Method of measuring ingredients in liquid

• US 5,486,478 A
• Filed: 12/14/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kuriyama, Toshihide
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/355,816
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 422/81, 422/82, 422/68.1, 422/67, 422/63, 422/99, 422/100, 422/103, 422/104, 436/43, 436/52, 436/53, 436/14, 436/174, 436/179, 436/180, 436/95, 73/863.71, 73/863.72, 73/863.73, 128/771, 604/246, 604/247, 604/248, 604/908
• US Class Current: 436/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A device for measuring the ingredients in liquid, primarily a body fluid. A valve has a reservoir composed of a communicating hole in the valve and a cell which is able to communicate with the reservoir. The cell may be connected with an inlet for a diluent through the reservoir and has a sensor and a stirrer. It is possible to measure the ingredients with accuracy and to realize a continuous monitoring thereof.

Claims

1. A method of measuring ingredients in a body fluid, said method comprising the steps of:

rotating a valve having a bore therein which forms a reservoir with a fixed volume for receiving a prescribed amount of said body fluid;

placing said bore in communication with an intake port and a suction port of a housing for taking said prescribed amount of said body fluid from said intake port and into the bore in said valve;

rotating said valve a second time to place said bore in communication with an introduction port for introducing a diluent into said bore and into a cell having a stirrer and a sensor therein, said cell having a discharge port, said second rotation of said valve occurring when said bore is filled with said prescribed amount of said body fluid;

transferring a sample of said prescribed amount of said body fluid from said bore and into said cell by a pressing force occurring with the introduction of said diluent into said bore;

diluting said prescribed amount of said body fluid with said diluent along with a stirring by said stirrer;

measuring a concentration of ingredients in said diluted body fluid by said sensor for detecting the ingredients, while said diluted body fluid is being stirred in said cell;

pouring a diluent into said cell through a port thereof and discharging said measured and diluted body fluid out of said cell; and

repeating the above steps in the named order.

2. The method of measuring ingredients in a body fluid as defined in claim 1, wherein said cell is a suction cell.

3. The method of measuring glucose in a body fluid as defined in claim 1, wherein said body fluid is diluted with said diluent to a specific degree dilution which is determined by a ratio of a volume of said bore in the valve and an effective volume of said cell.

4. A method of measuring glucose in a body fluid, said method comprising the steps of:

rotating a valve having a bore therein which forms a reservoir with a fixed volume for receiving a prescribed amount of said body fluid;

placing said bore in communication with an intake port and a suction port of a housing for taking said prescribed amount of said body fluid from said intake port and into the bore in said valve;

rotating said valve a second time to place said bore in communication with an introduction port for introducing a HEPES buffer into said bore and into a cell having a stirrer and a glucose sensor therein, said cell having a discharge port, said second rotation of said valve occurring when said bore is filled with said prescribed amount of said body fluid;

transferring a sample of said prescribed amount of said body fluid from said bore and into said cell by a pressing force occurring with the introduction of said buffer into said bore;

diluting said prescribed amount of said body fluid with said buffer while stirring with said stirrer; and

measuring a concentration of glucose in said diluted body fluid by said glucose sensor, while said diluted body fluid is being stirred in said cell;

pouring a diluent into said cell through a port thereof and discharging said diluted body fluid out of said cell; and

repeating the above steps in the named order.

5. The method of measuring glucose in a body fluid as defined in claim 4, wherein said cell is a suction cell.

6. The method of measuring glucose in a body fluid as defined in claim 4, wherein said body fluid is diluted with said diluent to a specific degree of dilution which is determined by a ratio of a volume of said bore in the valve and an effective volume of said cell.