Method and apparatus for automated analysis of fluid samples
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A continuous system for analyzing a number of liquid samples, comprising:
- a conduit defining a sample flow path;
means for conveying said liquid samples successively as sets of discrete sample segments and as a continuous stream along said flow path;
means disposed along said flow path for selectively introducing, in a variable controlled sequence, precise aliquots of different reagents into select ones of said sample segments in each of said sets to react said selected sample segments each in respect of at least a particular analyte;
means for controlling the sequence in which said various reagent aliquots are introduced into each of said sets; and
means disposed along said flow path for analyzing said samples.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample analyzing system features a number of discrete sample segments continuously conveyed along a conduit. Each sample segment receives a precise aliquot of one or more reagents on a selective basis, and in any particular sequence. Selective injection of the reagent into the moving stream of sample segments allows for an increase in the efficiency and throughput of the sample processing.
266 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A continuous system for analyzing a number of liquid samples, comprising:
-
a conduit defining a sample flow path; means for conveying said liquid samples successively as sets of discrete sample segments and as a continuous stream along said flow path; means disposed along said flow path for selectively introducing, in a variable controlled sequence, precise aliquots of different reagents into select ones of said sample segments in each of said sets to react said selected sample segments each in respect of at least a particular analyte; means for controlling the sequence in which said various reagent aliquots are introduced into each of said sets; and means disposed along said flow path for analyzing said samples. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for quantitatively determining analytes in discrete liquid samples, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) flowing said liquid samples successively as a continuous stream through said conduit; (b) dividing each of said liquid samples into a number of discrete segments equal, at least, to the number of analytes to be determined; (c) introducing a controlled quantity of at least one reagent of a plurality of reagents into each of said sample segments in each of said sets on a selective basis to react said sample segments in each of said sets in respect of said different analytes; and (d) analyzing said reacted sample segments in each of said sets in respect of said different analytes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. Apparatus for quantitatively determining one or more analytes in a plurality of discrete samples, comprising:
-
a conduit; means for dividing said samples into sets of discrete sample segments; means for flowing said sets of discrete sample segments successively as a continuous stream through said conduit, said successive sample segments being separated by at least an inert fluid segment; a reagent injection station disposed along a portion of said conduit, said injection station including means to introduce, on a selective basis, aliquots of reagents into sample segments passing along said conduit portion; means for controlling said injection station, on a selective basis, to introduce selected reagents into said conduit portion, to mix with a particular one of said sample segments; and an analyzing station disposed downstream of said injection station for analyzing said sample segments. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification