Method for accurately mixing sample and buffer solutions
First Claim
1. A method of mixing a sample and buffer using a buffer chamber, sample collection chamber, and mixing chamber, said buffer and sample collection chambers being in fluid communication with said mixing chamber via respective buffer and sample ports, the method comprising:
- selecting a fluid mixing ratio r;
providing said buffer chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1;
providing said mixing chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2;
disposing said buffer in said buffer chamber;
disposing said sample in said sample collection chamber;
moving a buffer dispense plunger within said buffer chamber at a speed S1 towards said buffer port to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber; and
moving a sample dispense plunger substantially simultaneous with said buffer dispense plunger within said mixing chamber at a speed S2 away from said sample port to dispense said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber, wherein said sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution;
wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r).
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Abstract
Methods for accurately mixing two solutions, e.g., buffer and sample solutions, are provided. A method of mixing first and second fluids using first, second, and third chambers includes selecting a fluid mixture r, providing the first chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1, providing the third chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2, disposing the first fluid in the first chamber, disposing the second fluid in the second chamber, moving a first plunger within the first chamber at a speed S1 towards a first port to dispense the first solution from the first chamber into the third chamber, and moving a second plunger substantially simultaneously with the first plunger within the third chamber at a speed S2 away from the second port to dispense the second solution from the second chamber into the third chamber, wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r). The sample and buffer can be mixed, in which case, the first, second, and third chambers can be buffer, sample collection, and mixing chambers, and the first and second ports can be buffer and sample ports. The sample and buffer can be equally mixed, in which case, r=1. To effect equal mixing of the sample and buffer, S1≅S2 and 2A1≅A2, or alternatively, A1≅A2 and 2S1≅S2
32 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of mixing a sample and buffer using a buffer chamber, sample collection chamber, and mixing chamber, said buffer and sample collection chambers being in fluid communication with said mixing chamber via respective buffer and sample ports, the method comprising:
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selecting a fluid mixing ratio r;
providing said buffer chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1;
providing said mixing chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2;
disposing said buffer in said buffer chamber;
disposing said sample in said sample collection chamber;
moving a buffer dispense plunger within said buffer chamber at a speed S1 towards said buffer port to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber; and
moving a sample dispense plunger substantially simultaneous with said buffer dispense plunger within said mixing chamber at a speed S2 away from said sample port to dispense said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber, wherein said sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution;
wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of mixing first and second fluids using first, second, and third chambers, said first and second chambers being in fluid communication with said third chamber via respective first and second ports, the method comprising:
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selecting a fluid mixing ratio r;
providing said first chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1;
providing said third chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2;
disposing said first fluid in said first chamber;
disposing said second fluid in said second chamber;
moving a first plunger within said first chamber at a speed S1 towards said first port to dispense said first solution from said first chamber into said third chamber; and
moving a second plunger substantially simultaneous with said first plunger within said third chamber at a speed S2 away from said second port to dispense said second solution from said second chamber into said third chamber, wherein said first and second fluids form a buffered sample solution;
wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r) - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification