GB1301556A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1301556 Automatic analysis TECHNICON INSTRUMENTS CORP 17 July 1970 [25 July 1969] 34867/70 Heading B1X Samples from container 16 are analysed by a method comprising passing the samples in succession along a flow path 28 which includes an analysis means, passing a second liquid stream from a flask 124 through flow path 30, introducing primary segments AS, AR of separating fluid into the two streams and introducing secondary segments of separating fluid into spaced ones of the primary segments to create enlarged separating segments, the introduction of the secondary segments into the two flow paths being in timed relation. In the embodiment shown, air segments AS are introduced through tube 35 into the segmented sample stream in tube 34 prior to production of enlarged segments ASD at the junction of tubes 34 and 40. Air segments AR are similarly added through tube 37 to the second (dialysing liquid) stream 42. When a segment ASD reaches infra-red detector 100, a signal passed to delay timer 114 operates valve 46 after a predetermined time to produce a segment ASR, of substantially the same length as the segment ASD, in the dialysing liquid stream. The streams then pass through respective sides of dialyser 50, are optionally mixed with reagents, and pass through respective debubblers 56, 60 which remove all gas segments except ASD, ASR segments and remove part of the segments ASD, ASR; the streams then flow through colorimeters 68, 70. When the samples are blood samples, the total protein and calcium constituents of the respective streams may be measured.