CA2129967C - Reagent container for analytical rotor - Google Patents
Reagent container for analytical rotor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2129967C CA2129967C CA002129967A CA2129967A CA2129967C CA 2129967 C CA2129967 C CA 2129967C CA 002129967 A CA002129967 A CA 002129967A CA 2129967 A CA2129967 A CA 2129967A CA 2129967 C CA2129967 C CA 2129967C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rotor
- container
- receptacle
- post
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 title claims description 64
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 29
- 239000003085 diluting agent Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 25
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- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 3
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
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- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BPYKTIZUTYGOLE-IFADSCNNSA-N Bilirubin Chemical compound N1C(=O)C(C)=C(C=C)\C1=C\C1=C(C)C(CCC(O)=O)=C(CC2=C(C(C)=C(\C=C/3C(=C(C=C)C(=O)N\3)C)N2)CCC(O)=O)N1 BPYKTIZUTYGOLE-IFADSCNNSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- XZKIHKMTEMTJQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-Nitrophenyl Phosphate Chemical compound OP(O)(=O)OC1=CC=C([N+]([O-])=O)C=C1 XZKIHKMTEMTJQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 102100031126 6-phosphogluconolactonase Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010029731 6-phosphogluconolactonase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000004925 Acrylic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000178 Acrylic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 102100036475 Alanine aminotransferase 1 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 108010001539 D-lactate dehydrogenase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100023319 Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, mitochondrial Human genes 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 108010018962 Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 102000003855 L-lactate dehydrogenase Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108700023483 L-lactate dehydrogenases Proteins 0.000 description 1
- JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M Lactate Chemical compound CC(O)C([O-])=O JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 102000045595 Phosphoprotein Phosphatases Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108700019535 Phosphoprotein Phosphatases Proteins 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010036790 Productive cough Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000008156 Ringer's lactate solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004381 amniotic fluid Anatomy 0.000 description 1
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- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N beta-D-glucose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 description 1
- XMBWDFGMSWQBCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydrogen iodide Chemical compound I XMBWDFGMSWQBCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008105 immune reaction Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 239000003317 industrial substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004020 luminiscence type Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K phosphate Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])([O-])=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 239000010452 phosphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000159 protein binding assay Methods 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
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- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
- G01N33/487—Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material
- G01N33/49—Blood
- G01N33/491—Blood by separating the blood components
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N21/07—Centrifugal type cuvettes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1002—Reagent dispensers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N2035/00465—Separating and mixing arrangements
- G01N2035/00495—Centrifuges
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
- G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
- G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
- G01N2035/0403—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means
- G01N2035/0405—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
- Y10T436/111666—Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
Abstract
An analytical rotor (2) which comprises a receptacle (60) for receiving a post (58) on a centrifuge and means in the rotor body (2) proximate to the receptacle (60) far releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor (2) in the centrifuge is disclosed.
The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container (6) shiftably positioned in a chamber (8) proximate the receptacle (60).
The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container (6) shiftably positioned in a chamber (8) proximate the receptacle (60).
Description
WO 93/16391 PCTlUS93/01139 1 ~~29~s7 ~ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of th,~ Invention The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for optically analyzing biological fluids. In particular, it relates to the design and use of centrifugal rotors which allow release of a predetermined volume of a fluid in response to mounting the rotor in a centrifuge.
Blood plasma and other biological tests frequently _require that predetermined volumes of liquids be quickly and .completely mixed with a biological fluid for analysis in a variety of optical tests or assays. It is also desirable to separate potentially-interfering cellular components of the material from the biological fluid prior to testing. Such mixing and separation steps have heretofore been typically performed by centrifugation to separate, for instance, blood plasma from the cellula~~ components, followed by manual or automated pipetting of predetermined volumes of the blood plasma into.separate test wells for optical analysis. Such procedures are labor-intensive and time-consuming, and various automated systems and methods have been proposed for providing multiple aliquots of plasma suitable for testing in a more efficient manner.
Prior art rotors have frequently utilized complex designs which are difficult and costly to manufacture. Often, the rotors require various separable parts or components which are brought together or separated at different points in the centrifugation procedure. Previous centrifugal rotors have often been limited in the number of discrete samples and test wells which they can provide, and in some cases require the use of a separate displacement fluid to effect flow of blood and plasma through the system.
1. Field of th,~ Invention The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for optically analyzing biological fluids. In particular, it relates to the design and use of centrifugal rotors which allow release of a predetermined volume of a fluid in response to mounting the rotor in a centrifuge.
Blood plasma and other biological tests frequently _require that predetermined volumes of liquids be quickly and .completely mixed with a biological fluid for analysis in a variety of optical tests or assays. It is also desirable to separate potentially-interfering cellular components of the material from the biological fluid prior to testing. Such mixing and separation steps have heretofore been typically performed by centrifugation to separate, for instance, blood plasma from the cellula~~ components, followed by manual or automated pipetting of predetermined volumes of the blood plasma into.separate test wells for optical analysis. Such procedures are labor-intensive and time-consuming, and various automated systems and methods have been proposed for providing multiple aliquots of plasma suitable for testing in a more efficient manner.
Prior art rotors have frequently utilized complex designs which are difficult and costly to manufacture. Often, the rotors require various separable parts or components which are brought together or separated at different points in the centrifugation procedure. Previous centrifugal rotors have often been limited in the number of discrete samples and test wells which they can provide, and in some cases require the use of a separate displacement fluid to effect flow of blood and plasma through the system.
For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved centrifugal rotors and methods suitable for quickly and easily delivering a predetermined volume' of liquid to a receiving chamber in the rotor. The methods should be simple and be capable of being performed in relatively short times. In particular, the methods should require relatively few steps and should be capable of being performed with little or no interventic>n or manipulation by the operator.
2. Description of the Backaround Art U.S. Patent No. 4,999,304 discloses a centrifuge for separating constituents of fluids comprising a separate diluent chamber. U.S. Patent No.
4,963,498 discloses devices which rely upon capillaries, chambers, and orifices to pump and mix fluids fortptical analysis. U.S. Patent No. 4,898,832 discloses an analytical rotor comprising a series of reagent chambers, U.S. Patent No. 4,814,144 discloses a centrifugal rotor into which various reagents may be introduced. U.S.
Patent No. 4,756,883 relates to a centrifugal rotor comprising various reagents in a dry tabletized form.
U.S. Patent No. 4,743,552 is directed to a rotor having a plurality of storage chambers for liquid reagents. U.S.
Patent No, 4,412,973 discloses a rotor comprising a reagent container having an outwardly disposed tip. The tip is broken off and the container is opened by tilting the container. U.S. Patent No. 4,387,164 discloses a rotor having a reagent contained within a carrier solid organic binder which is fixed within the rotor. European Patent Application No. 8,105,106.0 discloses a reagent container which is opened as the result of centrifugal force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having an axis of rotation, a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface;
a receptacle on one of the surfaces of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge; and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor body in the centrifuge.
The present invention also provides an analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having a bottom surface;
a receptacle on the bottom surface of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge: and a sealed container disposed in the rotor body, the container comprising a liquid and being positioned adjacent the receptacle such that entry of the post into the receptacle shifts the container to an open position and the liquid is delivered to a receiving chamber in the rotor as the rotor is spun.
The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container shiftably positioned in a 3a chamber proximate the receptacle.
The sealed container may comprise one or more compartments. If more than one compartment is present, each compartment may comprise the same or different liquid.
In one embodiment, the container is sealed with a laminated foil seal having a tab anchored to the rotor.
Preferably, the foil seal is folded back on itself over the top of the container so that the foil seal is peeled from the container in response to the insertion of the post in the receptacle.
In an alternative embodiment, the container comprises a foil seal and a rigid side having a scribe mark. The ends of the container are secured to the rotor such that the container opens along the scribe mark in response to the insertion of the post in th6 receptacle.
The rigid side is preferably formed from sheet plastic material.
The receptacle which accepts the post is typically positioned on the bottom of the rotor at the axis of rotation. The post may be positioned on the centrifuge spindle or the post may be the spindle itself.
In certain embodiments, the post may indirectly shift t:he container by engaging a piston which then shifts the container.
The rotor is preferably used for the analysis of a biological sample, such as whole blood. The rotor will thus comprise a means for introducing the sample into the rotor body. The liquid in the container is preferably a reagent used in the analysis of blood, typically, a diluent suitable for diluting whole blood 3b prior to analysis.
The rotor preferably comprises a receiving chamber for accepting the fluid released from container.
If the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartment may be connected to a separate receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is typically a mixing chamber in which the liquid, e.g. diluent, is mixed with a marker compound. The rotor will preferably comprise appropriate chambers and passages for mixing the diluent with the biological sample, separating cellular material, and performing various optical analyses of the sample.
In a further aspect, the present invention a method of delivering a predetermined volume of liquid to a receiving chamber in an analytical rotor, the rotor having a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a post through a receptacle disposed on one of the surfaces of the rotor, thereby releasing the liquid; and spinning the rotor to effect the flow of the liquid into the receiving chamber.
WO 93/16391 212 9 9 6 7 , PCI'/US93/01139 :., ; , a .
2. Description of the Backaround Art U.S. Patent No. 4,999,304 discloses a centrifuge for separating constituents of fluids comprising a separate diluent chamber. U.S. Patent No.
4,963,498 discloses devices which rely upon capillaries, chambers, and orifices to pump and mix fluids fortptical analysis. U.S. Patent No. 4,898,832 discloses an analytical rotor comprising a series of reagent chambers, U.S. Patent No. 4,814,144 discloses a centrifugal rotor into which various reagents may be introduced. U.S.
Patent No. 4,756,883 relates to a centrifugal rotor comprising various reagents in a dry tabletized form.
U.S. Patent No. 4,743,552 is directed to a rotor having a plurality of storage chambers for liquid reagents. U.S.
Patent No, 4,412,973 discloses a rotor comprising a reagent container having an outwardly disposed tip. The tip is broken off and the container is opened by tilting the container. U.S. Patent No. 4,387,164 discloses a rotor having a reagent contained within a carrier solid organic binder which is fixed within the rotor. European Patent Application No. 8,105,106.0 discloses a reagent container which is opened as the result of centrifugal force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having an axis of rotation, a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface;
a receptacle on one of the surfaces of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge; and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor body in the centrifuge.
The present invention also provides an analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having a bottom surface;
a receptacle on the bottom surface of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge: and a sealed container disposed in the rotor body, the container comprising a liquid and being positioned adjacent the receptacle such that entry of the post into the receptacle shifts the container to an open position and the liquid is delivered to a receiving chamber in the rotor as the rotor is spun.
The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container shiftably positioned in a 3a chamber proximate the receptacle.
The sealed container may comprise one or more compartments. If more than one compartment is present, each compartment may comprise the same or different liquid.
In one embodiment, the container is sealed with a laminated foil seal having a tab anchored to the rotor.
Preferably, the foil seal is folded back on itself over the top of the container so that the foil seal is peeled from the container in response to the insertion of the post in the receptacle.
In an alternative embodiment, the container comprises a foil seal and a rigid side having a scribe mark. The ends of the container are secured to the rotor such that the container opens along the scribe mark in response to the insertion of the post in th6 receptacle.
The rigid side is preferably formed from sheet plastic material.
The receptacle which accepts the post is typically positioned on the bottom of the rotor at the axis of rotation. The post may be positioned on the centrifuge spindle or the post may be the spindle itself.
In certain embodiments, the post may indirectly shift t:he container by engaging a piston which then shifts the container.
The rotor is preferably used for the analysis of a biological sample, such as whole blood. The rotor will thus comprise a means for introducing the sample into the rotor body. The liquid in the container is preferably a reagent used in the analysis of blood, typically, a diluent suitable for diluting whole blood 3b prior to analysis.
The rotor preferably comprises a receiving chamber for accepting the fluid released from container.
If the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartment may be connected to a separate receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is typically a mixing chamber in which the liquid, e.g. diluent, is mixed with a marker compound. The rotor will preferably comprise appropriate chambers and passages for mixing the diluent with the biological sample, separating cellular material, and performing various optical analyses of the sample.
In a further aspect, the present invention a method of delivering a predetermined volume of liquid to a receiving chamber in an analytical rotor, the rotor having a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a post through a receptacle disposed on one of the surfaces of the rotor, thereby releasing the liquid; and spinning the rotor to effect the flow of the liquid into the receiving chamber.
WO 93/16391 212 9 9 6 7 , PCI'/US93/01139 :., ; , a .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor of the present invention showing the position of the reagent container in relation to various passages and chambers in the rotor.
Fig. 2A is side view of the rotor showing the position of the reagent container before the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 28 is side view of the rotor showing the position of the reagent container after the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 3A is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor comprising an alternate embodiment of the reagent container showing the position of the container before the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 38 is atop plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor comprising an alternate embodiment of the reagent container showing the position of the container after the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 4A is a side view of a rotor comprising a piston which shifts the reagent container showing the positions of the piston and reagent container before the piston is engaged by the post.
Fig. 4B is a side view of a rotor comprising a piston which shifts the reagent container showing the positions of the piston and reagent container after the piston is engaged by the post.
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor of the present invention showing the position of the reagent-container having two compartments in relation to various passages. and chambers in the rotor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides devices and methods for automatically releasing a predetermined volume of liquid in a centrifugal rotor. This is preferably carried out using a sealed reagent container which is shifted to an open position WO 93/16391 ~,., PCT/US93/01139 in response to the insertion of a post into a receptacle in the rotor. The contents are then removed from the~container and delivered to a receiving chamber by centrifugal force or gravity. The receiving chamber can have a variety of 5 functions. For instance, it can be a mixing chamber, a measuring chamber, or a separation chamber. The receiving chamber is preferably a separation chamber, where cellular material in the biological sample is removed.
The sealed reagent container of the present invention to is preferably formed of a material which will provide an excellent water and water vapor transmission barrier. Various plastics and other polymeric materials such as high density a polyethylene are typically used. The container may be manufactured by a number of techniques including molding, pressure or vacuum forming, and machining.
The container can be formed to comprise a single compartment or more than one compartment. The liquid in the compartments may be delivered to the same receiving chamber or each may be connected to separate receiving chambers. Each compartment may contain the same or a different reagent. For instance, two compartments can be connected to a mixing chamber in which two liquids (e. g., a diluent and a marker compound) are mixed before delivery to another chamber.
The container is typically sealed with foil. The foil seal is preferably laminated with polyethylene or another plastic and die cut to the appropriate shape to cover the opening. If the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartment may have a separate foil seal, or a single foil seal may be used for the entire container. The assembly 30~ is formed by filling the container with the specified volume of reagent and heat sealing or ultrasonically welding the foil onto the container.
The sealed reagent container is usually positioned in a chamber which has sufficient size to allow the container to be shifted to an open position. The container is positioned adjacent to a receptacle which can be any shape or size~as long as the container cannot pass through. The container is secured WO 93/16391 212: 99~ 6'7 ~ PCT/US93/01139 in the rotor and its contents are isolated from the rest of the rotor until the analytical rotor is used.
The receptacle is typically on the bottom surface of the rotor and the sealed container is opened when the rotor is 5 mounted on a spindle in a centrifuge. The spindle itself may shift the container or the spindle may include a post which enters the receptacle. When the rotor is placed on the spindle, the post shifts the container and creates an opening in the container. Alternatively, a mechanical arm or solenoid .
shifts the container. Thus, the opening of the container may be delayed until a predetermined time in the testing cycle. In this embodiment, the container may be positioned away from the center of the rotor and the post need not be positioned on the spindle. Additionally, the receptacle may be on a surface other than the bottom surface of the rotor and the container can be moved sideways or down.
In one embodiment, the container is sealed with a laminated foil seal having a tab which is secured to the rotor body. Various methods of securing the tab include clamping it between layers in the rotor, welding, and gluing. A simple method is achieved by punching one or more holes in the foil tab and capturing the tab on posts in the rotor. This is a convenient method to register the foil before the rotor is sealed, typically by ultrasonic welding.
When the rotor is placed on the spindle, the post pushes up on the bottom of the container causing it to travel vertically while the foil remains secured. The foil seal is folded back on itself such that foil geels back from the side of the container opposite the secured tab and creates an opening as the container is shifted upward. In this design, the container preferably has a slanting side on the wall of the container where the opening is formed to facilitate the complete emptying of the container. Emptying of the container may be further facilitated by including a recess in the cover of the rotor.
Additional designs for automatically opening and emptying a container in the rotor can also be used. For instance, a form, fill and seal container with a scribe S mark on the rigid side of the container can be used. The container is typically formed from a sheet plastic material, typically by vacuum or pressure forming. The container is filled with the appropriate reagent and sealed with foil. The container is mounted into the rotor by securing the ends of the container, typically by capturing them in grooves or behind posts, When the rotor is mounted in the centrifuge, the spindle or a post extends into the chamber and pushes the center portion of the container radially outward. The pressure of the 1S spindle or post causes the container to snap at the scribe mark, opening the container. As with the previous embodiment, the contents may now be moved by centrifugal forces or gravity to the location desired.
The analytical rotors of the present invention are capable of being mounted on a conventional laboratory centrifuge of the type commercially available from suppliers, such as Beckman* Instruments, Inc, Spinco*
Division, Fullerton, California; Fisher Scientific*, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; VWR Scientific*, San Francisco, 2S California, and the like. Generally, the rotors will include a receptacle or other coupling device suitable for mounting on a vertical drive shaft or spindle within the centrifuge. This receptacle may or may not be the same as the receptacle positioned below the sealed reagent container. The particular design of the receptacle or coupling device will depend on the nature Trade-marks*
7a of the centrifuge, and it will be appreciated that the centrifugal rotor of the present invention may be adapted to be used with most types of centrifuges which are now available or which may become available in the future so long as the velocity profile can be programmed.
The analytical rotors comprise a body structure which maintains a desired geometric pattern or relationship between a plurality of chambers and interconnecting inlet channels, as described in more detail below. Usually, the body will be a substantially solid plate with the chambers and passages formed as spaces or voids in an otherwise solid matrix.
Conveniently, WO 93/16391 ~ 12:g 9v6 ? ~ ~ P~/US93/01139 such solid plate structures may be fonaed by laminating a plurality of separately fonaed layers together into a composite structure where the chambers and passages are generally formed between adjacent layers. The individual layers may be formed by injection molding, machining, and combinations thereof, and will usually be joined together, typically using a suitable adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. The final enclosed volumes are formed when the layers are brought together. Of course, the analytical rotor could also be formed as a plurality of discrete components, such as tubes, vessels, chambers, etc., arranged in a suitable structural framework. Such assemblies, however, are generally more difficult to manufacture and are therefore less desirable than those formed in a substantially _.solid plate.
The analytical rotors may be formed from a wide variety of materials and may optionally include two or more materials. Usually, the materials will be transparent, for example clear plastic, so that the presence and distribution of biological sample, and various reagents, may be observed within the various internal chambers and passages. Also, it is generally required that the test wells or cuvettes formed within the rotor have suitable optical paths formed therethrough so that the contents of the test well may be observed spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically, or by other visual assessment techniques. In the exemplary embodiment described below, the rotor is formed from acrylic resins having the required optical properties, at least in those areas which define the optical paths.
The apparatus of the invention is very easy to manufacture and can be produced at a very low cost, making the rotor suitable for use as a disposable in testing a nuiaber of biological samples such as whole blood. The apparatus can provide for automatic combination of blood with a predetermined volume of reagent or diluent and can apportion substantially equal volumes of blood or plasma among the plurality of cuvettes. More importantly, the apparatus is suitable for use with .a variety of conventional analytic measurement devices, such as spectrophotometers and fluorometers, which allow the plasma in the cuvettes to be individually examined without the need to remove the plasma.
Although the present invention is particularly suitable for analyzing whole blood or blood plasma, it will be useful with a wide variety of other biological fluids, such as urine, sputum, semen, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebral fluid, spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and tissue culture media, as well as food and industrial chemicals, and the like. The rotors of the invention also provide for separation of cellular material, accurate measurement of volumes of sample, distribution of the sample into a plurality of test wells or cuvettes, and rapid optical analyses of the sample. All of the above steps preferably occur without having to transfer aliquots of the plasma from the apparatus and as a result of centrifugal force generated by the spinning rotor.
Where it may be desirable to separate cells a:nd other interfering substances prior to analysis or assay, the devices and methods described in U.S. Patent No.
5,061,381 are preferably used. That application discloses a centrifugal rotor for separating plasma from whole blood which includes a separation chamber comprising a radially-outward cell trap and a radially-inward receptacle region separated from the cell trap by a capillary region. Spinning of the rotor causes the cellular components of the whole blood to enter the cel:1 trap, while the separated plasma flows back into the receptacle region. The capillary region prevents the separated cellular components from flowing back into the receptacle region with the plasma.
Measurement and delivery of predetermined volumes of reagents and biological sample is preferably accomplished as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,173,193.
The Patent discloses and claims a rotor comprising a bulk fluid chamber containing a bulk amount of fluid and a metering chamber which has a predetermined volume. The bulk fluid flowing into the metering chamber having a predetermined volume and excess fluid flows out into an overflow chamber, The fluid in the netering chamber is delivered to the receiving chamber through an exit duct which preferably prevents flow of fluid until after the metering chamber is filled.
The distribution of fluid to cuvettes or test wells is preferably accomplished using the methods and devices disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,122,284. In that Patent, a centrifugal rotor comprising a plurality of generally radial inlet channels connects each cuvette to a collection chamber. Each inlet channel has a discrete flow path for fluid to enter the cuvette and another discrete flow path for gas to exit the cuvette as the cuvette is filled, As the rotor is spun, fluid enters t:he cuvettes from the collection chamber through the inlet channels, which also allow gas in the cuvettes to escape, thus avoiding the creation of bubbles in the cuvette as the cuvettes are filled. In some embodiments, a reflective surface is positioned radially inward from each cuvette, The reflective surface is oriented such that a generally horizontal light beam is deflected in a generally vertical direction and vice versa, The apparatus and method of the present invention are suitable for performing a wide variety of analytic procedures which are beneficially or necessarily performed on biological samples, preferably blood plasma.
The analytic procedures will generally require that the blood plasma be combined with one or more reagents so that some optically detectable change occurs in the plasma which may be related to measurement of a particular component or characteristic of the plasma.
Preferably, the plasma will undergo a reaction or other change which results in a change in color, fluorescence, luminescence, or the like, which may be measured by conventional spectrophotometers, fluorometers, light detectors, etc. In some cases, immunoassays and other specific binding assays may be performed in the test wells, Generally, however, such assay procedures must be homogeneous and not require a separation step. In other cases, it will be possible to accommodate heterogeneous assay systems by providing a means to separate blood plasma from the test wells after an immunological reaction step has occurred.
Conventional blood assays which may be performed include glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamic- oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood urea (nitrogen) (BUN), total protein, alkalinity, phosphatase, bilirubin, calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and the like. This list is not exhaustive and is intended merely to exemplify the assays which may be performed using the apparatus and method of the present invention. Usually, these tests will require that the blood plasma be combined with one or more reagents which results in an optionally detectable, usually photometrically detectable, change in the plasma. The required reagents are well known and amply described in the patent and scientific literature, Production of lyophilized reagent spheres suitable for use in the present invention is described in U.S. Patent No.
5,413,732.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5, centrifugal rotors constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention will be described in detail, The flow of liquid through the various passages and chambers described below occurs as a result of centrifugal forces generated by the spinning rotor. The siphons used to transfer fluids between chambers operate as described in u.s. Patent No. 5,173,193 mentioned previously. Briefly, each siphon has an elbow substantially the same distance from the center of the rotor as the radially most inward point of the chamber holding the fluid. As the rotor is spinning the fluid does not flow past the elbow. The rotor is then stopped, which allows capillary forces to "prime" the siphon by pulling fluid just around the elbow, When the rotor is restarted, the combined centrifugal and capillary forces draw the remaining fluid out of the chamber into the next chamber.
The rotor body 2 of the present invention is in the form of a substantially solid disc, the bottom layer 4 of which is shown in Fig. 1. A sealed reagent container 6 is positioned in a chamber S in the bottom layer 4, a:nd is radially inward from an outlet channel 10 which empties into a mixing chamber 12. The reagent container typically contains a diluent to be mixed with a biological sample. Various diluents known to those skilled in the art are suitable for use in the present invention. For instance, if the sample is blood, standard diluents such as normal saline solution (0.5% NaCl in water), phosphate buffered solution, Ringer's lactate solution, and the like may be used.
The sealed reagent container 6 is typically opened in response to mounting the rotor body 2 in a centrifuge. The mechanism by which the reagent container 6 is opened is described in detail below, After opening, the reagent in the reagent container flows through the outlet channel 10 to the mixing chamber 12, The mixing chamber 12 will typically comprise a photometrically detectable marker compound for determining the dilution of the biological sample being tested. Suitable marker compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,732 mentioned previously. Such compounds include dyes such as 1,1',3,3',3' - hexamethylindotricarbocyanine iodide, l,l' -bis (sulfoalkyl) -3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine salts, enzyme substrates (such as lactate and p-nitrophenylphosphate) and enzymes (such as D-lactate dehydrogenase and microbial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).
After mixing, the diluent exits the mixing chamber 12 through siphon 14 and enters the metering chamber 16. The metering chamber 16 is connected to an overflow chamber 18. Measurement of the diluent in the metering chamber 16 is as described in U.S. Patent No.
5,173,193 mentioned previously. To provide the predetermined volume of diluent, the volume of the metering chamber 16 must be less than that of the reagent container. Excess diluent flows into the overflow chamber 18 leaving the predetermined volume of diluent in the metering chamber.
The excess diluent in the overflow chamber 18 exits via passage 20 and enters collection chamber 22.
The diluent then flows radially outward to system cuvettes 24 for use as a reference in the optical analysis of the biological sample, described below.
The predetermined volume of diluent in the metering chamber 16 exits through siphon 26 and enters the separation chamber 28, where it mixes with and dilutes the biological sample to be analyzed. The sample is applied to the rotor body 2 through an application port in the top layer (not shown). The sample metering chamber 30 is connected to a sample overflow chamber 32 by a connecting passage 34. The depth of the sample metering chamber 30 and overflow chamber 32 will typically be selected to provide for capillary dimensions. The measured volume of sample then enters the separation chamber 28 through passage 29.
The separation chamber 28 is used to remove cellular material from a biological sample, such as whole blood, The separation chamber 28 includes a cell trap 3E>
formed at its radially-outward periphery and a receptacle region 38 formed along its radially-inward perimeter. A
capillary region 40 is formed between the receptacle region 38 and the cell trap 36 in order to inhibit the backflow of cellular material after it has entered the cell trap 36 as a result of centrifugal separation. The receptacle region 38 has a volume which is capable of receiving the diluted cell-free blood plasma.
The diluted plasma exits the separation chamber 14a 28 through siphon 42 and enters a second separation chamber 44 where further separation of cellular material is carried out, The diluted sample then exits through passage 46 and enters the collection chamber 48 where it is delivered to cuvettes 50 for optical analysis, The cuvettes 50 contain reagents necessary for the optical analysis of the sample, typically in the form of lyophilized reagent spheres as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,732 mentioned previously.
The opening of the sealed reagent container 6 is shown in detail in Figs. 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A shows the position of the reagent container 6 before the rotor body 2 is placed in the centrifuge. Here, it can be seen that a reagent container 6 is positioned at the bottom of chamber 8, The container is sealed with a laminated foil seal 52 which comprises a tab 54 which is clamped between the bottom layer 4 and the top layer 56 by means of securing post 57 and holes in the tab 54 (not shown).
Fig. 2B shows the position of the reagent container 6 in the chamber 8 after the rotor body 2 is placed on the centrifuge and a post 58 has entered through receptacle 60. As discussed above, the post 58 is typically the spindle of the centrifuge. The post 58 shifts the reagent container 6 upward. This motion causes the foil seal 52 to be pulled back from the top of the reagent container 6, because the foil seal 52 is secured to the rotor 2 at tab 54. An opening is created and the diluent in the reagent container then exits through outlet channel 10.
An alternative embodiment is presented in Figs.
3A and 3B. In this embodiment the reagent container 62 is positioned in a chamber 64 which empties into a receiving 14b chamber 66 through outlet channel 68, Preferably, the receiving chamber 66 will be a mixing chamber which S empties into the series of chambers and passages shown in Fig. 1. The reagent container 62 comprises a foil seal 70 and a rigid side 72 having a scribe mark 74. The container 62 is held in place by restraining posts 75.
Fig. 3B shows the position of the reagent container 62 after the spindle or post 76 has extended through receptacle 78 and into the chamber 64. In this position, the post 76 has shifted reagent container 62 toward the receiving chamber 66 causing the rigid side 72 to split along the scribe mark 74 and creating opening 77. Fluid then enters the receiving chamber 66 in response to the spinning of the rotor.
Figs. 4A and 4B show an alternate embodiment i_n which the post 76 indirectly shifts the reagent container 62 through movement of a piston 80. Fig. 4A shows the reagent container 62 positioned in the chamber 64 before the post 76 has engaged the piston 80. Fig. 4B shows the position of the post 76 and 15 2129J6r1 the piston 80 after the post 80 has entered the chamber 64 through receptacle 60. It can be seen there that the piston 80 is shifted radially outward thus shifting the reagent container ~ 62 and causing it to open as described above.
Fig. 5 illustrates a rotor of the invention having a sealed reagent container 82 comprising more than one compartments 84. The chamber is positioned in the rotor body 2 and is opened in the same manner as described in the embodiment pictured in Fig. 1. For ease of description, the reagent container is shown without a foil seal, which is as described above. In this embodiment, each compartment 84 is radially inward from an outlet channel 86, each of which empties into a w separate receiving chamber 88 and 90. The reagent container contains a diluent as described above. The reagent container 82 of this embodiment eliminates the need for a measuring chamber because each compartment 84 contains a predetermined volume of diluent which is used either as a Control or for mixing with the biological sample.
after opening, the diluent in each compartment flows through the outlet channels 86 to the receiving chambers 88 and 90, which may contain marker compounds as described above.
Diluent in.receiving chamber 88 exits via passage_92 and enters collection chamber 94. The diluent then flows radially outward to system cuvettes 96 for use as a reference.
The predetermined volume of diluent in receiving chamber 90 exits through siphon 98 and enters the separation chamber 100, where it mixes with and dilutes the biological sample to be analyzed. The separation chamber 100 functions as described above. Whole blood is applied to the sample metering chamber 102 and metered as described above. The measured volume of blood then enters the separation chamber 100 through passage 104.
The diluted plasma exits the separation chamber 100 through siphon 106 and enters a second separation chamber 108 where further separation of cellular material is carried out.
The diluted sample then exits through passage 110 and enters ~12996"~ ~ 16 the collection chamber 112 where it is delivered to cuvettes 114 for optical analysis.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the receptacle which accepts the post may be positioned on surfaces other than the bottom surface of the rotor body. The post need not enter the receptacle as the rotor is mounted but may be moved mechanically at a preselected time during the testing cycle.
In addition, the reagent container may contain reagents other than diluents, such as marker compounds, analytical reagents and the like.
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor of the present invention showing the position of the reagent container in relation to various passages and chambers in the rotor.
Fig. 2A is side view of the rotor showing the position of the reagent container before the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 28 is side view of the rotor showing the position of the reagent container after the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 3A is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor comprising an alternate embodiment of the reagent container showing the position of the container before the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 38 is atop plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor comprising an alternate embodiment of the reagent container showing the position of the container after the post is inserted into the rotor.
Fig. 4A is a side view of a rotor comprising a piston which shifts the reagent container showing the positions of the piston and reagent container before the piston is engaged by the post.
Fig. 4B is a side view of a rotor comprising a piston which shifts the reagent container showing the positions of the piston and reagent container after the piston is engaged by the post.
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the bottom layer of a rotor of the present invention showing the position of the reagent-container having two compartments in relation to various passages. and chambers in the rotor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides devices and methods for automatically releasing a predetermined volume of liquid in a centrifugal rotor. This is preferably carried out using a sealed reagent container which is shifted to an open position WO 93/16391 ~,., PCT/US93/01139 in response to the insertion of a post into a receptacle in the rotor. The contents are then removed from the~container and delivered to a receiving chamber by centrifugal force or gravity. The receiving chamber can have a variety of 5 functions. For instance, it can be a mixing chamber, a measuring chamber, or a separation chamber. The receiving chamber is preferably a separation chamber, where cellular material in the biological sample is removed.
The sealed reagent container of the present invention to is preferably formed of a material which will provide an excellent water and water vapor transmission barrier. Various plastics and other polymeric materials such as high density a polyethylene are typically used. The container may be manufactured by a number of techniques including molding, pressure or vacuum forming, and machining.
The container can be formed to comprise a single compartment or more than one compartment. The liquid in the compartments may be delivered to the same receiving chamber or each may be connected to separate receiving chambers. Each compartment may contain the same or a different reagent. For instance, two compartments can be connected to a mixing chamber in which two liquids (e. g., a diluent and a marker compound) are mixed before delivery to another chamber.
The container is typically sealed with foil. The foil seal is preferably laminated with polyethylene or another plastic and die cut to the appropriate shape to cover the opening. If the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartment may have a separate foil seal, or a single foil seal may be used for the entire container. The assembly 30~ is formed by filling the container with the specified volume of reagent and heat sealing or ultrasonically welding the foil onto the container.
The sealed reagent container is usually positioned in a chamber which has sufficient size to allow the container to be shifted to an open position. The container is positioned adjacent to a receptacle which can be any shape or size~as long as the container cannot pass through. The container is secured WO 93/16391 212: 99~ 6'7 ~ PCT/US93/01139 in the rotor and its contents are isolated from the rest of the rotor until the analytical rotor is used.
The receptacle is typically on the bottom surface of the rotor and the sealed container is opened when the rotor is 5 mounted on a spindle in a centrifuge. The spindle itself may shift the container or the spindle may include a post which enters the receptacle. When the rotor is placed on the spindle, the post shifts the container and creates an opening in the container. Alternatively, a mechanical arm or solenoid .
shifts the container. Thus, the opening of the container may be delayed until a predetermined time in the testing cycle. In this embodiment, the container may be positioned away from the center of the rotor and the post need not be positioned on the spindle. Additionally, the receptacle may be on a surface other than the bottom surface of the rotor and the container can be moved sideways or down.
In one embodiment, the container is sealed with a laminated foil seal having a tab which is secured to the rotor body. Various methods of securing the tab include clamping it between layers in the rotor, welding, and gluing. A simple method is achieved by punching one or more holes in the foil tab and capturing the tab on posts in the rotor. This is a convenient method to register the foil before the rotor is sealed, typically by ultrasonic welding.
When the rotor is placed on the spindle, the post pushes up on the bottom of the container causing it to travel vertically while the foil remains secured. The foil seal is folded back on itself such that foil geels back from the side of the container opposite the secured tab and creates an opening as the container is shifted upward. In this design, the container preferably has a slanting side on the wall of the container where the opening is formed to facilitate the complete emptying of the container. Emptying of the container may be further facilitated by including a recess in the cover of the rotor.
Additional designs for automatically opening and emptying a container in the rotor can also be used. For instance, a form, fill and seal container with a scribe S mark on the rigid side of the container can be used. The container is typically formed from a sheet plastic material, typically by vacuum or pressure forming. The container is filled with the appropriate reagent and sealed with foil. The container is mounted into the rotor by securing the ends of the container, typically by capturing them in grooves or behind posts, When the rotor is mounted in the centrifuge, the spindle or a post extends into the chamber and pushes the center portion of the container radially outward. The pressure of the 1S spindle or post causes the container to snap at the scribe mark, opening the container. As with the previous embodiment, the contents may now be moved by centrifugal forces or gravity to the location desired.
