Bayer Corporation

David J Howard

Michael L Malek

Kurukundi Ramesh Murthy

Ying Cha

Todd A Veverka

Lori K Knotts

Linda A Harrison

Teresa M Bendele

A pump system and method for controlling and monitoring the aspiration of a liquid and the subsequent dispense of the liquid. As a pump is operated to either aspirate or dispense a liquid, a processor circuit receives input from a liquid air detector to sample the detected conditions in relation to the operation of the pump. In one embodiment, the pump employs a stepper motor, and the processor records information regarding the detected contents of the pathway at intervals correlating to the motor activity. A profile of detector output versus motor intervals is thus created from the point an aspiration cycle is commenced at least until a fluid-to-air boundary is detected, or from the point a dispense cycle is commenced, through an air-to-fluid boundary. Each profile is then compared against a standardized profile to determine if the detected transition occurred at a desired point in the profile. The processor circuit is programmable to define acceptable margins of error relative to the reference profile, and to define a variety of error conditions.

Method and apparatus for monitoring an aspirating and dispensing system

Method and apparatus for enabling resuspension wash and magnetic localization of sample components bound to particles with magnetic properties in reaction vessels during separation and wash for enhanced chemiluminescent signal generation in biomedical assays. The assays involve moving reaction vessels past magnets that partially localize the particles prior to passing a reduced strength magnet where washing occurs, with or without resuspension, after separating out the unbound particles and liquid. The band of particles is subsequently resuspended in acid for chemiluminescent purposes. A variety of magnet configurations are employed to realize the reduced strength magnet. Reduced strength magnets adjacent the full width magnets prevent the band of magnetic particles from becoming split. The localized particles enable more efficient resuspension by reagent.

Method and apparatus for wash, resuspension, recollection and

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Oberlin, OH, United States of America

David J Howard