Fluid probe washing apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A probe washing apparatus, comprising:
- a hollow probe having a tip and an exterior surface;
displacement means for moving the probe vertically;
a wash collar, the wash collar including a bore through the wash collar adapted to receive the probe, the bore being sized to define a gap between an outside dimension of the probe and an inside dimension of the bore, the wash collar bore including an upper portion having a first diameter larger than an outside diameter of the probe and a central chamber portion having a diameter larger than the first diameter of the upper portion and including a port in fluid communication with a vacuum means, and the wash collar bore further including a lower portion having a cross section extending from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter proximate the central chamber portion, and further including a reduced portion between the lower portion and the central chamber having a diameter less than a largest diameter of the chamber portion, the diameter of the reduced portion being sized to be spaced from the probe to facilitate wicking liquid from the exterior surface of the probe;
means for fixing the wash collar laterally and vertically with respect to the probe, the bore being coaxially aligned with the probe for vertical displacement of the probe through the bore;
vacuum means for applying a vacuum to the bore to draw liquid out of the bore;
bore pumping means for pumping a wash liquid through the wash collar bore; and
probe pumping means for pumping a wash liquid through the probe and out of the probe tip.
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Abstract
A probe washing apparatus including a probe having a tip and a wash collar having a bore coaxially aligned with the probe, the wash collar including ports for applying a vacuum and a wash liquid to the wash collar bore. The probe may be displaced vertically with respect to the wash collar to aspirate and dispense liquids, and the wash collar and probe are displaced together laterally. The steps of washing the probe tip include raising the probe to a position with the probe tip within the bore, applying vacuum to the bore, flushing the interior of the probe, and flushing the exterior of the probe.
79 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A probe washing apparatus, comprising:
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a hollow probe having a tip and an exterior surface; displacement means for moving the probe vertically; a wash collar, the wash collar including a bore through the wash collar adapted to receive the probe, the bore being sized to define a gap between an outside dimension of the probe and an inside dimension of the bore, the wash collar bore including an upper portion having a first diameter larger than an outside diameter of the probe and a central chamber portion having a diameter larger than the first diameter of the upper portion and including a port in fluid communication with a vacuum means, and the wash collar bore further including a lower portion having a cross section extending from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter proximate the central chamber portion, and further including a reduced portion between the lower portion and the central chamber having a diameter less than a largest diameter of the chamber portion, the diameter of the reduced portion being sized to be spaced from the probe to facilitate wicking liquid from the exterior surface of the probe; means for fixing the wash collar laterally and vertically with respect to the probe, the bore being coaxially aligned with the probe for vertical displacement of the probe through the bore; vacuum means for applying a vacuum to the bore to draw liquid out of the bore; bore pumping means for pumping a wash liquid through the wash collar bore; and probe pumping means for pumping a wash liquid through the probe and out of the probe tip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification