Sample introduction device
First Claim
1. A sample introduction device adapted for introducing a sample into a sample chamber of a sensor assembly from a container maintained in fluid communicating relationship therewith, said sample introduction device comprising:
- a probe of substantially tubular construction, having a first end adapted to extend into the container and a second end adapted for connection to a material volume supply;
wherein said probe is adapted to inject a predetermined volume of material into the container to displace a predetermined volume of the sample from the container into the sample chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample introduction device is provided that is particularly useful in the critical care environment for the anaerobic withdrawal of small volumes of arterial blood from a sample collection syringe and introduction thereof into a sample chamber of a sensor for analysis. The sample introduction device includes a Luer fitting adapted to mate an outlet of the container in a concentric orientation with an input aperture of the sample chamber. A tubular probe is adapted for concentric placement with both the outlet and inlet aperture, with a first end thereof extending into the syringe and a second end adapted for attachment to an air supply. The probe has a predetermined diameter sufficient to provide an annular clearance between the probe and each of the outlet and inlet aperture. A predetermined volume of air is injected through the probe into the container to displace a predetermined volume of sample therefrom, through the annular clearance into the sample chamber. Injecting air into the syringe through the probe to displace the sample therefrom, rather than drawing the sample into the probe, advantageously reduces or eliminates the need for washing the interior of the probe to relatively reduce the use of wash reagents.
29 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A sample introduction device adapted for introducing a sample into a sample chamber of a sensor assembly from a container maintained in fluid communicating relationship therewith, said sample introduction device comprising:
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a probe of substantially tubular construction, having a first end adapted to extend into the container and a second end adapted for connection to a material volume supply;
wherein said probe is adapted to inject a predetermined volume of material into the container to displace a predetermined volume of the sample from the container into the sample chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a sensor, comprising the steps of:
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(a) maintaining a sample container in fluid communicating relationship with the sample chamber; and
(b) injecting a predetermined volume of gas into the sample container, wherein a predetermined volume of a sample disposed within the sample container is displaced by the gas from the container into the sample chamber. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A sample introduction device adapted for introducing a sample from a container into a sample chamber of a sensor, said sample introduction device comprising:
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a fitting adapted to mate an outlet of the container in fluid communicating relationship with an input aperture of the sample chamber;
a probe of substantially tubular construction, having a first end and a second end, said probe adapted to extend in a fluid tight manner through a probe aperture disposed in a wall of the sample chamber, through the input aperture and through the outlet wherein said first end extends into the container, said second end being adapted for connection to a gas supply;
said probe being sized and shaped to provide fluid communicating clearance between said probe and each of the input aperture and the outlet; and
said probe adapted for communicating a predetermined volume of gas therethrough into the container;
wherein said predetermined volume of gas serves to displace a predetermined volume of the sample from the container through the clearance into the sample chamber.
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Specification