The analytical rotors of the present invention are capable of being mounted on a conventional laboratory centrifuge of the type commercially available from suppliers, such as Beckman* Instruments, Inc, Spinco*
Division, Fullerton, California; Fisher Scientific*, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; VWR Scientific*, San Francisco, 2S California, and the like. Generally, the rotors will include a receptacle or other coupling device suitable for mounting on a vertical drive shaft or spindle within the centrifuge. This receptacle may or may not be the same as the receptacle positioned below the sealed reagent container. The particular design of the receptacle or coupling device will depend on the nature Trade-marks*
7a of the centrifuge, and it will be appreciated that the centrifugal rotor of the present invention may be adapted to be used with most types of centrifuges which are now available or which may become available in the future so long as the velocity profile can be programmed.
The analytical rotors comprise a body structure which maintains a desired geometric pattern or relationship between a plurality of chambers and interconnecting inlet channels, as described in more detail below. Usually, the body will be a substantially solid plate with the chambers and passages formed as spaces or voids in an otherwise solid matrix.
Conveniently, WO 93/16391 ~ 12:g 9v6 ? ~ ~ P~/US93/01139 such solid plate structures may be fonaed by laminating a plurality of separately fonaed layers together into a composite structure where the chambers and passages are generally formed between adjacent layers. The individual layers may be formed by injection molding, machining, and combinations thereof, and will usually be joined together, typically using a suitable adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. The final enclosed volumes are formed when the layers are brought together. Of course, the analytical rotor could also be formed as a plurality of discrete components, such as tubes, vessels, chambers, etc., arranged in a suitable structural framework. Such assemblies, however, are generally more difficult to manufacture and are therefore less desirable than those formed in a substantially _.solid plate.
The analytical rotors may be formed from a wide variety of materials and may optionally include two or more materials. Usually, the materials will be transparent, for example clear plastic, so that the presence and distribution of biological sample, and various reagents, may be observed within the various internal chambers and passages. Also, it is generally required that the test wells or cuvettes formed within the rotor have suitable optical paths formed therethrough so that the contents of the test well may be observed spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically, or by other visual assessment techniques. In the exemplary embodiment described below, the rotor is formed from acrylic resins having the required optical properties, at least in those areas which define the optical paths.
The apparatus of the invention is very easy to manufacture and can be produced at a very low cost, making the rotor suitable for use as a disposable in testing a nuiaber of biological samples such as whole blood. The apparatus can provide for automatic combination of blood with a predetermined volume of reagent or diluent and can apportion substantially equal volumes of blood or plasma among the plurality of cuvettes. More importantly, the apparatus is suitable for use with .a variety of conventional analytic measurement devices, such as spectrophotometers and fluorometers, which allow the plasma in the cuvettes to be individually examined without the need to remove the plasma.
Although the present invention is particularly suitable for analyzing whole blood or blood plasma, it will be useful with a wide variety of other biological fluids, such as urine, sputum, semen, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebral fluid, spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and tissue culture media, as well as food and industrial chemicals, and the like. The rotors of the invention also provide for separation of cellular material, accurate measurement of volumes of sample, distribution of the sample into a plurality of test wells or cuvettes, and rapid optical analyses of the sample. All of the above steps preferably occur without having to transfer aliquots of the plasma from the apparatus and as a result of centrifugal force generated by the spinning rotor.
Where it may be desirable to separate cells a:nd other interfering substances prior to analysis or assay, the devices and methods described in U.S. Patent No.
5,061,381 are preferably used. That application discloses a centrifugal rotor for separating plasma from whole blood which includes a separation chamber comprising a radially-outward cell trap and a radially-inward receptacle region separated from the cell trap by a capillary region. Spinning of the rotor causes the cellular components of the whole blood to enter the cel:1 trap, while the separated plasma flows back into the receptacle region. The capillary region prevents the separated cellular components from flowing back into the receptacle region with the plasma.
Measurement and delivery of predetermined volumes of reagents and biological sample is preferably accomplished as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,173,193.
The Patent discloses and claims a rotor comprising a bulk fluid chamber containing a bulk amount of fluid and a metering chamber which has a predetermined volume. The bulk fluid flowing into the metering chamber having a predetermined volume and excess fluid flows out into an overflow chamber, The fluid in the netering chamber is delivered to the receiving chamber through an exit duct which preferably prevents flow of fluid until after the metering chamber is filled.
The distribution of fluid to cuvettes or test wells is preferably accomplished using the methods and devices disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,122,284. In that Patent, a centrifugal rotor comprising a plurality of generally radial inlet channels connects each cuvette to a collection chamber. Each inlet channel has a discrete flow path for fluid to enter the cuvette and another discrete flow path for gas to exit the cuvette as the cuvette is filled, As the rotor is spun, fluid enters t:he cuvettes from the collection chamber through the inlet channels, which also allow gas in the cuvettes to escape, thus avoiding the creation of bubbles in the cuvette as the cuvettes are filled. In some embodiments, a reflective surface is positioned radially inward from each cuvette, The reflective surface is oriented such that a generally horizontal light beam is deflected in a generally vertical direction and vice versa, The apparatus and method of the present invention are suitable for performing a wide variety of analytic procedures which are beneficially or necessarily performed on biological samples, preferably blood plasma.
The analytic procedures will generally require that the blood plasma be combined with one or more reagents so that some optically detectable change occurs in the plasma which may be related to measurement of a particular component or characteristic of the plasma.
Preferably, the plasma will undergo a reaction or other change which results in a change in color, fluorescence, luminescence, or the like, which may be measured by conventional spectrophotometers, fluorometers, light detectors, etc. In some cases, immunoassays and other specific binding assays may be performed in the test wells, Generally, however, such assay procedures must be homogeneous and not require a separation step. In other cases, it will be possible to accommodate heterogeneous assay systems by providing a means to separate blood plasma from the test wells after an immunological reaction step has occurred.
Conventional blood assays which may be performed include glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamic- oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood urea (nitrogen) (BUN), total protein, alkalinity, phosphatase, bilirubin, calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and the like. This list is not exhaustive and is intended merely to exemplify the assays which may be performed using the apparatus and method of the present invention. Usually, these tests will require that the blood plasma be combined with one or more reagents which results in an optionally detectable, usually photometrically detectable, change in the plasma. The required reagents are well known and amply described in the patent and scientific literature, Production of lyophilized reagent spheres suitable for use in the present invention is described in U.S. Patent No.
5,413,732.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5, centrifugal rotors constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention will be described in detail, The flow of liquid through the various passages and chambers described below occurs as a result of centrifugal forces generated by the spinning rotor. The siphons used to transfer fluids between chambers operate as described in u.s. Patent No. 5,173,193 mentioned previously. Briefly, each siphon has an elbow substantially the same distance from the center of the rotor as the radially most inward point of the chamber holding the fluid. As the rotor is spinning the fluid does not flow past the elbow. The rotor is then stopped, which allows capillary forces to "prime" the siphon by pulling fluid just around the elbow, When the rotor is restarted, the combined centrifugal and capillary forces draw the remaining fluid out of the chamber into the next chamber.
The rotor body 2 of the present invention is in the form of a substantially solid disc, the bottom layer 4 of which is shown in Fig. 1. A sealed reagent container 6 is positioned in a chamber S in the bottom layer 4, a:nd is radially inward from an outlet channel 10 which empties into a mixing chamber 12. The reagent container typically contains a diluent to be mixed with a biological sample. Various diluents known to those skilled in the art are suitable for use in the present invention. For instance, if the sample is blood, standard diluents such as normal saline solution (0.5% NaCl in water), phosphate buffered solution, Ringer's lactate solution, and the like may be used.
The sealed reagent container 6 is typically opened in response to mounting the rotor body 2 in a centrifuge. The mechanism by which the reagent container 6 is opened is described in detail below, After opening, the reagent in the reagent container flows through the outlet channel 10 to the mixing chamber 12, The mixing chamber 12 will typically comprise a photometrically detectable marker compound for determining the dilution of the biological sample being tested. Suitable marker compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,732 mentioned previously. Such compounds include dyes such as 1,1',3,3',3' - hexamethylindotricarbocyanine iodide, l,l' -bis (sulfoalkyl) -3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine salts, enzyme substrates (such as lactate and p-nitrophenylphosphate) and enzymes (such as D-lactate dehydrogenase and microbial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).
After mixing, the diluent exits the mixing chamber 12 through siphon 14 and enters the metering chamber 16. The metering chamber 16 is connected to an overflow chamber 18. Measurement of the diluent in the metering chamber 16 is as described in U.S. Patent No.
5,173,193 mentioned previously. To provide the predetermined volume of diluent, the volume of the metering chamber 16 must be less than that of the reagent container. Excess diluent flows into the overflow chamber 18 leaving the predetermined volume of diluent in the metering chamber.
The excess diluent in the overflow chamber 18 exits via passage 20 and enters collection chamber 22.
The diluent then flows radially outward to system cuvettes 24 for use as a reference in the optical analysis of the biological sample, described below.
The predetermined volume of diluent in the metering chamber 16 exits through siphon 26 and enters the separation chamber 28, where it mixes with and dilutes the biological sample to be analyzed. The sample is applied to the rotor body 2 through an application port in the top layer (not shown). The sample metering chamber 30 is connected to a sample overflow chamber 32 by a connecting passage 34. The depth of the sample metering chamber 30 and overflow chamber 32 will typically be selected to provide for capillary dimensions. The measured volume of sample then enters the separation chamber 28 through passage 29.
The separation chamber 28 is used to remove cellular material from a biological sample, such as whole blood, The separation chamber 28 includes a cell trap 3E>
formed at its radially-outward periphery and a receptacle region 38 formed along its radially-inward perimeter. A
capillary region 40 is formed between the receptacle region 38 and the cell trap 36 in order to inhibit the backflow of cellular material after it has entered the cell trap 36 as a result of centrifugal separation. The receptacle region 38 has a volume which is capable of receiving the diluted cell-free blood plasma.
The diluted plasma exits the separation chamber 14a 28 through siphon 42 and enters a second separation chamber 44 where further separation of cellular material is carried out, The diluted sample then exits through passage 46 and enters the collection chamber 48 where it is delivered to cuvettes 50 for optical analysis, The cuvettes 50 contain reagents necessary for the optical analysis of the sample, typically in the form of lyophilized reagent spheres as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,732 mentioned previously.
The opening of the sealed reagent container 6 is shown in detail in Figs. 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A shows the position of the reagent container 6 before the rotor body 2 is placed in the centrifuge. Here, it can be seen that a reagent container 6 is positioned at the bottom of chamber 8, The container is sealed with a laminated foil seal 52 which comprises a tab 54 which is clamped between the bottom layer 4 and the top layer 56 by means of securing post 57 and holes in the tab 54 (not shown).
Fig. 2B shows the position of the reagent container 6 in the chamber 8 after the rotor body 2 is placed on the centrifuge and a post 58 has entered through receptacle 60. As discussed above, the post 58 is typically the spindle of the centrifuge. The post 58 shifts the reagent container 6 upward. This motion causes the foil seal 52 to be pulled back from the top of the reagent container 6, because the foil seal 52 is secured to the rotor 2 at tab 54. An opening is created and the diluent in the reagent container then exits through outlet channel 10.
An alternative embodiment is presented in Figs.
3A and 3B. In this embodiment the reagent container 62 is positioned in a chamber 64 which empties into a receiving 14b chamber 66 through outlet channel 68, Preferably, the receiving chamber 66 will be a mixing chamber which S empties into the series of chambers and passages shown in Fig. 1. The reagent container 62 comprises a foil seal 70 and a rigid side 72 having a scribe mark 74. The container 62 is held in place by restraining posts 75.
Fig. 3B shows the position of the reagent container 62 after the spindle or post 76 has extended through receptacle 78 and into the chamber 64. In this position, the post 76 has shifted reagent container 62 toward the receiving chamber 66 causing the rigid side 72 to split along the scribe mark 74 and creating opening 77. Fluid then enters the receiving chamber 66 in response to the spinning of the rotor.
Figs. 4A and 4B show an alternate embodiment i_n which the post 76 indirectly shifts the reagent container 62 through movement of a piston 80. Fig. 4A shows the reagent container 62 positioned in the chamber 64 before the post 76 has engaged the piston 80. Fig. 4B shows the position of the post 76 and 15 2129J6r1 the piston 80 after the post 80 has entered the chamber 64 through receptacle 60. It can be seen there that the piston 80 is shifted radially outward thus shifting the reagent container ~ 62 and causing it to open as described above.
Fig. 5 illustrates a rotor of the invention having a sealed reagent container 82 comprising more than one compartments 84. The chamber is positioned in the rotor body 2 and is opened in the same manner as described in the embodiment pictured in Fig. 1. For ease of description, the reagent container is shown without a foil seal, which is as described above. In this embodiment, each compartment 84 is radially inward from an outlet channel 86, each of which empties into a w separate receiving chamber 88 and 90. The reagent container contains a diluent as described above. The reagent container 82 of this embodiment eliminates the need for a measuring chamber because each compartment 84 contains a predetermined volume of diluent which is used either as a Control or for mixing with the biological sample.
after opening, the diluent in each compartment flows through the outlet channels 86 to the receiving chambers 88 and 90, which may contain marker compounds as described above.
Diluent in.receiving chamber 88 exits via passage_92 and enters collection chamber 94. The diluent then flows radially outward to system cuvettes 96 for use as a reference.
The predetermined volume of diluent in receiving chamber 90 exits through siphon 98 and enters the separation chamber 100, where it mixes with and dilutes the biological sample to be analyzed. The separation chamber 100 functions as described above. Whole blood is applied to the sample metering chamber 102 and metered as described above. The measured volume of blood then enters the separation chamber 100 through passage 104.
The diluted plasma exits the separation chamber 100 through siphon 106 and enters a second separation chamber 108 where further separation of cellular material is carried out.
The diluted sample then exits through passage 110 and enters ~12996"~ ~ 16 the collection chamber 112 where it is delivered to cuvettes 114 for optical analysis.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the receptacle which accepts the post may be positioned on surfaces other than the bottom surface of the rotor body. The post need not enter the receptacle as the rotor is mounted but may be moved mechanically at a preselected time during the testing cycle.
In addition, the reagent container may contain reagents other than diluents, such as marker compounds, analytical reagents and the like.
