Clinical analysis methods and systems
AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsJohn C. Mazza, Robert R. Thompson, John C. Mazza
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved and unique mixing technique particularly useful as part of the process for the clinical analysis of liquid biological samples is described. The sample is placed in a cuvette along with a reagent and a diluent. The top (opening) of the cuvette is squeezed (reduced in size) and an air jet is directed against the liquid surface formed in the cuvette adjacent the junction of the liquid surface with the wall of the cuvette to create a vortex to produce thorough mixing of the contents of the cuvette and substantially prevent any splashing of the liquid contents.
Claims31
In a method of mixing materials, at least one of which is a liquid, in a cuvette wherein an air jet is used to agitate the materials sufficiently to cause the materials to mix, the improvement which comprises reducing the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process.
In a method of analyzing materials including a biological sample and a liquid wherein the sample and liquid are dispensed into a cuvette, an air jet is used to mix all materials, and the contents of the cuvette following the mixing are analyzed, the improvement which comprises reducing the size of the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process.
Apparatus for mixing materials, at least one of which is a liquid, including means for dispensing said materials into a cuvette through its opening to form a liquid surface in the cuvette, a nozzle means for directing an air jet against the liquid surface so formed in the cuvette so as to agitate said materials sufficiently to cause mixing of said materials, means for reducing the size of the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process, and means for advancing said cuvette from said dispensing means to align it with said nozzle means.
Apparatus for mixing liquid and particulate materials in a cuvette, comprising:
- means for dispensing at least one liquid and at least one particulate material into the cuvette through its opening to form a liquid surface in the cuvette bound by the wall of the cuvette at a predetermined level in the cuvette;
- a fixed air jet nozzle for directing an air jet against the liquid surface to mix said materials;
- means for reducing the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process;
- and
- means for advancing the cuvette from the dispensing means into stationary position beneath said air jet nozzle in alignment with said nozzle.
Apparatus for mixing liquid and particulate materials in a cuvette comprising:
- means for dispensing at least one liquid and at least one particulate material into the cuvette through its opening to partially fill the cuvette and form a liquid surface in the cuvette bound by the wall of the cuvette;
- an air jet nozzle;
- means for advancing the cuvette from the dispensing means into stationary position beneath said air jet nozzle;
- means for lowering said air jet nozzle into the cuvette to position it a predetermined height above said liquid surface in the cuvette, said nozzle to direct an air jet against said liquid surface in the cuvette to mix said materials, and for raising said air jet nozzle out of said cuvette following said mixing;
- and
- means for reducing the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process.
An apparatus for analyzing liquid biological samples comprising the following means and means for advancing a cuvette between said means in order:
- (a) means for dispensing a reagent and a diluent into the cuvette through its opening and for mixing the reagent and the diluent to disperse the reagent in the diluent;
- (b) means for adding a liquid biological sample to the cuvette, the quantities of said reagent, diluent and sample dispensed being controlled so that together they partially fill the cuvette and define a liquid surface bound by the wall of the cuvette;
- (c) nozzle means for directing an air jet against the liquid surface so as to cause mixing of the contents of the cuvette to facilitate reactions of the sample;
- (d) means for reducing the opening of the cuvette during the air jet mixing process;
- and
- (e) means for analyzing the reaction of the reagent with the sample following said mixing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.