US4980130A — System for preparation of samples for analysis

Claim 1

Independent Claim 179 words

An automated sample preparation system for preparing a plurality of different types of samples for assay comprising: stationary means for containing a sample and solvents or diluents; means coupled to said means for containing for automatically removing and isolating a known volume of sample from a quantity of sample to be assayed and for placing the isolated, known volume of sample alone in said means for containing so that the isolated, known volume of sample may be diluted to a predetermined concentration, wherein said removing and isolating means includes a sample metering valve means including means for compressing the sample to reduce the volume of any gas in said sample before isolating an aliquot of sample; liquid delivery means coupled to said means for containing for placing precisely controlled, predetermined amounts of solvent or diluent in said means for containing to dilute the known volume of isolated sample to said predetermined concentration after the isolated sample has automatically been released back into said means for containing; and means for automatically mixing the contained liquid in said means for containing.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 179 words

An automated sample preparation system for preparing a plurality of different types of samples for assay comprising: stationary means for containing a sample and solvents or diluents; means coupled to said means for containing for automatically removing and isolating a known volume of sample from a quantity of sample to be assayed and for placing the isolated, known volume of sample alone in said means for containing so that the isolated, known volume of sample may be diluted to a predetermined concentration, wherein said removing and isolating means includes a sample metering valve means including means for compressing the sample to reduce the volume of any gas in said sample before isolating an aliquot of sample; liquid delivery means coupled to said means for containing for placing precisely controlled, predetermined amounts of solvent or diluent in said means for containing to dilute the known volume of isolated sample to said predetermined concentration after the isolated sample has automatically been released back into said means for containing; and means for automatically mixing the contained liquid in said means for containing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for automatically delivering from said means for containing a predetermined amount of sample diluted to said predetermined concentration to an assay device.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising means for applying subatmospheric pressure to said means for containing.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for containing sample includes a removable cup which can be taken to a location of solid sample and filled with same.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means coupled to said liquid delivery means for spraying liquid delivered to said means for containing against the walls of same to wash them of materials clinging thereto.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a port coupled to said means for containing for coupling to a source of high pressure for directing said high pressure into said means for containing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a port coupled to said means for containing for coupling to a source of water for directing said water to said means for containing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising 6 way valve means for injecting a known volume of liquid sample which has been isolated from a bulk sample source into said means for containing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising valve manifold means coupled between said liquid delivery means and a plurality of solvent or diluent sources for delivery of any one of a plurality of solvents or diluents by said liquid delivery means to said means for containing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 206 words

An automated sample preparation system for preparing a sample for assay by an assay system comprising: means for containing a sample and for selectively automatically mixing same if a liquid and selectively grinding same if a solid; means for isolating a known volume of sample from the rest of the sample in said means for containing and for removing the rest of the sample not so isolated to waste and for thereafter automatically releasing the isolated sample back into said means for containing, wherein said means for isolating includes means to compress any gas bubbles in said sample before isolating the known volume of sample; means for automatically delivering a precisely measured amount of solvent or diluent to said means for containing and causing said solvent or diluent and said known volume of sample to be mixed and delivered to the assay system; means for applying a subatmospheric pressure to said means for containing to draw off any gas bubbles in liquid in said means for containing; means for applying greater than atmospheric pressure to liquid pathways in said automated sample preparation system; and means for isolating a known volume of sample out of a process stream and for delivering it to said means for containing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 206 words

An automated sample preparation system for preparing a sample for assay by an assay system comprising: means for containing a sample and for selectively automatically mixing same if a liquid and selectively grinding same if a solid; means for isolating a known volume of sample from the rest of the sample in said means for containing and for removing the rest of the sample not so isolated to waste and for thereafter automatically releasing the isolated sample back into said means for containing, wherein said means for isolating includes means to compress any gas bubbles in said sample before isolating the known volume of sample; means for automatically delivering a precisely measured amount of solvent or diluent to said means for containing and causing said solvent or diluent and said known volume of sample to be mixed and delivered to the assay system; means for applying a subatmospheric pressure to said means for containing to draw off any gas bubbles in liquid in said means for containing; means for applying greater than atmospheric pressure to liquid pathways in said automated sample preparation system; and means for isolating a known volume of sample out of a process stream and for delivering it to said means for containing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 10 further comprising control means for controlling the various means in the system in accordance with predefined parameters so as to perform a particular sample preparation sequence.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 further comprising means for supplying any of a plurality of solvents and/or diluents including water to said means for containing or other liquid pathways in the sample preparation system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising means in said means for containing to allow liquid delivered to said means for containing to be sprayed against the walls thereof.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 209 words

A system for preparation of different types of samples for assay comprising: a sample preparation chamber with a sump shaped bottom including: a mixer/grinder means for mixing and grinding samples in said sample preparation chamber; an effluent pipe having a first outlet in said sump and a second outlet coupled to waste; a sample metering valve means for isolating a known volume of sample from a sample batch in said sample preparation chamber, said sample metering valve means including means for compressing any gas bubbles in said sample while isolating a known volume of sample; a fluid inlet pipe coupled to said sample preparation chamber; a first manifold having a plurality of first ports; a second manifold having a plurality of second ports; reversible pump means having at least two third ports for pumping a predetermined precisely measured amount of liquid in either direction; a first valve coupling one said first port to one said third port; a second valve coupling one said second port to one said third port; a third valve coupling one said first port to said fluid inlet pipe coupled to said sample preparation chamber; and a fourth valve coupling one said second port of said second manifold to a source of solvent or diluent.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 209 words

A system for preparation of different types of samples for assay comprising: a sample preparation chamber with a sump shaped bottom including: a mixer/grinder means for mixing and grinding samples in said sample preparation chamber; an effluent pipe having a first outlet in said sump and a second outlet coupled to waste; a sample metering valve means for isolating a known volume of sample from a sample batch in said sample preparation chamber, said sample metering valve means including means for compressing any gas bubbles in said sample while isolating a known volume of sample; a fluid inlet pipe coupled to said sample preparation chamber; a first manifold having a plurality of first ports; a second manifold having a plurality of second ports; reversible pump means having at least two third ports for pumping a predetermined precisely measured amount of liquid in either direction; a first valve coupling one said first port to one said third port; a second valve coupling one said second port to one said third port; a third valve coupling one said first port to said fluid inlet pipe coupled to said sample preparation chamber; and a fourth valve coupling one said second port of said second manifold to a source of solvent or diluent.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 56 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising process stream sample means coupled to one of said first or second manifolds and a three way valve having two ports coupled to said effluent valve and having said effluent pipe, a third port of said three way valve being coupled to said process stream sample means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 52 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 15 further comprising a 6 way injection valve coupled to one of said manifolds and to said fluid inlet pipe for injecting a known volume of sample isolated from a source of sample in a passageway of said six way valve into said sample preparation chamber.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising pipes for coupling to a source of subatmospheric pressure and to a source of pressurized gas and coupled to one or both of said first or second manifolds for allowing pressurized gas or subatmospheric pressure to be selectively supplied to various liquid pathways in the sample preparation system or to the sample preparation chamber.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a pipe for coupling to a water source and coupled to one or both of said first and/or second manifolds for allowing water to be selectively supplied to liquid pathways or to said sample preparation chamber.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a control means coupled to the control signal inputs of all controllable elements in the system for generating control signals to coordinate operations by various elements in the system to implement processes for sample preparation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-12-24	1994-06-25	1994-12-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-12-24	1998-06-25	1998-12-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-12-24	2002-06-25	2002-12-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for preparation of samples for analysis

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