EP0042337B1
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EP
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Method and apparatus for metering biological fluids
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1981-06-15
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Granted: 1986-03-12
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Expires: 2001-06-15
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Alvin Collins
- 👤 Glenn Edward Tersteeg
- 👤 Thomas Clifton Jessop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N35/1016; G01N35/1011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
Metering apparatus for precisely metering a predetermined quantity of a biological fluid onto a plurality of generally planar analysis slides (15) sequentially moved into a metering station said slides (15) being selected from more than one type, different types having different rates of fluid absorption, said apparatus comprising dispenser means (40) including a metering tip (48) having a fluid chamber (49) for receiving biological fluid, pump means (50, 52, 54) in fluid communication with said metering tip (48), said pump means (50, 52, 54) being actuable for a preselected period to expel a portion of the fluid received by said tip (48) through an aperture in said tip at a substantially constant dispense rate, and positioning means (42, 72, 74, 44) operatively connected to said dispenser means (40) for moving said tip (48) . to a metering position adjacent to a slide (15), characterized in that said tip (48) comprises an aperture through which the biological fluid is aspirated, said positioning means (42, 72,74, 44) is adapted to space said tip (48) a given distance (a) from the slide such that fluid delivered at said dispense rate will flow in a continuous stream to said slide, said positioning means being adapted to withdraw said tip at a controlled rate from said metering position a predetermined time after said period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
Metering apparatus for precisely metering a predetermined quantity of a biological fluid onto a plurality of generally planar analysis slides (15) sequentially moved into a metering station said slides (15) being selected from more than one type, different types having different rates of fluid absorption, said apparatus comprising dispenser means (40) including a metering tip (48) having a fluid chamber (49) for receiving biological fluid, pump means (50, 52, 54) in fluid communication with said metering tip (48), said pump means (50, 52, 54) being actuable for a preselected period to expel a portion of the fluid received by said tip (48) through an aperture in said tip at a substantially constant dispense rate, and positioning means (42, 72, 74, 44) operatively connected to said dispenser means (40) for moving said tip (48) . to a metering position adjacent to a slide (15), characterized in that said tip (48) comprises an aperture through which the biological fluid is aspirated, said positioning means (42, 72,74, 44) is adapted to space said tip (48) a given distance (a) from the slide such that fluid delivered at said dispense rate will flow in a continuous stream to said slide, said positioning means being adapted to withdraw said tip at a controlled rate from said metering position a predetermined time after said period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Metering apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized in that said dispense rate is between about 10 pl/sec and about 300 pl/sec.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Metering apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said distance is between about 0.030 cm and about 0.15 cm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Metering apparatus according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that said time is between about 0.05 second and about 0.5 second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Metering apparatus according to any one of Claims 1--4, characterized in that said controlled rate is between about 0.5 cm/sec and about 5.08 cm/sec.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Metering apparatus according to any one of Claims 1-5, characterized in that said quantity of fluid is about 10 1-11.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Metering apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fluid has a surface tension within the range from between 0.028 and 0.075 Newtons/meter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Metering apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said positioning means (42, 72, 74, 44) comprises means (42, 72, 74) for moving said dispenser means (40) laterally through a plurality of stations and drive means (44) for raising and lowering said dispenser means (40) at each of said stations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Metering apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that said dispenser means (40) comprises a dispenser head (46) for receiving said tip (48), and a pressure detecting means (56) in fluid communication with said tip (48) is operatively connected to said dispenser head (46).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Metering apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said pump means (50, 52, 54) comprises a positive displacement pump (52) and a stepper motor (54) for driving said pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Metering apparatus according to Claims 8-10, characterized in that said means (42, 72, 74) for moving said dispenser means laterally comprises a carriage (42) and a capstan drive (74) connected to said carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Metering apparatus according to Claims 8-11, characterized in that said drive means (44) comprises a rack (90) and pinion (92) operatively connected to said dispenser means (40).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A process for the precise metering of a portion of a biological fluid from a metering tip (48) onto a generally planar analysis slide (15) the tip being positioned in a metering position closely adjacent the slide, said process being characterized by: aspirating the fluid into said tip until the tip is partially filled with fluid and has an air space above the fluid, selecting a space between the tip (48) and the analysis slide (15) of between about 0.030 cm and about 0.15 cm, pressurizing the fluid in the tip for a preselected period to force about 10 µl of fluid onto the slide at a fixed, predetermined dispense rate of between about 33 µl/sec and about 300 pl/sec, and maintaining said tip in the metering position between about 0.05 second and about 0.5 second after said period and then withdrawing the tip from said metering position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A process for the precise metering of a portion of a biological fluid from a metering tip (48) onto a generally planar analysis slide (15) the tip being positioned in a metering position closely adjacent the slide, said process being characterized by: aspirating the fluid into said tip until the tip is partially filled with fluid and has an air space above the fluid, selecting a space between the tip (48) and the analysis slide (15) of between about 0.030 cm and about 0.15 cm, pressurizing the fluid in the tip for a preselected period to force about 10 µl of fluid onto the slide at a fixed, predetermined dispense rate of between about 33 µl/sec and about 300 pl/sec, and maintaining said tip in the metering position between about 0.05 second and about 0.5 second after said period and then withdrawing the tip from said metering position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to Claim 13, characterized in that said tip is withdrawn from the metering position at the rate of between about 0.5 cm/sec and about 5.08 cm/sec.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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