James E Gates

US Patent:

58343148, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Aug 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/907143

Inventors:

James D. Gates - Gurnee IL
Jeffrey Y. Pan - Lake Forest IL
Tung-Ming Huang - Buffalo Grove IL
Donald Ver Lee - Libertyville IL
Alan J. Alcock - Mundelein IL
Karen A. Egan - Gurnee IL

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3508
G01N 3510

US Classification:

436 52

Abstract:

Embodiments disclosed involve methods and constructions for metering, and in some instances combining, fluids. One such method includes fluidly connecting a source of first fluid to be metered with a pressure source capable of moving the first fluid with a first valve and a conduit. The first valve is operated such that first fluid moves in the conduit. The conduit is fluidly connected with a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with a second valve. The second valve is operated such that the second fluid moves into the conduit. One construction for metering a fluid comprises a source of first fluid to be metered, a pressure source for moving the first fluid to be metered, and a first valve. A conduit fluidly connects the source of first fluid, the pressure source for moving the first fluid and the first valve such that operation of the first valve causes movement of the first fluid responsive to the pressure source. A second valve fluidly connects a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with the conduit such that operation of the second valve causes movement of the second fluid into the conduit.