Coulter Electronics, Inc.

Ronald O Simpson

Thomas J Godin

Guenter Ginsberg

Pedro P Cabrera

Bobby D James

J David Starling

Vladimir J Drbal

A single instrument for photometrically determining hemoglobin content and electronically determining white blood cell count of a single sample suspension of blood. The instrument is provided with a calibration mode of operation independent of the run or normal operational mode of the instrument. A vacuum system is described where vacuum is generated during the operating cycle only at periods when vacuum is required with an adjustable volume vacuum chamber interposed in the vacuum system to assure proper vacuum levels. Carryover of one liquid to a next introduced second liquid in the test vessel is reduced by successive draining of said second liquid and reintroduction into said vessel of a replacement amount of said second liquid. The second liquid can be a sample of rinse liquid. An hydraulic system is described as operating in conjunction with the pneumatic or vacuum system. The hydraulic system employs additional plural solenoid operated devices, each to perform a specific operational function during the operational cycle of the instrument.

Apparatus for determining hemoglobin and white blood cell count in blood

Improvements in a backwash system for diluting apparatus wherein a rinse solution is directed to and through a sample pick-up probe to a receptacle and therefrom to a waste depositary. Either the probe or the receptacle in turn is movable between a first uncoupled condition, along a predetermined or fixed path first to place the receptacle and the delivery end of the sample probe proximate, and second, to establish a fluid tight sealed coupling therebetween. The receptacle includes an entrance recess accommodating an apertured resilient insert which engages the delivery end of the probe to define the sealed coupling. A sensing switch is employed to assure that the rinse solution will not be dispensed as backwash unless the sealed coupling is known to have been established. The sensing switch can be presented in the path of the movable object, the switch being actuated when the movable object has completed its movement to establish the sealed coupling between the receptacle and the delivery end of the sample probe. The switch is scanned to ascertain its state and unless actuated, backwash is prevented. Either both, one or the other of said receptacle and probe are mounted for singular or cooperative combined translatory movement, simultaneously or sequentially.

Backwash system for diluting apparatus

Improvements in a backwash system for diluting apparatus wherein a rinse solution is directed to the fluid transfer valve thereof and thence back to and through the sample pick-up probe to a receptacle and then to a waste depositary. The receptacle is mounted on a carrier, in turn mounted for movement in a track from a recessed condition, along a path directed first outward and then upward to engage the delivery end of the sample probe in a fluid tight sealed coupling. A plunger of an air cylinder effects the movement of the receptacle in the track. A vacuum operated switch is employed to assure that the rinse solution will not be dispensed as backwash unless the sealed coupling is made. Alternatively, a microswitch can be substituted for the vacuum operated switch and presented in the path of the carrier to be actuated when the carrier has moved sufficiently to establish the sealed coupling between the receptacle and the delivery end of the sample probe. In either instance, the switch is scanned to ascertain its state and unless actuated, backwash is prevented.

An aperture module for obtaining signals from microscopic particles suspended in a sample blood solution which passes through a scanning aperture. A module housing including an aperture holder is mounted on a container or bath containing a body of the particulate liquid suspension to be tested. The aperture holder with aperture formed therein extends into the vessel to permit passage of the sample through the aperture to an outlet chamber immediately behind the aperture. The chamber is connected to a source of clean electrolyte and has a narrowed or reduced dimension portion positioned immediately behind the aperture. A vacuum is applied to the chamber to cause the sample to be drawn through the aperture for testing thereof. An optical hemoglobinometer is positioned in association with the bath to measure the hemoglobin content of the solution to be tested.

Aperture module for use in particle testing apparatus

An aperture module for obtaining signals from microscopic particles suspended in a fluid which passes through a scanning aperture. A module housing including an aperture holder is mounted on a vessel or bath containing a body of the particulate liquid suspension to be tested. The aperture holder with aperture formed therein extends into the vessel to permit passage of the suspension through the aperture to an outlet chamber or passageway immediately behind the aperture. An inlet chamber or passageway in the module is connected to a source of clean electrolyte and in fluid communication with the outlet passageway. The outlet passageway is connected to a waste collecting container. A vacuum is applied to the collecting container to cause the clean electrolyte to be drawn through the inlet passageway and wash behind the aperture simultaneously with passage of the suspension through the aperture. A restriction in the path of flow of the clean electrolyte immediately behind the aperture causes the flow velocity thereof to increase behind the aperture and ensure that the zone behind the aperture continuously is washed or swept and that particles which have been tested or sensed are carried away from the aperture so that proper signals from the particles in the suspension are obtained. In a modified form of the aperture module a nozzle member is positioned between the bath and the aperture to form a sheath flow of electrolyte surrounding the particulate suspension to carry the suspension directly into and through the aperture into the passageway behind the aperture.

A pneumatically controlled liquid transfer system for delivering a liquid from a source to a delivery location, said liquid source being provided with a pneumatic cylinder for driving the liquid from said source, a pneumatically operated pinch valve of the make-before-break type and flexible conduit paths leading through the valve to the delivery location. The make-before-break pinch valve comprises a valve shell having two pistons movable laterally therein. The shell has a window. One piston has a yoke, each arm thereof having a passageway, one aligned with the other. A stop extends between the arms of the yoke. One of the flexible conduits is arranged through the window between the first piston and the yoke and the other flexible conduit is arranged also through the window but within the aligned passageways and between the piston and post. The second piston is spring biased to bear against the second conduit to place same in a normally closed condition. The first conduit is normally open. The first piston is acted upon by an external force such as air pressure to move same to a first condition wherein the piston pinches the first flexible conduit against the yoke, closing said conduit without overcoming the bias of the second piston to open the second conduit. Continued force exercised upon said first piston causes the same to move laterally within the housing to a second condition overcoming the spring bias of the second piston, to open the second conduit while the first conduit is retained in closed position. The second piston by virtue of its spring bias, will force the yoke back into its first position once the pressure on the first piston is laxed. A manual override is provided operative upon the second piston to lock the same in open condition so that both conduits are open. This last mentioned position is utilized during down time of the apparatus concerned.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Ronald O Simpson