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:
Nov. 24, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1992
Kenneth F Uffenheimer, Mahopac, NY (US);
Technicon Instruments Corp., Tarrytown, NY (US);
Abstract
Integrated sampler apparatus and method are provided and include a sample liquid container support component which is operable to support both closed and open sample liquid containers thereon on a random basis. Sample liquids from the open sample liquid containers are presented directly to a sample liquid analysis system probe for access thereby; while sample liquids from the closed sample liquid containers, which take the form of sample liquid containers closed by sample needle-pierced stoppers, are transferred by virtue of a sampling needle assembly and connected sample liquid transfer conduits and transfer valve, to a sample liquid dispensing well for access by the same sample liquid analysis system probe. Air segmented rinse liquid is provided for the sampling needle, transfer conduits, transfer valve, and dispensing well to minimize sample liquid carryover with regard to the sample liquids from the closed containers; and a surfactant is included with the rinse to lubricate the sampling needle to facilitate the piercing thereby of the closed sample liquid container stoppers and minimize the generation of sample liquid-contaminating stopper particles to use with aqueous sample and rinse liquids, hydrophobic sample liquid transfer conduits, transfer valve, and dispensing well surfaces are provided; and an isolation liquid which selectively wets those surfaces to the substantial exclusion of the aqueous sample and rinse liquids, is utilized in conjunction with the rinse liquid to further minimize sample liquid carryover. The open sample liquid containers and the dispensing well are supported at essentially the same level relative to the probe to maximize sampling accuracy thereby. A detector is provided to detect sample liquid identification as supported from the sample liquid container support component, and to differentiate between open and closed sample liquid containers for operation of the sample liquid analysis system probe in accordance therewith.