Reactor mixing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising acts of:
- (a) introducing a liquid sample into a reaction site container having a volume of less than about 2 mL and comprising a detection region;
(b) moving a mixer within the liquid sample to mix the liquid, wherein the mixer is freely movable within the container and able to move into the detection region;
(c) moving the mixer outside of the detection region; and
(d) detecting a property of the liquid present in the detection region.
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Abstract
Immiscible substances, such as gases, solids or liquids may be included within a reaction site container as a mixer of a liquid sample. Movement of the mixer within the container may help suspend or re-suspend cells or other species. Movement of the mixer also may generate shear forces that can affect cellular activity. In some embodiments, movement of the container brings about movement of the mixer. Containers may be mounted to a rotating apparatus in various orientations to achieve different travel paths of the mixer. Varying the rotation rate and/or the relative densities of the mixer and the liquid sample also may affect the mixer travel path.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method, comprising acts of:
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(a) introducing a liquid sample into a reaction site container having a volume of less than about 2 mL and comprising a detection region;
(b) moving a mixer within the liquid sample to mix the liquid, wherein the mixer is freely movable within the container and able to move into the detection region;
(c) moving the mixer outside of the detection region; and
(d) detecting a property of the liquid present in the detection region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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24. A method as in clam 23, wherein the container is attached to the apparatus in a substantially radial orientation.
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25. A method as in clam 23, wherein the container is attached to the apparatus in a substantially vertical orientation.
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26. A method as in clam 23, wherein the container is attached to the apparatus in a substantially horizontal orientation.
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37. An apparatus comprising:
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a chemical, biological, or biochemical reactor chip comprising a reaction site container having a volume of less than about 2 mL, the container comprising a detection region;
a volume of a liquid sample within the container;
a mixer for mixing the liquid sample, the mixer freely movable within the container in at least one container orientation; and
an impediment within the reaction site container constructed and arranged to limit the presence of the mixer within the detection region. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method, comprising acts of:
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(a) introducing a liquid sample into a reaction site container having a volume of less than about 2 mL, the reaction site container comprising a detection region and an impediment within the reaction site container;
(b) orienting the container in a first orientation that causes the mixer to move within the detection region to mix the liquid;
(c) orienting the container in a second orientation that causes the mixer to move outside of the detection region;
(d) orienting the container into a detection orientation in which the mixer is impeded from moving into the detection region by the impediment; and
(e) detecting a property of the liquid present in the detection region. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification