US3784310A - System and method for improved operation of a colorimeter or like optical analysis apparatus - Google Patents

System and method for improved operation of a colorimeter or like optical analysis apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3784310A
US3784310A US00260552A US3784310DA US3784310A US 3784310 A US3784310 A US 3784310A US 00260552 A US00260552 A US 00260552A US 3784310D A US3784310D A US 3784310DA US 3784310 A US3784310 A US 3784310A
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Prior art keywords
samplings
sample
sight path
fluid
colorimeter
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US00260552A
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English (en)
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S Barton
H Diebler
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Bayer Corp
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Technicon Instruments Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/08—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N35/1009—Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
    • G01N2035/1025—Fluid level sensing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11—Automated chemical analysis
    • Y10T436/117497—Automated chemical analysis with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
    • Y10T436/118339—Automated chemical analysis with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream with formation of a segmented stream

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a new and improved system, and method, for enabling the advantageous passage of a separating fluid-segmented fluid sample stream through a colorimeter flow cell without requiring the removal of the separating fluid segments while nonetheless extracting colorimeter output data readings which are indicative only of the light absorbence characteristics of said fluid sample.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a system and method as above which may be implemented through the use of readily available, relatively inexpensive components of proven dependability, and which are operable in relatively simple and very highly reliable manner.
  • a further object of the invention is the provision of a system and method as above which are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with automated blood sample treatment and analysis means.
  • New and improved system and method for colorimetric or like analysis which enable the advantageous passage of a separating fluid-segmented fluid sample stream through the colorimeter flow cell without adverse effect on the colorimeter output data readings, are provided, and comprise the periodic sampling of the colorimeter output data in such manner that at least one of a series of n of such samplings will occur when the flow cell sight path is filled with a fluid sample segment to the exclusion of the separating fluid segments.
  • This output data sampling will be the largest of said series, and the same is selected by the consecutive comparison of the n output data samplings in the order that the same occur with attendant retention of the largest, only, of said data samplings in each instance.
  • the output data sampling retained at the completion of the occurrence of the series ofn data samplings will be the largest of said series, and will be indicative of the optical characteristics of a fluid sample segment, only.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively schematic diagrams illustrating an application of the system and method-of the invention to automated fluid analysis means.
  • a colorimetric flow cell is indicated at 10 and comprises a sight path having a length L.
  • a stream of appropriately treated fluid sample segments S as separated by segments SF of an appropriate separating fluid in the nature of air is flowed as shown through the flow cell 10 and therefrom to waste.
  • a light source is indicated at 12, an aperture at 14, and a suitable optical filter at 16; while a detector which may, for example, take the form of a photomultiplier tube is indicated at 18.
  • the concomitant flow of the appropriately treated sample segments S through the flow cell sight path and passage therethrough of the light energy from light source 12 is effective in accordance with Beers Law, in manner well understood by those skilled in this art, to provide for a detector output consisting of data which is indicative of the concentration of a sample constituent of interest in said sample segments.
  • the signal is then applied as indicated to integrator 22 to further improve the signal to noise ratio and provide for an average signal.
  • the integrated'or averaged signal is then applied as indicated to sample and hold means 24 for obvious purpose, and therefrom to A/D converter means 26 for conversion to digital form.
  • the operational timing of the integrator 22 and sample and hold means 24 are controlled as indicated from timing circuit means 25 which are in turn operable in accordance with the sampling rate of the colorimeter in a manner described in greater detail hereinbelow.
  • any output data reading taken when all or a part of a segment SF is in the flow cell sight path will, of necessity, be of relatively small magnitude due to the reflection and/or scattering of the light energy from light source 12 by the miniscus or interface between such segment SF and the adjacent liquid segment S with attendant substantial reduction in the amount of such light energy which reaches detector 18.
  • the output data readings taken when the flow cell sight path is filled completely with a liquid sample segment will be of relatively large magnitude since the attenuation thereof is due primarily only to the amount of said light energy absorbed by said liquid sample segment S in accordance, for example, with the concentration of a solute therein, at the wavelength of filter 16.
  • discrimination between such output data readings of substantially different magnitudes to select those of the same which were generated during the flow of a liquid sample segment S, only, through the sight path of the flow cell will make possible the operation of the colorimeter with the flow of the separating fluid segments SF through the flow cell to significant advantage as discussed hereinabove.
  • the operational parameters of the colorimeter, and the sample and hold means as would include the respective volumes of the sample segments S and separating fluid segments SF, the volume of the sight path portion of the flow cell 10, the fluid flow rate through the flow cell, and the duration of an interval between the periods during which the detector output data is sampled, are respectively chosen to ensure that at least one of a predetermined consecutive number n of detector output data samplings will occur in its entirety when the volume of the flow cell sight path L is filled as illustrated in FIG.
