GB2530340A

GB2530340A - Liquid injector

Info

Publication number: GB2530340A
Application number: GB1416703.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Volker Barenthin; Martin Trump
Original assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Current assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201416703D0

Abstract

An assembly for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system, the assembly comprising an injector body 20, at least one valve (23; fig 6a) in a valve block 30, and at least one sensor in a sensor portion 40 for sensing a property of the liquid. Preferably, the injector body comprises the sensor portion. The at least one sensor may be one of a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a conductivity sensor. The injector body further comprises an outlet nozzle 22 and a supply port (21; fig 6a) which is connectable to a pump. Ideally, the supply port is connected to the outlet nozzle via a liquid channel wherein the at least one valve resides inside the channel and the at least one sensor is in fluid contact with the channel. Electrical lines 31, 43 may connect the at least one valve and sensor to a power supply. Ideally, the assembly is manufactured in a single piece. The assembly may further comprise means 11, 11a for attachment to a dispensing portion of an automatic analyst system.

Description

Title: Liquid injector

Description

Field of the Invention

[00011 The field of the invention relates to an assembly, and a use thereof, for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system.

Background of the invention

[0002] Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and life sciences are produced by a number of companies. For example, the Stratec Biomedical AG, Birkenfeld, Germany, produces a number of devices for specimen handling and detection for use in automated analyser systems and other laboratory instrumentation.

[0003] Analytical processes performed using automated analyser systems oflen aim at isolating, purifying and evaluating information contained within a patient sample. Therefore, during the analytical processes the automated analyser system needs to provide for storage, transport, and analysing of the patient sample. In a further processing of analysis results occurs.

[0004] Cuvettes used within automated analyser systems allow for undertaking many of the steps during analysis of a patient sample. Examples of such steps are the adding of a primer or of reagents. Furthermore, washing of the patient sample within the cuvette for purifying and isolating the necessary and/or sought information is a common procedure.

[0005] Necessary and/or sought particles may, for instance, be bound or bonded to a special marker. Such markers may bind or bond to the particles based on a key-lock mechanism, as is known in biology. A structure of the markers thereby docks by design to a structure of the sought particles. The markers may comprise on an opposite side magnetic components such that the complexes formed by binding or bonding of the markers with the sought particles collect or concentrate under the influence of a magnetic field.

[0006] After collecting or concentrating the complexes of the markers and the sought particles, waste wash liquid accumulated during the washing may be removed by aspirating the waste wash liquid out of the cuvette by means of waste aspiration probes. After removal of the waste wash liquid, the complexes of the markers and the sought particles form a so-called bead pellet, which is held in position by the magnetic field and may undergo further steps of washing and removing of waste wash liquid. In such steps of washing, injectors may be used, from which jets of the wash liquid emanate and wash out any undesired residuals from the bead pellets.

[0007] The purified bead pellet may then be further analysed. The quality of the washing greatly influence the outcome of subsequent analyses of the bead pellet. Therefore, quality procedures need to be in place, such as monitoring of pressure, flow rate, and/or presence of the wash liquid. In some cases, measurement of temperature or conductivity of the liquid is helpful.

[0008] In known automated analyser systems, components used in the washing and/or in dispensing of liquids are spaced apart from one another. Such components may comprise pumps, valves, tubing, injectors, and sensors, Known automated analyser systems have a pump module which comprises the pump, which is fluidly connected by tubing to valves in a valve block of the automated analyser system. The valves in the valve block are fluidly connected by tubing to injectors positioned at dispensing positions within the automated analyser systems. Sensors measuring properties of the liquid, e.g. wash liquid, provided to the injectors require further fluid connections.

[0009] Tubing has to bridge the space between the components, which is a result of the separated organisation of the components, resulting in high material costs and in the need for additional liquid to fill the tubing, Complex routing, kinked tubing or internal manifolds cause a risk of dead volumes, where bubbles might collect and subsequently might be carried away, possibly compromising results of liquid sensors and dispensing precision of the injector.

Furthermore, maintenance costs increase, for instance when replacing or washing of components is required. Increased maintenance times decrease the run time of the automated analyser system, [0010] Increase distance the fluid needs to travel within the tubing requires more output power of the pump due to increased flow resistance, reducing the energy efficiency of the automated analyser system, [0011] There lies moreover a risk of mistakes in the need of fluidly interconnecting the components. Furthermore, pressure differences may occur at interconnections, for instance where tubing and an orifice fluidly connect.

[0012] Sensors measuring properties of the liquid within the tubing may measure properties s of the liquid which are different from those at the injector where the liquid is dispensed.

Object of the Invention [0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system, wherein the assembly provides a compacter organization of tubings, valves, injectors, and sensors

Summary of the Invention

[0014] The present disclosure relates to an assembly, and a use thereof, for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system.

[0015] The assembly comprises an injector body, at least one valve in a valve block, and at least one sensor in a sensor portion for sensing a property of the liquid.

[0016] The at least one sensor may be one of a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a conductivity sensor.

[0017] The injector body may further comprise a supply port, [0018] The supply port may be fluidly connectible to a pump.

