# US 9,039,992 B2 · Apparatus for closed tube sampling and open tube sampling for automated clinical analyzers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,992 B2 - Document ID: US9039992B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/154,147 - Filed: 2011-06-06 - Published: 2012-12-06 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-06 - Assignees: Abbott Laboratories - Applicants: Patrick P. Fritchie - Inventors: Patrick P. Fritchie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039992B2 ## CPC - B04B 5/0421: {pivotably mounted} - B01D 21/262: {by using a centrifuge} - B04B 7/12: Inserts, e.g. armouring plates - B04B 9/146: {Imbalance detection devices} - B04B 11/04: Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor - B04B 2011/046: {Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers} - G01N 2035/00504: {combined with carousels} - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A centrifuge comprising: a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the carousel defining an opening therein to receive a first sample tube; a first track and a second track; a first drive mechanism attached to the upper portion of the carousel; a second drive mechanism attached to the upper portion of the carousel; a first movable element mounted to the first drive mechanism, the first movable element to traverse the length of the first drive mechanism when the first drive mechanism is actuated; a second movable element mounted to the second drive mechanism; a first sample tube-holding assembly comprising a first sample tube holder to receive the first sample tube, the first sample tube-holding assembly coupled to the first movable element; a second sample-tube holding assembly comprising a second sample tube holder to receive a second sample tube, the second sample tube-holding assembly coupled to the second movable element, wherein the first drive mechanism is slidably coupled to the first track and the second drive mechanism is slidably coupled to the second track, wherein the first sample tube holder is to receive the first sample tube when the first sample tube holder is in a first position and to carry the first sample tube along the first track via the first drive mechanism to a second position, and wherein the second sample tube holder is to receive a second sample tube when the second sample tube holder is a third position and to carry the second sample tube along the second track via the second drive mechanism to a fourth position, wherein at least one of the first sample tube holder or the second sample tube holder moves between the first position and the second position or the third position and the fourth position, respectively, during rotation of the carousel; and a balancing element spaced apart from the first sample-tube holding assembly and the second sample-tube holding assembly to stabilize the carousel during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the first sample tube holder is vertically oriented and in the second position, the first sample tube holder is horizontally oriented and wherein in the third position, the second sample tube holder is vertically oriented and in the fourth position, the second sample tube holder is horizontally oriented. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube holder is at least partially encased in a first bearing and the second sample tube holder is at least partially encased in a second bearing, the first bearing and the second bearing to rotate the first sample tube holder and the second sample tube holder, respectively, during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a first lead screw to move the first sample tube holder along the first track and a second lead screw to move the second sample tube holder along the second track, the first lead screw controlled by the first drive mechanism and the second lead screw controlled by the second drive mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The centrifuge of claim 4, wherein the first sample tube holder is coupled to the first lead screw via a first torsion spring and the second sample tube holder is coupled to the second lead screw via a second torsion spring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The centrifuge of claim 4, wherein the first drive mechanism is to move the first sample tube holder to a radial position between the first position and the second position, wherein in the radial position, the first sample tube is oriented at an incline. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The centrifuge of claim 6, wherein the radial position is determined based on at least one of a weight of the first sample tube, a spring constant of the first torsion spring, or a distance of the first sample tube from a center of the carousel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first position and the third position are proximate to a center of the carousel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The centrifuge of claim 8, further comprising a brake disposed proximate to a center of the carousel, the brake to prevent the first sample tube holder and the second tube holder from rotating when the first sample tube holder and the second sample tube holder are in first position and the third position respectively. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The centrifuge of claim 8, wherein the first position and the third position are coextensive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first track and the second track comprise two parallel guides, and wherein a distance between the parallel guides of the first track and the second track is to accommodate the first sample tube holder and the second sample tube holder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first track and the second track are radially separated about an axis of rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a spill drain to collect liquids spilling from the sample tubes during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube is positionable in the first position at substantially the same time the second sample tube is positionable in the fourth position during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The centrifuge of claim 14, wherein the first position and the third position are proximate to a center axis of the carousel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The centrifuge of claim 14, wherein the second position and the fourth position are separated a radial distance about an axis of rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the balancing element is to counterbalance an imbalance generated by the first sample tube and the second sample tube during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube holder and the second sample tube holder comprise respective protective enclosures, the respective protective enclosures to separate the first sample tube holder from the second sample tube holder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein movement of the first sample tube holder between the first position and the second position and movement of the second sample tube holder between the third position and the fourth position is continuous for a duration of the rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first position is a delivery position and the fourth position is a processing position, and wherein the first sample tube holder is in the delivery position when the second sample tube holder is in the processing position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube holder is to carry the first sample tube between the first position and the second position independently of the second sample tube holder carrying the second sample tube holder between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a vibration sensor to detect an imbalance of the carousel during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The centrifuge of claim 22, wherein the vibration sensor is to convert a mechanical movement into an electrical signal to detect a location and a magnitude of the imbalance. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The centrifuge of claim 22, wherein the vibration sensor comprises a piezoelectric accelerometer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the balancing element is to generate a force vector to counterbalance an imbalance vector associated with the carousel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The centrifuge of claim 25, wherein the force vector is to cancel an imbalance created by the sample tube based on a distance of the first sample tube from an axis of rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube-holding assembly is to slide along a trajectory of the first track. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a brake disposed proximate to a center of the centrifuge to prevent the first sample tube from rotating at a rotational speed of the carousel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The centrifuge of claim 28, wherein the brake comprises a magnetic brake to prevent movement of the first sample tube holder when the first sample tube holder is proximate to the center of the centrifuge. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The centrifuge of claim 28, wherein the brake comprises a clamp brake to prevent movement of the first sample tube holder when the first sample tube holder is proximate to the center of the centrifuge. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a protective enclosure surrounding at least a portion of at least one of the first sample tube-holding assembly, the first drive mechanism, or the first movable element. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first sample tube-holding assembly includes a reflector to reflect a signal emitted by an emitter-detector. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The centrifuge of claim 32, wherein the reflector is to detect a degree of inclination of the first sample tube-holding assembly. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the balancing element comprises an exterior balancing cap and an interior balancing cap, the exterior balancing cap concentric with the interior balancing cap. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The centrifuge of claim 34, wherein the exterior balancing cap and the interior balancing cap are to rotate about an axis of rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The centrifuge of claim 34, further comprising a first motor to rotate the exterior balancing cap. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The centrifuge of claim 36, further comprising a second motor to rotate the interior balancing cap. ### Claim 38 (depends on 34) The centrifuge of claim 34, wherein the interior balancing cap comprises: a first platform to cover the upper portion of the carousel, wherein the first platform is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the carousel; and a first skirt perpendicularly coupled to the first platform. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The centrifuge of claim 38, wherein the exterior balancing cap comprises: a second platform to cover the interior balancing cap, wherein the second platform is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the carousel; and a second skirt perpendicularly coupled to the second platform. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The centrifuge of claim 39, wherein the interior balancing cap comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising the first skirt, the first portion heavier than the second portion, and wherein the exterior balancing cap comprises a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion comprising the second skirt, the third portion heavier than the fourth portion. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The centrifuge of claim 40, wherein the first portion of the interior balancing cap and the third portion of the exterior balancing cap are separated by 180° when the carousel is in a balanced state. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The centrifuge of claim 40, wherein as a position of the first portion of the interior balancing cap changes in relationship to a position of the third portion of the exterior balancing cap, a force vector is created. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The centrifuge of claim 40, wherein a first set of bearings is interposed between the upper portion of the carousel and the first platform of the interior balancing cap. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The centrifuge of claim 43, wherein a second set of bearings is interposed between the first platform of the interior balancing cap and the second platform of the exterior balancing cap. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The centrifuge of claim 44, wherein the second set of bearings is to permit the exterior balancing cap to rotate in a first plane above a second plane of the first platform of the interior balancing cap. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The centrifuge of claim 45, wherein the first set of bearings is to permit the interior balancing cap to rotate in the second plane above the upper portion of the carousel. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first drive mechanism comprises a lead screw. ### Claim 48 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the first movable element comprises a lead screw nut. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The centrifuge of claim 48, wherein the first sample tube-holding assembly is coupled to the lead screw nut by a torsion spring. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The centrifuge of claim 49, wherein the torsion spring biases the first sample tube-holding assembly to a vertical position and a centrifugal force counteracts a force of the torsion spring as the first sample tube-holding assembly moves away from a center of the centrifuge. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a torsion spring and a vertical hinge, the torsion spring and the vertical hinge to jointly control a door, the door to permit access to the first sample tube-holding assembly. ### Claim 52 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the balancing element comprises a balancing weight. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The centrifuge of claim 52, wherein the balancing weight is coupled to a first positioning mechanism. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The centrifuge of claim 53, further comprising a third drive mechanism to control the first positioning mechanism. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The centrifuge of claim 54, wherein the third drive mechanism is to move the balancing weight via a first lead screw. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The centrifuge of claim 55, further comprising a fourth drive mechanism to move the balancing weight via a second lead screw. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The centrifuge of claim 56, wherein the balancing weight is to be moved in a first direction via the third drive mechanism and a second direction via the fourth drive mechanism, the first direction perpendicular to the second direction. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The centrifuge of claim 57, wherein the balancing weight is to be moved in the first direction and the second direction to negate an imbalance vector generated by the carousel during rotation of the carousel. ### Claim 59 (depends on 53) The centrifuge of claim 53, further comprising a second positioning mechanism, the first positioning mechanism communicatively coupled to the second positioning mechanism. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The centrifuge of claim 59, wherein the first positioning mechanism comprises a first ball bearing and the second positioning mechanism comprises a second ball bearing perpendicular to the first ball bearing. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The centrifuge of claim 59, further comprising a connector interposed between the first positioning mechanism and the second positioning mechanism, the connector to connect the first positioning mechanism and the second positioning mechanism. ### Claim 62 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the balancing element comprises at least a first balancing element movable by a third drive mechanism and a second balancing element movable by a fourth drive mechanism. ### Claim 63 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein a weight of the carousel exceeds a combined weight of the first sample tube and the first sample tube holder. ### Claim 64 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising field coils mounted to the lower portion of the carousel. ### Claim 65 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the carousel is to wirelessly communicate with external controllers. ### Claim 66 (depends on 1) The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein power is provided from a source external to the carousel.