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EP0164679A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for fluid level sensing

Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1985-06-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-06-04
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus and methods for analyzing fluid such as blood serum. A probe used for transferring some of the fluid to a testing station causes a change in circuit capacitance when the probe contacts the fluid. This change in capacitance causes production of a control signal which effects cessation of the descent of the probe into the fluid.

Inventors

  • 👤 Patrick Bryan Wallace
  • 👤 Larry Wayne Moore

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 22:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N2035/1025

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
An apparatus useful in analyzing a fluid utilizing a probe for contacting some of said fluid, comprising: conductive means associated with said probe; impedance means, adapted to undergo a threshold change when said conductive means contacts said fluid in said container; circuit means, coupled to said impedance means, producing a control signal in response to said threshold change in said imgedance; and mechanical means, coupled to said circuit means, for establishing the position of said probe in said container upon receipt of said control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 85 words
An apparatus useful in analyzing a fluid utilizing a probe for contacting some of said fluid, comprising: conductive means associated with said probe; impedance means, adapted to undergo a threshold change when said conductive means contacts said fluid in said container; circuit means, coupled to said impedance means, producing a control signal in response to said threshold change in said imgedance; and mechanical means, coupled to said circuit means, for establishing the position of said probe in said container upon receipt of said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 1 wherein said probe has means for transferring said fluid from said container to a testing station for analysis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a chassis for supporting said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 3 wherein said impedance compriees capacitance means defined by said conductive means and said chassis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 4 wherein said fluid is ionized and wherein the contact of said conductive means with said fluid causes said impedance means to undergo said threshold change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 5 wherein said conductive means are at the distal tip of said probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
. The apparatus defined in Claim 6 wherein said probe is formed, at least in part, of a conductive material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 7 wherein said conductive material is a polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 8 wherein said polymer is polypropylene plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus defined in Claim 7 wherein said conductive material is metal.

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