US3831618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the precision metering of fluids
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1972-12-22
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1992-12-22
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a first capillary conduit having a minute aperture therein, the aperture dividing the first conduit into a separate and a common section, there being a first fluid conducting path formed through the separate and common sections. A second capillary conduit has one end thereof intersecting the first conduit and mating with the minute aperture to form a second fluid conducting path through the second conduit and the common section of the first conduit. The minute aperture forms a first precise interface between the first fluid path and the second conduit. The capillary cross-section of the first conduit separate section adjacent the minute aperture forms a second precise interface between the second fluid conducting path and the separate section, whereby fluid can traverse the first fluid path substantially free from contamination from fluids adjacent the first precise interface and fluids can traverse the second path substantially free from contamination from fluid adjacent the second precise interface.
Inventors
- 👤 M Liston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N35/1016; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; B01L3/0217; B01L3/0227; G01F; G01F11/00; G01F11/02; G01F11/021; G01F11/029; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/38; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
395 words
Apparatus for the precision metering of fluids, comprising: a first capillary conduit having a minute aperture therein, said aperture dividing said first conduit into a separate and common section, said first conduit forming a first fluid conducting path through said separate and common section; a second capillary conduit having one end thereof intersecting said first conduit and mating with said minute aperture to form a second fluid conducting path through said second conduit and said common section of said first conduit, said minute aperture forming a first precise interface between said first fluid path and said second conduit, and the capillary cross section of said first conduit''s separate section adjacent said minute aperture forming a second precise interface between said second fluid conducting path and said separate section whereby fLuid can traverse said first path substantially free from contamination from fluids adjacent said first precise interface and fluids can traverse said second path substantially free from contamination from fluids adjacent said second precise interface; a first syringe connected to the end of said first conduit separate section, said first syringe having a movable piston to change the volume thereof whereby fluids can be aspirated and dispersed through said first fluid path; a second syringe connected to the end of said second conduit, said second syringe having a movable piston to change the volume thereof whereby fluids can be aspirated and dispersed through said second fluid path; a first fluid contained within said first syringe and within said first conduit separate section up to said second precise interface whereby decreasing the volume of said first syringe by a precise amount forces said first fluid past said second precise interface and into said first conduit common section thereby displacing any fluid contained in said common section; and a second fluid contained in said second syringe and within said second conduit and said common section whereby increasing the volume of said second syringe aspirates through said common section and into said second conduit a test fluid into which the end of said common section is immersed, said test fluid in said common section being displaced therefrom by said first fluid, and whereby decreasing said volume of said second syringe in metered increments dispenses said test fluid in precise amounts from said second conduit into said common section wherefrom said precise amounts may be displaced by said first fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
395 words
Apparatus for the precision metering of fluids, comprising: a first capillary conduit having a minute aperture therein, said aperture dividing said first conduit into a separate and common section, said first conduit forming a first fluid conducting path through said separate and common section; a second capillary conduit having one end thereof intersecting said first conduit and mating with said minute aperture to form a second fluid conducting path through said second conduit and said common section of said first conduit, said minute aperture forming a first precise interface between said first fluid path and said second conduit, and the capillary cross section of said first conduit''s separate section adjacent said minute aperture forming a second precise interface between said second fluid conducting path and said separate section whereby fLuid can traverse said first path substantially free from contamination from fluids adjacent said first precise interface and fluids can traverse said second path substantially free from contamination from fluids adjacent said second precise interface; a first syringe connected to the end of said first conduit separate section, said first syringe having a movable piston to change the volume thereof whereby fluids can be aspirated and dispersed through said first fluid path; a second syringe connected to the end of said second conduit, said second syringe having a movable piston to change the volume thereof whereby fluids can be aspirated and dispersed through said second fluid path; a first fluid contained within said first syringe and within said first conduit separate section up to said second precise interface whereby decreasing the volume of said first syringe by a precise amount forces said first fluid past said second precise interface and into said first conduit common section thereby displacing any fluid contained in said common section; and a second fluid contained in said second syringe and within said second conduit and said common section whereby increasing the volume of said second syringe aspirates through said common section and into said second conduit a test fluid into which the end of said common section is immersed, said test fluid in said common section being displaced therefrom by said first fluid, and whereby decreasing said volume of said second syringe in metered increments dispenses said test fluid in precise amounts from said second conduit into said common section wherefrom said precise amounts may be displaced by said first fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said second fluid is a silicone oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first fluid is a saline solution and said test fluid is blood serum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as described in claim 3 further including; first coupling means connected to said piston of said first syringe; and a first digital stepping motor connected to said first coupling means whereby said piston of said first syringe is moved to increase and decrease the volume of said first syringe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as described in claim 4 further including: second coupling means connected to said piston of said second syringe; and a second digital stepping motor connected to said second coupling means whereby said piston of said second syringe is moved to increase and decrease the volume of said second syringe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus as described in claim 5 whereby each of said first and second coupling means, respectively, is a screw drive mechanism comprising: a threaded shaft attached to and turned by said digital stepping motor; and means having a threaded opening therein for engaging said threaded shaft, said means being attached to said piston of said syringe whereby said volume of said syringe is increased and decreased.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6 further including: a pair of electronic circuit means each being connected to one digital motor for driving said digital motor; and a pair of control means each separately attached to one of said pair of electronic circuit means for generating a coded electronic signal to said one of each pair of circuit means whereby each of said digital motors is driven in steps related to said coded signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7 further including: a reservoir syringe for containing a reserve of saline solution; and a fluid port located in the side of said second syringe and connected to said reservoir syringe for receiving fluid from said reservoir syringe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as described in claim 8 further including: a reservoir syringe for containing a reserve of silicone oil fluid; and a fluid port located in the side of said first syringe and connected to said reservoir syringe for receiving fluid from said reservoir syringe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |