Coulter Electronics, Inc.

George G Dominick

Ervin Fayer

Oscar Proni

Harvey J Dunstan

Darrell D Fish

Ian D Gilbert

Carmelo R Cambareri

Charles W Spangler

Avelino De Oliveira

Edward A Ross

A fluid container assembly including one large, relatively narrow container having an orthogonally shaped recess or depression in a wall portion thereof, and two small fluid containers nested within the recess. The recess has means therein engagable with mating means on each of the small containers for retaining the small containers within the recess against accidental dislodgement and so that the external walls of the containers are flush. Each fluid container is provided with a tamper indicating insert such that tampering renders difficult withdrawing fluid.

Multiple fluid container assembly

A liquid sampling, metering and transfer valve assembly for providing plural dilutions of a single liquid sample comprising a pair of outer stationary elements sandwiching a rotatable element, the rotatable element carrying precise volume segmenting passageways, the outer elements carrying counterpart passageways for communicating to the exterior of the valve assembly, one outer element carrying loops each for storing a precise volume of diluent and the other valve elements carrying through passageways for communicating to and from said respective loops. A continuous body of sample is introduced into the valve assembly along a path through a pair of the segmenting passageays and a pair of aliquot portions isolated from said parth. The rotatable element is operated to direct one aliquot along with the content of one loop to an exterior location for mixing. The other sample aliquot is retained. The thus formed mixture is reintroduced into the valve assembly along a path through the third segmenting passageway and an aliquot thereof is isolated. Both it and the retained sample aliquot then are directed from the valve assembly to respective testing locations along with the respective content of the remaining loops. Channels are provided in the inner faces of the outer elements and communicatively coupled, entry and outer ports enable cleaning reagent to be introduced therein, the sandwiched element being rotated 360 degrees whereby to rinse the facing interior surfaces of the valve assembly.

Fluid sampling and transfer valve assembly

A solenoid operated pinch valve including a housing and a hollow molded body coupled to said housing by a snap-on connection, a solenoid coil assembly seated within the housing, a plunger accommodated within said solenoid coil assembly for axial movement relative thereto controlled by energization of said solenoid coil assembly and between a pair of positions, said plunger having an end portion extending from the housing into said body and an opposite end portion received within said solenoid coil assembly, the body having a circumferential flange capable of being seated on one end of the housing and a pair of inflexible arms extending from the body in a coaxial direction relative thereto, said arms defining a passage for receiving a conduit across the path of movement of said plunger, a first orthogonal slot and a pair of resilient arms extending to the opposite end of the housing and engagable therewith in a snap-on coupling. One end of the plunger carries a second orthogonal slot. A flexible conduit having longitudinal ears unitary therewith is threadable thorugh the passage with the ears engaged within said orthogonal slots. A spring is provided for biasing the plunger against the flexible conduit to compress same closed, the solenoid coil assembly being energizable to move the plunger linearly against said bias by causing the plunger to pull the conduit open.

Snap-together solenoid operated pinch valve assembly

Bellows pump and actuating apparatus for automatically aspirating biological sample fluid material into and through an aspirating probe from a source of fluid sample material, into and through a sample segmenting valve for passage through a counting device. A plurality of bellows members, each having an axis of compression and expansion, has one end mounted on a fixed member. Timing and stroke members are provided for actuating movement of the other end of the bellows members, which are free to be moved parallel to their axis. A positioning member positions the timing and stroke members coaxially of the bellows members at preselected times. A drive member moves the timing and stroke members parallel to the axis of compression and expansion of the bellows members. Photo-optical indicating members, cooperating with the positioning member, interrupts the drive to the positioning member when the timing and stroke members are coaxially aligned with the bellows members. Thereupon, the drive member actuates the timing and stroke members for compressing or expanding the bellows, effectively producing pressure or vacuum to aspirate the biological sample fluid material into and through the counting device. Aspirating probe washing and drying apparatus is operably connected to the segmenting valve and includes a sealing member for sealing the probe from the ambient atmosphere and a biohazard containment member for avoiding operator contact with the sample fluid material during operation of the apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Miramar, FL, United States of America

George G Dominick