Cleaning cycle for flow cytometers

• US 5,076,472 A
• Filed: 12/14/1990
• Issued: 12/31/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Gross, Hans-Joachim, Hoffman, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): EL ARINI, ZEINAB
• Application Number:
  US07/627,795
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 137/209, 222/136, 222/145, 222/144.5, 222/394, 134/42
• US Class Current: 222/144.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/00 Cleaning or rinsing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3127 With gas maintenance or application

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning cellular contamination in flow cytometer comprising the sequential use of a strong oxidizing solution, particle-free neutral pH fluid and a weak acid.

Claims

1. An apparatus attached to the inlet of the fluidics system of a flow cytometer comprising:

a first reservoir, comprising a first inlet for accepting air and a first outlet for discharging fluid into the inlet of the fluidics system;

a second reservoir, comprising a second inlet for accepting air and a second outlet for discharging fluid into the inlet of the fluidics system;

a third reservoir, comprising a third inlet for accepting air and a third outlet for discharging fluid into the inlet of the fluidics system;

means for regulating air into said first, second and third reservoirs, upstream from said first, second and third inlets; and

means for regulating fluid from said first, second and third reservoirs downstream from said first, second and third outlets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for regulating fluid is a four-way valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for regulating air is a four-way valve.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first reservoir comprises a strong oxidizing solution.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second reservoir comprises a particle free neutral pH fluid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third reservoir comprises a weak acid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

means for adding sheath fluid and fluid from said first, and second and third reservoirs into the inlet of the fluidics system, downstream of said means for regulating fluid, comprising a fourth inlet and a fourth outlet.