Fluid handling apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of reducing parameter gradients throughout a fluid volume which comprises:
- placing said fluid volume on a portion of a reversibly-deformable, substantially planar support sheet, optionally formed with non-deformable means thereon to partially contain said fluid volume, said support sheet being the sole containment means for said fluid volume; and
deforming said reversibly-deformable portion of said support sheet.
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Abstract
A fluid handling system is described wherein a small fluid volume is placed on a reversibly-deformable support, which can be deformed to form a cavity. As the fluid clings to the surface of the support, it is physically agitated and mixed as the support is deformed. The deformable support can be utilized to provide fluid containers of varying sizes, to accommodate different fluid volumes and as a transport mechanism to move fluid from one location to another.
25 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of reducing parameter gradients throughout a fluid volume which comprises:
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placing said fluid volume on a portion of a reversibly-deformable, substantially planar support sheet, optionally formed with non-deformable means thereon to partially contain said fluid volume, said support sheet being the sole containment means for said fluid volume; and deforming said reversibly-deformable portion of said support sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for mixing a fluid which comprises:
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a reversibly-deformable first support for receiving a fluid sample; means for dispensing a portion of said fluid onto said first support; a rigid second support located beneath a portion of said first support for supporting said first support portion at a first location; and means for applying a force to deform said first support and effect mixing of said fluid portion on said first support. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fluid handling apparatus comprising:
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a liquid-impervious, reversibly-deformable flexible sheet having a first contour; a substantially rigid support for said sheet;
said support defining at least one well adjacent said sheet and having a second contour, andmeans for deforming said sheet to conform to said second contour and for releasing said sheet to conform to said first contour. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. A support for a selected fluid volume which comprises a reversibly-deformable flexible, elastomeric sheet having surface characteristics operable to maintain said selected fluid volume without mechanical means of containment at a specific location on a portion of said sheet when said portion is substantially, horizontally planar, said sheet being of sufficient thickness to deform upon application of an external force, to form partial containment means for said fluid volume, and to return to said substantially, horizontally planar configuration when application of said force ceases.
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24. An apparatus for determining the presence of an element in a fluid sample suspected of containing said element, said apparatus comprising:
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a liquid-impervious, flexible sheet; a substantially rigid support for said sheet, said support defining at least one well adjacent to said sheet and having a selected contour; means associated with said rigid support for reversibly conforming said sheet to said selected contour; fluid dispensing means positioned to dispense a fluid sample onto said sheet; and means to detect the presence of said element within said sample. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of mixing a fluid which comprises:
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depositing a portion of a fluid volume on a substantially flat, liquid-impervious, reversibly-deformable support without additional mechanical means of fluid containment; and applying and releasing a deformation force perpendicular to said support sufficient to cause agitation and mixing of said deposited fluid portion without rupturing said support.
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29. A method of mixing a fluid which comprises:
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positioning a reversibly-deformable support without additional mechanical means of fluid containment to receive a portion of the fluid to be mixed; depositing said portion of said fluid on said support to define a first interfacial area between said fluid portion and said support; and deforming said support to define a second interfacial area between said fluid portion and said support which is different than said first interfacial area.
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30. A method of mixing a fluid which comprises:
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locating a reversibly-deformable support having a fluid volume support thereon without additional mechanical means of fluid containment at a site adapted to effect deformation of said support; and applying a deformation force to said support at said site.
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Specification