Matrix controlled method of delayed fluid delivery for assays

• US 5,135,872 A
• Filed: 04/28/1989
• Issued: 08/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SangStat Medical Corporation (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: SangStat Medical Corporation (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Pouletty, Philippe J., Ingalz, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ludlow, Jan M.
• Application Number:
  US07/345,154
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 436/180, 436/177-179, 422/100, 422/61, 422/58-59, 422/56
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A matrix controlled device having a reservoir having sidewalls and a bottom, and a plurality of conduits positioned in the reservoir and extending through the bottom thereof. Each conduit has an upper opening, a bottom outlet and an optional sidewall opening at a level intermediate the upper level and bottom of the reservoir and the bottom outlet. A flow control matrix plug is positioned in each conduit at a level between the sidewall opening or upper opening, and the bottom outlet. The flow control matrix plug has an internal passageway size which determines the rate at which liquid flows through the plug. By varying the pore density, pore size, dead volume, length, and elevation of the matrix, delay of the flow rate and initial flow of liquid from the respective conduit can be controlled. The size of an upper opening can be reduced to control air flow rates therethrough, and the size and elevation of a sidewall openings can be selected to control liquid flow rates therethrough. The method for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid to a reaction zone is accomplished by introducing liquid into one or more of such conduits, each conduit having a matrix plug therein at a level below the level of liquid introduction. Each matrix individually delays the first release and rate of delivery of the liquid in the conduit.

Claims

1. A method for delivering at least two predetermined volumes of a liquid to a reaction zone which comprises introducing the liquid into at least first and second conduits each having an outlet communicating with the reaction zone and spaced therefrom, the conduits each having a matrix plug therein at a level below the level of liquid introduction and spaced therefrom, and above the outlet of its respective conduit, each matrix plug delaying the first release and rate of delivery of the liquid from its respective conduit, the matrix plug in the first conduit being different from the matrix plug in the second conduit, such that the first release of liquid from the first conduit is delayed until liquid flow from the second conduit is terminated or until after liquid flow from the second conduit has begun.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid is introduced into each conduit through a sidewall opening therein, the volume of liquid flowing into each conduit being influenced by the size of the sidewall opening therein.

3. A method for delivering at least two predetermined volumes of a liquid to a reaction zone comprises introducing the liquid into at least first and second conduits each having an outlet communicating with the reaction zone, the conduits each having a matrix plug therein at a level below the level of liquid introduction and above the outlet thereof, each matrix plug delaying the first release and rate of delivery of the liquid from its respective conduit, the matrix plug in the first conduit being different from the matrix plug in the second conduit, such that the first release of liquid from the first conduit is delayed until liquid flow from the second conduit is terminated or until after liquid flow from the second conduit has begun, wherein the liquid is introduced into each conduit through a sidewall opening therein, and the volume of liquid flowing into at least one conduit is determined by the size of an upper opening which restricts the flow of displaced air from the conduit.

4. A method for delivering at least two predetermined volumes of a liquid to a reaction zone comprises introducing the liquid into at least first and second conduits each having an outlet communicating with the reaction zone, the conduits each having a matrix plug therein at a level below the level of liquid introduction and above the outlet thereof, each matrix plug delaying the first release and rate of delivery of the liquid from its respective conduit, the matrix plug in the first conduit being different from the matrix plug in the second conduit, such that the first release of liquid from the first conduit is delayed until liquid flow from the second conduit is terminated or until after liquid flow from the second conduit has begun, wherein the liquid is introduced into each conduit through a sidewall opening therein from a reservoir in which the conduit is positioned, the volume of liquid flowing into at least one conduit being determined by the level of the sidewall opening.

5. A method for delivering at least two predetermined volumes of a liquid to a reaction zone comprises introducing the liquid into at least first and second conduits each having an outlet communicating with the reaction zone, the conduits each having a matrix plug therein at a level below the level of liquid introduction and above the outlet thereof, each matrix plug delaying the first release and rate of delivery of the liquid from its respective conduit, the matrix plug in the first conduit being different from the matrix plug in the second conduit, such that the first release of liquid from the first conduit is delayed until liquid flow from the second conduit is terminated or until after liquid flow from the second conduit has begun, wherein the liquid is introduced into each conduit through an upper opening therein, and the volume of liquid retained in at least one conduit is determined by the level of a sidewall opening in the conduit positioned at an elevation between the upper opening and the matrix plug therein.