Analysis apparatus
US4640821A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1985 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/117497
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for analyzing a biological fluid or the like includes a series flow loop that extends between an inlet valve array and an outlet valve array. The flow loop includes an analysis region to which a measuring system is connected in sensing relation and an accumulator chamber connected to the outlet of the analysis region. The inlet valve array is arranged to selectively and alternately connect a sample inlet port and an auxiliary fluid reservoir to the flow loop while the outlet valve array is arranged to selectively connect a controlled source of reduced pressure to the flow loop. The volume of the accumulator chamber is at least as great as the volume of the flow loop (including the analysis region) between the inlet valve array and the accumulator chamber and the system is arranged to capture reduced pressure in the flow loop, the captured reduced pressure then being used to provide the sole transfer force to gently and reliably transfer a minute quantity of fluid to be analyzed from the sample inlet port through the analysis region and at least partially fill the accumulator chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.