US3720470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for optical determination of particle characteristics
Assignee: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-16
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A shallow chamber is provided for passing through it a stream which envelopes a capillary stream of the particles, the characteristics of which are to be determined. The particles are in suspension in this capillary stream, which moves over the lower wall of the shallow chamber. At least one wall of the flowthrough chamber is transparent and is arranged so that the focal area of the observing microscope coincides with the depth of the capillary stream.
Inventors
- 👤 E Berkhan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1404; G01N15/1429; G01N15/1433; G01N2015/1413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for the optical determination of characteristics of particles in a suspension, comprising: a shallow chamber having at least one planar wall; means for passing a flow of the suspension into said chamber; laminar liquid flow means for entraining the suspension as a particle flow of capillary depth and for moving the particle flow along and in contact with the planar wall; and microscope means for observation of the particle flow, said microscope means having a focal depth approximately coincident with said capillary depth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for the optical determination of characteristics of particles in a suspension, comprising: a shallow chamber having at least one planar wall; means for passing a flow of the suspension into said chamber; laminar liquid flow means for entraining the suspension as a particle flow of capillary depth and for moving the particle flow along and in contact with the planar wall; and microscope means for observation of the particle flow, said microscope means having a focal depth approximately coincident with said capillary depth.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for the optical determination of characteristics of particles in a suspension, comprising: a shallow chamber having at least one planar wall; means for passing a flow of the suspension into said chamber; laminar liquid flow means for entraining the suspension as a particle flow of capillary depth and for moving the particle flow along and in contact with the planar wall; and microscope means for observation of the particle flow, said microscope means having a focal depth approximately coincident with said capillary depth.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for the optical determination of characteristics of particles in a suspension, comprising: a shallow chamber having at least one planar wall; means for passing a flow of the suspension into said chamber; laminar liquid flow means for entraining the suspension as a particle flow of capillary depth and for moving the particle flow along and in contact with the planar wall; and microscope means for observation of the particle flow, said microscope means having a focal depth approximately coincident with said capillary depth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wall is the bottom of said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microscopic means overlies said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, additionally including means for illuminating said particle flow in the region of focal depth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the illuminating means is disposed opposite the microscope means, with said chamber between them.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the illuminating means is disposed on the same side of said chamber as the microscope means, with semi-reflective means for coincident illumination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamber has constantly reduced cross-sections ahead of the zone of focal depth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2731877A
Cited
US2732753A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |