Wash ring assembly and method of use
AssigneeBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsNasser Jafari, Lawrence Blecka, Chris Tsai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, including a wash ring assembly, and methods are provided for the removal of excess fluid or solids from the exterior or interior of a probe used to transfer fluids, for instance, in an automated assay device. Typically, a probe is used to aspirate and dispense a sample fluid material such as whole blood or a reagent. The devices and methods provided herein are useful for removing excess fluid from the exterior or interior of the probe so as to prevent dripping and cross-contamination between samples or reagents. It is also contemplated that, utilizing the devices and methods provided herein, washing and/or drying can be performed simultaneously as the probe is in motion, aspirating a sample and/or dispensing a sample.
Claims16
A wash ring comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface;
- an outer side surface;
- an inner surface forming a bore comprising an inner diameter, a long axis, an upper bore portion, and a lower bore portion, wherein the upper bore portion has an opening in the top surface and the lower bore portion has an opening in the bottom surface;
- an inlet comprising an opening in the top surface, bottom surface or outer side surface, and an opening in the upper bore portion;
- and
- an outlet comprising an opening in the top surface, bottom surface or outer side surface, and an opening in the lower bore portion;
- wherein the inner diameter of the bore is adapted to receive a probe such that when the probe is present in the bore, a space is formed between the exterior surface of the probe and the inner surface forming the bore,
- wherein a width of the space between the exterior surface of the probe and the inner surface forming the bore is about 0.008 inches to about 0.12 inches,
- wherein the diameter of the outlet opening in the inner surface forming the bore is larger than the diameter of the inlet opening in the inner surface forming the bore, and
- wherein the bore is cylindrical between the upper port and the lower port.
A wash ring assembly for washing a probe, the wash ring assembly comprising:
- i) a frame mountable on a robotic probe assembly comprising a probe;
- ii) a wash ring comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface;
- an outer side surface;
- an inner surface forming a bore comprising an inner diameter, a long axis, an upper bore portion, and a lower bore portion, wherein the upper bore portion has an opening in the top surface and the lower bore portion has an opening in the bottom surface;
- an inlet comprising an opening in the top surface, bottom surface or outer side surface, and an opening in the upper bore portion;
- an outlet comprising an opening in the top surface, bottom surface or outer side surface, and an opening in the lower bore portion;
- wherein the inner diameter of the bore is adapted to receive the probe such that when the probe is present in the bore, a capillary space is formed between the exterior surface of the probe and the inner surface forming the bore,
- wherein a width of the space between the exterior surface of the probe and the inner surface forming the bore is about 0.008 inches to about 0.12 inches,
- wherein the diameter of the outlet opening in the inner surface forming the bore is larger than the diameter or the inlet opening in the inner surface forming the bore, and
- wherein the bore is cylindrical between the upper port and the lower port;
- and
- iii) a coupling means, wherein the wash ring is coupled to the frame by the coupling means, wherein the coupling means is capable of moving the wash ring toward and away from the frame in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the probe when the probe is present in the bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.