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:
Mar. 10, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 24, 1995
Allen S Reichler, Owings Mills, MD (US);
Peter A Bourdelle, Glen Rock, PA (US);
Raymond F Cracauer, Plymouth, MN (US);
Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for containing a liquid biological sample and for performing a biological process thereon comprises a sample area for receiving the sample, at least one reaction area in fluid communication with the sample area, a pneumatic area in pneumatic communication with the reaction area and the sample area, and a pneumatic port in the pneumatic area for connection of the apparatus to a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette. The pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette provides for controlled flow of the liquid biological sample between the sample area and the reaction area. To reduce evaporative loss of the sample from the apparatus, a sample tower is provided in fluid communication with the sample area. A similar tower may be provided at the pneumatic port to reduce evaporative loss through the pneumatic area. A restricted orifice between the sample tower and the sample area holds the liquid sample in place during removal of the sample from the apparatus, counteracting the tendency of the liquid bolus to flow back toward the reaction area due to capillary forces. Also disclosed is a novel sealing arrangement which provides an effective pneumatic seal between the pneumatic port and a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing pipette without requiring the apparatus to include a separate 'O' ring or other type of discrete sealing device.