Methods for photometric analysis
US5478750A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a compact, highly automated photometric analyzer for measuring the concentration of substances found in a fluid, typically a blood sample or other body fluid sample taken from a patient. The operator places a small quantity of the sample into a special rotor and then loads the rotor into the analyzer. The analyzer accepts the rotor, centrifuges and dilutes the sample, and distributes the sample into a plurality of cuvettes near the outer edge of the rotor. Some of these cuvettes hold reagents which react with the sample. The analyzer then measures light absorption within the sample at a number of preselected frequencies. According to the present invention, a pair of specially designed apertures direct light from the sample through a plurality of beam splitters, interference filters, and associated photodetectors. The system also includes means for performing automatic calibration and error checking functions. These means include a through hole through the rotor, and an opaque body carried by the rotor. Additionally, measurements may be repeated through a given cuvette and the results averaged to minimize the effect of random variations between measure…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.