WO1990014588A1

WO1990014588A1 - Arrangement for control of cells suspended in fluid

Info

Publication number: WO1990014588A1
Application number: PCT/SE1990/000328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petter JÄREMO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-26
Filing date: 1990-05-16
Publication date: 1990-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-26
Also published as: SE8901873L; SE8901873D0; SE463639B; AU5826190A; CA2056996A1

Abstract

In an apparatus for continuous quality control of a platelet concentrate or other blood product there is a movable, for example rotatable unit, on which packages which contain such concentrates from different individuals can be applied and can be moved past, at intervals determined by the movement of the unit, detection members (15', 18') which give, for the fluid in each package, a detection signal (i) depending on the transparency which can relate to the cell quality. Computer equipment receives and processes the detection signals and provides, as a function of these signals, information relating to the quality and quantity of the cells in the various packages. The unit comprises two or more supporting planes for packages, and each plane comprises a number of supporting stations for packages, which stations are arranged close to its outer edge. Each station comprises a cassette-like member (26') which can be applied in bearing members and is designed to hold a package unit (34) in such a way that the fluid can be exposed to the detection members (15', 18') in a manner optimal for measurement each time it passes the detection members.

Description

TITLE

Arrangement for control of cells suspended in fluid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an arrangement for control of cells suspended in fluid, an example which may be mentioned being a platelet concentrate. The arrange¬ ment comprises a movable unit, on which packages which contain such fluid/concentrate from different individuals can be applied and can be moved past, at intervals determined by the movement of the unit, detection members which give, for the fluid/concentrate in each package, a detection signal depending on a factor, for example transparency, which can relate to the cell quality and/or cell quantity. The arrangement also comprises equip¬ ment/computer equipment receiving and processing the detection signals, which equipment is designed to provide information, preferably continuous information, relating to the quality and/or quantity of the cells in the various packages. The information can be based on changes in the light transmission of each fluid/concentrate during a predetermined period of time.

PRIOR ART

It is already known to use computer equipment to carry out analyses of platelet concentrates. A unit has been designed for this purpose with a rotating, inclined supporting plane on which completely or partially trans¬ parent or translucent packages with individual platelet concentrates can be applied and can be rotated past and transilluminated from one side by a light source. The transparency is detected by means of a photodiode or similar arranged on the other side of the package. The change in the turbidity or the transparency is a factor dependent on the quality and quantity of the cells in the concentrate. The detection or reading signals received from the photodiode or similar and dependent on the said factor are supplied to the computer equipment, which processes the signals in a known manner and initiates quality information for each concentrate/package applied on the supporting plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

There are problems involved in being able to analyse continuously and in an appropriate manner a large number of concentrates, which are to be given different starting times in the test procedure and are to be subjected to test times of different lengths. It is also important that the construction of the unit and the application of the concentrates can be such that a continuous on-going control of individual concentrates is independent of the design of the unit and the packages, the application of the packages, etc.

The quality of the concentrate must be read-off, on each movement sequence/rotational turn, at a point on the package which is free from labels and similar markings. Only the transparent or translucent wall or casing of the package and the enclosed concentrate are to be exposed at the reading-off position. In addition, the reading-off must be carried out at that part of the inner volume of the package where there is an optimal quantity of fluid at the moment of reading-off. It is important that the quantity of fluid or concentrate is essentially the same on each reading-off occasion or movement past reading-off members and that the fluid is kept in motion in a manner optimal for the measurement.

It should be possible for the concentrate to be applied, removed and exchanged in an appropriate manner during the on-going rotational movement of the unit, which imposes requirements on the unit as such. Changing of concentrate should not result in other concentrates being disturbed or affected. It must be possible for the exchange itself to be carried out quickly and smoothly in order to permit routine control function. Nor should the concentrate be dislodged/change position when the apparatus is moving/rotating.

SOLUTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an ar¬ rangement which solves all or some of the problems mentioned above. The feature which can principally be regarded as characterizing the new arrangement is, inter alia, that the unit comprises two or more supporting planes for packages and in that each plane comprises a number of supporting stations for packages, which stations are preferably arranged close to the outer edge of the plane. In addition, each station will comprise a cassette-like member which can be applied in bearing members and is designed to hold a package unit in such a way that the fluid can be exposed to the detection members in a similar manner each time it passes the latter.

The cassette-like member is preferably designed for holding a package in the form of a transparent bag containing human cells or other cells (for example a blood bag) and of varying size. In this respect the cassette-like member comprises a fixing member, ad¬ justable in the longitudinal direction of the cassette¬ like member, for adjustment to the length of the bag in question. In one embodiment the fixing member can be anchored releasably on various parts of the frame of the cassette-like member, for example releasably anchored in various holes included in a row of holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame. The invention also concerns embodiments of the fixing member where the latter can be provided with first securing hooks for the package/blood bag. The arrangement permits a simplified and smooth removal of the package/bag. The fixing member can comprise, for example, a part which is longitudinally displaceable on the frame of the cassette-like member and which bears the said first securing hooks. This part is anchored on the frame by means of a securing member in the form of a screw, to which the part is connected via a spring which will guarantee that only a predetermined slight stretching takes place without folding of the bag, so that fluid or the concentrate in the blood bag can circulate during rotation, rocking etc. of-the unit.

The cassette-like member can have the form of a plate which is mounted in bearing members in the form of guide tracks, between which the plate can be inserted to a fully inserted position. At the outer edge of the sup¬ porting plane there is also a securing member or locking member which cooperates with the rear edge of the plate when the latter takes up the fully inserted position. The plate is provided, at that one of its end edges situated at the outer edge of the supporting plane, with one or more second securing hooks for the blood bag or similar, which is thus applied between the said first and second securing hooks.

The cassette-like member/plate and the supporting plane at each supporting station comprise through recesses which make it possible for the concentrate to be trans- illuminated at the reading-off position. The latter is arranged in the vicinity of the lowest point of each supporting plane. Each station is provided with an initiating member which, at the reading-off position, actuates further detection members. This activation is individual for each supporting station and is intended to identify in the computer equipment the station whose turn it is to be read off.

Further embodiments emerge from the patent claims below. ADVANTAGES

By means of the invention it is possible to apply pack¬ ages of different sizes in the unit. The packages do not lie stretched on the cassette, which would mean that the inside of the packages would be divided up into partial spaces whose intermediate walls would prevent a necessary circulation inside the package/blood bag during the unit's movement/rotation, which is used specifically for achieving the said circulation. The application of the package is also such that fold formation or tendencies to this are eliminated. Such a fold formation would impair the measurement result or, in the very worst case, would make measurement completely impossible. As a result of the cassette system it is possible for the height between levels in the unit to be made small, and it is possible to carry out exchanges during movement/rotation. Each package or concentrate takes up unambiguous posi¬ tions and is not disturbed by adjacent concentrates, for example during exchange. The reading-off function can thus be made unambiguous, which provides an outstandingly good result for the blood analysis function as such.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

A proposed embodiment of an arrangement having the characteristics significant to the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows in diagrammatic form, from the side, the design of the unit, and computer equipment connected to detection members in the unit.

Figure 2 shows a horizontal view of the unit according to Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through a cassette-like member which is arranged on the unit according to Figure 1 and bears a package in the form of a blood bag. Figure 4 shows a horizontal view of the cassette¬ like member according to Figure 3,

Figure 5 shows in a longitudinal section the cassette-like member according to Figure 4,

Figure 6 shows a horizontal view of a securing part arranged on the cassette-like member.