  • the delayed strobe pulse is also applied on lines 44 and 46 to counter 48 (which has also been reset to zero) to bring the count therein to one.
  • This count is applied on the indicated lines to decoder 50 which, in the given example wherein n equals 3, is set to provide an output on line 52 to and gate 54 only when said count is three.
  • a new strobe pulse is applied to latch 28 with resultant acquisition thereby of the new data acquired during said second period.
  • This data is immediately applied as indicated on input A of comparator 30 and compared therein with the data from the first data sampling period as is being concomitantly applied thereto from latch 40 on input B. If it is assumed that this data from the second data sampling period is less than or equal to the data from the first data sampling period, it may be understood that the same is simply discarded as indicated on line 60 or 62 as the case may be, and that nothing further occurs at this point in time with the exception that the application of the delayed strobe pulse to counter 48 will raise the count therein to two.
  • the resultant strobe pulse will effect the acquisition of the relevant data by latch 28 and application thereof to comparator 30 on input A, it being understood that the data from the first data sampling period still remains in latch 40 and is being concomitantly applied to comparator 30 on input B. If it is assumed that the data now on input A is greater than the data now on input B, it may be understood that a pulse will again be applied from comparator 30 on line 32 to and gate 34, and that the simultaneous application of the delayed third strobe pulse to said gate will be effective to open the same with resultant application of the strobe pulse to latch 40.
  • This strobing of latch 40 is effective to causethe same to acquire the data from the third data sampling period from latch 28 on the indicated lines in replacement of the data from the first sampling period as had till now been stored therein.
  • the strobe pulse as further delayed by delay means 72 will be applied as indicated on lines 74 and 76 to respectively reset counter 48 and latch 40 to zero for commencement of the succeeding three data sampling periods.
  • the data in latch 70 is of the largest magnitude, or is at least equal in magnitude to the largest data magnitude obtained during the three data sampling periods of the series of interest, it is believed clear that such data is indicative, as described in detail hereinabove, of a reading taken when a liquid sample segment S, only, is flowing through the flow cell sight path, and is thus indicative in the given system application of the concentration of the constituent of interest in said liquid sample segment.
  • the display of this data in readily interpretable and reproducible manner may be effected as illustrated by the additional application of the delayed strobe pulse from line 66 to D/A conversion means 78 on line 80 to trigger the former for acquisition and conversion of the digital data from latch 70 on the indicated lines and subsequent application of the resultant analog data on line 82 to drive a strip chart recorder 84 in mannerwell known to those skilled in this art.
  • the delayed strobe pulse on line 80 may simply be utilized to identify said data as the largest of that obtained during a series of three consecutive data sampling periods.
  • Resetting of latch 70 to zero following data acquisition by D/A converter 78 may then be effected by the application of the further delayed strobe pulse thereto as indicated through delay means 90 on lines 86 and 88.
  • F urther although disclosed by way of illustration as operable through use of primarily digital components, it is believed clear that the system and method of operation of the invention could alternatively be effected by equivalent analog components, albeit at the expense of increased complexity and cost, or through use of an appropriately programmed general purpose computer. In addition, it is believed clear that the system and method of the invention are not limited to use with a colorimeter, but rather, would be applicable for use with a wide variety of like optical analysis apparatus which comprise a flow cell.
  • a system for processing the output data from a colorimeter or like optical analysis apparatus wherein a liquid sample stream is segmented at substantially regu' lar intervals with separating fluid segments of substantially equal volume and flowed through the sight path of a colorimeter flow cell at a substantially constant flow rate, the volume of the resulting segments of said sample liquids being, at least, equal to the volume of said sight path, and means to direct light energy through said sight path, photodetector means to detect light energy passed through said sight path and to generate a signal having an amplitude.
  • selection and comparison means include means to select that sampling in said series of samplings having the greatest magnitude.
  • n is equal to three.
  • comparison and selection means comprise sample and hold means to receive said series of samplings corresponding to each of said fluid segments.
  • a system as in claim 1 wherein, said separating fluid-segmented sample fluid stream is an airsegmented stream of treated blood samples.
  • a method for processing the output data from a colorimeter-like optical analysis apparatus wherein a liquid sample stream is segmented at substantially regular intervals with separating fluid segments of substantially equal volume and flowed through the sight path of colorimeter flow cell at a substantially constant flow rate, the volume of the resulting segments of said sam ple liquid being, at least, equal to the volume of the sight path, comprising the steps of, detecting light energy passed through said sight path and generating a signal having a magnitude indicative of said passed light intensity, sampling said signal at a rate to effect a number n of consecutive samplings, said number n being sufficiently high to ensure that at least one of the samplings of said signal corresponds to the sight path being filled in its entirety with sample liquid, comparing the samplings in each of said series on an amplitude basis and selecting that sampling corresponding to the sight path being filled with a fluid segment to the exclusion of any separating fluid segment.
  • n is greater than two.
  • n is equal to three.
  • said separating fluid-segmented sample fluid stream is an airsegmented stream of treated blood samples.
  • selection and comparison means further includes A/D converter means, and means responsive to said selection and comparison means to retain the selected samplings corresponding to each fluid segment.

