Analysis instrument and sample preparation cartridge
An analysis instrument includes a cartridge bay for receiving a sample preparation cartridge. The cartridge bay includes a controllable heater for heating a sample; a first temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the controllable heater; and a second temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the sample.
1. An analysis instrument comprising:
a cartridge bay for receiving a sample preparation cartridge; and
a controller,
wherein the cartridge bay comprises:
a controllable heater for heating a sample;
a first temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the controllable heater; and
a second temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the sample,
wherein the controller is configured to:
receive data from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor;
control the temperature of the controllable heater, based on the data received from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; and
heat the sample to a predetermined temperature by controlling the controllable heater so as to:
be at an initial temperature that is higher than the predetermined temperature, whilst the temperature of the sample monitored by the second temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold; and
reduce the temperature of the controllable heater from the initial temperature to a lower temperature which is higher than the predetermined temperature by a predetermined offset, when the temperature of the sample monitored by the second temperature sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold.
2. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the first temperature sensor is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor, and/or the second temperature sensor is an infrared sensor.
3. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the controllable heater comprises a cylindrical concave heating surface.
4. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the controllable heater is spring mounted.
5. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the controllable heater is a first controllable heater and the cartridge bay further comprises a second controllable heater shaped to receive a plurality of wells defined in the sample preparation cartridge, for heating contents of the plurality of wells.
6. The analysis instrument according to claim 5 , wherein the second controllable heater comprises a third temperature sensor.
7. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge bay further comprises a key for engagement with a corresponding slot on the sample preparation cartridge.
8. The analysis instrument according to claim 7 , wherein the cartridge bay further comprises a motor configured to rotate the key.
9. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge bay further comprises a hook configured to receive a syringe piston flange.
10. The analysis instrument according to claim 9 , further comprising a motor for moving the hook along a linear rail.
11. A system comprising:
the analysis instrument according to claim 1 ; and
the sample preparation cartridge,
wherein:
the sample preparation cartridge comprises:
a multi-way valve; and
a syringe,
the syringe comprises:
a barrel for receiving a fluid;
a piston slidably located within the barrel; and
an orifice for flow of the fluid into and out of the barrel, under action of the piston, and
wherein:
the barrel is fluidly connected to the multi-way valve via the orifice; and
the sample preparation cartridge is in the cartridge bay of the analysis instrument.
12. The analysis instrument according to claim 5 , wherein the second controllable heater is a heater block comprising blind holes into which the plurality of wells defined in the sample preparation cartridge can be received.
13. The analysis instrument according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to control a temperature of the second controllable heater to be at the predetermined temperature.
14. The analysis instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the controllable heater is configured to receive and heat a syringe barrel of the sample preparation cartridge, and the syringe barrel is configured to hold the sample.
15. A system comprising:
an analysis instrument; and
a sample preparation cartridge,
wherein:
the analysis instrument comprises:
a cartridge bay for receiving the sample preparation cartridge; and
a controller,
the cartridge bay comprises:
a controllable heater for heating a sample;
a first temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the controllable heater; and
a second temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the sample, the controller is configured to:
receive data from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor;
control the temperature of the controllable heater, based on the data received from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; and
heat the sample to a predetermined temperature by controlling the controllable heater so as to:
be at an initial temperature that is higher than the predetermined temperature, whilst the temperature of the sample monitored by the second temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold; and
reduce the temperature of the controllable heater from the initial temperature to a lower temperature, when the temperature of the sample monitored by the second temperature sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold,
the sample preparation cartridge comprises:
a multi-way valve; and
a syringe,
the syringe comprises:
a barrel for receiving a fluid;
a piston slidably located within the barrel; and
an orifice for flow of the fluid into and out of the barrel, under action of the piston, and
wherein:
the barrel is fluidly connected to the multi-way valve via the orifice; and
the sample preparation cartridge is in the cartridge bay of the analysis instrument.
16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the sample preparation cartridge is configured to be lowered into the cartridge bay of the analysis instrument.
17. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the sample preparation cartridge is configured for preparing the sample for analysis from a positive blood culture flask, and the analysis instrument is configured to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the sample.