Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Other

Emd Millipore Corporation

Millipore Corporation

Guava Technologies, Inc.

Kenneth F Uffenheimer

Philippe J Goix

Paul James Lingane

Janette T Phi-Wilson

Arthur J Hunt

Howard L North, Jr

Janette T Phil-Wilson

A particle analyzer in which tagged particles to be analyzed are drawn through a suspended capillary tube where a predetermined volume in the capillary tube is illuminated. The illumination scattered by said particles is detected by a detector to count all particles. The fluorescent illumination emitted by tagged particles is detected and the output signals from the fluorescent detectors and scatter detector are processed to provide an analysis of the particles.

Particle or cell analyzer and method

An automated fluid handling system configured to prepare fluid samples and to introduce them into an analytical instrument, such as a particle analyzer, flow cytometer or sorter flow cell, and that is capable of analyzing both accurately and quickly.

Automated fluid handling system and method

A flow regulator is provided which comprises a housing defining a chamber therein and including inlet and outlet ports that are adaptable to allow fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. A piston assembly, including an orifice defining member in which is formed an orifice, is movably disposed in the chamber and is capable of moving in directions toward and away from the outlet port. An urging device, such as a spring, magnetic or electromagnetic device, urges the piston assembly away from the outlet port. As fluid flows into the flow regulator, the fluid flows through the orifice. The clearance between a control surface of the piston assembly and the outlet port automatically adjusts so that an equilibrium condition occurs in the flow regulator in which the difference between the pressure of the fluid upstream of the orifice and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the orifice is maintained essentially constant. This results in the fluid flowing through the orifice, and in turn through the clearance between the control surface of the piston and the outlet port, and subsequently out of the flow regulator, at a flow rate which is relatively unaffected by a change in supply pressure, downstream pressure, and the temperature of the fluid which affects the viscosity of the fluid.

Flow regulator to maintain controllable volumetric flow rate

A sample preparation apparatus includes a pair of valves. A first valve selectively communicates a sample tube with a vent/aspiration valve, or alternatively communicates a diluent pump with a reaction tube. By moving the first valve, one may selectively relieve a vacuum within a sample tube, aspirate a sample from the tube, or alternatively may drive a diluent and a sample into the reaction tube. The second valve is a vent/aspiration valve which selectively communicates the first valve to two distinct systems. A first system vents a vacuum in the sample tube, and a second system aspirates a sample from the sample tube. The second valve is actuated to initially relieve any vacuum in the sample tube, and is then actuated to connect the aspiration system to the sample tube to begin to withdraw of a sample from the sample tube. At the same time, the diluent pump is filled. The shear valve is then moved to communicate the diluent pump to the reaction tube. The diluent pump is actuated to drive a diluent and a sample slug into the reaction tube, which preferably contains a predispensed reagent. This system simplifies the valving structure over the prior art systems. In addition, a unique rinse system provides a rinse solution to the outer periphery of the needle, while the needle is connected to a source of suction to withdraw the rinse fluid. Finally, a unique structure for holding and properly positioning the reaction tube provides a control signal indicating that a reaction tube is received in the reaction tube structure. If no reaction tube is sensed, a controller deactivates the system such that no fluids are dispensed by the system.

Sample preparation apparatus

The present invention relates to a system for controlling the movement or transport of objects such as cells and other particles in a moving liquid stream. More particularly the invention relates to a system including a vacuum pump which pulls the sheath fluid from an open supply reservoir through a flow cell assembly where cell analysis occurs and discharges the flow cell effluent to an open waste reservoir. A pressure drop is created through the conduit leading from the supply reservoir to the flow cell which aspirates the cell suspension from an open sample vessel into and through the flow cell. The vacuum is regulated by controlling the electric power applied to the vacuum pump motor. Starting, stopping, reverse flushing, and draining of the flow cell assembly are controlled by programming the operation of four electric solenoid valves in fluid communication with the flow cell inlet and outlet passages, the operation of a reverse flush pump and, the operation of an electrically controlled tube lifter. A deaerator is provided to remove some of the air dissolved in the sheath fluid provided to the flow cell assembly to prevent the release of air and formation of adherent air bubbles in sensitive areas of the flow cell assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Kenneth F Uffenheimer