Microsample handling apparatus

Claim 3

A cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein said drawing of the flow of washing fluid past said probe means is in the direction toward said second end of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 4

A cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein said drawing of the flow of gas from the atmosphere is toward said second end of said cleaning chamber past said probe means.

Claim 5

A cleaning method according to claim 1, further including the step of discharging and exhausting the flow of washing fluid and gas, respectively, through the same cleaing ports.

Claim 6

A cleaning method according to claim 1, further including the steps of: forming an outwardly and laterally extending moving meniscus of wash fluid at said open end which meniscus extends a distance sufficient to encompass any contaminant at said open end deposited as a result of said probe being moved toward said cleaning chamber, and maintaining said meniscus at said open end of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 7

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means, having an exterior wall, for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway includes walls which define a cleaning chamber having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber said probe means and said cleaning chamber so constructed and arranged for providing an intersurface flow of said washing fluid between the walls of said cleaning chamber and the exterior wall of said probe means along substantially the full length of that portion of the probe means which is positioned between the upper and lower ports of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 8

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means, having an exterior wall, for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway includes walls which define a cleaning chamber having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber said probe means and said cleaning chamber so constructed and arranged for providing an intersurface flow of said washing fluid between the walls of said cleaning chamber and the exterior wall of said probe means along substantially the full length of that portion of the probe means which is positioned between the upper and lower ports of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said third means is disposed distally from said sample and removes said washing fluid when said probe means is in a retracted position wherein its probe tip is disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 10

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said probe means having an opening at its lower end.

Claim 11

An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cleaning chamber has an upper closed end and wherein said third means is disposed at said upper end of said cleaning chamber for drying said probe means.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first means includes fourth means for applying a vacuum thereto for removing said washing fluid and drying said probe.

Claim 13

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said probe means is axially movable.

Claim 14

An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said fourth means for applying a vacuum removes said wash fluid from the probe means and passageway and drys said passageway.

Claim 15

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first means forms an outwardly and laterally extending moving meniscus of wash fluid at said open end which meniscus extends a distance sufficient to encompass any contaminant at said open end deposited as a result of said probe means being moved toward said cleaning chamber, and said second means is disposed at said open end and maintains said meniscus at said open end.

Claim 16

The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein said flow of washing fluid is drawn past at least a portion of said probe means which remains within said cleaning chamber while said probe tip extends beyond the open end of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 17

The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein said flow of gas from the atmosphere is drawn past said probe means when its probe tip extends beyond the open end of said cleaning chamber.

Claim 18

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway, has a cleaning chamber having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber, said cleaning chamber having a substantially uniform diameter between said second and third means.

Claim 19

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway, has a cleaning chamber having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber, said cleaning chamber having a substantially uniform diameter between said second and third means.

Claim 20

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway has a cleaning chamber formed of a single chamber and having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber.

Claim 21

A microsample handling apparatus comprising: a probe means for aspirating a sample; and a cleaning means including, a passageway within which said probe means is movable, and wherein said passageway has a cleaning chamber formed of a single chamber and having opposite ends, one end of which is open to the atmosphere and proximate to said sample, a first means, disposed between the ends of said cleaning chamber, for directing a washing fluid against said probe means during a cleaning mode, and a second and third means, disposed at the opposite ends of said cleaning chamber, for applying a vacuum to said cleaning chamber for removing said washing fluid, and drying said probe means and preventing the exiting of said wash fluid, by permitting a gas to flow into said cleaning chamber.

Claim 24

A cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein said directing of the flow of washing fluid against said probe means continues until said probe means tip is at least retracted within said cleaning chamber.