Claims (23)
1. An analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having an axis of rotation, a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface;
a receptacle on one of the surfaces of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge; and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor body in the centrifuge.
a rotor body having an axis of rotation, a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface;
a receptacle on one of the surfaces of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge; and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor body in the centrifuge.
2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein the means for releasing comprises a sealed container shiftably positioned in a chamber proximate the receptacle, whereby insertion of the post in the receptacle shifts the container to an open position.
3. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a laminated foil seal having a tab anchored to the rotor such that the foil seal is peeled from the container in response to the insertion of the post in the receptacle.
4. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a foil seal and a rigid side having a scribe mark, the container having ends secured to the rotor, the container being capable of opening along the scribe mark in response to the insertion of the post in the receptacle.
5. The rotor of claim 4, wherein the rigid side is formed from sheet plastic material.
6. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the container comprises more than one compartment.
7. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a piston which shifts the container to an open position.
8. The rotor of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the liquid is a reagent for the analysis of blood.
9. The rotor of claim 8, wherein the reagent is a diluent.
10. The rotor of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the bottom surface of the rotor body.
11. The rotor of claim 10, wherein the receptacle is positioned at the axis of rotation of the rotor body and accepts a spindle on the centrifuge.
12. The rotor of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a receiving chamber for receiving the liquid.
13. The rotor of claim 12, wherein the receiving chamber is a mixing chamber.
14. A rotor of claim 12, wherein the receiving chamber is connected to a separation chamber having a cell trap and a means for introducing a biological sample therein.
15. A rotor of claim 12, further comprising a plurality at cuvettes disposed radially outward from the receiving chamber.
16. An analytical rotor for use with a centrifuge, the rotor comprising:
a rotor body having a bottom surface;
a receptacle on the bottom surface of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge: and a sealed container disposed in the rotor body, the container comprising a liquid and being positioned adjacent the receptacle such that entry of the post into the receptacle shifts the container to an open position and the liquid is delivered to a receiving chamber in the rotor as the rotor is spun.
a rotor body having a bottom surface;
a receptacle on the bottom surface of the rotor body for receiving a post on the centrifuge: and a sealed container disposed in the rotor body, the container comprising a liquid and being positioned adjacent the receptacle such that entry of the post into the receptacle shifts the container to an open position and the liquid is delivered to a receiving chamber in the rotor as the rotor is spun.
17. The rotor of claim 16, wherein the container comprises more than one compartment.
18. A method of delivering a predetermined volume of liquid to a receiving chamber in an analytical rotor, the rotor having a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a post through a receptacle disposed on one of the surfaces of the rotor, thereby releasing the liquid; and spinning the rotor to effect the flow of the liquid into the receiving chamber.
inserting a post through a receptacle disposed on one of the surfaces of the rotor, thereby releasing the liquid; and spinning the rotor to effect the flow of the liquid into the receiving chamber.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the post is disposed on a spindle in a centrifuge and the step of inserting the post through the receptacle is carried out by mounting the rotor on the spindle.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the bottom surface of the rotor.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the post shifts a sealed container in the rotor to an open position, thereby releasing the liquid.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein shifting the container to an open position comprises peeling a laminated foil seal from the container.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein shifting the container to an open position comprises breaking open a rigid side on the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US07/833,689 US5304348A (en) | 1992-02-11 | 1992-02-11 | Reagent container for analytical rotor |
US07/833,689 | 1992-02-11 | ||
PCT/US1993/001139 WO1993016391A1 (en) | 1992-02-11 | 1993-02-09 | Reagent container for analytical rotor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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CA2129967A1 CA2129967A1 (en) | 1993-08-19 |
CA2129967C true CA2129967C (en) | 2005-09-13 |
Family
ID=25265032
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002129967A Expired - Lifetime CA2129967C (en) | 1992-02-11 | 1993-02-09 | Reagent container for analytical rotor |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US5304348A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0626071B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3361097B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE179802T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU3660193A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2129967C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69324798T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1993016391A1 (en) |
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FR2572534B1 (en) * | 1984-10-26 | 1986-12-26 | Guigan Jean | METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE MEDICAL ANALYSIS OF A LIQUID SAMPLE USING AT LEAST ONE DRY REAGENT, AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD |
FR2572533B1 (en) * | 1984-10-26 | 1986-12-26 | Guigan Jean | METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE MEDICAL ANALYSIS OF A LIQUID SAMPLE USING AT LEAST ONE LIQUID REAGENT AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD |
FR2575293B1 (en) * | 1984-12-21 | 1987-03-20 | Inovelf Sa | DYNAMIC PIPETTING ROTOR FOR CENTRIFUGAL ANALYSIS DEVICE |
US4963498A (en) * | 1985-08-05 | 1990-10-16 | Biotrack | Capillary flow device |
US4690801A (en) * | 1986-06-03 | 1987-09-01 | Allelix Inc. | Device for performing enzyme immunoassays |
US4756883A (en) * | 1986-09-16 | 1988-07-12 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Analysis device |
SE462015B (en) * | 1987-09-15 | 1990-04-30 | Omega Medicinteknik Ab | SETTING AND DEVICE CLEANING BLOOD CELLS |
US4999304A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1991-03-12 | Miles Inc. | Dynamic braking centrifuge |
US5162237A (en) * | 1988-04-11 | 1992-11-10 | Miles Inc. | Reaction cassette for preforming sequential analytical assays by noncentrifugal and noncapillary manipulations |
FR2634892B1 (en) * | 1988-07-28 | 1990-09-14 | Guigan Jean | DEVICE FOR PERFORMING BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS BY IMMUNO-ENZYMATIC DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES OR ANTIGENS IN A SERUM |
FR2634893B1 (en) * | 1988-07-28 | 1990-09-14 | Guigan Jean | MINIATURE LABORATORY FOR CARRYING OUT BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS BY CHEMICAL REACTION FROM A BLOOD SAMPLE |
US5061381A (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1991-10-29 | Abaxis, Inc. | Apparatus and method for separating cells from biological fluids |
DE69130986T2 (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1999-09-30 | Abay Sa | Rotors for analysis and methods for the analysis of biological fluids |
-
1992
- 1992-02-11 US US07/833,689 patent/US5304348A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-02-09 EP EP93905829A patent/EP0626071B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-09 DE DE69324798T patent/DE69324798T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-09 AT AT93905829T patent/ATE179802T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-02-09 AU AU36601/93A patent/AU3660193A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-02-09 CA CA002129967A patent/CA2129967C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-09 WO PCT/US1993/001139 patent/WO1993016391A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-02-09 JP JP51425193A patent/JP3361097B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-04-13 US US08/226,924 patent/US5457053A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0626071B1 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
AU3660193A (en) | 1993-09-03 |
JPH07503794A (en) | 1995-04-20 |
CA2129967A1 (en) | 1993-08-19 |
EP0626071A1 (en) | 1994-11-30 |
US5457053A (en) | 1995-10-10 |
ATE179802T1 (en) | 1999-05-15 |
DE69324798D1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
JP3361097B2 (en) | 2003-01-07 |
DE69324798T2 (en) | 1999-11-11 |
US5304348A (en) | 1994-04-19 |
EP0626071A4 (en) | 1995-01-25 |
WO1993016391A1 (en) | 1993-08-19 |
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