Apparatus for and method of optical absorbance and fluorescent radiation measurement
First Claim
1. The method of analysis using a pipette tube or the like having an open end and a piston movable axially within said pipette tube between a first position at said open end and a retracted position spaced from said open end for aspiration of liquid into or dispensing liquid from said pipette tube through said open end, said method comprising the steps of aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into said pipette tube, directing radiation from said piston axially through substantially all of the liquid aspirated, and measuring the radiation emitted from the irradiated liquid in the pipette tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for biological fluid analysis involving radiation measurement. The apparatus includes a pipetting dispenser having means for directing radiation from the piston thereof generally axially through the liquid in the pipette tube such that the pipetting dispenser serves not only as a means for measuring and mixing liquids, but also serves as a cuvette. The apparatus and method provide maximum radiation path length to accommodate liquids of different optical density. Still another feature of the apparatus and method is the provision of means for removing liquid from the outer surface of a pipette tube, which means are readily adapted to automated procedures. The apparatus in one embodiment is adapted for absorbance measurement of analyte samples, and in another embodiment is adapted for measurement of fluorescent radiation from analyte samples.
83 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. The method of analysis using a pipette tube or the like having an open end and a piston movable axially within said pipette tube between a first position at said open end and a retracted position spaced from said open end for aspiration of liquid into or dispensing liquid from said pipette tube through said open end, said method comprising the steps of aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into said pipette tube, directing radiation from said piston axially through substantially all of the liquid aspirated, and measuring the radiation emitted from the irradiated liquid in the pipette tube.
- 11. The method of analysis using a pipette tube or the like having an open end and a piston movable axially within said pipette tube between a first portion at said open end and a retracted position spaced from said open end for aspiration of liquid into or dispensing of liquid from said tube through said tube end, said method comprising placing a predetermined volume of liquid analyte and a predetermined volume of liquid reagent in a mixing receptacle, mixing the analyte and reagent placed in said receptacle, aspirating a predetermined volume of the combined liquids from the mixing receptacle into said tube, directing radiation from said piston axially through substantially all of the liquid aspirated, and measuring the radiation emitted from the irradiated liquid in the tube.
- 21. In combination, a cylindrical pipette tube or the like having an open end, a piston movable axially within said tube between a first position at said open end and a retracted position space from said open end for aspiration of liquid into said tube and dispensing of liquid from said tube through said open end, and radiation source means incorporated with said piston for directing radiation from said piston generally axially within said pipette tube and through substantially all of the liquid contained therein.
- 33. The combination with a pipette/cuvette device having a generally cylindrical end portion, having a cylindrical pipette tube projecting coaxially from said end portion and terminating in an open end, and having a piston movable axially within said pipette tube between a first position at said open end and a retracted position spaced from said open end for aspiration of liquid into said pipette tube and dispensing of liquid from said pipette tube through said open end, said piston incorporating light source means, of a fixture having a generally cylindrical tubular portion provided with an open end adapted to removably telescopically receive in operative position therein the cylindrical end portion of said pipette/cuvette device after insertion thereinto of said cylindrical pipette tube, said fixture including radiation detection means positioned to receive radiation emitted from said pipette tube when the pipette/cuvette device is in said operative position.
Specification