Apparatus and methods for selecting a variable number of test sample aliquots to mix with respective reagents
US5691486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N15/1404
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selecting a subset of a predetermined number of test sample aliquots to mix with respective reagents using a shear valve having a maximum predetermined number of aliquot loops in an analytical instrument, including without limitation a clinical hematology or a flow cytometer instrument. Each aliquot loop can be filled with a test sample aliquot. Selected ones of the aliquot loops can be filled with a rinse solution and, using bypass passages and valves, closed off from the rinse source and a vacuum source used to empty the rinse from the non-closed off aliquot loops. The vacuum source also is used to fill the non-closed off aliquot loops with the sample to be aliquotted, so that the closed off aliquot loop remains filled with rinse. The shear valve can then be shifted to a second position, where the reagents for the non-closed off aliquot loops are pumped through those aliquot loops to mix the selected sample aliquot loops with their respective reagents. Preferably, the reagent for the closed-off aliquot loop is not pumped and thereby conserved. The selective shear valve is usable in an analytical instrument, such as a clinical hematology instrument where…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.