Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Richard A Merriam

Larry W Moore

John M Clemens

William J Kanewske, Iii

David A Yost

James E Mitchell

William D Rumbaugh

Richard R Martin

Apparao Tayi

James A Vaught

Peter A Lagocki

B Jane Smith

Gilbert Clift

Kendall B Hendrick

Edna S Walker

Charles D Pennington

Donny R Walker

Kevin M Cloonan

Richard L Vickstrom

Gary E Winter

Douglas D McDowell

David B Hills

Robert A Wohlford

Linda S Schmidt

William E Watkins, Iii

William J Raymoure

Robert B Hance

Adrian M Spronk

Carl M Oleksak

Alyn K Stanton

Paul R Schrier

Frederick L Clark

Frederic L Clark

James C Kolterman

Kevin C Warnke

Gregory O Ford

Theresa M Donahoe

William J Iii Kanewske

William E Iii Watkins

Donny Ray Walker

Jane B Smith

Methods of fluid handling are disclosed. In one method, a nozzle is moved adjacent a container for a fluid. A pump fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to move fluid with respect to the nozzle. A pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to monitor transient pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle. The transient pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with the pressure transducer at least during operation of the pump. It is determined whether movement of fluid with respect to the nozzle is intended or unintended based on the substantially continuously monitored pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle.

Fluid handler and method of handling a fluid

Methods of fluid handling are disclosed. In one method, a pump fluidly associated with a nozzle is energized to move a first fluid with respect to the nozzle. Pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with a pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle during movement of the first fluid. An average of the pressure substantially continuously monitored is calculated. The calculated average is used to determine a threshold. The pump fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to move a second fluid with respect to the nozzle. Pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with a pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle during movement of the second fluid. The substantially continuously monitored pressure is integrated. The threshold is compared with the integrated pressure to determine whether movement of the second fluid was intended or unintended.

A sample container segment assembly for use in an automated, continuous, and random access analytical system is disclosed. The assembly includes a sample container which is received by a sample container segment, and the sample container segment is received on a carousel of the automated analytical instrument. The test sample container includes an upper skirt and a body having a reservoir for receipt of the test sample. The segment includes a base, a frame, and a handle. The frame has a shelf for which the upper skirt of the test sample container rests on, and has openings for receipt of the body of the sample container. The carousel has a carousel trough for receipt of the base of the sample container segment, and has a plurality of alignment pins disposed in the carousel trough. The base of the sample container segment has a circular slot and an elongated slot for receiving the alignment pins and positioning the sample container segment relative to the carousel. The sample container segment can include a liquid level sensing sleeve which is made of a conductive material and surrounds the reservoir of the test sample container inserted therein. Alternatively, the test sample container can have a conductive core which surrounds the reservoir and extends therebelow. The container sample segment can also include various sleeves, or springs and arms, for securing and positioning the test sample container within the sample container segment.

Sample container segment assembly

Methods of fluid handling are disclosed. According to one method, a tip of a nozzle is moved below a surface of the fluid to be handled. A pump fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to move fluid into the nozzle. A pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to monitor pressure within the nozzle. Pressure within the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with the pressure transducer during operation of the pump. Based on the substantially continuously monitored pressure within the nozzle, it is determined whether movement of fluid into the nozzle is intended or unintended. Similar methods may be used to move fluid out of the nozzle.

A method for verifying that an assay methodology is properly performed, that assay reagents employed possess the necessary potency for accurately performing such assay methodology, and whether or not test samples or assay reagents have been tampered with or are adulterated, is described. The method is performed by employing an assay verification sample, comprising a positive analyte component and the test sample under analysis, wherein the assay verification sample is analyzed employing the same assay reagents and essentially the same assay methodology employed to analyze the test sample. The method is particularly useful for performing heterogeneous immunoassays on an automated continuous and random access analytical system.

Assay verification control for an automated analytical system

A method and apparatus for washing clinical apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is a device for washing clinical apparatus, wherein the clinical apparatus is employed, at different times, to contain a first test substance during a first testing step and a second test substance during a second testing step subsequent to the first testing step. The apparatus comprises a device for supplying a wash solution to the apparatus, and for varying the quantity of the wash solution supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the device for varying quantity to vary the quantity of the wash solution in proportion to the potential for contamination between the first test substance and the second test substance contained in the apparatus.

Apparatus and method for washing clinical apparatus

The present invention is a method for opening and closing a cap pivotally mounted on a container for storing reagents for use in an automated analytical instrument. The cap has one end for sealing the container and a tab extending from the other end for pivoting the cap. The method comprises the steps of positioning a closed container adjacent an actuating device mounted on the analytical system. The method further comprises the steps of projecting the actuating device against the top of the tab to pivotally open the cap to a position sufficiently vertical for aspirating reagent from the container, and retracting the actuating device from the cap to a position above the pivotal mounting thereof. The method comprises the final step of causing relative motion between the cap and the actuating device so that the actuating device drags along the top of the cap pivotally closing the cap to provide a sufficient seal on the container preventing evaporation of the reagent therefrom.

Cap actuator for opening and closing a container

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Richard A Merriam