Patent · US Expired

Automated slide stainer with slide housing

US7718435B1 · kind B1 · utility

27Cited by
88References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 2000
Grant dateMay 18, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 16, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/114998
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump has a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a sensor for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.