US 5,080,866 AGranted

Analytic appparatus and method

OwnerJohn D. Petty, Russell M. Peachey +1inventors

InventorsJohn D. Petty, Russell M. Peachey, Denis R. Sweatman

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Abstract

A method of analysis in which a first fluid is delivered to a sensing position at a controlled first rate of flow through a fluid junction. Fluid including this first fluid is pumped to the sensing position at a rate of flow greater than the first rate, whereby to aspirate further fluid into the first fluid at the fluid junction. A condition of the fluid is sensed at the sensing position. Associated analytic apparatus includes first and second pumps (1, 2). The first pump has a pair of ports and the second pump has at least one port. A conduit (4, 5) provides fluid flow communication from a first of the ports of the first pump (1) to the port of the second pump (2). A fluid junction (3) in the conduit (4, 5) is spaced from the second pump for admitting a further fluid to the conduit. A sensor (13) is associated with the conduit (5) to sense a condition of the fluid in the conduit at least at a sensing position between the fluid junction (3) and the second pump (2). The first and second pumps (1, 2) are respectively operable to deliver a first fluid to the conduit at a controllable first rate and to draw fluid from the conduit at a rate greater than this first rate, whereby to aspirate further fluid into the conduit at the fluid junction.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An analytical apparatus comprising:

first pump means including a pair of ports for delivering a reagent fluid at a fluid flow rate;
a fluid junction for admitting sample fluid;
first conduit means providing fluid flow communication from a first of said ports of said first pump means to said fluid junction;
second pump means including at least one port for drawing fluid to be sensed at a second flow rate from said fluid junction to a sensing position and thence to said at least one port of said second pump means;
second conduit means providing fluid flow communication from said fluid junction to said at least one port of said second pump means;
means to mix said fluid to be sensed between said fluid junction and said sensing position to form mixed fluid;
sensor means responsive to a fluid condition in at least said second conduit means to sense a condition of said mixed fluid at said sensing position between said fluid junction and said at least one port of the second pump means;
and
flow rate control means operably coupled to at least one of said first pump means and said second pump means for controllably varying the flow rate of at least said one pump means in order to produce a plurality of ratios of said first and second flow rates in accordance with a sequence of functional steps, each of which steps is defined by at least one of a distinct flow rate ratio, a series of distinct flow ratios, a distinct gradient of flow rate ratios, or a series of distinct gradients of flow rate ratios, said steps including at least one step wherein said second flow rate is greater than said first flow rate and sample fluid is thereby aspirated at said fluid junction and drawn to said sensing position;
wherein said analysis of said sample fluid is determined by the relationship of the conditions of said mixed fluid at the sensing position for said plurality of ratios of said first and second flow rates;
and
wherein the condition of said mixed fluid analyzed at the sensing position is determined by the ratio of said first and second flow rates.

9 more elements

A method of analysis comprising:

delivering a reagent fluid to a fluid junction at a first flow rate;
simultaneously drawing a fluid to be sensed from said fluid junction to a sensing position at a second flow rate;
controllably varying at least one of said first flow rate and second flow rate in order to produce a plurality of ratios of said first flow rate and second flow rate in accordance with a sequence of functional steps, each of which steps is defined by at least one of a distinct flow rate ratio, a series of distinct flow rate ratios, a distinct gradient of flow rate ratios, or a series of distinct gradients of flow rate ratios, said steps including at least one step wherein second flow rate is greater than said first flow rate and sample fluid is thereby aspirated at said fluid junction and included as a component of said fluid to be sensed as it is drawn to said sensing position;
mixing said sample fluid to be sensed with said reagent fluid between said fluid junction and said sensing position to form mixed fluid;
sensing a condition of the mixed fluid at the sensing position in order to perform analysis of said sample fluid;
wherein said analysis of said sample fluid is determined by the relationship of the conditions of said mixed fluid at the sensing position for said plurality of ratios of said first and second flow rates;
and
wherein the condition of said mixed fluid analyzed at the sensing position is determined by the ratio of said first and second flow rates.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/631,179Filed 19 Dec 1990 · continuation
Priority: AU PH32897 Nov 1985
Granted: 14 Jan 1992
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G01N 35/085
Using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis: flow Injection Analysis
G01N 31/166
Using titration: continuous titration of flowing liquids
G01N 33/04
Food: dairy products
G01N 35/1095
Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices: for supplying…