Luminaire light coupling for dual culture rings using periscope design

Abstract

A system for coupling a photometer to a culture ring for in vitro diagnostics includes one or more light sources and a culture ring assembly and two photometers. The culture ring assembly includes an inner well and an outer well. Each well includes (a) an inner wall including an inner aperture and (b) an outer wall including an outer aperture. The first photometer includes a first optical housing directing light from the light source through the outer aperture of the inner well and a first detector positioned to receive the light through the inner aperture of the inner well. The second photometer includes a second optical housing directing the light from the light source through the inner aperture of the outer well and a second detector positioned to receive the light through the outer aperture of the outer well.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 893,063, filed August 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for coupling a photometer to a culture loop for in vitro diagnostic applications of automated clinical chemistry analyzers. Background Technology

[0004] In vitro diagnostics (IVD) allows laboratories to aid in the diagnosis of diseases based on tests performed on fluid samples from patients. IVD encompasses a wide range of analytical tests and examinations relevant to patient diagnosis and treatment, which can be performed through the analysis of fluid samples obtained from a patient's bodily fluids or abscesses. These tests are typically performed using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (analyzer), on which a fluid container (such as a tube or vial) containing the patient's sample has been loaded. The analyzer extracts the fluid sample from the vial and combines the sample with various reagents in special reaction cuvettes or tubes (often called reaction dishes).

[0005] Modular designs are frequently used in analyzers. Some larger systems include laboratory automation systems that allow patient samples to move between one sample processing module and another. These modules include one or more stations, including sample processing stations and testing stations. A testing station is a unit that specializes in certain types of testing and provides predefined testing services to samples in the analyzer. Exemplary testing stations include immunoassay (IA) and clinical chemistry (CC) stations. In some laboratories (often smaller ones), these testing stations can be provided as standalone / individual analyzers or testing modules, allowing operators to manually load and unload individual samples or sample trays at each station in the laboratory for CC or IA testing.

[0006] At the center of a typical CC analyzer / module is the culture loop assembly. To perform the aforementioned assays, the reaction needs to occur within a well-controlled temperature range, typically consistent with the nominal temperature of the human sample. The culture loop rotates relative to a fixed base, usually driven by a motor attached to the base, which in turn drives a toothed ring or belt on the loop. This allows assays of different lengths to be performed in parallel, thus allowing some cuvettes to receive analytes / reagents, some to receive sample aliquots, some to be analyzed, some to be washed, and so on, simultaneously. One assay particularly relevant to this application is photometric analysis. This analysis is performed using a photometer coupled to the loop, which allows light to pass through the sample tube as it moves across the loop.

[0007] In some systems, to regulate temperature, the base is typically heated with a traditional heating element driven by a controller that receives thermal feedback from a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the base. The thermally controlled base heats the air gap between the base and the incubator ring, which heats the cuvette. A housing is provided to help insulate the entire volume of air inside. By residing in the thermally regulated air, the ring maintains a set temperature when in steady state conditions.

[0008] In other systems, to regulate temperature, the dual reaction ring is filled with water, which is heated by a closed heater element driven by a controller that receives thermal feedback from a temperature sensor in contact with the water. This heats the water bath to the desired reaction temperature. The reaction cuvette is in direct contact with the water bath and moves in constant motion to maintain a set point in steady state conditions.

[0009] Recently, a dual incubation ring design has been developed to increase the throughput of a CC module. In comparison to the traditional single ring design, the dual incubation ring has two rings: an inner ring and a larger outer ring. Each ring is capable of independently transporting samples through different assays. However, due to space constraints, the current dual incubation ring design does not allow for direct optical coupling of the spectrometer light source and light detector components. SUMMARY

[0010] By providing methods, systems, and apparatuses related to coupling a spectrometer to a dual incubation ring using a periscope design, embodiments of the present invention address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and disadvantages.

[0011] According to some embodiments, a system for coupling a spectrometer to an incubation ring for in vitro diagnostics includes one or more light sources, an incubation ring assembly, and two spectrometers. The incubation ring assembly includes an inner slot and an outer slot. Each slot includes (a) an inner wall including an inner aperture and (b) an outer wall including an outer aperture. A first spectrometer is disposed with respect to the inner slot. This first spectrometer includes a first optical housing that directs light from the light source through the outer aperture of the inner slot and a first detector disposed to receive the light through the inner aperture of the inner slot. A second spectrometer is disposed with respect to the outer slot. This second spectrometer includes a second optical housing that directs the light from the light source through the inner aperture of the outer slot and a second detector disposed to receive the light through the outer aperture of the outer slot.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present application, a photometer system includes an optical housing and a detector. The optical housing includes two channels and one or more reflective surfaces. The first channel houses a fiber optic cable that transmits light from one or more light sources. The second channel is connected to the first channel at an angle. The reflective surface redirects the light from the fiber optic cable to the second channel. The detector is oriented parallel with respect to the second channel of the optical housing and the detector generates a photometric measurement based on the light received from the optical housing.

[0013] In other embodiments, a method of testing a sample in an in vitro diagnostic system includes receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable in a vertical channel of an optical housing. The light signal is directed onto a reflective surface of the optical housing such that the light signal reflects at an angle and passes through a first aperture of a slot of a culture ring assembly. The light signal is received by a detector through a second aperture of the slot of the culture ring assembly. The light signal is then processed to determine one or more photometric measurements.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other aspects of the present application are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the application, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, of course, that the application is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

[0016] Figure 1 Illustrating a system for coupling a photometer to a culture ring for in vitro diagnostics according to some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 2 Providing an example of how the optical housing in some embodiments of the present application can be mounted on a base plate;

[0018] Figure 3 Providing an example of how a screw can be used to mount a detector on a base plate 125 according to some embodiments;

[0019] Figure 4 Providing an example of mounting of an exemplary optical housing on an outer ring of a culture ring assembly;

[0020] Figure 5 Providing Figure 4 Providing a top view of a fully mounted optical housing presented in

[0021] Figure 6 Providing a top view of an exemplary optical housing and detector mounted on an outer ring of a culture ring assembly;

[0022] Figure 7A A first exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 7B A second exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments; Figure 7A An alternative implementation of the first example shown in FIG. 1 1, where the light source is mounted above the base plate;

[0024] Figure 8A A second exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 8B An alternative implementation of the second example shown in FIG. 12, where the light source is mounted above the base plate; Figure 8A

[0026] A third exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments; Figure 9A An alternative implementation of the third example shown in FIG. 13, where the light source is mounted above the base plate;

[0027] Figure 9B A fourth exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments; and Figure 9A An alternative implementation of the fourth example shown in FIG. 14, where the light source is mounted above the base plate.

[0028] Figure 10A A fourth exemplary configuration for coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop is shown in accordance with some embodiments; and An alternative implementation of the fourth example shown in FIG. 14, where the light source is mounted above the base plate.

[0029] Figure 10B The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and apparatuses related to coupling a luminometer to a dual culture loop using a periscope design. More specifically, with the designs disclosed herein, a light source (e.g., halogen, LED, or hybrid) is positioned at any desired spatial location under a base plate and is coupled by a fiber optic cable to a periscope assembly in minimal space between the dual culture loops. Light from the fiber is focused through a set of aspheric collimating lenses and then turned at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) through an optical mirror, parabolic mirror, dichroic lens, or prism to hit a target aperture for proper beam alignment to pass through the optical cuvette to hit the detector. In some embodiments, this can be accomplished to supply both sides of a loop using a single light source using a bifurcated fiber. Likewise, in some embodiments, the general design disclosed herein can be implemented with a single light source and a single fiber. Figure 10A

[0030]

[0031] Figure 1 ​​A system 100 for coupling a photometer to a culture ring for in vitro diagnostics is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. The culture ring assembly 105 includes an outer well 105 A and an inner well 105B. Each well includes two apertures. For clarity, Figure 1 These apertures are illustrated with respect to the inner well 105B only. Specifically, the inner well 105B has a first aperture 105C on an outer wall (i.e., the wall farthest from the center point of the culture ring assembly 105) and a second aperture 105D on an inner wall (i.e., the wall closest to the center point of the culture ring assembly 105).

[0032] Figure 1 A photometer assembly is illustrated that includes an optical housing 110 and a detector 115. One or more light sources (not shown in FIG. 1) transmit light to the optical housing 110 via a fiber optic cable 120. As is generally understood in the art, fiber optics allow for a variable length flexible cable to transmit light over long distances. Thus, the use of fiber optics allows the light source to be located below the culture ring assembly 105 as needed to satisfy spacing constraints, to satisfy manufacturability specifications, to allow for service access, etc. Figure 1

[0033] The optical housing 110 is based on a "periscope" design that allows the optical housing 110 to be installed in a minimal space location between the wells of the culture ring assembly 105. Within the optical housing 110, a vertical channel 110A houses the fiber optic cable 120. An aspheric collimating lens 110D focuses light from the fiber optic cable 120 onto a reflective surface 110C. This reflective surface 110C can include, for example, an optical mirror, a parabolic mirror, a dichroic lens, or a prism. The reflective surface 110C redirects the light through a horizontal channel 110B and through the first aperture 105C of the inner well 105B.

