Fisher Scientific Company

James E Rasmussen

Theodore S Geiselman

Dinesh I Mody

Mikhail Y Ryaboy

A liquid handling system includes flow network module structure that defines a contained array of flow channels and a plurality of valves for controlling liquid flow through the flow channel array. The flow network module structure is adapted to be connected to an external source for applying a pressure differential to the flow network array to produce liquid flow within passages of the array. Also incorporated in the flow network module is chamber structure that is connected to the flow channel array and that has port structure in an outer surface of the module structure. Valve structure on the module structure is movable between a first position in which the port structure is closed and a second position in which the port structure is opened, the valve structure including actuator structure for moving a valve member between the first and second positions. Liquid transfer structure, including transport structure and probe structure carried on the transport structure, is adapted to cause movement of the valve structure from its first position to its second position concurrently with the movement of the probe structure into alignment with the chamber port structure for delivery of a quantity of sample material to the sample chamber and subsequent flow through the flow network array for interaction with an auxiliary fluid and transfer to an associated utilization device under the influence of an external pressure source.

Fluid handling

A liquid monitoring system includes chamber structure with a monitoring region in which the liquid to be monitored is disposed, the monitoring region having two spaced wall portions and a supplemental wall portion. The system further includes a radiation source mounted adjacent one of the spaced wall portions or directing a beam of radiation along a horizontal path, and a sensor mounted adjacent the opposed wall portion for receiving radiation in a beam path. The incident radiation beam as it passes through the wall into the monitoring region is refracted at the region surface as a function of gas or liquid within the region. At a first refracting angle, the refracted beam impinges on the supplemental wall and is internally reflected, the reflected radiation passing along a reflected beam path and sensed by the detector to provide an indication of the fluid in the chamber. At a second refracting angle, the refracted beam is not reflected in a direction such that radiation from the source is sensed.

Liquid monitoring

A system for analyzing a biological fluid or the like includes a series flow loop that extends between an inlet valve array and an outlet valve array. The flow loop includes an analysis region to which a measuring system is connected in sensing relation and an accumulator chamber connected to the outlet of the analysis region. The inlet valve array is arranged to selectively and alternately connect a sample inlet port and an auxiliary fluid reservoir to the flow loop while the outlet valve array is arranged to selectively connect a controlled source of reduced pressure to the flow loop. The volume of the accumulator chamber is at least as great as the volume of the flow loop (including the analysis region) between the inlet valve array and the accumulator chamber and the system is arranged to capture reduced pressure in the flow loop, the captured reduced pressure then being used to provide the sole transfer force to gently and reliably transfer a minute quantity of fluid to be analyzed from the sample inlet port through the analysis region and at least partially fill the accumulator chamber.

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Hyde Park, MA, United States of America

James E Rasmussen