Instrumentation Laboratory

Allied Corporation

John D Czaban

Alan D Cormier

Kenneth D Legg

Milo E Webster

Thomas F Kelley

Neil D Silverman

Lynn W Noble

Thomas J Schillinger

Rapid and accurate whole blood analysis measurements are made with analysis systems of the potentiometric type that employ restricted diffusion type liquid junctions where the whole blood sample is flowed past sensing electrode and liquid junction at a velocity of at least one centimeter per second during a data acquisition interval that is at least twenty-five milliseconds in duration.

Blood analysis

A reference liquid system for use with a chemical analyzer that has a plurality of ion selective electrodes comprises a plurality of reference liquids, each of which has a first salt component such that ions of a first element to be measured are present in a predetermined concentration, a second salt component such that ions of a second element to be measured are present in a predetermined concentration, and an error compensation salt component present in a concentration effective to adjust

Compensated reference liquid

A clinical analyzer system flows a small volume (less than 200 microliters) of liquid sample to be analyzed from an inlet port past a sensor array to a series of analysis chambers. The sensor array includes two optical sensor units that are spaced a fixed distance apart, and each sensor unit transmits a beam of infrared radiation through the flow tube for sensing by a detector. Each detector output has a low value when blood is in the flow tube, an intermediate value when air is in the flow tube, and a high value when a clear liquid is in the flow tube. Control logic senses changes in the outputs of the detectors and accurately indicates gas-liquid interface transitions. The noninvasive system accurately locates leading and trailing edges of samples of biological fluids to be analyzed, monitors the integrity of those samples, and distinguishes between types of sample liquids processed by the analyzer.

Liquid handling apparatus

A system for analyzing a biological fluid specimen or the like includes an analysis chamber and an electrochemical electrode measuring system connected in sensing relation to the analysis chamber. A flow network connects a sample inlet port and an auxiliary fluid reservoir to the analysis chamber. The flow network includes a sample line connected between the sample inlet port and the analysis chamber and an auxiliary manifold connected to the auxiliary fluid reservoir. A positive displacement pump is connected in the sample line between the analysis chamber and a waste outlet port. A valved T-connection is provided between the sample line and the manifold; an inlet isolation valve is in the sample flow path between the sample inlet and the valved T-connection; an analysis chamber isolation valve is in the sample flow path between the valved T-connection and the analysis chamber; and both the sample line and the manifold have a vent valve, the sample line vent valve being connected between the inlet and chamber isolation valves and the manifold vent valve being connected upstream of the auxiliary fluid reservoir. Coordinated operation of the several valves permits the pump to selectively flow fluid from the auxiliary reservoir or a sample through the analysis chamber, together with imposition of nonlaminar flow conditions by concurrent operation of the vent valves to provide effective cleaning of flow surfaces and analysis chambers.

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Bradford, MA, United States of America

John D Czaban