System and method for agitation of multiple specimen containers

{
  "publication_number": "US2010311108A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "System and method for agitation of multiple specimen containers",
  "abstract": "A system is disclosed for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium. The system includes a plurality of racks. The racks have a plurality of receptacles, each of which is adapted for holding a specimen container. The racks include a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. The system also includes a rotating turret having a frame holding the racks. The frame is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks about the axis to an access position, e.g., where a user may access the specimen containers. The system also includes an agitation assembly coupled to the racks. The agitation assembly rocks the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by the racks. In one configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument detecting whether a microbiological agent is present in the specimen container. In another configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument identifying or characterizing the microbiological agent.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium, comprising, in combination: a plurality of specimen container racks, each of said racks including a plurality of receptacles adapted for holding a specimen container, the racks including a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction; a rotating turret comprising a frame holding the racks, the frame rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks including the first rack and the second rack about the axis to an access position; and an agitation assembly coupled to each of said racks, the agitation assembly rocking the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by such racks. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the racks includes a first rack assembly comprising at least two racks oriented vertically in alignment with each other and a second rack assembly comprising at least two racks oriented vertically in alignment with each other, and wherein the first and second racks are held by the frame of the rotating turret and oriented in opposite directions from each other. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating turret comprises a base coupled to the frame, a bearing supporting the base, a turret drive assembly coupled to the frame, and a turret drive motor for rotating the turret drive assembly. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a toothed belt driven by the turret drive motor, the toothed belt connecting the turret drive motor to the turret drive assembly wherein rotation of the belt by the turret drive motor causes the turret drive assembly to rotate thereby rotating the frame. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the agitation assembly comprises: a bearing coupling the first rack to the frame; a connecting link and a main drive link, the connecting link connecting the bearing to the main drive link; an eccentric bearing coupled to the main drive link; and a motor driving the eccentric bearing; wherein motor operates to move the eccentric bearing, main drive link and connecting link to thereby cause angular displacement of the first rack about the bearing to thereby rock specimen container(s) contained in the first rack back and forth. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of panels enclosing the racks and rotating turret, the panels including a front panel having an access door for providing user access to the rotating turret when the rotating turret is rotated to the access position. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the set of panels include side panels and a top panel wherein the side panels and top panel are insulated. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a base pan having integral air channels, the air channels having at least one outlet; one or more heater assemblies including a fan for blowing warm air into the integral air channels; and wherein the at least one outlet is positioned below the rotating turret to thereby direct warm air upward towards specimen containers held in the racks. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample containers comprise blood collection bottles. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automated loading mechanism moveable in two orthogonal directions placed proximate to the rotating turret and including a structure for holding one of the specimen containers, the loading mechanism operable to insert a specimen container into any of the receptacles of the first or second rack when the first or second rack is rotated about the axis into a loading position. 11. An automated sample detection instrument comprising: a system for agitating multiple specimen containers processed in the automated sample detection instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the racks further include a detection system noninvasively interrogating the sample containers held in the racks to determine whether a microbial agent is present in the sample container. 12. An automated sample identification instrument comprising a system for agitating multiple specimen containers processed in the automated sample identification instrument as recited in claim 1. 13. A method of agitating a plurality of specimen containers, comprising: a) loading a plurality of specimen containers into one or more racks having a plurality of receptacles for holding the specimen containers, wherein the racks are incorporated into a rotating turret, the rotating turret rotatable about a vertical axis; and b) rocking the racks back and forth. 13. The method of claim 13, wherein the rocking step comprises rocking the receptacles between an orientation in which the specimen containers are oriented at an first angle wherein the specimen containers are tilted upward above horizontal and an orientation at a second angle wherein the specimen containers are oriented tilted downward below horizontal. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second angles are between 10 and 20 degrees. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of blowing warm air over the specimen containers while performing the rocking step. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the racks comprise a first group of at least two racks and a second group of at least two racks, the first group of racks oriented in a first direction and the second group of racks oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, and wherein the rocking step comprises rocking both the first and second groups of racks simultaneously. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of noninvasively interrogating each of the specimen containers held in the racks to determine whether a microbial agent is present in the specimen container. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the specimen containers comprise blood culture bottles. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is performed in an automated instrument for detecting the presence of a microbial agent within the blood culture bottle. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is performed in an automated instrument for identifying or characterizing a microbial agent within the blood culture bottle."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "C12Q 1/04",
    "C12M 3/00",
    "C12M 41/36",
    "C12Q 1/00",
    "C12Q 1/02",
    "G01N 2035/00148",
    "G01N 2035/0406",
    "G01N 2035/0453",
    "G01N 2035/0465",
    "G01N 33/48",
    "G01N 35/00603",
    "G01N 35/0099",
    "G01N 35/026",
    "G01N 35/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BIO MERIEUX INC"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-05-14",
  "publication_date": "2010-12-09",
  "priority_date": "2009-05-15",
  "application_number": "US-80044610-A",
  "family_id": "43068817",
  "citations": [
    "US3625485A",
    "US5473437A",
    "US5665309A"
  ]
}