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US3697185A
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Method and apparatus for the time sharing of multiple channel analysis means
Assignee: Bayer Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-06
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-08-06
Abstract
Abstract New and improved method and apparatus for the time sharing of multiple channel fluid sample analysis means are provided and comprise operatively associated light source, light sensitive detector means, digital logic means, detector and logic means timing and control means, detector circuit means, multiple channel fluid sample analysis result read-out means and read-out means timing and control means, respectively, said detector means is constituted by a single light-sensitive detector means in the nature of a photo-multiplier tube, and said detector circuit means comprises a single, temperature stabilized log diode and amplifier. An embodiment is disclosed wherein said light source is automatically and precisely tunable light source. In operation, the apparatus is effective to repeatedly scan said multiple channel analysis means and provide simultaneous recordings of the analysis results which are linear with regard to the respective fluid sample optical densities on said analysis result read-out means. The apparatus is applicable for use with multiple channel analysis means which include only colorimeters, and for use with multiple channel analysis means which include colorimeters and fluorimeters. The advantageous disposition of the analysis means on the manifold of operatively associated fluid sample supply and treatment means is also made possible by the apparatus of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Aaron Kassel
- 👤 Donald F Kopelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/251; G01N21/253; G01N35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a ratio system for the time sharing of multiple channel sample analysis means comprising a plurality of sample flow cells included in a corresponding plurality of sample analysis channels, each of said sample flow cells containing a portion of a fluid sample to be analyzed with respect to a particular constituent, reference flow cells included in selected ones of said analysis channels, means for optically scanning said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, in turn, means including a single light sensitive detector means responsive to said scanning means for sequentially providing sample signals indicative of the respective concentrations of the particular constituents being analyzed in said sample flow cells and reference signals obtained by the scanning of said reference flow cells, means for comparing each of said sample signals and an appropriate reference signal to provide ratio signals indicative of the respective concentrations of eacH of said constituents in said fluid sample, and means for recording said ratio signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a ratio system for the time sharing of multiple channel sample analysis means comprising a plurality of sample flow cells included in a corresponding plurality of sample analysis channels, each of said sample flow cells containing a portion of a fluid sample to be analyzed with respect to a particular constituent, reference flow cells included in selected ones of said analysis channels, means for optically scanning said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, in turn, means including a single light sensitive detector means responsive to said scanning means for sequentially providing sample signals indicative of the respective concentrations of the particular constituents being analyzed in said sample flow cells and reference signals obtained by the scanning of said reference flow cells, means for comparing each of said sample signals and an appropriate reference signal to provide ratio signals indicative of the respective concentrations of eacH of said constituents in said fluid sample, and means for recording said ratio signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a ratio system as in claim 1 wherein, said scanning means comprise means to transmit light energy through each of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, and means to transmit said light energies from said sample flow cells and reference flow cells for sequential impingement on said single light sensitive detector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a ratio system as in claim 2 wherein, said single light sensitive detector means comprise a single photomultiplier tube having a single log diode operatively associated therewith and across which the output from said photomultiplier tube is applied to result in said reference and sample signals, and further comprising, temperature stabilized means operatively associated with said single log diode and operable to render said comparison between said reference and sample signals, substantially independent of ambient temperature changes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a ratio system as in claim 2 wherein, said means to transmit light energy through each of said sample flow cells and through each of said reference flow cells comprise a single light energy source, fiber optic means to transmit said light energy from said source to and through said sample flow cells and reference flow cells to light transmission directing means, said scanning means being operatively associated with said light transmission directing means and operable to scan the latter and sequentially transmit said light energies therefrom to said light sensitive detector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a ratio system as in claim 4 wherein, said scanning means comprise a rotating light pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a ratio system as in claim 4 wherein, said light transmission directing means comprise a disc having a generally circular array of generally equally spaced light transmission directing apertures formed therein and corresponding to each of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, and said scanning means comprise a rotating light pipe the light input end of which is operable to scan said array of light transmission directing apertures and the light output end of which is operable to sequentially transmit the light energies passing through each of said light transmission directing aperture to said light sensitive detector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a ratio system as in claim 2 wherein, said scanning means comprise a single light energy source, first and second light transmission directing means, first scanning means to transmit said light energy from said source to said first light transmission directing means, fiber optic means to transmit said light energy from said first light transmission directing means to and through said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells to second light transmission directing means, and second scanning means operatively associated with said second light transmission directing means and operable to scan the latter and sequentially transmit said light energies therefrom to said light sensitive detector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a ratio system as in claim 7 wherein, said first and second scanning means respectively comprise rotating light pipes which are rotatable in substantial synchronism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a ratio system as in claim 7 wherein, each of said first and second light transmission directing means, respectively, comprise discs having generally circular arrays of generally equally spaced light transmission directing apertures formed therein, there being one sample light transmission directing aperture and one reference light transmission directing aperture formed in each of said discs corresponding to each of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, said first scanning means comprises a rotating light pipe the light input end of which is effective to receive said light energies from said light energy source and the light output end of which is effective to scan said light transmission directing apertures of said first light transmission directing disc to sequentially transmit said light energies to said fiber optic means, and said second scanning means comprise a light pipe which is rotatable in substantial synchronism with said first light pipe and the light input end of which is effective to scan said light transmission directing apertures of said second light transmission directing disc to sequentially transmit the light energies therefrom to said light sensitive detecting means from the light output end of said rotating light pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a ratio system as in clam 2 further comprising a tunable light energy source, and means operatively associated with said scanning means and operable to vary the wavelength of the light energies emitted from said tunable light energy source in accordance with the particular one of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells then being scanned by said scanning means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a ratio system as in clam 2 further comprising a tunable light energy source, and means operatively associated with said scanning means and operable to vary the wavelength of the light energies emitted from said tunable light energy source in accordance with the particular one of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells then being scanned by said scanning means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a ratio system as in claim 2 further comprising sample supply and treatment means having a manifold, at least said sample flow cells being disposed on said manifold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a ratio system as in claim 11 wherein, said light sensitive detector means are disposed remotely of said manifold, and said means to sequentially transmit light energy through each of said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells further comprise light source means disposed remotely of said manifold, and fiber optic means to transmit said light energy from said light source means to and through said sample flow cells and said reference flow cells, in turn, and therefrom to said remotely disposed light sensitive detector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a ratio system as in claim 12 wherein, said light source means comprise a single light energy source.
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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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |