Miniaturized fluid conveying device and methods of use thereof
AssigneeWorld Precision Instruments, Inc.
InventorSu Y. Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Small quantities of liquid are conveyed, either for the purpose of filling micropipettes or to function as an electrolyte in an ion selective electrode, in a flexible non-metallic capillary tube which is mounted, at a first end, in an adapter fitting. The fitting defines a socket for coupling to a source of liquid, a hypodermic syringe for example, or for receiving an electrochemical half-cell which will contact an electrolyte in the tube. A filter may be interposed between the fitting and hypodermic syringe so as to frictionally engage both when the device is employed for filling micropipettes.
Claims17
Apparatus for transferring a minute quantity of liquid to a small receptacle comprising:
- a flexible non-metallic capillary tube, said tube being comprised of a material selected from glass or a ceramic and having an external coating of a polymer;
- and
- adaptor means affixed to a first end of said tube, said adaptor means establishing fluid communication between the interior of said tube and a source of liquid, said adaptor means defining a socket for coupling to a source of liquid.
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said adaptor means is a luer fitting which defines a tapered socket.
An ion sensitive microelectrode comprising:
- a flexible nonmetallic capillary tube, said tube being comprised of a material selected from glass or a ceramic and having an external coating of a polymer
- an ion selective membrane sealing the bore of said capillary tube at a first end thereof;
- an electrolyte filling the bore of said capillary tube;
- an output electrical conductor;
- and
- means establishing an electrical connection between said electrolyte and said conductor.
An electrode comprising:
- a generally frusto-conically shaped plug comprised of a non-conductive material;
- a silver/silver chloride pellet mounted in said plug, a portion of said pellet being exposed at the small diameter end of said plug;
- and
- an electrical conductor extending generally axially of said plug from said pellet to the large diameter end of said plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.