Flow cell fluid and sample supply mechanism
First Claim
1. In a flow cell for sample analysis including a passage therein for accommodating sample flow therethrough past sample measuring apparatus, the flow cell passage having a fluid entrance port, an improved fluid and sample supply mechanism comprising:
- sample supply means having an outlet through which sample is delivered;
a first delivery mechanism supporting said sample supply means for presenting the outlet thereof to the fluid entrance port of said flow cell passage;
means for rotating said first delivery mechanism about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction of flow through said fluid entrance port to move said outlet in an arcuate path toward and away from said fluid entrance port;
fluid supply means including an outlet through which fluid is delivered;
a second delivery mechanism supporting said fluid delivery means for presenting the outlet thereof to the fluid entrance port ofsaid flow cell passage;
means for rotating said second delivery mechanism about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction of flow through said fluid entrance port to move the fluid delivery outlet in an arcuate path toward and away from said fluid entrance port; and
means for controlling the rotation of said first and second delivery mechanisms to selectively position the outlet of said sample supply means or the outlet of said fluid supply means at the fluid entrance port of the flow cell passage for delivering sample or fluid, as required, through said fluid entrance port into the flow cell passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for automatically and selectively supplying a blood sample or a wash/calibration solution to the entrance port of a flow cell which measures characteristics of the sample such as pH, pCO2 and pO2. A sample filled syringe and a solution supply conduit are supported by respective first and second fluid delivery mechanisms which rotate to move the syringe outlet and the conduit outlet in generally arcuate paths toward and away from the flow cell entrance port. The delivery mechanisms are rotated simultaneously, one toward and one away from the entrance port, by a common drive gear. Seating of the wash solution outlet in the entrance port is upstream of the seating of the sample outlet to ensure complete flushing of sample from the entrance port by the wash solution.
31 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In a flow cell for sample analysis including a passage therein for accommodating sample flow therethrough past sample measuring apparatus, the flow cell passage having a fluid entrance port, an improved fluid and sample supply mechanism comprising:
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sample supply means having an outlet through which sample is delivered; a first delivery mechanism supporting said sample supply means for presenting the outlet thereof to the fluid entrance port of said flow cell passage; means for rotating said first delivery mechanism about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction of flow through said fluid entrance port to move said outlet in an arcuate path toward and away from said fluid entrance port; fluid supply means including an outlet through which fluid is delivered; a second delivery mechanism supporting said fluid delivery means for presenting the outlet thereof to the fluid entrance port ofsaid flow cell passage; means for rotating said second delivery mechanism about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction of flow through said fluid entrance port to move the fluid delivery outlet in an arcuate path toward and away from said fluid entrance port; and means for controlling the rotation of said first and second delivery mechanisms to selectively position the outlet of said sample supply means or the outlet of said fluid supply means at the fluid entrance port of the flow cell passage for delivering sample or fluid, as required, through said fluid entrance port into the flow cell passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification