Automated diagnostic analyzer and method for its operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11199560-B2
Application number	US-201716088939-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 17, 2017
Priority date	Apr 22, 2016
Publication date	Dec 14, 2021
Grant date	Dec 14, 2021

Abstract

An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel. Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An automated analyzer comprising:
a processing deck comprising a shuttle transfer station, the shuttle transfer station further comprising a conveyer for carrying a shuttle received by the automated analyzer to the shuttle transfer station, the shuttle being a rack comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle adapted to receive a sample container;
a puncture tool carrier disposed on the processing deck;
a puncture tool placed in the puncture tool carrier;
a robot comprising a gripper, the gripper comprising at least two gripper arms, a horizontal member connecting the at least two gripper arms, and at least two holding members projecting downwardly from the horizontal member, wherein each of the at least two holding members is configured to move laterally with respect to each other for engaging with the puncture tool and wherein each gripper arm further comprises a gripper finger attached thereto, wherein the gripper arms move laterally with respect to each other such that in a first position the gripper arms are spaced a lateral distance apart that is greater than the lateral spaced apart distance in a second position, and wherein the at least two gripper arms are capable of cooperative lateral movement to grasp and release articles;
a reagent trough station configured to receive a consumable reagent trough; and
wherein the robot, using the gripper, is adapted to convey the puncture tool from the puncture tool carrier to the reagent trough station and further adapted to lower the puncture tool over the reagent trough station.

2. The automated analyzer of claim 1 , wherein the robot is a multipurpose robot comprising:
a gantry; and
a payload moveably connected to the gantry, the payload comprising the gripper and
a pipettor module having a plurality of pipette heads each being connectable to a pipette tip; and
a backplane connector having a housing and a plurality of utility connectors coupled to the housing; wherein the pipettor module and gripper are each connected to the housing of the backplane connector and the plurality of utility connectors thereof.

3. The automated analyzer of claim 2 , wherein the puncture tool carrier comprises a housing defining a cavity dimensioned to receive the puncture tool and a plurality of retaining members moveably connected to the housing, the plurality of retaining members being moveable from a first position in which the retaining members engage the puncture tool when present in the puncture tool carrier to a second position in which the retaining members are disengaged from the puncture tool allowing the puncture tool to be placed in and removed from the puncture tool carrier.

4. The automated analyzer of claim 3 , wherein the puncture tool carrier further comprises a plurality of posts extending from a base of the housing.

5. The automated analyzer of claim 4 , wherein the posts are tapered at a distal end of the posts from the base.

6. The automated analyzer of claim 3 , wherein, in a first position, the holding members are spaced a lateral distance apart that is greater than the lateral spaced apart distance in a second position.

7. The automated analyzer of claim 1 , wherein each of the gripper fingers further comprises a projection.

8. The automated analyzer of claim 6 , wherein each of the at least two holding members further comprises a projection.

9. The automated analyzer of claim 3 , wherein when the gripper is placed into the puncture tool carrier, the gripper fingers engage and are biased against the plurality of retaining members of the puncture tool carrier when the gripper fingers are in the first position and do not engage the plurality of retaining members when in the second position.

10. The automated analyzer of claim 5 , wherein the puncture tool comprises a tool body and a plurality of cannulated puncture members extending from the tool body, the cannulated puncture members each defining an opening extending through the tool body and each being sized to allow a pipette tip to pass therethrough, each cannulated puncture member also defining an edge configured to penetrate a penetrable lid.

11. The automated analyzer of claim 10 , wherein the puncture tool is configured to receive the posts when the puncture tool is placed in the puncture tool carrier.

12. The automated analyzer of claim 1 , wherein the shuttle transfer station comprises a shuttle retaining platform to receive the shuttle, the shuttle retaining platform further comprising:
a jaw assembly with an open position and a closed position, wherein the jaw assembly is in the open position when the shuttle is received in the shuttle retaining platform, the jaw assembly further comprising engagement projections, that, when the jaw assembly is in the closed position, secure against lower portions of containers carried by the shuttle;
wherein the jaw assembly is configured for the engagement projections to pass through openings in a side of the shuttle received by the shuttle retaining platform when the jaw is in the closed position thereby urging the engagement projections into contact with the lower portions of sample containers disposed in the shuttle receptacles; and
wherein the engagement projections do not extend into the shuttle openings when the jaw is in the open position.

13. The automated analyzer of claim 12 , wherein the jaw assembly further comprises a drip shield that fastens around sample containers disposed in the shuttle receptacles when the jaws are in the closed position.

14. The automated analyzer of claim 12 , wherein the shuttle retaining platform comprises an input lane and an output lane wherein the shuttle retaining platform receives the shuttle in the output lane and wherein the shuttle retaining platform is configured to move the jaw assembly with the shuttle therein from the output lane to the input lane.

Assignees

• Becton Dickinson Co

Inventors

• Vansickler Michael T
• Terry Neil G
• Bell Brian
• Rotundo Steven C
• Lachance Stephen Robert
• Shedlosky Alyssa

Classifications

• B25J9/026

  Gantry-type · CPC title

• B01L2300/021

  Identification, e.g. bar codes · CPC title

• B01L3/50855

  using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells · CPC title

• B01L2300/0858

  Side walls · CPC title

• B25J15/0066

  with different types of end effectors, e.g. gripper and welding gun (B25J15/0057 and B25J15/0061 take precedence) · CPC title