US 5,846,395 AGranted

Automatic electrophoresis method and apparatus

AssigneeHelena Laboratories Corporation

InventorsRobert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Michael T. Everitt, Earl W. Boone, Philip A. Guadagno, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias

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Abstract

An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent. After incubation and drying of the electrophoresis plate, the electrophoresis platform and gantry assembly are moved relative to one another while the electrophoresis plate is read with the aid of ultraviolet lamps and a photomultiplier tube mounted in the gantry assembly. The gain of the photomultiplier tube is automatically adjusted and the data gathered is automatically edited to remove background noise. The edited results can be printed or displayed on a video monitor. Techniques for calibrating the electrophoresis apparatus are also disclosed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method for calibrating an electrophoresis apparatus having a lamp for emitting ultraviolet light, having a support for receiving an electrophoresis plate, and having an optical detector for scanning the electrophoresis plate while the electrophoresis plate is exposed to ultraviolet light, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a calibration template on the support, the calibration template having a first fluorescent line and a second fluorescent line that is perpendicular to the first line;
(b) clearing a first position counter;
(c) clearing a second position counter;
(d) actuating a first motor to move the support and a sensor relative to one another so that the sensor passes over and detects the first line, a first position encoder being operatively connected to the first motor, the first position encoder emitting pulses as the first motor rotates;
(e) using the first position counter to count the pulses emitted by the first position encoder while step (d) is conducted;
(f) storing the count reached by the first position counter when the sensor detects the first line;
(g) actuating a second motor to move the support and sensor relative to one another so that the sensor passes over and detects the second line, a second position encoder being operatively connected to the second motor, the second position encoder emitting pulses as the second motor rotates;
(h) using the second position counter to count the pulses emitted by the second position encoder while step (g) is conducted;
and
(i) storing the count reached by the second position counter when the sensor detects the second line.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/845,425Filed 25 Apr 1997 · continuation
Priority: 21 Jun 1993
Granted: 8 Dec 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification2 codes

G01N 27/44782
Apparatus specially adapted therefor: of a plurality of samples
G01N
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties

Family

Serial079,378Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 21 Jun 1993
Serial124,502Parent of this division · filed 21 Sep 1993
Serial478,368Parent of this continuation · filed 7 Jun 1995
US 5,460,709 AParent of this division
US 5,846,395 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.