Sample metering port for analytical rotor having overflow chamber
First Claim
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1. An analytical rotor comprising:
- a rotor body having generally horizontal top and bottom surfaces, central receptacle means for facilitating rotation of the body about a generally vertical axis, and a sample application port through the top surface;
a horizontal inlet segment extending from the sample application port in a first direction;
a horizontal connecting passage extending from the sample application port in a second direction;
a metering chamber with an interior surface disposed in the rotor body horizontally separated from the sample application port and connected to the sample application port by the inlet segment to receive fluid therefrom;
an overflow chamber disposed in the rotor body horizontally separated from the sample application port and connected to the sample application port by the connecting passage to receive fluid therefrom; and
means for selectively directing flow from the sample application port to the metering chamber in preference to the overflow chamber such that the metering chamber will fill entirely with fluid and excess fluid will flow to the overflow chamber while the rotor body remains stationary.
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Abstract
An analytical rotor for separating plasma whole blood comprises a rotor body having a sample application port in an upper surface thereof. Blood introduced to the sample application port is metered into a metering chamber by capillary flow while the rotor remains stationary. Excess blood passes into an overflow chamber by capillary flow, either simultaneously with the metered flow or after opening of a vent in the overflow chamber. Subsequent rotation of the rotor causes metered blood in the metering chamber to flow into a receiving chamber, typically a plasma separation chamber.
186 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An analytical rotor comprising:
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a rotor body having generally horizontal top and bottom surfaces, central receptacle means for facilitating rotation of the body about a generally vertical axis, and a sample application port through the top surface; a horizontal inlet segment extending from the sample application port in a first direction; a horizontal connecting passage extending from the sample application port in a second direction; a metering chamber with an interior surface disposed in the rotor body horizontally separated from the sample application port and connected to the sample application port by the inlet segment to receive fluid therefrom; an overflow chamber disposed in the rotor body horizontally separated from the sample application port and connected to the sample application port by the connecting passage to receive fluid therefrom; and means for selectively directing flow from the sample application port to the metering chamber in preference to the overflow chamber such that the metering chamber will fill entirely with fluid and excess fluid will flow to the overflow chamber while the rotor body remains stationary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16)
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7. An analytical rotor comprising:
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a rotor body having generally horizontal top and bottom surfaces, central receptacle means for facilitating rotation of the body about a generally vertical axis, and a sample application port through the top surface; a horizontal inlet segment extending from the sample application port in a first direction; a horizontal connecting passage extending from the sample application port in a second direction; a metering chamber having capillary dimensions and being connected to the sample application port by the inlet segment; a receiving chamber disposed radially outward from the metering chamber and being connected to the metering chamber through a passage which does not have capillary dimensions; an overflow chamber having capillary dimensions and connected to the sample application port by the connecting passage; and means for selectively directing flow from the sample application port to the metering chamber in preference to the overflow chamber, such that the metering chamber will fill entirely with fluid and excess fluid will flow to the overflow chamber while the rotor body remains stationary. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transferring a metered volume of fluid from a sample application port to a receiving chamber in an analytical rotor, said method comprising:
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introducing an unmetered volume of fluid into the sample application port while the rotor remains stationary, whereby the fluid flows by capillary action from the sample application port through an inlet segment in a first generally horizontal direction into a metering chamber having a fixed volume less than the volume of the unmetered volume of fluid until the metering chamber is filled; flowing by capillary action excess fluid from the sample application port through a connecting passage in a second generally horizontal direction, into an overflow chamber; and rotating the rotor around a central receptacle disposed about a vertical axis to transfer the measured volume of liquid from the metering chamber radially outward to a receiving chamber. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification