Instrumentation Laboratory

Bernard Stein

Gustav H Dreier

Hamid Keramaty

Romas A Brickus

Philip Spergel

Richard A Granoff

An improved analytical cuvette assembly includes structure defining a first chamber region that has a loading port through which a first reaction component is introduced for storage, structure defining a second chamber region having a loading port through which a second reaction component is introduced for storage, and barrier structure between the first and second chamber regions that has a crest portion that defines the lower edge of a transfer passage between the two chamber regions. The second chamber region includes an analysis region where the reaction product resulting from mixture of the two reaction components is subjected to analysis. Each chamber region is defined by opposed planar side wall surfaces and a planar base wall surface, and capillary flow inhibiting structure extends from the crest of the barrier structure along the intersection between a planar surface portion of the barrier structure and the side wall surface and along at least a portion of the intersection of the side wall surfaces and the base surface.

Cuvette assembly

A multicuvette rotor assembly for use in a clinical chemistry analyzer of the centrifugal type includes a body member that defines a circumferential array of spaced radially extending recesses, with a divider member in each recess to define a first chamber and a second chamber radial outward from said first chamber; and a ring member that has a mating reference surface seated on an annular reference surface of the body member, with the inner peripheral surface of the ring member located outwardly of the middle of the second chambers. A circumferential array of first optical windows is bonded to the ring member, the lower surface of each first optical window being parallel to the mating reference surface; and a circumferential array of second optical windows is bonded to the base of the body member in alignment with the first optical windows such that each pair of opposed aligned surfaces of corresponding first and second optical windows are parallel to one another and define an optical path of precise and stable path length. A cover member has sealing surfaces that mate with the edges of the recesses of the base member and the inner peripheral lip of the ring member to provide a continuous seal of the recesses to retain reagent and sample material to be analyzed within the recesses.

Analysis system

A blood analysis system comprises a tempering chamber in which a plurality of flow through measuring cells are disposed. A sensor electrode is associated with each cell. A sample flow path extends from an entrance port through a heater element, a first measuring cell, a control valve, a second measuring cell, a reference electrode interface, to a positive displacement pump. In standby condition, the entrance port is immersed in flush fluid and operation of the pump in such condition flows flush fluid through the entire sample path. Fluid access to either measuring cell is obtainable through the entrance port, auxiliary valve ports, or disconnectable conduits connected to the valve. The control valve is connected in the flow path between the two measuring cells, and in a first condition that control valve places the measuring cells in series fluid communication with the inlet port, and in a second condition isolates the measuring cells from one another so that the electrode systems associated with the two measuring cells may be calibrated concurrently and independently of one another.

A flush system for electrochemical analysis apparatus comprising a reservoir of flush solution, a flush chamber connected thereto and open at the top, and a sample entrance (probe) arranged for movement between an immersed position in the flush chamber and a sampling position removed from the flush chamber.

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Andover, MA, United States of America

Bernard Stein