Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions and employing moving photometer means

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring progressively the absorbance changes of a large number of aliquots from a plurality of different samples. The sample introduction, testing instructions, aliquot preparation, reagent dispensing, absorbance measuring and data recording all can be accomplished in a continuous mode of processing. Stat and batch operation also can be accomplished. The aliquots are in an array of cuvettes which is advanced slowly along a circular path. Photometer means, preferably having several photometric detectors, are mounted in fixed orientation on a common support that advances rapidly along a similar circular path, such that radiation passing through each of the cuvettes is monitored many times by a specific photometric detector by the time that that cuvette completes one circuit of its path. The photometric detectors can operate at several different wavelengths. Many different chemical reactions can be monitored at the same time. The radiant energy passing through each cuvette is received by the continuously moving photometer means, is converted electrically into a digitized value proportional to absorbance and is transmitted digitally from the moving assemblage of photometric detectors, cuvettes and electrical components to a stationary receiver. In one embodiment, the digital transmission is in the form of a pulsed train of light signals. In another embodiment, one or more slip rings transmit electric signals from the moving assemblage to the stationary portion. Suitable drive elements, sample and reagent storage and transfer mechanisms as well as cuvette laundry means may be provided as part of the complete apparatus.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions occurring in a plurality of liquid or the like sample substances carried .[.in.]. .Iadd.by .Iaddend.a plurality of respective .[.cuvettes whose walls are at least to some extent capable of transmitting.]. .Iadd.sample support members and which produce an optical effect when exposed to .Iaddend.radiant energy which comprises, A. a support structure,   B. a .[.horizontally disposed cuvette.]. .Iadd.sample support member .Iaddend.carrier .Iadd.disposed in a first plane and .Iaddend.having a plurality of .[.cuvettes.]. .Iadd.sample support members .Iaddend.disposed thereon in a circular array around the periphery of the carrier and the array having a central .[.vertical.]. axis .Iadd.normal to said first plane.Iaddend., the .[.cuvette.]. .Iadd.sample support member .Iaddend.carrier being nonrotatably mounted on the support structure,   C. a rotor .[.horizontally.]. disposed parallel with the .[.cuvette.]. .Iadd.sample support member .Iaddend.carrier and mounted for rotation on the said axis,   D. a plurality of photometers arranged on said rotor and each including a photoresponsive element and there being radiant energy source means serving all of the photoresponsive elements and directing a .[.direct rectilinear.]. beam of radiant energy to each of them whereby there is at least one beam for each element, .Iadd.each beam having a fixed orientation relative to its associated photoresponsive element that is maintained at all times during rotation of the rotor, .Iaddend.the source means and elements being geometrically arranged in a radial configuration around the rotor, and the beams being so located that each will .[.cut through.]. .Iadd.be intercepted by .Iaddend.all of the .[.cuvettes.]. .Iadd.sample support members .Iaddend.in sequence during rotation of the rotor,   E. means for driving the rotor in a rotary movement,   F. the photoresponsive elements being responsive to the beams to produce electrical signals when intercepted by .[.cuvettes.]. .Iadd.sample support members.Iaddend., the signals being related to the chemical conditions of sample substance, if any, carried by the respective .[.cuvettes.]. .Iadd.sample support members.Iaddend.,   G. means for generating usable data from any such signals associated with said support structure and .[.non-rotatable,.]. .Iadd.nonrotatable carrier .Iaddend.and   H. means for coupling the signals from the rotor to said last mentioned means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the .[.cuvette.]. .Iadd.sample support member .Iaddend.carrier is wholly removable from the support structure to enable replacement thereof by another such carrier. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the source means comprise a single lamp in the center of the rotor and each beam emanates from said lamp. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the source means comprise a lamp associated with each photometer, the movement of the rotor .[.carrying the cuvettes.]. .Iadd.resulting in the sample support members being brought into intercepting relationship .Iaddend.between the .[.lamps.]. .Iadd.beam of the lamp .Iaddend.and the photoresponsive element of each photometer. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which an A/D converter is mounted on said rotor between each respective photoresponsive element and said coupling means whereby the photoresponsive elements pass analog signals while said coupling means pass digital signals. .Iadd. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which each sample support member comprises a cuvette having at least one wall which is capable of transmitting radiant energy, said cuvette is adapted to hold a liquid sample and in which each beam of radiant energy is arranged to pass through said wall and at least through a portion of the liquid sample, if any, in said cuvette and thence to the photoresponsive element associated with said each beam. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said first plane is horizontal and said axis is vertical. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which a second wall of each cuvette opposite said one wall is also capable of transmitting radiant energy and the photoresponsive element of each beam is arranged to receive the radiant energy from each second wall in sequence as the rotor is rotated. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which each beam, its associated photoresponsive element and the source means serving said photoresponsive element are in rectilinear alignment. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, in which the said carrier has a plurality of openings arranged in a circle about said axis and said sample support members are removably engaged in said openings to form said circular array. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, in which at least one of said sample support members comprises at least one wall capable of transmission of said radiant energy for impingement of said sample substance and measurement of the resulting interaction by said photoresponsive element. .Iaddend.