Portable modular blood analyzer with simplified fluid handling sequence
US5980830A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portable, modular blood analyzer capable of analyzing multiple blood values in an inexpensive, relatively simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain instrument. The invention comprises a three-part system including an analyzer body, calibrant cartridge, and sensor cartridge. A modular calibrant cartridge is insertable into the analyzer body, and contains all necessary calibrant fluids as well as a waste container. A modular sensor cartridge having integral pump tubing plugs into the analyzer body for easy removal and replacement of the sensor elements. The analyzer body internally has modular units including an electronics module, a display module, and a fluidics/printer module. The analyzer uses a single pump head to aspirate blood only to a sensor array within the sensor cartridge. This action is accomplished by aspirating blood by rotating an peristaltic pump in one direction during a first portion of an analysis cycle, and by reversing the pump and flushing the blood from the sensor cartridge with fluid pumped from the opposite direction during a second portion of an analysis cycle. Accordingly, blood contacts only a small portion of the analyzer mechanism, most of which is dis…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.