US 5,320,808 A · Reaction cartridge and carousel for biological sample analyzer

Abstract

A semi-automated biological sample analyzer and subsystems are provided to simultaneously perform a plurality of enzyme immuno assays for human IgE class antibodies specific to a panel of preselected allergens in each of a plurality of biological samples. A carousel is provided to position and hold a plurality of reaction cartridges. Each reaction cartridge includes a plurality of isolated test sites formed in a two dimensional array in a solid phase binding layer contained within a reaction well which is adapted to contain a biological sample to be assayed. The carousel and cartridges contain structures which cooperate to precisely position the cartridges in each of three separate dimensions so that each cartridge is positioned uniformly. An optical reader operating on a principle of diffuse reflectance is provided to read the results of the assays from each test site of each cartridge. Also provided is a subsystem which provides predetermined lot-specific assay calibration data which is useful for normalizing the results of various assays with respect to predetermined common standard values.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A rotatable carousel for use in an automated biological assay apparatus which sequentially presents a number of test sites to examination by an optical reader, said carousel comprising a plurality of openings, each having means to receive and hold a reaction cartridge such that each reaction cartridge so held can be brought to precisely the same position for scanning by the optical reader through rotation of said carousel, said receiving and holding means comprising resilient members which bias the reaction cartridge against horizontal, radial and circumferential contact points in response to the insertion of the reaction cartridge wherein each of the openings is bounded by a flat vertical wall having a circumferential portion as the radial contact point and tab means integral with the flat vertical wall which extend into the opening as the vertical contact points and at least one of the resilient members is a spring clip positioned in the bottom of each of the openings having an angled face which is configured to interact with a vertical rib on an inserted reaction cartridge to bias the inserted cartridge against the vertical and radial contact points.

An apparatus for use in a biological sample analyzer comprising:

an optical reading head configured to read reflective light absorption positioned above a rotatable cartridge conveying means;
rotatable cartridge conveying means having a plurality of openings each configured to receive a reaction cartridge;
a plurality of reaction cartridges each comprising a solid reaction well capable of stably retaining a fluid for an extended period comprising a sidewall integrally formed with a bottom wall and a support means which lies on the bottom wall and has an array of isolated biological test sites in close proximity to one another which lie in a common plane with each site carrying an immobilized biological reactant and all the sites positioned to be in contact with any fluid retained in said well, said well arranged to provide direct optical access to said array of test sites for reading by an optical reader;
and
lock means provided with each of said openings for positioning and locking a said reaction cartridge in a predetermined three-dimensional position in said openings, said lock means comprising resilient members which bias the reaction cartridge against vertical, radial and circumferential contact points such that each cartridge may be brought to precisely the same spatial relationship with the optical reading head upon appropriate rotation of the conveying means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reaction cartridge and carousel for biological sample analyzer

Life of this patent

Reaction cartridge and carousel for biological sample analyzer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17