Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc

Ed Graham

Zhong Ding

Merrit Nyles Jacobs

Susan Danielson

Karen Vavra

Chuck Noeson

Terri Fazio

A method of normalizing surface tension of a sample fluid on a clinical analyzer is disclosed. The method comprises aspirating a portion of a sample fluid into a metering tip, the metering tip having a lower end through which the sample fluid is aspirated and an upper end; sealing the lower end of the metering tip, forming a cuvette for the portion of the sample fluid; pre-treating a micro-tip with a surface tension-normalizing agent, and then dispensing the surface tension-normalizing agent into the sample fluid in the cuvette; mixing the surface tension-normalizing agent and the sample fluid in the cuvette using the micro-tip to create a mixture of the sample fluid and the surface tension-normalizing agent, the mixture having a normalized surface tension; and using the mixture for testing on the clinical analyzer.

Method of normalizing surface tension of a sample fluid

A method for aligning the position of a movable arm includes: providing an alignment element on the apparatus projecting a distance above the apparatus in the z-direction and having a surface lying in a plane formed by an x and y axis; providing a movable arm having a tool at the free end; positioning the object such that the surface of the element faces the tool; moving the tool in a direction towards the surface of the element; sensing when the tool reaches a predetermined point on or above the surface of the element, whereby the position of the tool in the z-direction is determined based on the relationship between the measured response of the tool and the height of the tool above the surface of the alignment element; placing the tool on or at a distance in the z-direction from the surface; moving the tool in the x-direction while sensing the surface of the element; moving the tool in the x-direction until an edge of the element is sensed; determining the center in the x-direction based on the known distance the tool has moved and the known dimensions of the element in the x-direction; placing the tool on or at a distance in the z-direction from the surface; moving the tool in the y-direction while sensing the surface of the element; moving the tool in the y-direction until an edge of the element is sensed; determining the center in the y-direction based on the known distance the tool has moved and the known dimensions of the element in the y-direction. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is a metering probe having a disposable tip on the end thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the measured response is the air pressure in the probe and the metering probe has a source of compressed air for expelling air out of the end of the probe and a pressure transducer for measuring the air pressure inside the metering probe.

Robotic arm alignment

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Penfield, NY, United States of America

Ed Graham