Patent EP0360487A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0360487A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for analysis of particles contained in a liquid sample
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1989-09-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-09-13
Abstract
Abstract Particles contained in a liquid sample (17) are analysed by moving the particles along a detection passage (12,13) past a detector by means of a liquid flow in said passage. To reduce the time required for each sample, the sample is delivered at an input location (7,8,9) at the upstream end of the detection passage by movement of a movable container (2) carrying said sample to said input location. Immediately after commencement of the delivery of the liquid sample, the liquid flow is caused to occur in the detection passage. Washing liquid is supplied to the input location (7,8,9) by means different from said container which carries the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryo Miyake
- 👤 Hiroshi Ohki
- 👤 Isao Yamazaki
- 👤 Toshio Kaneko
- 👤 Hideyuki Horiuchi
- 👤 Shinichi Sakuraba
- 👤 Kaori Yasuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1081; G01N35/1083; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1404; G01N2035/1086; G01N35/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample (17) by moving the particles along a detection passage (12,13) past a detector (51,52,53,54,91) by means of a liquid flow in said passage, characterised by (a) delivering said liquid sample (17) containing the particles at an input location (7,8,9) at the upstream end of said passage by movement of a movable container (2) carrying said sample to said input location, (b) immediately after commencement of the delivery of the liquid sample to the input location by the movable container, causing said liquid flow to occur in said passage (12,13) so as to move the particles from the input location past said detector and analyzing the particles by means of the detector,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample (17) by moving the particles along a detection passage (12,13) past a detector (51,52,53,54,91) by means of a liquid flow in said passage, characterised by (a) delivering said liquid sample (17) containing the particles at an input location (7,8,9) at the upstream end of said passage by movement of a movable container (2) carrying said sample to said input location, (b) immediately after commencement of the delivery of the liquid sample to the input location by the movable container, causing said liquid flow to occur in said passage (12,13) so as to move the particles from the input location past said detector and analyzing the particles by means of the detector,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of supplying washing liquid to said input location by means (11) different from said container (2) which carries the sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flow of the sample in said passage (12,13) past the detector is by sheath flow in which a flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said carrying liquid forms said washing liquid for the input location.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
27 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said movable container (2) carrying the liquid sample to the input location is a pipette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of liquid samples in a plurality of sample holders (3) are sequentially carried by said pipette (2) to said input location for analysis.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 including the step of washing said movable container (2) independently of the washing of the input location(7,8,9).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 including the steps of (c) holding a plurality of said liquid samples simultaneously respectively in a plurality of holding containers (3) prior to the analysis of the particles in each, (d) sequentially transferring said plurality of samples from said holding containers to an input location of said detection passage by the movable carrier (2) which, for each said sample, moves from the respective holding container (3) to the input location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 8 including the step of treating said samples simultaneously while they are held in said holding containers to prepare them for the analysis by said detector of the particles in them.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
60 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said movable container (2) is in the form of a tube containing said sample which makes sealing engagement with said input location, and, (c) while said sealing engagement is maintained, pressure is applied to the said sample in the tube (c) to deliver it into the input location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said sealing engagement is achieved by means of a resilient seal (6) mounted on said tube (2).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
48 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein suction pressure is applied to said detection passage to cause said liquid flow to occur in said detection passage so as to move the particles contained in said sample from the input location past the detector.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample (17) by moving the particles along a detection passage (12,13) past a detector (51,52,53,54,91) by means of liquid flow in said passage, characterised by (a) moving said liquid sample (17) containing the particles to an input location at the upstream end of said detection passage (12,13) by means of a movable container (2) having an output nozzle for said sample, (b) forming a seal between said moving container and said input location, (c) delivering said sample (17) to said input location from said movable container (2) through said output nozzle, (d) supplying a carrying liquid to said detector passage so as to cause sheath flow in said passage in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, whereby the sample is carried past the detector, and analyzing the particles by means of the detector.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample (17) by moving the particles along a detection passage (12,13) past a detector (51,52,53,54,91) by means of liquid flow in said passage, characterised by (a) moving said liquid sample (17) containing the particles to an input location at the upstream end of said detection passage (12,13) by means of a movable container (2) having an output nozzle for said sample, (b) forming a seal between said moving container and said input location, (c) delivering said sample (17) to said input location from said movable container (2) through said output nozzle, (d) supplying a carrying liquid to said detector passage so as to cause sheath flow in said passage in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, whereby the sample is carried past the detector, and analyzing the particles by means of the detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said moving container is a pipette tube (2).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method accordingb to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said input location has a resilient seal (45) which seals against said moving container (2).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54,91) for the particles, (ii) a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector, so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, (iii) an input location (7,8,9) for the liquid sample at the upstream end of said passage, (iv) means (11) for causing said liquid flow along said passage so as to move the liquid sample from said input location, (v) at least one liquid sample holder (3), characterised by (vi) a movable container (2) for carrying the liquid sample to the input location (7,8,9) from said sample holder (3), by movement of the container relative to the input location.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54,91) for the particles, (ii) a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector, so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, (iii) an input location (7,8,9) for the liquid sample at the upstream end of said passage, (iv) means (11) for causing said liquid flow along said passage so as to move the liquid sample from said input location, (v) at least one liquid sample holder (3), characterised by (vi) a movable container (2) for carrying the liquid sample to the input location (7,8,9) from said sample holder (3), by movement of the container relative to the input location.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 further including (vii) means (11), different from said movable container (2), for supplying washing liquid to said input location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means for causing said liquid flow along said detection passage comprise means for supplying a carrying liquid to said passage such that the carrying liquid provides sheath flow along said passage entraining the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the flowing carrying liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said means for supplying carrying liquid also constitute said means for supplying washing liquid to said input location, whereby said carrying liquid acts as said washing liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said input location has a nozzle (9) from which the liquid sample exits into said carrying liquid, said carrying liquid passing to said input location to act as washing liquid by reverse flow through said nozzle (9).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein said input location has an outlet passage for said washing liquid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said movable container (2) is a pipette, and there are a plurality of said sample holders (3) each accessible by said pipette.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said plurality of sample holders (3) are arranged on a movable carrier (73), for sequential presentation to said pipette (2).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein said movable container (2) makes sealing engagement with said input location (7,8,9), when delivering the liquid sample.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 for analyzing particles contained in a plurality of liquid samples, comprising a plurality of sample holders (3) for simultaneously holding said samples, wherein said movable container (2) is arranged to sequentially carry the liquid samples to said input location from the respective sample holders.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said movable container (2) is a pipette.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said holding containers (3) are mounted in a movable carrier (73) which is arranged to present said holding containers sequentially to said movable carrier (2).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said movable container (2) is a tube and having sealing means (6,45,31,33) for temporarily sealing said tube (2) to said input location (7,8,9) while delivery of the sample at the input location takes place.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said sealing means comprises a resilient seal (6) mounted on said tube (2).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
A pipette (2) for use in transferring a liquid sample from a sample holder (3) to an input location of a detection passage of a particle analyzer, said pipette comprising a tube for containing said liquid sample having an inside diameter of not more than 1 mm and a resilient seal (6) mounted on said tube (2) for forming sealing engagement with said input location (7,8,9).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
A pipette (2) for use in transferring a liquid sample from a sample holder (3) to an input location of a detection passage of a particle analyzer, said pipette comprising a tube for containing said liquid sample having an inside diameter of not more than 1 mm and a resilient seal (6) mounted on said tube (2) for forming sealing engagement with said input location (7,8,9).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 having suction means (4,9) for applying suction pressure to said detection passage (12,13) to cause said liquid flow along said passage so as to move the liquid sample along the passage from said input location.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising means (11) for supplying a sheath flow liquid to said detection passage, said sheath flow liquid being moved along said passage by the suction pressure applied by said suction means, whereby the sheath flow liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the sheath flow liquid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54,91) for the particles, (ii) a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector, so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, said passage having an input end at which said sample enters the passage, (iii) means (11) for causing liquid flow along said passage so as to move the liquid sample from said input chamber past said detector, (iv) means for supplying washing liquid to said input chamber, characterized by an input chamber (7,8) at said input end of said passage, having an inlet (7) for delivery of said sample to said chamber, a first outlet port (9) connecting directly to said detection passage (12,13) and a second outlet port (15) for outflow of washing liquid.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54,91) for the particles, (ii) a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector, so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, said passage having an input end at which said sample enters the passage, (iii) means (11) for causing liquid flow along said passage so as to move the liquid sample from said input chamber past said detector, (iv) means for supplying washing liquid to said input chamber, characterized by an input chamber (7,8) at said input end of said passage, having an inlet (7) for delivery of said sample to said chamber, a first outlet port (9) connecting directly to said detection passage (12,13) and a second outlet port (15) for outflow of washing liquid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said means (11) for causing liquid flow along said detection passage is adapted to supply a carrying liquid which creates sheath flow in said detection passage entraining the liquid sample emerging from said first outlet port (9) as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, said carrying liquid also acting as said washing liquid by reverse flow through said first outlet port (9).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 or 34 further having a movable container (2) for carrying said sample to the input chamber (7,8) by movement of the container relative to the input chamber, said movable container having a discharge location in said chamber and said second outlet (15) being upstream of said discharge location in the flow direction of said liquid sample.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 35 further having suction means connected to said second outlet port for sucking washing liquid from said input chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 having a valve for controlling flow of washing liquid via said second outlet port.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
103 words
A flow cell for apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (a) a detection passage (12,13) for flow of liquid, (b) means to supply carrying liquid to said detection passage so as to establish sheath flow in said detection passage in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid. characterized by (c) a sample inlet (7) to said detection passage adapted to receive an outlet nozzle of a movable sample delivery container (2), (d) a resilient seal (45) extending around said sample inlet to seal against the sample delivery container.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
103 words
A flow cell for apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (a) a detection passage (12,13) for flow of liquid, (b) means to supply carrying liquid to said detection passage so as to establish sheath flow in said detection passage in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid. characterized by (c) a sample inlet (7) to said detection passage adapted to receive an outlet nozzle of a movable sample delivery container (2), (d) a resilient seal (45) extending around said sample inlet to seal against the sample delivery container.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54) for the particles, (ii) a flow cell (1) having a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, there being an input location (7,8,9) for the liquid sample at the upstream end of said passage, (iii) means for supplying carrying liquid to said detection passage (12,13) so as to establish therein sheath flow in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, characterized by
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a liquid sample, comprising (i) a detector (51-54) for the particles, (ii) a flow cell (1) having a detection passage (12,13) for liquid flow extending past said detector so that said particles passing along said passage are detected by said detector for analysis, there being an input location (7,8,9) for the liquid sample at the upstream end of said passage, (iii) means for supplying carrying liquid to said detection passage (12,13) so as to establish therein sheath flow in which the flowing carrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, characterized by
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
82 words
(iv) a movable container (2) for carrying the liquid sample to said input location (7,8,9), by movement of the container relative to the input location, and in that said means for supplying carrying liquid comprises at least one carrying liquid inlet (42) of the flow cell connected to said detection passage (12,13) and a connector (40) external to the flow cell for supply of carrying liquid, said connector being adapted to be sealingly and detachably engaged with said carrrying liquid inlet (42).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
82 words
(iv) a movable container (2) for carrying the liquid sample to said input location (7,8,9), by movement of the container relative to the input location, and in that said means for supplying carrying liquid comprises at least one carrying liquid inlet (42) of the flow cell connected to said detection passage (12,13) and a connector (40) external to the flow cell for supply of carrying liquid, said connector being adapted to be sealingly and detachably engaged with said carrrying liquid inlet (42).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said connector (40) is adapted to make a plug-type engagement with said carrying liquid inlet (42), and one of said connector and said inlet carries a resilient ring seal (41) for making sealing engagement with the other.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40 wherein said connector (40) is arranged to move in conjunction with said movable container (2) for the liquid sample whereby its engagement with the carrying liquid inlet (42) is established upon movement of the movable container (2) with a sample to the flow cell (1).
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flow cell for apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a sample liquid, comprising (i) a detection passage (12,13) for flow of liquid, (ii) at least one carrying liquid inlet (11) to said detection passage for supply of carrying liquid so as to establish sheath flow in said detection passage in which the flowing carrrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, characterised by (iii) a sample inlet (7,27) to said detection passage adapted to receive delivery of said sample from a movable sample delivery container (2), said sample inlet including a deformable mouth portion (7,27) for engagement with said sample delivery container (2).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flow cell for apparatus for analyzing particles contained in a sample liquid, comprising (i) a detection passage (12,13) for flow of liquid, (ii) at least one carrying liquid inlet (11) to said detection passage for supply of carrying liquid so as to establish sheath flow in said detection passage in which the flowing carrrying liquid entrains the liquid sample as a thin stream (22) in the carrying liquid, characterised by (iii) a sample inlet (7,27) to said detection passage adapted to receive delivery of said sample from a movable sample delivery container (2), said sample inlet including a deformable mouth portion (7,27) for engagement with said sample delivery container (2).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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