Reagent container for analytical rotor

• US 5,457,053 A
• Filed: 04/13/1994
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Abaxis Incorporated (Zoetis Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abaxis Incorporated (Zoetis Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schembri, Carol T., Burd, Tammy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carpenter, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/226,924
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 436/45, 422/64, 422/72, 422/102, 494/31, 494/45, 222/81, 222/83, 222/167, 222/541
• US Class Current: 436/45
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00495 Centrifuges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0405 manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/07 Centrifugal type cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/491 by separating the blood components G01N15/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor

Abstract

An analytical rotor which comprises a receptacle for receiving a post on a centrifuge and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor in the centrifuge is disclosed. The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container shiftably positioned in a chamber proximate the receptacle.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a predetermined volume of liquid to a receiving chamber in an analytical rotor, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an analytical rotor having a top surface, a bottom surface, a container holding a liquid and having a seal, a receiving chamber disposed radially outward of the container, and means for holding the container against displacement;

inserting a post through a receptacle disposed on a surface of the rotor adjacent the container, thereby displacing the container and breaking the seal to release the liquid from the container; and

spinning the rotor to effect the flow of the liquid into the receiving chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the post is disposed on a spindle in a centrifuge and the step of inserting the post through the receptacle is carried out by mounting the rotor on the spindle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is disposed on the bottom surface of the rotor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of breaking the seal comprises peeling a laminated foil seal from the container.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of breaking the seal comprises breaking open a rigid side on the container.