Automated assaying device
First Claim
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1. An automated assaying apparatus, comprising, in combination:
- a plurality of lumens sequestered into independently fed clusters and ganged into a bundle;
three-dimensional moving means to orient said bundle;
fluid treatment means connected to said clusters to feed said clusterswherein said fluid treatment means includes a fluid pump and a fluid source delivering fluid to said pump and a plurality of valves, one valve per said cluster, coupled between said clusters and said pump and each said valve operatively coupled to one syringe housing having a plurality of syringes therein.
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Abstract
An automated assaying system is disclosed having a multiplicity of lumens oriented and controllable in clusters. The lumens are portrayed in a matrix, wherein each row of the matrix consists of one such cluster that is individually controllable for aspiration and dispensation purposes. Also provided is a unique wash system capable of flushing the entirety of the system. A method is also depicted for accomplishing this unique assaying.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An automated assaying apparatus, comprising, in combination:
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a plurality of lumens sequestered into independently fed clusters and ganged into a bundle; three-dimensional moving means to orient said bundle; fluid treatment means connected to said clusters to feed said clusters wherein said fluid treatment means includes a fluid pump and a fluid source delivering fluid to said pump and a plurality of valves, one valve per said cluster, coupled between said clusters and said pump and each said valve operatively coupled to one syringe housing having a plurality of syringes therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for assaying fluids, the steps including:
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placing a plurality of probes having a multiplicity of feed lines above a work surface; sequestering the probes and feed lines into clusters orienting a receiver on the work surface; addressing the receiver with the probes; independently treating the probes in clusters with fluid provided by the receiver; loading the clusters of probes with fluid by interposing clusters of syringes between the probes and a fluid; and valving fluid into the syringes in the clusters, one value per cluster. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An automated assaying system, comprising, in combination:
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a plurality of fluid treatment means oriented in a matrix; said plurality of fluid treatment means oriented in clusters; and means to provide fluid to independent clusters via a plurality of valves, one valve per cluster, wherein said valve comprises; a fluid port to receive fluid from said pump, an outer sleeve which circumscribes said fluid port, and an internal shaft residing within said outer sleeve and acting as a valve key sleeve and having fluid transferring grooves which deliver or prevent fluid to pass into a syringe in its respective syringe housing via interposed outlet ports which are alternatively aligned or obstructed based on orientation of said grooves. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An automated assaying system, comprising, in combination:
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a plurality of fluid treatment means oriented in a matrix; said plurality of fluid treatment means oriented in clusters each said cluster controlled by one valve communicating with syringes in a syringe housing wherein said valve comprises; a fluid port to receive fluid from said pump, an outer sleeve which circumscribes said fluid port, and an internal shaft residing within said outer sleeve and acting as a valve key sleeve and having fluid transferring grooves which deliver or prevent fluid to pass into each said syringe in its respective said syringe housing via interposed outlet ports which are alternatively aligned or obstructed based on orientation of said grooves; and means to purge said fluid treatment means for subsequent reuse.
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23. A fluid sampling matrix, comprising, in combination:
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a robotic arm carrying said matrix; said matrix coupled to a plurality of lumens ganged in clusters, each said cluster communicating with one syringe housing supporting a plurality of syringes, one per lumen, a valve per syringe housing operable to deliver or preclude fluid to each said syringe in said syringe housing, wherein said valve comprises; a fluid port to receive fluid from said pump, an outer sleeve which circumscribes said fluid port, and an internal shaft residing within said outer sleeve and acting as a valve key sleeve and having fluid transferring grooves which deliver or prevent fluid to pass into each said syringe in its respective said syringe housing via interposed outlet ports which are alternatively aligned or obstructed based on orientation of said grooves; means to address said matrix to a work surface; and means to constrict rotation of the matrix vis-a-vis said work surface.
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Specification