Process analyzer

Abstract

A process analyzer for detection of an analyte in a liquid under analysis includes a base module and an exchangeable cartridge module. The exchangeable cartridge module comprises a sample taking device comprising a membrane configured to obtain a sample from the liquid under analysis. A first pump mechanism is configured to pump the sample away from the sample taking device. A second pump mechanism is configured to introduce a reagent into the sample. A measuring section is configured to perform a quantitative detection of the analyte in the sample. A degassing device is arranged downstream of the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism. The degassing device is configured to degas the sample.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 : A process analyzer for detection of an analyte in a liquid under analysis, the process analyzer consisting of:
 a base module; and   an exchangeable cartridge module, the exchangeable cartridge module comprising:
 a sample taking device comprising a membrane configured to obtain a sample from the liquid under analysis, 
 a first pump mechanism configured to pump the sample away from the sample taking device, 
 a second pump mechanism configured to introduce a reagent into the sample, 
 a measuring section configured to perform a quantitative detection of the analyte in the sample, and 
 a degassing device arranged downstream of the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, the degassing device being configured to degas the sample. 
   
     
     
         14 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a base-module-side pneumatic pump configured to pneumatically drive the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, wherein the degassing device includes a gas-permeable degassing membrane which is connected to the base-module-side pneumatic pump so as to generate an underpressure on a gas side of the gas-permeable degassing membrane. 
     
     
         15 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the degassing device is formed by a degassing channel having a groove shape, the degassing channel being covered by the gas-permeable degassing membrane. 
     
     
         16 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the degassing channel has a meandering course. 
     
     
         17 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a volume of the degassing channel is at least as large as a volume of the measuring section. 
     
     
         18 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a dialysis chamber disposed proximally to a dialysis membrane and an introduced reagent, wherein a volume of the degassing channel is at least as large as a sum of the volumes of the dialysis chamber and the introduced reagent. 
     
     
         19 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the degassing channel is provided as a reaction chamber in which a mixture of the sample and the reagent dwells at least 10 seconds before being pumped to the measuring section. 
     
     
         20 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the degassing device includes a degassing membrane. 
     
     
         21 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the degassing membrane is a hydrophobic membrane. 
     
     
         22 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the exchangeable cartridge module further comprises a carrier liquid supply tank and a reagent supply tank. 
     
     
         23 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the base module comprises a photometric analyte sensor which is functionally associated with the measuring section. 
     
     
         24 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the degassing device is arranged between the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, and the measuring section. 
     
     
         25 : The process analyzer as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the degassing device is configured to degas the measuring section. 
     
     
         26 : A cartridge module for a base module, wherein the cartridge module comprises:
 a sample taking device comprising a membrane configured to obtain a sample from a liquid under analysis,   a first pump mechanism configured to pump the sample away from the sample taking device,   a second pump mechanism configured to introduce a reagent into the sample,   a measuring section configured to perform a quantitative detection of an analyte in the sample, and   a degassing device arranged downstream of the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, the degassing device being configured to degas at least one of the sample and the measuring section.   
     
     
         27 : The cartridge module as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the cartridge module further comprises a carrier liquid supply tank and a reagent supply tank. 
     
     
         28 : The cartridge module as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the degassing device is arranged between the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, and the measuring section. 
     
     
         29 : A cartridge module for a base module, wherein the cartridge module comprises:
 a sample taking device comprising a membrane configured to obtain a sample from a liquid under analysis,   a first pump mechanism configured to pump the sample away from the sample taking device,   a second pump mechanism configured to introduce a reagent into the sample,   a measuring section configured to perform a quantitative detection of an analyte in the sample,   a degassing device comprising a gas-permeable degassing membrane, the degassing device being arranged downstream of the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, and being configured to degas at least one of the sample and the measuring section, and   a base-module-side pneumatic pump configured to pneumatically drive the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism,   wherein,   the gas-permeable degassing membrane is connected to the base-module-side pneumatic pump so as to generate an underpressure on a gas side of the gas-permeable degassing membrane; and   
       the base module comprises:
 a photometric analyte sensor which is functionally associated with the measuring section. 
 
     
     
         30 : The cartridge module as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the cartridge module further comprises a carrier liquid supply tank and a reagent supply tank. 
     
     
         31 : The cartridge module as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the degassing device is arranged between the first pump mechanism and the second pump mechanism, and the measuring section.