Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Ganesh Rajagopal

Gregory A Blackwell

Kurt M Klosterman

James L Dempski

Paul A Matuszewski

Randall E Youngs

Noman A Abunimeh

James W Whitt

Larry R Jibson

Jeffrey W Stewart

Jeffrey R Swanson

David M Tipotsch

Jefferey W Stewart

Russell G Coules

Robert Paul Luoma, Ii

Patrick P Fritchie

Brian L Ochranek

Jack F Ramsey

GeDon G Berryman

Daniel H Lains

Gedon G Berryman

Robert P Ii Luoma

A device and method for extending the useful life of a bulk liquid used in an automated clinical analyzer. Air from the atmosphere surrounding the automated clinical analyzer that displaces the bulk liquid consumed from a container is routed through a gas scrubber in order to remove or at least reduce the quantity of at least one contaminant present in that air. The gas scrubber is positioned between the bulk liquid in the container and the atmosphere surrounding the container. The gas scrubber contains a reagent that is capable of reacting with a contaminant in the atmosphere, whereby a required characteristic(s) of the bulk liquid does (do) not change excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed. For example, if the contaminant is carbon dioxide, and the required characteristic of the bulk liquid is the level of pH of the bulk liquid, the reagent in the gas scrubber prevents the level of pH of the bulk liquid from changing excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed.

Gas scrubber for automated clinical analyzer

A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.

Liquid waste management system

An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.

Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism

The invention provides probe washing cups and methods. A probe washing cup has a washing well and a waste cup. A drying section is disposed between an open end of the probe washing cup and an inlet plane of the washing well. The drying section has a channel that is aligned with the washing well. The channel has an opening for receiving the probe therethrough.

Probe washing cups and methods

One embodiment of the invention provides a joining element for joining a tube with a port. The joining element comprises a seal having a bore for accepting the tube, a nut and a ferrule. The ferrule has a bore for accepting the seal and the tube, a retaining member which retains the tube with the ferrule by engaging the tube, and a positive stop which limits engagement of the retaining member and the tube. The nut has a bore for accepting the ferrule and the tube and a bearing surface which engages the positive stop on the ferrule to positively limit engagement of the retaining member and the tube. Still other embodiments provide methods for forming a connection between a tube and a port. One such method comprises inserting the tube into a first member and a second member. The first member is moved with respect to the second member such that the second member is positioned partially within the first member. The first member, the second member and the tube are placed in the port. A mating structure on the first member is mated with a complementary mating structure on the port. The first member is moved with respect to the second member within the port such that a retention member on the second member engages the tube. The action of at least one of the first member and the retention member is positively limited.

Tube connector and method of making a connection

Tube connector

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

Ganesh Rajagopal