Reagent handling system and reagent pack for use therein
US5788928A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A reagent pack for keeping fluids with or without suspensions mixed or suspended upon rocking. The reagent pack has at least one chamber divided into separate sub-chambers with a throat region between them defined by baffles for agitation of suspended reagent during rocking of the reagent pack. A continuous lid sealable to the pack has membrane sealed apertures in the lid for allowing access to the underlying chambers and sub-chambers by withdrawal needles. A tray is configured to hold multiple side-by-side reagent packs on respective slides that slide in and out for insertion and withdrawal of the packs. During operation, the tray and associated packs are rocked such as by being periodically inclined with respect to horizontal, providing reagent agitation. Optical annunciators proximate the tray indicate respective reagent pack activity under control of a computer which stores information on the contents of each pack at each tray location and correlates it to scheduled reagent use in a medical testing system. The tray is provided with a thermally conductive hinge. The tray with packs is located in an enclosure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.