US 4,380,257 A · Method and apparatus for processing fluid materials

Abstract

Samples of body fluids such as blood, urine, etc. are passed for analysis through separating columns to extract the desired component from the raw sample. Unwanted ingredients of the sample flow through the resin bed to a refuse cup. The retained desired component is later released from the resin bed by a solvent and collected in a recovery cup. Fluids passing through the resin bed are selectively passed to the refuse cup or recovery cup by flexing a disklike support for the resin bed. Preferably the support is flexed by applying a differential gas pressure across the support. An apparatus for implementing this method includes in a flexible disk, adapted to hold separating columns, suspended across an opening of a vacuum chamber. The outside edges of the disk form a seal for the chamber. The separating columns are in vertical alignment with waste receptacles disposed in a second disk positioned below the first disk. Differential pressures established across the flexible disk cause fluids to flow through the columns and, when sufficient differential pressure is applied, the disk flexes. When the disk flexes, the lower tips of the separating columns extend outward radially to align with the recovery cups. Hence fluid switching is attained and the flow through the separating columns is switched from the waste cups to the recovery cups.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of switching the flow of a fluid from a first to second and third unconnected flow paths using a flexible, generally planar and horizontally disposed member defining a receptacle for removably positioning a first flow path, and first rack means positioned below the member for removably positioning second and third flow paths comprising the steps of:

removably mounting said first flow path in said flexure member with the inlet and outlet of the first flow path located on opposite faces of the member,
positioning said second and third flow paths in the first rack means in side by side relation vertically below said first flow path with one of the second and third flow paths in flow alignment with said first flow path, and
flexing said member to switch the flow alignment of said first flow path from the one to the other of said second and third flow paths.

A support rack for manipulating test devices each having a fluid flow path comprising:

first and second disks interconnected in spaced vertical disposition,
said first disk being capable of flexure along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk when the disk is supported at its periphery and having a first ring of receptacles each adapted to hold removably a first device,
said second disk being below said first disk and having inner and outer rings of receptacles, corresponding in circumferential disposition to the receptacles of the first ring, each adapted to hold removably a second test device,
said receptacles being located in said disks to that (a) with the first disk unflexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment, and (b) with the first disk flexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for processing fluid materials

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for processing fluid materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21