US5092674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micropipette adaptor for spectrophotometers with temperature control
Assignee: HELIX BIOMEDICAL ACCESSORIES Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-15
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Granted: 1992-03-03
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Expires: 2009-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A temperature-controlled micropipette adaptor includes a metal base sandwiched between two plastic layers. The metal base has an orifice to hold a micropipette. The plastic layers hold lenses in alignment for spectrophometric measurements of a sample contained in a micropipette inserted into the orifice. A resistive heater wire is held between the metal base and the plastic layer to transfer heat from the heater wire to the metal base and thus to the micropipette sample. A thermocouple is attached to the metal layer to monitor temperature changes. A feedback control system is coupled to the device for monitoring and programmably controlling changes in temperature of the heated sample over time.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold R. Garner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; B01L7/00; G01N21/03; G01N21/0332; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/22; C; C08; C08G; C08G2130/00; G01N2021/0346; G01N35/00; G01N2035/00178; G01N2035/00237; G01N35/10; G01N2035/1027; G01N2035/1048; G01N2035/1062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector, comprising: a first layer and a second layer; a metal base member adapted to hold said micropipette, said base member being positioned between and attached to said first and second layers; a heater wire in direct contact with said base member for heating said base member holding said micropipette; and means for monitoring the temperature of said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector, comprising: a first layer and a second layer; a metal base member adapted to hold said micropipette, said base member being positioned between and attached to said first and second layers; a heater wire in direct contact with said base member for heating said base member holding said micropipette; and means for monitoring the temperature of said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 1, further comprising feedback control means coupled to said heater wire and said monitoring means for maintaining said base member at a preselected temperature for a preselected interval of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 2, wherein said monitoring means is a chromel-alumel thermocouple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal base member is made of copper, aluminum, or brass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second layers comprise a plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said heater wire is coated manganin wire positioned between said base member and one of said layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector as recited in claim 6, wherein said base member has a passageway therethrough and wherein said heater wire is routed around said passageway.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette, comprising: means for receiving a source of collimated light to linearly focus said light; a metal base for holding said micropipette in axial alignment with said linearly focused light; means for receiving and recollimating said focused light which has passed through said micropipette; and means for heating said metal base for heating a sample solution contained in the micropipette which is held in said metal base.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette, comprising: means for receiving a source of collimated light to linearly focus said light; a metal base for holding said micropipette in axial alignment with said linearly focused light; means for receiving and recollimating said focused light which has passed through said micropipette; and means for heating said metal base for heating a sample solution contained in the micropipette which is held in said metal base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 8 wherein said heating means comprises a heater wire connected to said metal base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 9, further comprising a thermocouple connected to said metal base for providing an actual measured temperature signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 10, further comprising a feedback control system connected to said wire and thermocouple for maintaining said metal base at a preselected temperature for a preselected period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 10, wherein said control system includes means for providing a temperature set point, and a comparator for comparing said set point to said actual measured signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 12, wherein said comparator is coupled to a transistor heater driver for heating said wire in response to said actual measured temperature being less than said set point.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette, comprising the steps of: receiving a source of collimated light to linearly focus said light; holding said micropipette in a metal base in axial alignment with said linearly focused light; receiving and recollimating said focused light which has passed through said micropipette; and heating said metal base to heat a sample solution contained in the micropipette which is held in said metal base.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette, comprising the steps of: receiving a source of collimated light to linearly focus said light; holding said micropipette in a metal base in axial alignment with said linearly focused light; receiving and recollimating said focused light which has passed through said micropipette; and heating said metal base to heat a sample solution contained in the micropipette which is held in said metal base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of said metal base.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of comparing said measured temperature to a set point temperature, and heating said metal base when said set point temperature exceeds said measured temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of maintaining said sample at a preselected elevated temperature for a preselected interval of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for analyzing a sample solution contained in a micropipette as recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of sandwiching said metal base between a first and second layer of plastic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector, comprising: a continuous laminate comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a metal base member sandwiched therebetween, said base member adapted to hold said micropipette; a continuous light passageway formed through said laminate and positioned to provide light communication between said source of light and said detector through said laminate and said micropipette held therein; a heater wire connected to said base member for heating said base member holding said micropipette; and means for monitoring the temperature of said base member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
An adaptor for holding a micropipette in a spectrophotometer having a source of collimated light and a detector, comprising: a continuous laminate comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a metal base member sandwiched therebetween, said base member adapted to hold said micropipette; a continuous light passageway formed through said laminate and positioned to provide light communication between said source of light and said detector through said laminate and said micropipette held therein; a heater wire connected to said base member for heating said base member holding said micropipette; and means for monitoring the temperature of said base member.
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) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |