Programmable, continuous flow analyzer

• US 4,314,824 A
• Filed: 05/06/1980
• Issued: 02/09/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bifok AB
• Original Assignee: Bifok AB
• Inventors: Hansen, Elo H., Ruzicka, Jaromir
• Primary Examiner(s): Serwin, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US06/147,331
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 23/230 R, 422/81, 422/82
• US Class Current: 436/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00534 Mixing by a special element, e.g. stirrer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/085 Flow Injection Analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream

Abstract

Method and device for continuous flow-through analysis with a non-segmented laminar carrier flow, to which reagents are added at programmable intervals. The programming can be done by switching in various loops with valves, interchangeable connections or by composing the apparatus of different prefabricated modules to produce the desired reaction conditions.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a sample for treatment in which a continuous flow of liquid carrier receives sample portions, said method comprising:

passing said carrier through a conduit in a manner such that flow of said carrier is laminar, unsegmented and continuous, introducing sample portions into said carrier, controlling dispersion of said sample portion in said carrier by varying at least one of the following;

the volume of said sample portion, the flow velocity of said carrier, or the dimensions of said conduit conducting said sample and said carrier.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein dispersion of said sample portion and said carrier is controlled by varying the length of the conduit through which said sample and said carrier is passed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein dispersion of said sample portion and said carrier is controlled by varying the diameter of said conduit.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein dispersion of said sample portion and said carrier is controlled by varying the volume of said sample.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein dispersion of said sample portion and said carrier is controlled by varying the flow velocity of said carrier.

5. A method of treating a sample in which a continuous flow of a liquid carrier receives sample portions, said method comprising:

passing said carrier through a conduit in a manner such that flow of said carrier is laminar, unsegmented and continuous, controlling dispersion of said sample portions in said carrier by varying at least one of the following;

the volume of said sample portion, the flow velocity of said carrier, the dimensions of said conduit conducting said sample and said carrier; and

introducing a treatment material into said sample as it is carried through said conduit.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the treatment material is a reagent which chemically reacts with said sample.

7. An apparatus for continuous flowthrough treatment of samples comprising:

a main conduit for conducting a liquid carrier, said conduit being disposed to conduct said carrier in a manner such that the flow of said carrier is laminar, unsegmented and continuous, means for inserting sample plugs into said carrier at controlled intervals, and means for controlling the dispersion of said sample plugs in said carrier.

8. An apparatus for continuous flowthrough treatment of a sample comprising:

a main conduit for conducting a liquid carrier, said conduit being disposed to conduct said carrier in a manner such that the flow of said carrier is laminar, unsegmented and continuous;

means for inserting sample plugs into said carrier at controlled intervals;

means for introducing a treatment material into said carrier; and

means for controlling the dispersion of said sample plugs in said carrier.