System for automatic opening of reagent vessels
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsStephan Sattler, Heiko Dorn, Gottfried Senftner, Hermann Erb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.
Claims20
A reagent cartridge opening module for opening reagent vessels, comprising:
- a carrier which, at its lower end, has a catch element which can lock securely against rotation with a catch element positioned on a reagent vessel lid so that a rotational movement of the carrier catch element causes a rotational movement of the reagent vessel lid;
- and
- a centering unit positioned within the carrier, the centering unit having, at its lower end, a snap-in element to engage a snap-fit connection of the reagent vessel lid so that the snap-fit connection of the reagent vessel lid clings to the snap-in element and at least partially follows the movement of the snap-in element.
An analysis system with a reagent cartridge opening module, the analysis system comprising:
- a carrier comprising a catch element;
- a centering unit positioned and moveable within the carrier;
- a first drive unit coupled to the carrier in such a way that the catch element of the carrier can be driven in a rotational movement by the drive unit;
- a second drive unit coupled to the centering unit to drive the centering unit in such a way that the centering unit moves essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement of the carrier,
- a control unit matching the movements of the carrier and of the centering unit to one another.
An analysis system, the analysis system comprising:
- a reagent cartridge opening module for opening reagent vessels, comprising
- a carrier which, at its lower end, has a catch element which can lock securely against rotation with a catch element positioned on a reagent vessel lid so that a rotational movement of the carrier catch element causes a rotational movement of the reagent vessel lid, and
- a centering unit positioned within the carrier, the centering unit having, at its lower end, a snap-in element to engage in a snap-fit connection of the reagent vessel lid so that the reagent vessel lid clings to the snap-in element and at least partially follows the movement of the snap-in element;
- wherein the snap-fit connection of the regent vessel lid is released from with the snap-fit element of the centering unit by relative movement between the carrier and the centering unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.