Spectrophotometric analytical cartridge
First Claim
1. An analytical cartridge adapted for use in spectrophotometric analysis, 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 fluid to be analyzed, said deposition well having an inlet and an outlet;
a test well located in said cartridge body, said test well comprising a cuvette and an inlet through which fluid can be introduced into said cuvette, wherein said test well inlet is located more towards said cartridge body inner end than the outlet from said deposition well;
an overflow well located in said cartridge body, said overflow well having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said overflow well is located at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or said test well inlet;
a first passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the overflow well inlet;
a second passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the test well inlet wherein said first and second passageways are integral with each other at said deposition well outlet; and
a pressurization device associated with said deposition well for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of liquid through said second passageway.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids for spectrophotometry. The cartridge includes a plumbing system composed of the cuvette and various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are separated (if necessary) and transported to a cuvette utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. The cartridge may be used in a wide variety of spectrophotometric procedures to measure the concentration of a wide variety of constituents in fluids, including bodily fluids which contain liquid and solid components.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An analytical cartridge adapted for use in spectrophotometric analysis, 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 fluid to be analyzed, said deposition well having an inlet and an outlet; a test well located in said cartridge body, said test well comprising a cuvette and an inlet through which fluid can be introduced into said cuvette, wherein said test well inlet is located more towards said cartridge body inner end than the outlet from said deposition well; an overflow well located in said cartridge body, said overflow well having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said overflow well is located at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or said test well inlet; a first passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the overflow well inlet; a second passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the test well inlet wherein said first and second passageways are integral with each other at said deposition well outlet; and a pressurization device associated with said deposition well for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of liquid through said second passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A cuvette adapted for use in measuring radiation transmission through liquid samples, said cuvette comprising:
-
a cuvette body having a bottom, a first wall and a second wall which define a cell, said first and second walls each including a radiation transparent zone wherein radiation may be passed through said first wall, said cell and said second wall, said first and second walls extending substantially perpendicular to said bottom; a first wing extending from said first wall for receiving incident radiation which is directed substantially parallel to said first wall, wherein said first wing directs said incident radiation into said cell through said transparent zone in said first wall to form a test beam of radiation within said cell; and a second wing extending from said second wall for receiving said test beam of radiation which has passed through said cell and said transparent zone in said second wall, said second wing directing said test beam of radiation in a direction which is substantially parallel to said second wall and substantially in the opposite direction of said incident radiation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method for analyzing a fluid which comprises the steps of:
-
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 fluid to be analyzed, said deposition well having an inlet and an outlet; a test well located in said cartridge body, said test well comprising a cuvette and an inlet through which fluid can be introduced into said cuvette, wherein said test well inlet is located more towards said cartridge body inner end than the outlet from said deposition well; an overflow well located in said cartridge body, said overflow well having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said overflow well is located at a position which is more towards said outer end than said deposition well or said test well inlet; a first passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the overflow well inlet; a second passageway which connects the deposition well outlet to the test well inlet wherein said first and second passageways are integral with each other at said deposition well outlet; and a pressurization device associated with said deposition well for pressurizing said deposition well to provide controlled movement of liquid through said second passageway; b) centrifuging said analytical cartridge with said inner end and outer end of said cartridge body oriented so that said fluid flows from said deposition well into said first and second passageways; c) pressurizing said test well to provide flow of fluid from said first and second passageways into said cuvette; and d) analyzing said fluid in said cuvette. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification