Analytical cartridge
First Claim
1. An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids which contain liquid and solid components, said cartridge comprising:
- a housing comprising a cartridge body which has a top surface, bottom surface and outer walls defining a housing perimeter, said body further comprising an inner end and an outer end;
a deposition well located in said cartridge body for receiving fluids which contain liquid and solid components;
a separation well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well;
an inlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said deposition well to said separation well;
a test well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said inner end than said separation well;
an outlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said test well;
an overflow well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or test well;
an overflow passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said overflow well; and
a pressurization device for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of solution within said cartridge body.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids which contain liquid and solid components. The cartridge includes a plumbing system composed of various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are separated and transported to a test well utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. The cartridge may be used to measure the concentration of a wide variety of chemical constituents in bodily fluids and is useful in measuring other properties of these fluids which contain liquid and solid components.
317 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids which contain liquid and solid components, said cartridge comprising:
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a housing comprising a cartridge body which has a top surface, bottom surface and outer walls defining a housing perimeter, said body further comprising an inner end and an outer end; a deposition well located in said cartridge body for receiving fluids which contain liquid and solid components; a separation well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well; an inlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said deposition well to said separation well; a test well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said inner end than said separation well; an outlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said test well; an overflow well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or test well; an overflow passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said overflow well; and a pressurization device for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of solution within said cartridge body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for analyzing a fluid which contains solid and/or liquid components, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) introducing said fluid into an analytical cartridge wherein said cartridge comprises; a housing comprising a cartridge body which has a top surface, bottom surface and outer walls defining a housing perimeter, said body further comprising an inner end and an outer end; a deposition well located in said cartridge body for receiving fluids which contain liquid and solid components; a separation well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well; an inlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said deposition well to said separation well; a test well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said inner end than said separation well; an outlet passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said test well; an overflow well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or test well; an overflow passageway in said cartridge body which connects said separation well to said overflow well; a pressurization device for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of fluid with said cartridge body, wherein said fluid is introduced into said deposition well in an amount which is sufficient to at least partially fill said deposition well; b) centrifuging said analytical cartridge with said inner end and outer end of said cartridge body oriented so that said fluid flows through said inlet passageway to said separation well, said analytical cartridge being centrifuged for a sufficient time and at a sufficient centrifugal force to transport said fluid into said separation well, said inlet passageway, said outlet passageway and said overflow passageway; c) pressurizing said test well to provide flow of fluid from said inlet and outlet passageways into said test well; and d) analyzing said fluid in said test well. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids, said cartridge comprising:
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a housing comprising a cartridge body which has a top surface, bottom surface and outer walls defining a housing perimeter, said body further comprising an inner end and an outer end; a deposition well located in said cartridge body for receiving fluids which contain liquid and solid components; a metering system located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well; a test well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said inner end than said deposition well; an overflow well located in said cartridge body at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or test well; a passageway in said cartridge body which connects said deposition well to said test well and said overflow well; and a pressurization device for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of solution within said cartridge body.
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Specification