[0019] The injector body may further comprise an injector nozzle.

[0020] The assembly may further comprise a liquid channel fluidly connecting the injector nozzle and the supply port, wherein the at least one valve is comprised in the liquid channel.

[0021] The at least one sensor may be in fluid contact with the liquid channel.

[0022] The at least one sensor may comprise a printed circuit board.

[0023] The assembly may frirther comprise electrical lines for feeding electrical power to the at least one valve and/or the at least one sensor, [0024] The assembly may fbrther comprise means for transmitting sensing signals from the at least one sensor to a control unit comprised in the automated analyser system.

[0025] The assembly may further comprise means for attaching the assembly at a dispensing position to the automated analyzer system.

[0026] The injector body may comprise the sensor portion.

[0027] The injector body, the valve block and sensor portion may be manufactured in one piece.

[0028] The invention relates to a use of the assembly for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system according to the invention.

Summary of the Fi2ures

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a liquid handling module of an automated analyser system according to the state of the art from an angle.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a liquid handling module of an automated analyser system according to the state of the art from another angle.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows an aspect of the assembly according to the invention.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows another aspect of the assembly according to the invention.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a further aspect of the assembly according to the invention.

[0034] Fig. 6a shows part of an aspect of the assembly according to the invention from an angle.

[0035] Fig. Ga shows the part shown in Fig, Ga from a different angle.

Detailed Description of the Invention and the Fi2ures [0036] The invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings. It will be understood that the embodiments and aspects of the invention described herein are only examples and do not limit the protective scope of the claims in any way. The invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. It will be understood that features of one aspect or embodiment of the invention can be combined with a feature of a different aspect or aspects and/or embodiments of the invention.

[0037] Figs. 1 and 2 show, from different angles, an example of a liquid handling module (50) of an automated analyser system (not shown), employing inj ectors as known in the state of the art, The liquid handling module (50) comprises a plate (51) with openings (52), through which injector nozzles (22') of the injectors or waste aspiration probes (53) may pass. The liquid handling module (50) further comprises a cuvette holder (54) adapted to hold cuvettes (55) and to move such that open ends of the cuvettes (55) are positioned under the openings (52).

[0038] The injector nozzles (22') may dispense a liquid through a particular one of the openings (52) into a particular one of the cuvettes (55) positioned underneath the particular one of the openings (52). In some cases two of the injector nozzles (22') may pass through the particular one of the openings (52). The two of the injector nozzles (22') may dispense the same particular one of the liquid, for reasons of fluid flow of the particular one of the liquid.

[0039] The aspiration probe (53) may aspirate a waste liquid through a particular one of the openings (52) from a particular one of the cuvettes (55) positioned underneath the particular one of the openings (52). The waste liquid may comprise particles and /or gasses.

[0040] The injector, as known in the state of the art, further comprises a fluid interface or supply port (21') such that the injector may be fluidly connected to a tubing (not shown) for supplying a liquid to be dispensed into one or more of the cuvettes (55). The tubing is connected to a pump (not shown) driving the liquid supp'y, and may also be connected to one or more sensors (not shown) for measuring one or more properties of the liquid to be dispensed into the cuvettes (55). A valve block may be interposed between the injector and the pump to control flow of the liquid to be dispensed in the tubing. The pump, the valve block, and the sensors may be placed at positions spaced apart from one another and from the injector, such that the tubing bridges the space when fluidly connecting the pump, the valve block, the sensors, and the inj ector. Such spatial organisation of components of the automated analyser system results in costs and risks, as explained above.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows an aspect of the assembly (10) for dispensing a liquid within an automated analyser system. The assembly (10) comprises an injector body (20), a valve block (30), and a sensor portion (40).

[0042] The valve block (30) is attached to the injector body (20) by means of mounting screws (32). The sensor portion (40) is mounted on the injector body (20), for instance by gluing or by means of screws or the like (not shown), The injector body (20) and the sensor portion (40) may, in another aspect of the invention, be made from one piece. h a further aspect of the invention, the injector body (20), the valve block (30), and the sensor portion (40) may be made from one piece.

[0043] The assembly (10) further comprises means (II, IIA) for attaching the assembly (10) at a dispensing position within the automated analyser system. In the aspect shown in Fig. 1, the injector body (20) comprises projections (11) with attachment bores (1 1A). Screws or clamps may pass through the attachment bores (1 IA) and attach the assembly (10) to a plate, such as the plate (5]) shown in Fig, , at the dispensing position, such that the injector body (20) may dispense the liquid to be dispensed, contained in the injector body (20), into one of the cuvettes (55) positioned underneath an opening of the plate, e.g. an opening similar to the openings (52) shown in Fig. I. The injector body (20) thereby dispenses the liquid to be dispensed through an injector nozzle (22).

[0044] The liquid to be dispensed may be, but is not limited to, deionized water, acidic solutions, alkaline solutions, sodium chloride solutions, hydrogen peroxide solutions, and the like, [0045] The injector body (20) comprises a supply port (21) (see Fig. Gb). A tubing (not shown) may be fluidly connected to the supply port (21) for supplying to the injector body (20) the liquid to be dispensed, Furthennore, a manifold for regulating fluid flow or a port may fluidly interconnect the tubing and the supply port (21), [0046] The injector body (20) further comprises valve ports (23) (see Fig. 6a) and a liquid channel (not shown). The liquid channel fluidly connects the injector nozzle (22) and the supply port (21), for flow from the supply port (21) to the injector nozzle (22) of the liquid to be dispensed, The liquid channel passes via the valve ports (23), One of the valve ports (23) is, with respect to the flow of the liquid to be dispensed, upstream of the other one of the valve ports (23).The valve ports (23) provide a fluid connection of the liquid channel to the valve block (30) for controlling, by means of at least one valve comprised in the valve block (30), a flow of the liquid to be dispensed within the liquid channel.

[0047] The sensing portion (40) comprises one or more sensors (not shown). The sensors S may comprise, for example, flow sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, conductivity sensors, and optical sensors. The sensors may furthermore be of further types, The sensor portion comprises an interior space (46) (shown in Figs. 4 and 6b) fluidly connected to the liquid channel of the injector body (20) for bringing the sensors of the sensor portion (40) into contact with the liquid to be dispensed.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows sensor contacts (45) of the sensors for electrically connecting the sensors with a circuit board (44) (described below).

[0049] The sensor portion 40 further comprises liquid ports (47) for a fluid connection of the interior space (46) of the sensor portion (40) to the liquid channel of the injector body (20).

Via the liquid ports (47) the liquid to be dispensed may enter the interior space (46) of the sensor portion (40). The sensors of the sensor portion (40) may thus detect properties of the liquid to dispensed.

[0050] The sensors of the sensor portion (40) may further be comprised in the circuit board (44) like, for instance, a PCB (44) (printed circuit board) of the sensor portion. Fig. 3 shows the PCB (44). The PCB (44) may comprise the fluid interfaces of the sensors as well as sensor electronics, The PCB (44) covers the interior space (46) (see Fig, 4) of the sensor portion (40), Furthermore, the PCB (44) may fluidly seal the interior space (46).

[0051] A cover (not shown) fluidly seals the interior space (46) of the sensor portion (40).

Fig. 3 to 5 show the sensor portion (40) with the cover removed from the sensor portion (40), thus giving access to the interior space (46) of the sensor portion (40).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 3, the sensor portion (40) further comprises electrical lines (43) for supplying electrical power to the sensors and the sensor electronics of the sensor portion (40).

The sensor portion (40) may further comprise signal transmission lines for transmitting detection signals from the sensor portion (40) to a controller (not shown) for controlling the dispensing of the liquid to be dispensed. The signal transmission lines may, in one aspect, be a the same as the electrical lines (43). In a further aspect, the detection signals may be transmitted to the controller wirelessly, [0053] By disposing the sensor portion within the assembly (10), the sensors of the sensor portion (40) may detect properties of the liquid to be dispensed in proximity to the injector nozzle (22), The properties measured thus are not compromised by flow of the liquid to be dispensed through tubing and/or liquid channels before reaching to the injector nozzle (22).

[0054] The valve block (30) comprises one or more valves (not shown). The one or more valves may control the flow of the liquid from the supply port (2 t) to the inj ector nozzle (22).

The liquid to be dispensed, flowing or contained in the liquid channel of the injector body (20), passes the valve ports (23) of the injector body (20) and enters the valve block (30). The flow of the liquid from the supply port (21) to the injector nozzle (22) may thus be controlled by the one or more valves of the valve block (30). For example, one of the valve ports (23) may serve for flow towards the one or more valves of the liquid to be dispensed. Another of the valve ports (23) may serve for flow from the one or more valves towards the injector nozzle of the liquid to be dispensed.

[0055] The valve block may comprise a valve power cable (3 I) for supplying electrical power to the valve block (30) and the one or more valves. The valve block may further comprise a valve controller, which controls the one or more valves for shutting and opening the one or more valves.

[0056] In an alternative aspect, instead of using one or more valves, an integrated pump (not shown) may pump and control the flow of the liquid to be dispensed.

[0057] The assembly (10) according to the invention provides a device which can placed and mounted within an automated analyser system in a fast and easy way. The assembly reduces overall length of tubing, which reduces material and maintenance costs. Further, flow resistance is reduced resulting in improved pump output power properties of the automated analyser system and to improved volumetric dispensing precision. Reduction of tubing further decreases the risk of dead volumes arising within the tubing and at manifolds, further improving the volumetric dispensing precision. Furthermore, the risk of bubbles arising within the tubing and the manifolds decreases, The assembly further reduces the risk of misassembling like wrong fluid connections within the automated analyser system, which would potentially lead to contaminated samples or to flawed processing of the samples.

List of reference numerals assemb'y 11 projections 1 1A attachment bores injector body 21 supply port 21' supply port 22 injector nozzle 22' injector nozzle 23 valve ports valve block 3! va've power cable 32 mounting screws scnsor portion 43 electrical lines 44 circuit board sensor contacts 46 interior space 47 liquid ports liquid handling module 51 plate 52 openings 53 probes 54 cuvette holder cuvettes