemicals, reagents which may be in liquid, powder, particulate solid or gaseous form or other solutions, and such chemicals, reagents or other solutions would be predispensed into the hollow interior regions of the cuvettes prior to sealably securing the carrier strip to the cuvettes.
  • the carrier strip has been described as comprising a carrier layer of polyester, the carrier layer may be of any suitable material besides polyester, for example, polyamide, paper or the like, and typically would be in the form of a film.
  • the material of the carrier layer of the carrier strip may be any suitable material which is of sufficient strength and integrity for carrying the cuvettes, and preferably, is also suitable for sealing the hollow interior regions of the cuvettes.
  • the carrier layer of the carrier strip should be of a material which transfers heat from the welding head to the securing layer of the carrier strip, and furthermore, the carrier layer should be temperature stable when heated to temperatures to which the securing layer must be heated to weld or fuse to the material of the cuvettes, in order to maintain the integrity of the carrier layer during thermo-welding or thermo-fusing of the carrier strip to the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer of the carrier strip may be of any suitable material or film which is compatible with the material of the cuvettes in order to effect sealing of the carrier strip to the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer of the carrier strip is provided in the form of an adhesive, typically, the securing layer would be coated onto the carrier layer, and would be of a type of adhesive which would sealably bond to the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer is suitable for thermo- welding or thermo-fusing to the cuvettes, the securing layer should be of a material compatible with the cuvettes for facilitating thermo-welding or thermo-fusing between the securing layer and the material of the cuvettes.
  • the material of the securing layer when the securing layer is to be suitable for thermo-welding or thermo-fusing of the carrier strip to the cuvettes, the material of the securing layer would be of a similar material to that of the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer of the carrier strip would also be of polypropylene, and ideally, would be in the form of a polypropylene film.
  • the securing layer of the carrier strip would be of polyethylene, and typically, in the form of a polyethylene film, and so on.
  • the securing layer is in the form of a film, for example, a polypropylene or polyethylene film
  • the film would be laminated to the carrier layer of the carrier strip.
  • the lamination may be carried out by any suitable laminating means, and in certain cases, the lamination of the securing layer and the carrier layer may be carried out by bonding using a suitable adhesive, or by thermo-bonding, thermo-welding or thermo-fusion.
  • the carrier strip instead of being formed of two layers may in fact be a multilayer strip which would comprise layers other than the carrier layer and the securing layer.
  • a layer of a bonding material may be located between the carrier layer and the securing layer.
  • carrier strips of any desired thickness may be used. However, in general, it is envisaged that the carrier strip will be of thickness in the order of 60 microns to 100 microns.
  • the recesses in the cuvettes in which the abutment surfaces are formed have been described as being of depth greater than the carrier strip, it is envisaged that the depth of the recess in each cuvette may be similar to the thickness of the carrier strip, and in some cases the depth of the recess in each cuvette may be less than the thickness of the carrier strip.
  • the recesses in which the abutment surfaces of the cuvettes are formed may be omitted.
  • the securing means has been described as comprising a securing layer formed on the carrier strip, it is envisaged that the securing means may be provided on the cuvette, instead of on the carrier strip. In which case, the securing layer would typically be located on the abutment surface against which the carrier strip abuts.
  • the securing layer when applied to the abutment surface of the cuvette may be a material compatible with the carrier strip for thermo-welding thereto, or may be an adhesive suitable for forming an adhesive bond between the cuvettes and the carrier strip, which would be of sufficient strength for retaining the cuvettes sealably secured to the carrier strip during handling and subsequent processing, and permitting subsequent peeling of the carrier strip from the cuvettes.
  • the securing layer has been described as being of a material which is suitable for thermo-welding, any other suitable material may be used, be it an adhesive, which may be a contact adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a temperature sensitive adhesive or any other suitable adhesive.
  • a portion or all of the inner surface of the hollow interior region of the cuvette could be coated with antibodies, antigens or for example, DNA/RNA, or other substances, which could be dried prior to sealing of the carrier strip to the cuvettes.
  • the cuvettes could, for example, be used in the same way as a normal microliter plate is used in immunoassay, such as a flexible microtiter plate on a strip.
  • the coating of the inner surface of the cuvettes would depend on the material of the cuvettes being of a material suitable for coating with such antibodies, antigens, DNA/RNA or other substances.
  • the material of the cuvettes is unsuitable for facilitating coating of the inner surface thereof with antibodies, antigens, DNA/RNA, or other substances
  • antibodies, antigens, DNA/RNA or other substances may be coated onto beads, which would be of a suitable material, for example, polystyrene material, which would have an affinity for the coating, and typically, would be of diameter in the range of 0.1 microns to 2 microns.
  • beads could also include a magnetic or a ferromagnetic core in order to allow subsequent magnetic separation.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Optical Measuring Cells (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un ensemble de récipients (1) comprenant une pluralité de récipients (5) fixés de manière libérable et scellés à une bande de support (2) qui facilite l'arrachement de la bande (2) à partir des récipients (5) lorsque l'ensemble de récipients est ultérieurement amené dans un appareil d'analyse approprié. Les récipients (5) comprennent chacun une paire de pattes de support (20) qui s'étendent transversalement à la bande de support (2). Les pattes de support (20) définissent respectivement des surfaces planes majeures ininterrompues tournées vers le haut (22) qui se trouvent dans un plan commun, et sont appropriées pour coopérer au moyen des ventouses d'un mécanisme de transfert à ventouses avec l'appareil d'analyse afin de transférer les récipients (5) à l'intérieur de ce dernier. Les récipients (5) sont constitués d'une matière de polypropylène, et un évidement (25) réalisé dans chaque récipient (5) permet de recevoir la bande de support (2). Ladite bande de support (2) est formée d'un stratifié comprenant une couche de support de polyester (28) et une couche de fixation de polypropylène (29) destinée à venir en butée contre une surface de butée (24) située dans l'évidement (25) des récipients respectifs (5) afin de faciliter le thermosoudage de la bande de support (2) et des récipients (5) de sorte que la bande de support (2) puisse être ultérieurement arrachée des récipients (5).
PCT/IE2008/000078 2007-08-17 2008-08-18 Ensemble de récipients et son procédé de production WO2009024956A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE2007/0589 2007-08-17
IE20070589 2007-08-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009024956A1 true WO2009024956A1 (fr) 2009-02-26

