Method and apparatus for aliquotting blood serum or blood plasma
US5555920A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/103
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid from a closed, liquid-containing blood collection tube is described. The apparatus includes a dual conduit providing a passageway for liquid to be dispensed from a closed blood collection tube and a gas conduit providing a passage way for gas to be introduced into the blood collection tube. The apparatus further includes mechanisms for inserting the dual conduit into the blood collection tube, turning the tube away from a vertical and upright orientation, connecting and disconnecting the gas supply to the gas passageway, and providing control over the operation of the mechanisms. A method is also disclosed involving insertion of a dual conduit into a closed blood collection tube, connecting a gas supply to a gas conduit of the dual conduit, rotating the tube away from a vertical, upright orientation, introducing a volume of gas corresponding to a signal into the blood collection tube, receiving a predetermined volume of liquid from the blood collection tube, and physically disconnecting the gas supply from the gas passage way.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.