The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 16, 1986
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1984
Dennis K Dawes, Indianapolis, IN (US);
American Monitor Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for mixing serum and reagents for chemical analysis. The method comprises the steps of providing a container containing a serum sample and one or more reagents to be mixed, positioning an elongated mixing member within the containers and extending into the serum sample and reagents to be mixed, and then rapidly oscillating the mixing member back and forth along an arcuate path for a sufficient period of time to thoroughly mix the serum sample and reagents. The method reduces foaming of the serum sample-reagent fluid being mixed, helps to eliminate the formation of air bubbles therein and is useful as a degasser to remove air or other gases from serum-reagent mixture. Piezoelectric techniques are employed to effect the mixing with a simple and reliable apparatus. The mixing means includes a driving assembly which comprises a thin, flexible, metal plate having a pair of thin, flexible, piezoceramic elements secured to opposite faces thereof. Upon the application of an A.C. voltage across the piezoceramic elements, the elements will be caused to alternately expand and contract with one element expanding while the other element contracts, causing the free end of the assembly and the mixing blade to oscillate back and forth at a rate determined by the frequency of the applied voltage, e.g., 60 hertz, to mix the serum sample-reagent fluid.