[0034] Continuing to refer to Figure 1 the detector 115 is positioned to receive light through the second aperture 105D of the inner well 105B. During operation of the system 100, a vessel containing a sample is moved through the inner well 105B. The vessel can be transparent, or include a window, through which the light passes as it is transmitted from the optical housing 110 to the detector 115. As will be understood by those skilled in the art of photometric measurement, one method of identifying organic and inorganic compounds in a test sample is to introduce a chemical reagent that reacts with specific ions in the sample, thereby causing the ions to change color. As light passes through the sample colored by the reagent, one or more colors are absorbed based on the ions present. The detector 115 is then able to analyze the light that is not absorbed to infer what compounds are present in the sample.

[0035] In Figure 1 ​In some embodiments, the components of the photometer are mounted on a base plate 125 below the culture ring assembly 105. More specifically, the culture ring assembly 105 includes an upper surface 130A defined by the open portions of the outer and inner grooves 105A, 105B and a lower surface 130B located opposite the upper surface 130A. The base plate 125 is positioned below the lower surface 130B of the culture ring assembly 105. This base plate 125 is mounted on the lower components of the analyzer system so that the base plate 125 rotates with the culture ring assembly 105 while the system is performing sample analysis. The optical housing 110 and the detector 115 are then mounted to the base plate 125. In embodiments where a second photometer is positioned about the outer groove 105A, those components can likewise be mounted on the same base plate 125. It should be noted that using a single mounting base plate for both the optical housing 110 and the detector 115 allows for precise alignment and easy manufacturing.

[0036] Figure 2 An example of how the optical housing 110 in some embodiments of the present application can be mounted on the base plate 125 is provided. A seal 215 is used to couple the optical housing 110 to the culture ring assembly 105 to provide a tight connection while minimizing vibration. This seal 215 can be, for example, a u-shaped rubber grommet. The optical housing 110 includes two cavities sized to accommodate pins 205. These pins 205 are then inserted into pin housings 210 in the base plate 125 to complete the mounting. In some embodiments, the pin housings 210 are movable. Thus, the position of the optical housing 110 can be aligned with respect to the aperture of the detector 115 and the culture ring assembly 105. Once the components are fully aligned, the position of the pin housings 210 can be fixed. The components can then be disassembled and deployed to a clinical environment. Upon deployment, the placement of the pin housings 210 ensures that the aligned position of the optical housing 110 will be maintained. A similar process can be used for the positioning of the detector 115. For example, Figure 3 An example of how the screws 305 can be used to mount the detector 115 on the base plate 125 according to some embodiments is shown. As desired, Figure 2 and 3 The general approach shown in FIGS. 4A-4D can be applied to mounting additional photometers.

[0037] Figure 4 The mounting of the optical housing 410 on the outer ring of the culture ring assembly 404 according to some embodiments is shown. This example shows a single groove 415 for clarity; however, in other embodiments, additional grooves can be included inside the groove 415. Additionally, compared to the culture ring assembly 404, the optical housing 410 can be mounted on the inner ring of the culture ring assembly 404 in some embodiments. Figure 4In the example shown, the aperture 420 is circular, and a circular seal 425 is used when coupling the optical housing 410 to the slot 415. A grommet 430 and a nut 435 are used to secure this coupling, with the latter being threaded onto the horizontal channel 410A of the optical housing 410. Figure 5 A top view of the fully installed optical housing 410 is shown, with the nut 435 fully tightened.

[0038] Figure 6 A top view of the optical housing 605 and detector 610 as seated on the outer ring of the culture ring assembly 615 is shown, according to some embodiments. In this example, it is assumed that there is a specific distance (indicated by the marker 620) that must be maintained between the optical housing 605 and the detector 610. To support this distance, the culture ring assembly 615 is locally narrowed around the optical housing 605, thereby allowing the optical housing 605 to be seated closer to the center of the ring.

[0039] Figures 7A-10B An exemplary configuration for coupling a photometer to a dual culture ring assembly is shown. In these examples, LED light sources are used. As is generally understood in the art, LED lamps allow for longer lifetimes as compared to traditional halogen lamps, which in turn results in less overall maintenance of the system. In Figure 7A In the example shown, two detectors 705A, 705B are mounted coplanar with the culture ring assembly 720 on a base plate 725. A single LED light source 710 is used to provide light to the optical housings in the culture ring assembly 720. The use of a single light source can be preferred, for example, as a means of reducing the cost of the overall system. A bifurcated fiber bundle 715 splits the light so that it can be delivered to each individual optical housing. Figure 7B An alternative implementation of the configuration presented in Figure 7A In the example shown, a single LED light source 710 is mounted above the base plate 725. The use of a fiber optic cable with a bifurcated fiber bundle 715 allows for the mounting of the light source 710 in either configuration, depending on factors such as ease of service access. Figure 7B

[0040] A similar configuration is provided, with detectors 805A, 805B mounted coplanar with the culture ring assembly 820 on a base plate 825. However, in contrast to Figure 7, in Figure 8 there are two LED light sources 810A and 810B connected by separate fiber optic cables 815A, 815B. Figure 8A An alternative version of this configuration is shown, with LED light sources 810A and 810B mounted above the base plate 825. Figure 8B

[0041] Figure 9A , 9B ​FIGS. 10A and 10B show configurations in which the detectors are mounted below the culture ring assembly. Figure 9A Similar to Figure 7A Because the light source 910 delivers light to the optical housing in the culture ring assembly 920 mounted on the base plate 925 through the bifurcated fiber bundle 915. However, in contrast to Figure 7A In contrast, the optical cables 925A, 925B are used to relay the light captured below the culture ring assembly 920 to the detectors 905A and 905B, respectively. Figure 9B An alternative configuration is shown in which the light source 910 is mounted above the base plate 925, while the detectors 905A and 905B are again located above the base plate 925.

[0042] Figure 10A Using symmetric dual LED light sources 1010A, 1010B, which are connected through fiber optic cables 1015A, 1015B to the optical housing in the culture ring assembly 1020 mounted on the base plate 1030. As in the example provided in Figure 9A Figure 10A The configuration shown in uses a second set of fiber optic cables 1025A, 1025B to relay the light to the detectors 1005A, 1005B below the culture ring assembly 1020. Figure 10B An alternative configuration is shown in which the LED light sources 1010A, 1010B are mounted above the base plate 1030.

[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, the functions employed by embodiments of the present disclosure can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for example, computer readable program code embodied in a computer readable non-transitory medium. The medium is then provided to a computer system that executes the computer readable program code in a manner that causes the computer system to provide and facilitate the functions of embodiments of the present disclosure. The article of manufacture can be included as part of the computer system or sold separately.

[0044] The functions and process steps herein can be performed automatically or completely or partially in response to user command. Activities (including steps) performed in an automatic fashion are performed without direct user initiation, in response to one or more executable instructions or device operations.

[0045] ​The system shown in the figures is not exclusive. Other systems can be derived based on the principles of the application to accomplish the same objectives. Although this application has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown and described herein are merely illustrative. Modifications can be made to the current design without departing from the scope of the application. As described herein, various systems, subsystems, agents, managers, and processes can be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or combinations thereof. Claim elements herein are not to be construed as being merely written limitations, unless the phrase "means for" is explicitly recited in the claim element.

Claims

1. A system for coupling a photometer to a culture loop for in vitro diagnostics, the system comprising: One or more light sources; A culture ring assembly includes an inner groove and an outer groove, wherein each groove includes (a) an inner wall including an inner aperture and (b) an outer wall including an outer aperture; A first photometer is disposed with respect to the inner tank, wherein the first photometer comprises: A first optical housing guides light from the light source through the outer aperture of the inner groove, and A first detector is positioned to receive light passing through the inner aperture of the inner groove; and A second photometer is mounted and disposed with respect to the outer tank, wherein the second photometer comprises: The second optical housing guides the light from the light source through the inner aperture of the outer slot, and A second detector is positioned to receive the light passing through the outer aperture of the outer slot.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: One or more fiber optic cables transmit the light from the light source to the first optical housing and the second optical housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optical housing comprises: A vertical channel for accommodating fiber optic cables that transmit light from the light source. A horizontal channel, connected to the outer aperture of the inner groove, and One or more reflective surfaces for redirecting the light from the vertical channel to the horizontal channel and through the outer aperture of the inner groove.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical housing comprises: A vertical channel for accommodating fiber optic cables that transmit light from the light source. A horizontal channel, connected to the inner diameter of the outer groove, and One or more reflective surfaces for redirecting the light from the vertical channel to the horizontal channel and through the inner diameter of the outer slot.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises (a) a first light source connected to the first optical housing via a first optical fiber cable and (b) a second light source connected to the second optical housing via a second optical fiber cable.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources comprise a single light source connected to the first optical housing and the second optical housing via a branched fiber optic cable bundle and a second fiber optic cable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the culture loop assembly includes an upper surface defined by the open portions of the inner groove and the outer groove and a lower surface positioned opposite to the upper surface, and the system further includes: The base plate is positioned below the lower surface of the culture ring assembly. Each of the first photometer and the second photometer is mounted on the base plate.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein one or more light sources are positioned below the base plate relative to the culture ring assembly.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the first detector and the second detector is positioned below the base plate with respect to the culture loop assembly.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein one or more light sources are positioned above the base plate relative to the culture ring assembly.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the first detector and the second detector is positioned below the base plate with respect to the culture loop assembly.

12. A method for testing samples in the system of any one of claims 1-11, the method comprising: Receive optical signals from the optical fiber cable in the vertical channel of the optical housing; The light signal is guided onto the reflective surface of the optical housing so that the light signal is reflected at a certain angle and passes through the first aperture of the groove of the culture ring assembly; The optical signal is received by the detector through the second aperture of the groove in the culture ring assembly; The optical signal is processed to determine one or more photometric measurements.

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