US3622795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus having plural fluid sequential control
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-10
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1988-10-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus to be used in making hemoglobin determinations of samples of blood and other colorimetric fluid tests, which includes colorimetric computing circuitry and a flow-through cuvette in the same housing, the flow-through cuvette being normally covered by a lid which is raised by the operator when pouring the test sample into the cuvette. The construction is such that the technician need use only one hand for raising the lid and pouring the sample, leaving the other hand free for making notes or other purpose. The lid movement initiates programming means and the operating cycle, which includes: draining a blanking fluid with which the cuvette is filled between the cycles of use of the apparatus, accepting the sample poured into the cuvette, making the colorimetric measurement thereof, emptying the sample from the cuvette, rinsing the cuvette, and refilling the cuvette with the blanking fluid for the next measuring cycle. All fluid movement is achieved through the use of a system operating in conjunction with suitable valves, solenoids and at least one spring-return operated, piston-type liquid dispenser. A novel cuvette construction provides concentric fluid-receiving mouths leading to inner and outer receptacles, the inner being the receptacle for the sample fluid, the outer being an overflow basin. The receptacles lead to respective independent drains, the inner being provided with a light transmitting section at which the fluid is traversed by a beam of radiant energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Ervin L Dorman Jr
- 👤 Robert I Klein
- 👤 Robert L Kreiselman
- 👤 Wallace H Coulter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G23/00; G01G23/14; G01G3/00; G01G3/02; G01G3/08; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus for rapidly and cyclically comparing the absorbance of a reference fluid against a succession of fluid test samples, comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of an absorbance reference fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have one of a succession of fluid samples poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the reference fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing against each other the absorbance of the reference and sample fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flowcontrolling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined, rapidly repeating cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, and H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus for rapidly and cyclically comparing the absorbance of a reference fluid against a succession of fluid test samples, comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of an absorbance reference fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have one of a succession of fluid samples poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the reference fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing against each other the absorbance of the reference and sample fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flowcontrolling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined, rapidly repeating cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, and H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
255 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the first fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing the absorbance of the two fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, and H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means, in which said initiating structure comprises a movable Closure blocking the admission of said second fluid into said cuvette and is required to be moved to unblocking condition to enable said vessel to be placed in said pouring position and in which said flow-directing means comprise a conduit extending from said source of first fluid and having a discharge end which moves into discharge position only when said closure is in its blocking condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
255 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the first fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing the absorbance of the two fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, and H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means, in which said initiating structure comprises a movable Closure blocking the admission of said second fluid into said cuvette and is required to be moved to unblocking condition to enable said vessel to be placed in said pouring position and in which said flow-directing means comprise a conduit extending from said source of first fluid and having a discharge end which moves into discharge position only when said closure is in its blocking condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said cuvette has two separate receptacles arranged with upwardly opening concentric mouths comprising an inner receptacle having said radiant-energy-transmitting section and an outer overflow-receiving receptacle, said flow directing means being arranged to flow said first fluid into said inner receptacle and the second fluid adapted to be poured into said inner receptacle, the said blocking position of said closure being such as to cover both of said mouths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said initiating structure also includes a control element operated by movement of said closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said control element comprises an electrical switch having two circuit states and being coupled with said closure member so that movement of the closure member between blocking and unblocking conditions will change the switch between said states, and in which said programming means operation is electrically initiated when said switch is in one of said states.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said movable closure is a lid hinged at one edge and adapted to be rotated upward about said one edge, and in which said control element is a switch linked to said lid for mechanical movement therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the switch is electrical and the operation of said programming means is electrically initiated by said switch when said lid is raised.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
240 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the first fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing the absorbance of the two fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow-controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means, said structure also responsive to said vessel being moved out of pouring position for further operation of said programming means, and I. said flow-directing means comprising a conduit extending from said source of first fluid and having a discharge end which moves into discharge position only when said structure is being responsive to said vessel being moved out of pouring position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
240 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid and means directing the flow of said fluid into said cuvette, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into said cuvette from a vessel brought into pouring position over said cuvette, E. means for controlling the flow of the first fluid into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing the absorbance of the two fluids, G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow-controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette, H. structure responsive to the bringing of said vessel into said pouring position over said cuvette for initiating the operation of said programming means, said structure also responsive to said vessel being moved out of pouring position for further operation of said programming means, and I. said flow-directing means comprising a conduit extending from said source of first fluid and having a discharge end which moves into discharge position only when said structure is being responsive to said vessel being moved out of pouring position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said cycle includes two phases, one phase being initiated when said vessel is brought into said pouring position and the other phase being initiated when said vessel is moved out of said pouring position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said initiating structure comprises a movable closure blocking the admission of said second fluid into said cuvette and is required to be moved to unblocking condition to enable said vessel to be placed in pouring position, said closure being conStructed such that it will return to blocking condition when said vessel is moved out of pouring position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said initiating structure also includes a control element operable between two control conditions by movement of said closure between blocking and unblocking conditions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the first phase of said cycle comprises draining first fluid remaining in said cuvette from a previous cycle and accepting and retaining said second fluid poured into said cuvette, said programming means commanding performance of said first phase when said control element is in one control condition, the second phase of said cycle comprising responding to the absorbance of said second fluid and making said comparison, draining the second fluid from said cuvette and replacing the same with a quantity of first fluid and responding to the absorbance of said first fluid while retaining same in said cuvette, said programming means commanding performance of said second phase when said control element is in said second control condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said second phase further includes a filling of said cuvette with said first fluid and a draining thereof without measurement, for rinse purposes after the draining of said first fluid from said cuvette.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 which said flow-directing means further comprise a piston-type liquid dispenser connected to said conduit upstream of said discharge end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said cuvette has two separate receptacles arranged with upwardly opening concentric mouths comprising an inner receptacle having said radiant-energy-transmitting section and an outer overflow-receiving receptacle, said flow-directing means being arranged to flow said first fluid into said inner receptacle and the second fluid adapted to be poured into said inner receptacle, said lid covering both of said mouths when in blocking condition, said second phase also including draining any fluids from said overflow receptacle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said cuvette has two separate receptacles arranged with upwardly opening concentric mouths comprising an inner receptacle having said radiant-energy-transmitting section and an outer overflow-receiving receptacle, said flow directing means being arranged to flow said first fluid into said inner receptacle and the second fluid adapted to be poured into said inner receptacle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which said flow-directing means comprise a first piston-type liquid dispenser having a discharge end coupled to discharge said first fluid into said inner receptacle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which the receptacles have independent drain means operated by said flow-controlling means which further comprise a second and a third piston-type liquid dispenser, respectively connected to said independent drain means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
285 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus for rapidly and cyclically comparing the absorbance of a reference fluid against a plurality of different fluid test samples comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette with an upwardly opening mouth, having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid, such fluid to be employed cyclically as the absorbance reference, and means directing the flow of said reference fluid into said cuvette, said flow-directing means including a fluid-conducting path from said source to said cuvette and a first piston-type liquid dispenser within said fluid-conducting path between said cuvette and source, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into the mouth of said cuvette from an external vessel, said second fluid constituting a test sample, E. means for controlling the flow of the reference fluiD into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, said flow-controlling means including automatic means operating the piston of said dispenser to withdraw a measured quantity of reference fluid out of said source on one movement of the piston and to dispense said amount into said cuvette on an opposite dispensing movement of said piston, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing against each other the absorbance of the two fluids, and G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow-controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette and providing rapidly repeating cycles for entry of different of the test samples.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
