Abstract: An automated analyzer for analyzing patient samples. The analyzer includes a plurality of cuvettes, which allow the samples to be mixed with various reagents. The analyzer includes one or more detectors, including a detector adapted to detect luminescence of the reaction mixture in the cuvettes. The analyzer allows for various diagnostic assays to be performed on a single system, and provides for high-sensitivity analysis at faster speeds.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2010
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2012
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Allan Tit-Shing Chow, William Jackson Devlin, Sr., Timothy Patrick Evers, David Russell Thompson
Abstract: A method for replacing a first sample carried on a moving secondary conveyor onto a moving primary conveyor at a potential interference point while the primary conveyor is transporting a second sample.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 2006
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Kerry Lynn Miller, Frank Jay Robb, Peter Louis Gebrian, Sandor Lajos Kovacs
Abstract: A fluid handling system adapted to provide storage and supply of a number of liquid solutions to an automatic clinical analyzer having three different bottle-like containers, a collapsible plastic-metal-plastic pouch having a mouth-like opening, a fitment to be sealed within mouth-like opening a septum within the fitment, and open meal band or cap to seal the septum into the fitment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2012
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Jay Mark Walters, Jeannine Marie Carrio, David Russell Thompson, Mark Richard Lloyd, Jeffrey Kenneth Parmer, Richard Grear Warwick, Thomas P. Shields, Lawrence D. Huppman
Abstract: A clinical analyzer having the capability to operate at both a higher and lower throughput, depending upon the assay load demand experienced by the hospital or laboratory, so that analyzer throughput most closely matches assay demand.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 29, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph E. Kegelman, Kevin J. Clair, Jeffrey K. Parmer, Richard G. Brodeur, Alexander V. Evers, Mark R. Lloyd
Abstract: A fluid handling system adapted to provide storage and supply of a number of liquid solutions to an automatic clinical analyzer having three different bottle-like containers, a collapsible plastic-metal-plastic pouch having a mouth-like opening, a fitment to be sealed within mouth-like opening a septum within the fitment, and open meal band or cap to seal the septum into the fitment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Jay Mark Walters, Jeannine Marie Carrio, David Russell Thompson, Mark Richard Lloyd, Jeffrey Kenneth Parmer, Richard Grear Warwick, Thomas P. Shields, Lawrence D. Huppman
Abstract: A method for maximizing analyzer throughput irregardless of the mix in demand of different assays to be conducted by duplicating the reagents required to conduct selected assays in at least two separate reagent servers and also enabling newly incoming selected assays to be conducted using reagents from whichever reagent server has the smaller backlog of such high-volume assays.
Abstract: Providing the desired volume of a liquid within a biochemical analyzer by aspirating an excess slug of liquid from a container into a probe, ejecting a portion of the excess liquid, and then dispensing the desired volume of liquid into a container.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 26, 2005
Date of Patent:
August 16, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Timothy Patrick Evers, Antoine Elias Haddad
Abstract: A clinical analyzer with a vision system proximate a sample tube rack, the rack having a number of different insert adapters, the adapters having markings to identify the insert, thereby identifying the type of tube. The adapters are of heights selected to position tubes of various heights at a common aspiration level. A 2-D imaging device is employed to read the markings and for analyzing various distinguishing characteristics of the sample tubes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 2, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Tumkur R. Vijay, Randall R. Davis, David R. Thompson
Abstract: A scheduling process for loading samples into two or more centrifuges in a loading scheme that reduces the time required for high priority sample to be centrifuged. One centrifuge is initially loaded to about one-half of capacity and samples processed while the remaining centrifuge is loaded to full capacity before being operated. This creates a time-shift in the operational status of the two centrifuges so that a high-priority sample may advantageously be shuttled to whichever of the two centrifuges will be first-fully loaded and thus next-operated.
Abstract: A method for differentiating between a liquid sample having clogs therein and a liquid sample having an abnormally elevated viscosity during a liquid aspiration process by relating the ratio between the maximum negative pressure during aspiration and an equilibrium pressure prior to dispensation to viscosity.
Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a predetermined period of time prior to the end of an aspiration or dispensing process and comparing a pressure reading to predetermined values to determine if the aspiration or dispensing pipette was free of clogs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 19, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 11, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
William David Dunfee, Mark Henry Sprenkle
Abstract: A method for maximizing analyzer throughput irregardless of the mix in demand of different assays to be conducted by duplicating the reagents required to conduct selected assays in at least two separate reagent servers and also enabling newly incoming selected assays to be conducted using reagents from whichever reagent server has the smaller backlog of such high-volume assays.
Abstract: A method and a device for removing high priority samples from a primary conveyor and transferring such samples directly to an analyzer's sampling location even if other samples have been previously removed from the conveyor and are in a queue to be analyzed.
Abstract: An automated analyzer for analyzing patient samples. The analyzer includes a plurality of cuvettes, which allow the samples to be mixed with various reagents. The analyzer includes one or more detectors, including a detector adapted to detect luminescence of the reaction mixture in the cuvettes. The analyzer allows for various diagnostic assays to be performed on a single system, and provides for high-sensitivity analysis at faster speeds.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 2, 2010
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Allan Tit-Shing Chow, William Jackson Devlin, Sr., Timothy Patrick Evers, David Russell Thompson
Abstract: A method for automatically determining whether a reagent container is new and unused or whether the reagent container has been previously used whenever reagent containers are initially placed onto an analyzer. Unused containers have a flag or lock-out member that can be dislodged or relocated by a moveable sensor probe when containers are placed onto the analyzer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 16, 2010
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Louis Gebrian, William Jackson Devlin, Sr., Timothy Patrick Evers, Thai Huynh-Ba
Abstract: A system for automatically testing a sample aliquot retained in temporary storage in environmentally controlled conditions on an automated clinical analyzer for a period of time without requiring operator intervention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 25, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 5, 2010
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Edward Francis Farina, Russell John Butler, Samuel Garfield Ferguson, Jr.
Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a limited period of time immediately prior to the end of a liquid aspiration process and comparing the standard deviation of the residuals to a critical value to determine if the liquid was of a desired sufficient volume.
Abstract: A small sample cup rack adapter having a spring biased plunger moveably disposed within a generally cylindrical outer body, with the plunger adapted to support a small sample cup within the outer body. After initial contact between an aspiration probe and the bottom of the small sample cup, the probe may be lowered an additional distance, minimizing the “dead volume” of sample.
Abstract: A method for cleansing used reaction cuvettes so that whenever certain assays are to be or have been performed in the reaction cuvette, the cuvette is automatically subjected to an additional cleaning operation by providing a number of washing and drying manifolds, each of which is independently selectively activated to perform or not perform a cleaning operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 2, 2009
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
Ching-Cherng Lee, Donald Richard Phillips, Sr., Arnold Lloyd Lewis, William Jackson Devlin, Sr.
Abstract: A magnetic sample rack adapted to support liquid containers is urged along a surface by means of a magnetic conveyor system located beneath the surface. The magnetic conveyor system comprises a plurality of magnetic housings driven by a belt, the magnetic housings including a magnet slideably contained in a closed upper cavity. Magnetic forces emanating from the magnet overcome frictional resistive forces between the sample racks and the operating surface and move the sample racks along input and output lanes defined in the operating surface. Abrupt movements of the sample racks are eliminated because the housing magnet slides smoothly towards the sample rack, secures the sample rack, and pulls the rack along the operating surface as the housings are moved at a steady rate by the belt.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 19, 2005
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2010
Assignee:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
Inventors:
David R. Thompson, Tumkur R. Vijay, William D. Dunfee, Daniel E. Gillund