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  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Optical Measuring Cells (AREA)
US00260552A 1972-06-07 1972-06-07 System and method for improved operation of a colorimeter or like optical analysis apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3784310A (en)

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US26055272A 1972-06-07 1972-06-07

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US (1) US3784310A (ko)
JP (1) JPS5633663B2 (ko)
AU (1) AU472374B2 (ko)
BE (1) BE799117A (ko)
CA (1) CA981929A (ko)
CH (1) CH557537A (ko)
DE (1) DE2328636C3 (ko)
ES (1) ES415620A1 (ko)
FR (1) FR2188835A5 (ko)
GB (1) GB1407764A (ko)
IT (1) IT986287B (ko)
NL (1) NL7307929A (ko)
SE (1) SE385977B (ko)
SU (1) SU579952A3 (ko)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3876374A (en) * 1974-03-22 1975-04-08 Technicon Instr Method and apparatus for automated quantitative fluid analysis
US3909136A (en) * 1972-08-09 1975-09-30 Rank Organisation Ltd Method and apparatus for measuring the optical characteristics of a flowing liquid stream
US3912452A (en) * 1973-12-13 1975-10-14 Damon Corp Method and apparatus for photometric analysis of liquid samples
US3961898A (en) * 1975-01-14 1976-06-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Comparator circuit for automatic analysis apparatus
US4161030A (en) * 1976-07-19 1979-07-10 Technicon Instruments Corporation Regenerating a degenerated curve
US4582687A (en) * 1981-07-13 1986-04-15 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for flow analysis
US20130340538A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2013-12-26 Holger Eschment Planar coil, heating device and method of heating
US20220252548A1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2022-08-11 Lam Research Corporation Chamber component cleanliness measurement system

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS592874A (ja) * 1982-06-29 1984-01-09 Fujitsu Ltd 印字装置のプラテン機構
JPS60180869A (ja) * 1984-02-29 1985-09-14 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd プリンタ
JPS59209173A (ja) * 1984-04-12 1984-11-27 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 印字装置の紙送り機構
US4660152A (en) * 1984-06-18 1987-04-21 Xerox Corporation System and method for monitoring and maintaining concentrate material in a fluid carrier
JP6830968B2 (ja) * 2016-06-07 2021-02-17 エッセン インストゥルメンツ，インコーポレイテッド ディー／ビー／エー エッセン バイオサイエンス，インコーポレイテッド フローサイトメトリ散乱波形分析を用いてサンプル間の気泡を検出するための方法
US11137341B2 (en) 2016-06-07 2021-10-05 Essen Instruments, Inc. System and method for separation gas detection between samples

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3539777A (en) * 1967-01-09 1970-11-10 Ibm Data sensing system
US3715601A (en) * 1969-07-14 1973-02-06 Research Dev Corp Apparatus for detecting irregularities in the light transmission properties of materials

Patent Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3539777A (en) * 1967-01-09 1970-11-10 Ibm Data sensing system
US3715601A (en) * 1969-07-14 1973-02-06 Research Dev Corp Apparatus for detecting irregularities in the light transmission properties of materials

Non-Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Flynn et al., J. Clinical Pathology, Vol. 19, 1966, pages 633 639 *
Griffiths et al., J. Clinical Pathology, Vol. 22, 1969, pp. 609 616. *
Habig et al., Advances in Automated Analysis Technicon International Congress, 1969, Vol. 1, pp. 139 143 *
Simpson et al., J. Clinical Pathology, Vol. 24, 1971, pp. 170 176 *
Whitby et al., J. Clinical Pathology, Vol. 22, suppl. (Coll. Path.), Vol. 3, pp. 107 124.(1969) *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3909136A (en) * 1972-08-09 1975-09-30 Rank Organisation Ltd Method and apparatus for measuring the optical characteristics of a flowing liquid stream
US3912452A (en) * 1973-12-13 1975-10-14 Damon Corp Method and apparatus for photometric analysis of liquid samples
US3876374A (en) * 1974-03-22 1975-04-08 Technicon Instr Method and apparatus for automated quantitative fluid analysis
US3961898A (en) * 1975-01-14 1976-06-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Comparator circuit for automatic analysis apparatus
US4161030A (en) * 1976-07-19 1979-07-10 Technicon Instruments Corporation Regenerating a degenerated curve
US4582687A (en) * 1981-07-13 1986-04-15 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for flow analysis
US20130340538A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2013-12-26 Holger Eschment Planar coil, heating device and method of heating
US9217607B2 (en) * 2011-03-11 2015-12-22 Seal Analytical Gmbh Planar coil, heating device and method of heating
US20220252548A1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2022-08-11 Lam Research Corporation Chamber component cleanliness measurement system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5633663B2 (ko) 1981-08-05
CA981929A (en) 1976-01-20
DE2328636C3 (de) 1975-12-11
AU5561073A (en) 1974-11-14
FR2188835A5 (ko) 1974-01-18
BE799117A (fr) 1973-11-05
ES415620A1 (es) 1976-06-16
DE2328636A1 (de) 1974-01-10
AU472374B2 (en) 1976-05-20
CH557537A (de) 1974-12-31
NL7307929A (ko) 1973-12-11
GB1407764A (en) 1975-09-24
IT986287B (it) 1975-01-20
SU579952A3 (ru) 1977-11-05
SE385977B (sv) 1976-07-26
JPS4957883A (ko) 1974-06-05
DE2328636B2 (de) 1975-04-30

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