285 words
Colorimetric fluid test apparatus for rapidly and cyclically comparing the absorbance of a reference fluid against a plurality of different fluid test samples comprising: A. means providing a beam of radiant energy impinging on a photoresponsive device, B. a flow-through cuvette with an upwardly opening mouth, having a radiant energy transmitting section in the path of the beam, C. a source of a first fluid, such fluid to be employed cyclically as the absorbance reference, and means directing the flow of said reference fluid into said cuvette, said flow-directing means including a fluid-conducting path from said source to said cuvette and a first piston-type liquid dispenser within said fluid-conducting path between said cuvette and source, D. said cuvette also adapted to have a second fluid poured into the mouth of said cuvette from an external vessel, said second fluid constituting a test sample, E. means for controlling the flow of the reference fluiD into said cuvette and both fluids out of said cuvette, said flow-controlling means including automatic means operating the piston of said dispenser to withdraw a measured quantity of reference fluid out of said source on one movement of the piston and to dispense said amount into said cuvette on an opposite dispensing movement of said piston, F. means responsive to signals from said photoresponsive device for comparing against each other the absorbance of the two fluids, and G. programming means for commanding the operation of said flow-controlling means and said absorbance comparing means to occur in a predetermined cycle of entry of the fluids into said cuvette at mutually exclusive periods of time and draining thereof from said cuvette and providing rapidly repeating cycles for entry of different of the test samples.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which said piston has spring-biasing means for producing said dispensing movement, said piston operating means comprise a source of vacuum and a vacuum line extending to said dispenser and connected to reduce pressure on one face of the piston, said flow-controlling means include a first valve in said line, and said programming means controls operation of said first valve to relieve the vacuum to permit said spring-biasing means to drive the piston in dispensing movement during said cycle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which said cuvette has a drain and said source of vacuum has a second line connected to said drain, said flow-controlling means includes a second valve in said second line, and said programming means controls said second valve to enable draining said cuvette of first or second fluid during said cycle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
238 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which a two-state control element is provided for operating said programming means in two phases of said cycle, the normal condition of said apparatus with the control element in one state being with the valves closed, a quantity of first fluid in the dispenser and in the cuvette, the response to the absorbance of said first fluid having been received and stored in said comparing means, the first phase beginning with a change of the state of the control element to its second state and a pouring of said second fluid into said cuvette thereafter, and said first phase consisting of opening the second valve to drain the first fluid from said cuvette and closing the same valve in quick succession to enable the cuvette to retain said second fluid, the second phase beginning with a reversion of the control element back to its first state, and comprising responding to the absorbance of the second fluid and comparing said response with that of the first fluid to obtain the difference, opening the second valve to drain the second fluid from said cuvette, closing said second valve, opening the first valve and dispensing said measured quantity of first fluid into said cuvette and closing said first valve to draw another quantity of first fluid into said dispenser and responding to and storing the absorbance of said measured quantity in the cuvette.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which the second phase includes opening and closing of said second valve and a subsequent opening and closing of the first valve so that the first quantity of first fluid dispensed into said cuvette comprises a rinse.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which said flow-controlling means comprise at least a second piston-type liquid dispenser connected to said cuvette and coupled to said programming means for purposes of draining said cuvette.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 24 in which a two-state control element is provided for initiating operation of said programming means, said cuvette having said measured quantity of first fluid therein while said control element is in one state, the first fluid being drained from said cuvette and the cuvette conditioned to receive the second fluid when the control element Is placed in the second state, an absorbance response to said second fluid being received by said comparing means after said control element has been returned to its first state, said cycle including the sequential draining of said second fluid from said cuvette, further dispensing of first fluid into said cuvette, and an absorbance response to said first fluid being received and stored by said comparing means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 in which said cuvette has two separate receptacles both arranged with upwardly opening concentric mouths comprising an inner receptacle, having said radiant-energy-transmitting section, and an outer overflow-receiving receptacle, said directing means being arranged to flow said first fluid into said inner receptacle, and the second fluid to be poured into said inner receptacle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which said second piston-type liquid dispenser has an input connected to said inner receptacle, for draining same and said flow-controlling means further comprise a third piston-type liquid dispenser having an input connected to said outer receptacle, for draining same.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 in which solenoid drive means is provided for each of said liquid dispensers and check valves are positioned at the input and output of each liquid dispenser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |