Stopped-flow reaction apparatus utilized in conjunction with continuous-flow resistive-particle counting apparatus

• US 4,090,129 A
• Filed: 01/28/1977
• Issued: 05/16/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Virginia
• Original Assignee: University of Virginia
• Inventors: Gear, Adrian R. L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolinec, Rudolph V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sunderdick, Vincent J.
• Application Number:
  US05/763,631
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 324/71 CP, 324/71 R, 222/132, 222/133, 222/137, 128/2 G
• US Class Current: 324/71.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/38 Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/382 using pistons of different sections
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/00 Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods

Abstract

Stopped-flow reaction apparatus includes a dual drive syringe pump for pumping predetermined amounts of particles and reactants into a common reaction loop, the length of the latter, as well as the flow rate of the mixed solutions, determining the reaction time. The reacted solutions are then massively diluted, by means of a diluent supplied from another syringe pump, so as to freeze the state of reaction thereof and the diluted, non-reacting solution is then conducted to a continuous-flow, resistive particle counting apparatus.

Claims

1. Stopped-flow, reaction apparatus for use in conjunction with continuous-flow resistive-particle counting apparatus, comprising:

means for housing a predetermined amount of particles to be counted;

means for housing a predetermined amount of a reactant;

means for simultaneously injecting said particles and said reactant into a common reaction loop having a predetermined length, at a predetermined flow rate so as to facilitate reaction of said particles by said reactant;

means for housing a diluent, the amount of said diluent relative to that of said particles and reactant being in the range of 70 - 500 ;

1;

means for injecting said diluent into said reaction loop so as to massively dilute the same and thereby stop the reaction;

continuous-flow resistive particle counting apparatus; and

means fluidically connecting said reaction loop to said counting apparatus so as to supply said non-reacting solution to said counting apparatus.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said reaction loop is a tubular member having an inside diameter within the range of 0.2 - 0.4 mm.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said flow rate is within the range of 1-4 cm/sec.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said simultaneous injecting means is a dual-drive syringe pump.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the length of said reaction loop is variable so as to vary the reaction time.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said continuous-flow resistive-particle counting apparatus comprises:

container means for housing a bulk electrolyte;

an orifice tube closed at the lower end thereof and having a sensing orifice defined within a side wall portion thereof, a portion of said electrolyte thereby being disposed within said tube;

a first electrode disposed within said electrolyte disposed within said orifice tube;

a second electrode disposed within said bulk electrolyte disposed within said container;

electric circuit means including a power source, electrically connecting said first and second electrodes;

fluid injection means disposed within said container at a position radially outwardly of said orifice tube and within the vicinity of said sensing orifice of said orifice tube for forcefully injecting a fluid jet of said diluted reacted particles to be counted toward said sensing orifice at a flow rate which is at least ten-fold the normal flow-rate of said electrolyte from said container through said sensing orifice and into said orifice tube; and

means disposed within said electrical circuit for counting said particles passing through said sensing orifice.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

a holding block disposed about said orifice tube and having a selectively variable diameter so as to selectively grasp or release said orifice tube and thereby render said block selectively fixed about said tube, or vertically movable or pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said tube, respectively;

means for controlling the diameter of said block; and

said injection means includes an injection jet tube fixedly disposed within said block, said injecting tube having an injection jet defined within the end thereof disposed within said vicinity of said sensing orifice,

whereby the disposition of said injection jet relative to said sensing orifice is adjustable.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said block is substantially C-shaped in horizontal cross-section; and

said means for controlling the diameter of said block is a threaded fastener threadedly engaged within the arms of said block defining said C-shaped portion thereof.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

overflow means defined within said bulk electrolyte container.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said particles are blood platelets.