Fisher Scientific Company

Iniziative Marittime 1991, S.r.l.

Theodore S Geiselman

Carolyn Bergkuist

James E Rasmussen

Yvonne Fraticelli

Milo E Webster

Humayun Qureshi

Stanley M Liffmann

A system for analyzing a biological fluid or the like for a constituent of interest comprises structure defining a sample inlet port, structure defining an analysis region, a measuring system connected in sensing relation to the analysis region, and structure defining a reaction chamber that has an immobilized enzyme capable of modifying the constituent of interest. Control means operates liquid flow means in a unidirectional sample flow mode to initially flow a sample of material to be analyzed from the sample inlet port to the reaction chamber and to the analysis region for a measurement of unmodified sample material, and then operates the liquid flow means in a bidirectional sample flow mode to oscillate the sample material in the reaction chamber and facilitate modification by the immobilized enzyme of the constituent of material in the sample. Modified sample material is then introduced into the analysis region and the measuring system is operated to obtain a measurement of modified sample material, the measurements of modified and unmodified sample material then being used to provide an indication of the amount of the constituent of interest in the sample material.

Method of sample analysis

Sample analysis

An analysis system includes analysis station structure, sample station structure spaced from the analysis station structure along a straight line path, support shaft structure disposed along an axis parallel to the straight line path, and a transport carriage with probe structure mounted on the carriage. The transport carriage is mounted on the support shaft structure for movement along that shaft and is keyed thereto for pivoting movement in response to rotation of the shaft. A first drive includes a drive motor and cable structure coupled between the carriage and the drive motor for moving the transport carriage along the shaft to selectively position the probe structure at the sample and analysis stations, and a second drive rotates the shaft for inserting the probe into and withdrawing the probe from chamber structure at the sample and analysis stations. Metering means coupled to the probe flows liquid into and discharges liquid from the probe.

Liquid handling

An analysis system includes sample insertion module structure with structure defining a reduced pressure reservoir, structure defining a sample region, and structure defining a reagent circuit that includes metering chamber structure in series with the reagent circuit. First transfer valve structure is arranged to couple the sample region to the reagent circuit on one side of the metering chamber structure, and second transfer valve structure is arranged to couple the reagent circuit to the reduced pressure reservoir structure on the side of the metering chamber structure remote from the first transfer valve structure for inserting an intact metered quantity of sample liquid into a reagent stream.

Analysis system

A liquid handling system includes flow network module structure that defines a contained array of flow channels and a plurality of valves for controlling liquid flow through the flow channel array. The flow network module structure is adapted to be connected to an external source for applying a pressure differential to the flow network array to produce liquid flow within passages of the array. Also incorporated in the flow network module is chamber structure that is connected to the flow channel array and that has port structure in an outer surface of the module structure. Valve structure on the module structure is movable between a first position in which the port structure is closed and a second position in which the port structure is opened, the valve structure including actuator structure for moving a valve member between the first and second positions. Liquid transfer structure, including transport structure and probe structure carried on the transport structure, is adapted to cause movement of the valve structure from its first position to its second position concurrently with the movement of the probe structure into alignment with the chamber port structure for delivery of a quantity of sample material to the sample chamber and subsequent flow through the flow network array for interaction with an auxiliary fluid and transfer to an associated utilization device under the influence of an external pressure source.

Fluid handling

A liquid monitoring system includes chamber structure with a monitoring region in which the liquid to be monitored is disposed, the monitoring region having two spaced wall portions and a supplemental wall portion. The system further includes a radiation source mounted adjacent one of the spaced wall portions or directing a beam of radiation along a horizontal path, and a sensor mounted adjacent the opposed wall portion for receiving radiation in a beam path. The incident radiation beam as it passes through the wall into the monitoring region is refracted at the region surface as a function of gas or liquid within the region. At a first refracting angle, the refracted beam impinges on the supplemental wall and is internally reflected, the reflected radiation passing along a reflected beam path and sensed by the detector to provide an indication of the fluid in the chamber. At a second refracting angle, the refracted beam is not reflected in a direction such that radiation from the source is sensed.

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Groveland, MA, United States of America

Theodore S Geiselman