Short sample detection
First Claim
1. A system comprising a probe system, means for introducing a marker at an inlet of said probe system, means for aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into said probe system, said marker being displaceable along said probe system upon aspiration of liquid therein, said probe system being calibrated such that the displacement of said marker is indicative of the volume of liquid aspirated therein, and means for dispensing said aspirated liquid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dilutor/dispenser system wherein a marker, e.g., an air bubble, is introduced at the probe inlet prior to each aspiration cycle, so as to be displaced along the probe system during such cycle. The location of the marker is detected at the end of the aspiration cycle, to indicate whether an appropriate liquid volume has been aspirated. The aspirated liquid, along with the marker and a predetermined volume of diluent, is subsequently dispensed. An alarm may be activated, if an improper volume has been aspirated.
100 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A system comprising a probe system, means for introducing a marker at an inlet of said probe system, means for aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into said probe system, said marker being displaceable along said probe system upon aspiration of liquid therein, said probe system being calibrated such that the displacement of said marker is indicative of the volume of liquid aspirated therein, and means for dispensing said aspirated liquid.
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20. A method for determining the aspiration of a predetermined volume of liquid into a dilutor/dispenser system, said dilutor/dispenser system including a probe system, said method comprising the steps of:
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filling said probe system with a diluent to be dispensed along with a predetermined volume of liquid, introducing a marker at the inlet of said probe system, aspirating a volume of said liquid to displace said marker along said probe system, detecting the location of said marker along said probe system to ascertain the volume of said liquid which has been aspirated, and dispensing said aspirated volume of said liquid along with said marker and a predetermined volume of said diluent in accordance with said marker location.
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Specification