Multiple capillary biochemical analyzer
First Claim
1. An analyzer for analyzing an organic sample, the analyzer comprising:
- a plurality of capillary tubes arrayed side by side, each capillary tube having first and second ends, the second ends of the capillary tubes terminating adjacent each other and the first ends being connectable to a source of organic sample;
a flow chamber having an interior cavity, the second ends of the capillary tubes terminating inside the interior cavity;
means to supply sheath fluid into the interior cavity of said flow chamber to provide a flow of sheath fluid past the second ends of the capillary tubes such that any organic sample in said capillary tubes is drawn by the flow of sheath fluid in individual sample streams from the second ends of the capillary tubes;
means to force said organic sample through the capillary tubes from the first ends of the capillary tubes to the second ends of the capillary tubes;
a detector positioned to detect organic sample in the individual sample streams emerging from the capillary tubes; and
a non-capillary sized waste outlet, independent of said means to force organic sample, positioned in said flow chamber for draining said sheath flow fluid and entrained sample streams directly from said flow chamber to waste, said waste outlet draining the entrained sample streams and associated sheath flow fluid from a plurality of said capillary tubes.
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Abstract
A multiple capillary analyzer allows detection of light from multiple capillaries with a reduced number of interfaces through which light must pass in detecting light emitted from a sample being analyzed, using a modified sheath flow cuvette. A linear or rectangular array of capillaries is introduced into a rectangular flow chamber. Sheath fluid draws individual sample streams through the cuvette. The capillaries are closely and evenly spaced and held by a transparent retainer in a fixed position in relation to an optical detection system. Collimated sample excitation radiation is applied simultaneously across the ends of the capillaries in the retainer. Light emitted from the excited sample is detected by the optical detection system. The retainer is provided by a transparent chamber having inward slanting end walls. The capillaries are wedged into the chamber. One sideways dimension of the chamber is equal to the diameter of the capillaries and one end to end dimension varies from, at the top of the chamber, slightly greater than the sum of the diameters of the capillaries to, at the bottom of the chamber, slightly smaller than the sum of the diameters of the capillaries. The optical system utilizes optic fibres to deliver light to individual photodetectors, one for each capillary tube. A filter or wavelength division demultiplexer may be used for isolating fluorescence at particular bands.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An analyzer for analyzing an organic sample, the analyzer comprising:
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a plurality of capillary tubes arrayed side by side, each capillary tube having first and second ends, the second ends of the capillary tubes terminating adjacent each other and the first ends being connectable to a source of organic sample; a flow chamber having an interior cavity, the second ends of the capillary tubes terminating inside the interior cavity; means to supply sheath fluid into the interior cavity of said flow chamber to provide a flow of sheath fluid past the second ends of the capillary tubes such that any organic sample in said capillary tubes is drawn by the flow of sheath fluid in individual sample streams from the second ends of the capillary tubes; means to force said organic sample through the capillary tubes from the first ends of the capillary tubes to the second ends of the capillary tubes; a detector positioned to detect organic sample in the individual sample streams emerging from the capillary tubes; and a non-capillary sized waste outlet, independent of said means to force organic sample, positioned in said flow chamber for draining said sheath flow fluid and entrained sample streams directly from said flow chamber to waste, said waste outlet draining the entrained sample streams and associated sheath flow fluid from a plurality of said capillary tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification