Liquid handling apparatus
US4399362A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1981 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N35/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A clinical analyzer system flows a small volume (less than 200 microliters) of liquid sample to be analyzed from an inlet port past a sensor array to a series of analysis chambers. The sensor array includes two optical sensor units that are spaced a fixed distance apart, and each sensor unit transmits a beam of infrared radiation through the flow tube for sensing by a detector. Each detector output has a low value when blood is in the flow tube, an intermediate value when air is in the flow tube, and a high value when a clear liquid is in the flow tube. Control logic senses changes in the outputs of the detectors and accurately indicates gas-liquid interface transitions. The noninvasive system accurately locates leading and trailing edges of samples of biological fluids to be analyzed, monitors the integrity of those samples, and distinguishes between types of sample liquids processed by the analyzer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.