Figure 7 shows, from the side, the securing part according to Figure 6, and

Figure 8 shows in cross-section an end view of parts of the cassette-like member with associated bearing members arranged on a supporting plane for package units in¬ cluded in the unit according to Figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In Figure 1 a unit is indicated diagrammatically by reference 1. The unit comprises a rotation axle 2 and supporting planes 3, 4 and 5 arranged in levels above each other on this axle. Each supporting plane has a number of, for example eight, supporting stations 6-11. The rotation axle 2 is inclined and comprises a drive wheel 12 via which a drive arrangement 13, for example in the form of an electric motor, is connected via a drive wheel 14 for driving the unit about the rotation axle. The ^"unit 1 is provided with a detection or reading station, at which lights 15, 16 and 17 are arranged in order to transilluminate packages applied on the support¬ ing stations when these packages pass the reading sta¬ tion. The said lights 15, 16 and 17 are arranged to one side of the respective package in such a way that they can transilluminate the respective package. At the other side of the package, in this case under each level, photodiodes 18, 19 and 20 are arranged. The said photo- diodes or similar are connected via lines 21 to computer equipment 22. The computer equipment can be of a type known per se and can comprise a print-out unit, screen etc. for presentation of the analysis carried out by means of the unit 1. Each station is provided with an actuation member 23 which, upon passing the reading station, actuates, for example inductively, a detection member 24. By means of the member 23, the computer equipment 22 can identify the station which is situated nearest the reading position. The member 23 is thus arranged ahead of the supporting station as seen in the direction of rotation (cf. R in Figure 2). In one embodi¬ ment there is a marking system with two markings, the first marking relating to the position of a through recess at each station, as described hereinbelow, and the second marking relating to the first position (the station) on the supporting plane.

In Figure 2 a station is indicated by reference 25. The respective station comprises a cassette-like member 26 which can be introduced into bearing members 27 in the form of guide tracks, with which the member 26 can cooperate via its edge surfaces. In Figure 2, 26 is shown in its fully inserted position. In this position the member 26 is locked by means of a locking shoulder 28 arranged on a spring which is arranged on the under surface of the supporting plane 3 in question. When the member 26 is to be drawn out (in the radial direction) from the bearing members, the locking shoulder 28 is forced downwards manually so that the end surface in question of the member 26 is released.

Each supporting plane is provided with a number of cassette-equipped supporting stations 25. Both the cassette-like member 26 and the supporting plane are provided with a through recess 29 in order to permit the function indicated in Figure 1 where the lights 15, 16 and 17 transilluminate a package supported on the member 26, and the transparency or translucency is indicated by the photodiodes 18, 19 and 20. In Figure 2 other support¬ ing stations are symbolized by means of recesses 30, 31 in the supporting plane. All the stations have a design corresponding to station 25. The reference 32 indicates the design of the plate spring bearing the respective stop member 28'. In Figure 2 the reading station is arranged at the position of the detection member 24 (cf. Figure 1) . The point 33 on the outer periphery consti¬ tutes the lowest point of the supporting plane 3. The reading station is situated in the vicinity of this point, preferably between 15-30° before this point. The member 23 acts on the member 24 before the cassette-like member comes into the reading position.

In Figure 3 the cassette-like member 26' holds a package in the form of a blood bag 34 known per se, which con¬ tains a concentrate 35 which can consist of cells sus¬ pended in a fluid. Examples of concentrates which may be mentioned are platelet concentrate, some other blood product or cells suspended in fluid. The cassette-like member has the form of a sheet or plate 26' which can be made of light metal, for example aluminium or the like. The through recess of the member 26' is shown by 29'. The through recess of the supporting plane 3' is shown by 31'. Due to the inclination of the supporting plane 3' and of the member 26', an optimal quantity of concentrate 35 is collected at that part of the package 34 trans- illuminated by the light 15' . Change in the turbidity or transparency depends, as is known, on the state of the cells, that is to say on the quantity and quality of the cells. The photodiode 18' provides a detection signal i which is dependent on the transparency. The greater the transparency, the greater the signal i which is obtained, and vice versa. The transillumination and the detection take place at the outer edges 36 of the supporting plane 3' and of the member 26'. The cassette-like member is designed with securing members for the package unit. The first securing members in the form of first upwardly projecting hooks 37 are arranged on a radially displace- able part 38 which is anchored via a spring 39 in a screw 40. The screw can be screwed into any selected hole 41- 44, which holes are situated at different lengths from the outer edges 36. In this way it is possible to carry out adjustment for different lengths of blood bag. The securing- members also comprise a second upwardly project¬ ing hook 45. At its short ends 34a and 34b the blood bag is provided with an edge which has through recesses for the said upwardly projecting hooks. The blood bag of the construction shown can be secured in such a way that a desired slight fold-free stretching is obtained. The stretching is chosen such that the concentrate 35 can circulate inside the inner volume of the blood bag 34 during rotation of the unit 1 about the rotation axle 2. The circulation is also effected in such a way that essentially the same amount of concentrate is present at the reading position, that is to say the thickness and cell quantity (cf. distance a), are essentially the same each time the blood bag passes the reading position. In another type of bag, for example plasmapheresis bags, another type of support/application is used.

In Figure 4 the cassette-like member or plate 26' is shown in greater detail. The front and rear edges of the blood bag are indicated by 34a' and 34b'. These edges have the said through recesses for the securing hooks 37,

37' and 45. The part 38 is formed as a thin sheet of light material, for example aluminium. The part has at its front edge the said hooks 37, 37' and is connected at its rear edge to the spring 39. The part 38 is also provided with a forward-projecting tongue 38a which is arranged on the undersurface 26a' of the member 26'. The tongue is connected via a part 38b which extends from the upper surface 26a'' of the member 26' to the said under surface 26a' via a slot 46 extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate 26'. By means of this arrangement, the part 38 is held in close contact with the upper surface 26a' of the plate 26'. This contributes to fixing the position of the blood bag, which can be held bearing against the upper surface 26a'' despite the said rotation and inclination. The upward-projecting hooks 37, 37' are turned slightly rearwards in order to prevent the bag from sliding off the hooks. The said holes 41-44 form part of a row 47 of holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate 26a'. Another purpose of the part 38 is to hold the aluminium component in place when the bag/the concentrate is removed. The securing hook 45 additionally serves as a manual actuation member when the bag/the concentrate is removed and as a marker for the number of the station/the through recess.

Figures 6 and 7 show the part 38 in detail. Figure 8 shows one of the guide tracks 27 of the bearing member (cf. Figure 2). The guide track can be designed as a lying U or have another design giving a corresponding function. The insertion position for the plate 26' is determined by a front surface 48 (see Figure 4) which cooperates with a stop part 49 on the one guide track.

The unit can be designed alternatively or in addition with a movement which differs from the rotational movement, for example a rocking movement and/or a to-and- fro movement. The light source/light sources can be designed to compensate for a change in the emitted radiation from the light source as a result of its age and/or voltage variations. The movements of the packages are also such that the discoid sides of the cells are exposed to the light, that is to say the cells are essentially at right angles to the direction of radia¬ tion. In this way, changes in the discoid nature can be followed by means of the measurement procedure. Cells in the form of lymphocytes and bacteria can also be observed with the equipment. When these cells are observed, it is not the discoid nature but the cell quantity which changes. It is thus the change in turbidity which is measured over the observation period, and the change is based on the fact that the discoid nature of the cells decreases, in that the quantity of the cells increases, etc.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown above by way of example, but can instead be subjected to modifications within the scope of the following patent claims and the inventive concept.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Arrangement for control of cells suspended in fluid and comprising a movable unit (1), on which packages (34) which contain such fluid from different individuals can be applied and can be moved past, at intervals determined by the movement of the unit, for example rotation or rocking, detection members (for example 15, 18) which give, for the fluid in each package, a detection signal (i) depending on a factor, for example transparency, which can relate to the cell quality and/or the cell quantity, and equipment/computer equipment (22) receiving and processing the detection signals, which equipment is designed to provide information, preferably continuous information, relating to the quality and/or quantity of the cells in the various packages, characterized in that the unit comprises two or more supporting planes (3, 4, 5) for packages, in that each plane comprises a number of supporting stations (25, 30, 31) for packages, which stations are preferably arranged close to the outer edge of the plane, and in that each station comprises a cassette-like member (26) which can be applied in bearing members (27) and is designed to hold a package unit in such a way that the fluid can be exposed to the detection members in a similar manner each time it passes the latter.

2. Arrangement according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the cassette-like member (26) is designed to hold a blood bag or another package (34) containing cells, which package can vary in size, and in that the cassette¬ like member in this respect comprises a fixing member (38) for the blood bag or package, which fixing member can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the cassette-like member, for adjustment to the length of the blood bag or package in question.

3. Arrangement according to patent claim 2, characterized in that the fixing member can be anchored releasably on different parts of the frame of the cassette-like member, for example releasably anchored in various holes (41-44) included in a row (47) of holes extending in the long¬ itudinal direction of the frame.

4. Arrangement according to patent claim 2 or 3, charac¬ terized in that the fixing member comprises, on the one hand, a part (38) which is provided with upwardly pro¬ jecting first securing hooks (37, 37') for the pack¬ age/blood bag and- which is guided in its longitudinal movement by means of a longitudinal recess (46) in the frame of the cassette-like member, and, on the other hand, a securing member (40) by means of which the part

(38) can be fixed releasably on the frame, and in that the securing member (38) comprises, in addition to a part/screw which can be anchored in the frame, a spring

(39) which is arranged between the part provided with the upwardly projecting first securing hooks and the anchor- able part/screw (40), which spring (39) guarantees the package/blood bag a predetermined fold-free slight stretching which means that the fluid/concentrate in the package/blood bag can circulate freely in the inner volume of the blood bag, an interference-free measurement is achieved and a smooth removal of the package/bag is permitted.

5. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the cassette-like member (26') has the form of a plate which is mounted via its side edges in bearing members in the form of guide tracks (27, 27') between which the plate can be inserted from the outer edge of the plane towards the centre of the plane to a fully inserted position of the plate, in which resilient locking members (28) arranged in the plane come into cooperation with the edge of the plate situated at the outer edge of the plane, and in that the plate (26') is designed, at its end edge which is situat¬ ed at the outer edge of the supporting plane, with one or more upwardly projecting second securing hooks (45) for the package/blood bag, which second securing hook or hooks additionally serve(s) as manual actuation or holding member(s) upon application and removal of the cassette-like member.

6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that both the cassette¬ like member/plate and respective supporting plane com¬ prise through recesses, over which at least part of the package/blood bag extends when it is arranged on the cas¬ sette-like member/plate by means of the securing mem¬ bers/the first and second securing hooks which cooperate with the package/blood bag at its ends (34a', 34b'), and in that the unit with the supporting planes (3-5) is designed with an inclined rotation axle (2), in that the said through recesses (29', 31') are arranged nearest the periphery of the respective supporting plane, and in that the inclination of the unit, the supporting of the packages and the through recesses are arranged in such a way that, passing the detection or reading member (15, 18, 16, 19 and 17, 20), an optimal quantity of fluid/concentrate is situated in that part of the inner space of the package/blood bag which is exposed/transil¬ luminated during the passage, and such that the fluid/concentrate on the one hand circulates continuously inside the package/blood bag during each rotational turn of the unit and, on the other hand, is in motion in order to permit each discoid cell to take up a position in which the discoid side of the cell is essentially at rightangles to the transillumination direction.

7. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the longitudinally displaceable fixing member (38) is designed, for example with a part (38a) which projects down through an elongate hole (46) in the cassette-like member/plate (26') and which cooperates with an under surface (26a') of the frame of the cassette-like member, to hold the pack¬ age/blood bag bearing against the upper surface (26a'') of the cassette-like member/plate and to permit the removal of the package/bag in a smooth manner.

8. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the unit (1) is designed with three or more supporting planes (3-5) arranged in levels one above the other, and in that the cassette-like members are designed to permit a small height between levels, for example a height which cor¬ responds to the combined thickness of ten packages/blood bags, at the same time with easy positioning and removal of the cassette-like members/plates during on-going rotation of the unit.

9. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the cassette-like members and associated bearing members and securing members (27, 27') for the packages/blood bags on the cassette-like members are designed so that the pack¬ ages/blood bags are not dislodged during on-going rota¬ tion/control and/or so that the packages/blood bags do not lie too stretched and/or folded over the through recesses (29', 31') of the cassette-like members and supporting planes.

10. Arrangement according to patent claim 8 or 9, charac¬ terized in that the detection or reading station is positioned at least in the vicinity of the lowest point (33) of each plane and/or in that each cassette station is designed with an actuation member, for example an inductive actuation member, which identifies the passage of the station past the detection or reading station in such a way that the values read off during the passage can be related to the package/concentrate applied on the station.