Abstract: This invention significantly reduces the frequency of hydraulic failure in the analytical line of a capsule chemistry sample liquid analysis system which can occur when the reagents required for the specific analytical test have an imperfect merger with the sample aliquot reagent in the vanish zone of the analytical line. It has been found that the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and the analytical reagent influence the merging process. It has also been found that optimum merging of these reagent capsules in the vanish zone can be obtained when the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and analytical reagent is different.

Abstract: This invention significantly reduces the frequency of hydraulic failure in the analytical line of a capsule chemistry sample liquid analysis system which can occur when the reagents required for the specific analytical test have an imperfect merger with the sample aliquot reagent in the vanish zone of the analytical line. It has been found that the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and the analytical reagent influence the merging process. It has also been found that optimum merging of these reagent capsules in the vanish zone can be obtained when the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and analytical reagent is different.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid and air segments wherein the liquid and air segments are selectively aspirated into a first fluid conduit in a plurality of cycles, each cycle beginning with the aspiration of a first air segment and ending with the aspiration of a final air segment. The liquid and air segments are then transferred from the first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The volume of the final air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the final air segment has moved into the second fluid conduit. Next, the liquid segments and the air segments of each cycle are transferred from the second fluid conduit to a third fluid conduit. The volume of the first air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the first air segment has moved into the third fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid and air segments wherein the liquid and air segments are selectively aspirated into a first fluid conduit in a plurality of cycles, each cycle beginning with the aspiration of a first air segment and ending with the aspiration of a final air segment. The liquid and air segments are then transferred from the first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The volume of the final air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the final air segment has moved into the second fluid conduit. Next, the liquid segments and the air segments of each cycle are transferred from the second fluid conduit to a third fluid conduit. The volume of the first air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the first air segment has moved into the third fluid conduit.

Abstract: The sample dilution module includes an oil filled aspiration probe and mixing chamber that communicate with each other while the mixing chamber is maintained at an angle of approximately 5 to 45 degrees below a horizontal axis. The aspiration probe is maintained in a vertical orientation. A micro-bubble is aspirated between separate aspirations of test sample and diluent to prevent contact between the sample and diluent in the aspiration probe. The test sample and diluent are then drawn from the vertically oriented aspiration probe into the mixing chamber. After the sample and diluent are in the mixing chamber the micro-bubble of air can migrate away from the test sample and diluent to enable the test sample and diluent to contact each other. Mixing of the test sample and diluent is accomplished by moving the test sample and diluent back and forth in the mixing chamber without physical agitation of the mixing chamber and without any mixing element in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid and air segments wherein the liquid and air segments are selectively aspirated into a first fluid conduit in a plurality of cycles, each cycle beginning with the aspiration of a first air segment and ending with the aspiration of a final air segment. The liquid and air segments are then transferred from the first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The volume of the final air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the final air segment has moved into the second fluid conduit. Next, the liquid segments and the air segments of each cycle are transferred from the second fluid conduit to a third fluid conduit. The volume of the first air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the first air segment has moved into the third fluid conduit.

Abstract: A blood clot detector includes a pressure transducer on an aspiration line to provide output voltage data to a microprocessor corresponding to the vacuum level during aspiration. The microprocessor integrates the vacuum readings over time during the aspiration cycle to provide a pressure integral for each test sample aspiration. A pressure integral is determined for an unclotted aspiration and used as a reference for comparison with the pressure integrals of each test sample aspiration to determine whether a blood clot has interfered with the test sample aspiration. A valve is provided across an analytical line and an aspiration line to provide selective communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line or to prevent such communication. Communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line permits transfer of a test sample from the aspiration line to the analytical line if the test sample is considered acceptable for sample analysis.

Abstract: A blood clot detector includes a pressure transducer on an aspiration line to provide output voltage data to a microprocessor corresponding to the vacuum level during aspiration. The microprocessor integrates the vacuum readings over time during the aspiration cycle to provide a pressure integral for each test sample aspiration. A pressure integral is determined for an unclotted aspiration and used as a reference for comparison with the pressure integrals of each test sample aspiration to determine whether a blood clot has interfered with the test sample aspiration. A valve is provided across an analytical line and an aspiration line to provide selective communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line or to prevent such communication. Communication between the aspiration line and the analytical line permits transfer of a test sample from the aspiration line to the analytical line if the test sample is considered acceptable for sample analysis.

Abstract: The apparatus for simultaneous aspiration and dispensation of fluids is in the form of a syringe with two chambers located end to end along the length of the syringe. Each syringe chamber includes a port. A piston inside the syringe includes a median section that is movable in both of the syringe chambers, a first end section movable only in one of the syringe chambers, and a second end section movable only in the other syringe chamber. Both end sections of the piston are of either less diameter than the median section of the piston or of greater diameter than the median section of the piston. When the piston is moved in a first direction, an aspiration or suction force is developed at one of the chamber ports and a dispensation pressure force is developed at the other chamber port. Reverse movement of the piston causes the opposite effect at the respective chamber ports. A compression seal is provided at the median section of the piston and at opposite non-adjacent end portions of the syringe chambers.

Abstract: The method of diluting a fluid sample for analysis in a sample analysis system includes the provision of an aspiration probe with two interior sections. The first interior section of the probe has a first diameter and is proximate the aspiration opening of the probe. The second interior section of the probe has a second diameter of greater magnitude than the first diameter and is located distally of the first section. The probe aspirates in consecutive order selected amounts of fluid sample and diluent into the first interior section of the probe. The fluid sample and diluent are mixed in the second interior section of the probe by moving the sample and diluent back and forth in the second interior section a predetermined number of times. The back and forth movement of diluent and fluid sample in the second interior section of the probe provides substantially uniform mixing of the sample and diluent. The use of a Teflon.RTM.

Abstract: An analysis method and apparatus comprises feeding a stream of fluid capsules in a fluid conduit for flow therethrough by forming a film of isolating liquid on an inner surface of the conduit and randomly accessing each of a plurality of liquids selected from a sample liquid, reagents and a magnetic particle suspension to form a plurality of isolated segments from the plurality of liquids in each capsule in the conduit. The fluid capsules flow in at least one longitudinal direction of the conduit and the suspended magnetic particles are selectively magnetically retained from one segment in one capsule at a given location for placement of the magnetic particles in another segment in the one capsule during the flow of the one capsule through the conduit. The fluid capsules are then measured in the conduit.