Family

ID=40083696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IE2008/000078 WO2009024956A1 (fr) 2007-08-17 2008-08-18 Ensemble de récipients et son procédé de production

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IE (1) IES20080671A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009024956A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102140488A (zh) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-03 株式会社日立工业设备技术 微生物检测装置用的试剂盒
US9804182B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2017-10-31 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Handling package of cuvettes
CN114705643A (zh) * 2022-03-30 2022-07-05 皖南医学院 一种食品添加剂检测用辅助装置

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2711853A1 (de) * 1977-03-18 1978-09-21 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler Gefaessverbund mit einer mehrzahl von kuevetten oder reaktionsgefaessen und haltevorrichtung fuer einen solchen verbund
DE29509670U1 (de) * 1995-06-14 1996-10-17 Pulsar-Verlag Inh. Elisabeth Otto, 55442 Warmsroth Flexibler Endlos-Reagenzröhrchen-Verbinder
WO1999048608A2 (fr) * 1998-03-23 1999-09-30 Cepheid Systeme de reacteur multi-site a commande dynamique independante de sites de reaction individuels
WO2001033932A1 (fr) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-10 Solectron Corporation Bande a composants a decompte de composants imprime
GB2362587A (en) * 2000-05-26 2001-11-28 Abdul Aziz Okhai Sheet materials for resealable packages
EP1293767A2 (fr) * 1996-11-14 2003-03-19 Thermo Clinical Labsystems Oy Paquet de cuvettes multiples, méthode et dispositif pour charger les cuvettes dans un appareil de mesure
US20050175502A1 (en) * 2002-02-01 2005-08-11 Alain Rousseau Device for automatic analysis of a liquid sample

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2711853A1 (de) * 1977-03-18 1978-09-21 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler Gefaessverbund mit einer mehrzahl von kuevetten oder reaktionsgefaessen und haltevorrichtung fuer einen solchen verbund
DE29509670U1 (de) * 1995-06-14 1996-10-17 Pulsar-Verlag Inh. Elisabeth Otto, 55442 Warmsroth Flexibler Endlos-Reagenzröhrchen-Verbinder
EP1293767A2 (fr) * 1996-11-14 2003-03-19 Thermo Clinical Labsystems Oy Paquet de cuvettes multiples, méthode et dispositif pour charger les cuvettes dans un appareil de mesure
WO1999048608A2 (fr) * 1998-03-23 1999-09-30 Cepheid Systeme de reacteur multi-site a commande dynamique independante de sites de reaction individuels
WO2001033932A1 (fr) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-10 Solectron Corporation Bande a composants a decompte de composants imprime
GB2362587A (en) * 2000-05-26 2001-11-28 Abdul Aziz Okhai Sheet materials for resealable packages
US20050175502A1 (en) * 2002-02-01 2005-08-11 Alain Rousseau Device for automatic analysis of a liquid sample

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102140488A (zh) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-03 株式会社日立工业设备技术 微生物检测装置用的试剂盒
US9804182B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2017-10-31 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Handling package of cuvettes
CN114705643A (zh) * 2022-03-30 2022-07-05 皖南医学院 一种食品添加剂检测用辅助装置

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