Coulter Corporation

Roberto Del Valle

Santos E Vargas

Pedro P Cabrera

Stuart D Wills

A method for sampling, metering and delivering precise microliter volume aliquots of a liquid blood sample to mixing and testing means of an electronic blood analysis system for analysis using a sampling and metering valve assembly in which is defined plural through fluid flow paths, one of the flow paths including a loop for metering and isolating a sample aliquot therein, the method comprising the steps of defining first and second dedicated passages within the valve assembly displaced one from the other and from the loop containing the isolated aliquot, introducing an inert gas to the loop to force the aliquot therein to said first dedicated passage at the displaced location thereof, placing the first and second dedicated passages in communicating relationship and introducing lyse reagent to the second dedicated passage to force the isolated aliquot from the first dedicated passage with the lyse reagent to a location exterior of the valve assembly without contaminating any flow paths which has been traversed by the liquid sample or a fluid other than the lyse reagent.

Liquid sample/reagent metering and delivery method

A liquid metering and transfer valve assembly having the capability of metering, isolating, transfering and delivering precise microliter volume aliquots of a blood sample, from a source thereof, to mixing and testing chambers of an electronic blood analysis system for analysis, and further, carrying a loop for metering and isolating an additional sample aliquot within the valve assembly in the loop, a first dedicated passageway for introducing a first fluid to the loop to force the additional aliquot from its isolated location to a first dedicated portion of the valve assembly displaced from the loop and a second dedicated portion of the valve assembly to establish a flow path for introducing a lysing reagent to the first dedicated portion to force the additional aliquot from its displaced disposition, as a lyse reagent/aliquot mixture, to a selected additional mixing and testing chamber exterior of the valve assembly without contaminating any interior flow path traversed by a blood sample and associated diluent thereof within the valve assembly.

Liquid metering and transfer valve assembly

For use in automated or semi-automated hematology analysis apparatus, a method of introducing a volume of blood from a source thereof along a conduit leading to a sampling, metering and transfer valve assembly of the apparatus comprising the steps of drawing a predetermined volume of blood sample from the source, causing the drawn blood sample to travel along the conduit toward the valve assembly, providing detectors adjacent the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly and using vacuum to position the drawn blood sample so that it passes through the valve assembly and is disposed in metering condition within the valve assembly, the positioning being responsive to signals provided by the detectors.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Roberto Del Valle