CA1271709A - Suspension liquid separator - Google Patents
Suspension liquid separatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1271709A CA1271709A CA000498435A CA498435A CA1271709A CA 1271709 A CA1271709 A CA 1271709A CA 000498435 A CA000498435 A CA 000498435A CA 498435 A CA498435 A CA 498435A CA 1271709 A CA1271709 A CA 1271709A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- chamber
- separator
- filter body
- eluant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
- G01N33/487—Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material
- G01N33/49—Blood
- G01N33/491—Blood by separating the blood components
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/40—Concentrating samples
- G01N1/4077—Concentrating samples by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids
- G01N2001/4088—Concentrating samples by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids filtration
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure:
A liquid suspension separator of simple, one-piece construction is provided for field tests such as bovine testing. The liquid suspension separator includes a housing having a separator chamber incorpo-rating a filter body characterized by its ability to laterally filter the particulates of the suspension from the liquid component thereof. The housing incorporates eluant, liquid suspension and discharge ports and the liquid component of the suspension can be immediately collected to permit a test or tests to be run thereupon.
One of the embodiments of the separator includes a test chamber which already incorporates a test specimen reactive to the liquid component of the suspension to permit an immediate test to be conducted in the field.
A liquid suspension separator of simple, one-piece construction is provided for field tests such as bovine testing. The liquid suspension separator includes a housing having a separator chamber incorpo-rating a filter body characterized by its ability to laterally filter the particulates of the suspension from the liquid component thereof. The housing incorporates eluant, liquid suspension and discharge ports and the liquid component of the suspension can be immediately collected to permit a test or tests to be run thereupon.
One of the embodiments of the separator includes a test chamber which already incorporates a test specimen reactive to the liquid component of the suspension to permit an immediate test to be conducted in the field.
Description
12~17~9 SUSPEUSION LIQUID SEPARATOR
Background of the Invention:
This invention relates to liquid suspension separators and, more particularly, to a liquid suspension separator which will permit separation of the 5. suspension liquid from the suspended particulates.
At the present time, the separation of particulates from sugpensory liquid as, for example, the particulates from blood 4erum, entails the subjection of the blood sample to laboratory procedureæ which are both 10. elaborate and expensive. Such procedures, of course, cannot be utilized in field testing where tests on the suspensory liquid are indicated.
For instance, it is well known that a large percentage of slaughtered hogs are infected with 15. trichinosis and that many beef carcasses are infected with various types of parasites such as worms and the like. However, the testing of the carcasses to deter-mine the presence of such infestations entails the dissection of portions of the carcaases or the obtention 20. of blood samples from the individual carcasses and the laboratory separation and te~ting of the samples.
. Present-day blood separation and testing procedures require that the specimens be drawn from individual carcasse~, transported to a laboratory for ~5. 4eparation and then ~ubjected to laboratory testing. As ~ 7~ ~
a matter of fact, such procedures have been Eollowed in some countries, but the expense oiE such testing greatly increases the ultimate cost oE the meat derived fro~n the carcasses.
According to one aspect of my invention there is provided a liquid suspension separator which can be utilized in slaughterhouses or similar environments to conduct blood separations resulting in liquid test samples which can be immediately subjected to the requisite test or assay to indicate the inEestation of the carcass being subjected to the test.
It should be understood that, while the application and utilization of the liquid suspension separator is described herein in conjunction with tests on carcasses and the like to determine the infestation of the carcass by varous types of parasites, the liquid suspension separator may be utilized in many applica-tions, including emergencies which occur in connection with injuries to human beings or in veterinary applica-tions involving the treatinent of animals. In other words, it is not intended that the application of the teachings of the invention be limited solely to the ascertainment oE the infestation in edible carcasses.
I also provide a separator oE the aEorementioned character which includes a housing incorporating a separator chamber. A nu~nber of ports are provided by the housing in co~n~nunication with the separator chamber including an eluant port, a liquid ~17~9 suspension port and a discharge port.
The eluant port is adapted to receive eluant which is introduced into the separator chamber for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below.
Of course, the liquid suspension port receives the suspension, such as blood, for suitable separation in the separator chamber.
In turn, the discharge port discharges the liquid component of the suspension after the particu-lates have been filtered therefrom in a manner to be described in greater detail below.
The housing may be fabricated from a wide variety of suitable materials which are impervious to liquid flow including vinyl or polyethylene plastics or the like. The housing may be formed by injection or blow molding and is usually of sufEicient size to receive the required eluant dosage and liquid suspension adequate for the provision of a requisite liquid test specimen.
Incorporated in the separator chamber is a filter consisting of a body of filter material. The body may be formed from any of a number of depth-type planar filter materials capable of entrapping formed suspension elements or particulate~s during eluant-induced Elow between the filter surEaces. Exelnplary of such a ~naterial is glass ~nicrofiber filter material which is available in a range of porosities suitable for entrapping formed elements or particulates from a number j~:
~ 71~3 of suspensions such as blood and tissue washes.
An inherent characteristic oE the filter material is that the filter porosities are intercon-nected in the plane of the filter. A conventional filter which is capable of entrapping formed suspension elements or particul.ates but which is not suitable for the practice of the invention`is a planar membrane filter which has porositi.es connecting its opposite surfaces but offers no pathway for lateral flow generally parallel to and between the surfaces.
According to a :Eurther aspect of my invention there is provlded a separator of the aforementioned character in which the aforesaid filter body is disposed in intimate contact with the adjacent walls of the separator chamber in order that neither eluant nor fluid suspension bypass the porosities of the filter. Such bypassing would, in the case of the eluant, provide an unduly diluted fluid test specimen and, in the case of the suspension, permit the bypassing of particulates or other suspended materials to the discharge port.
According to another aspect of my invention there is provided a separator of the aforement;oned character having receptor means incorporated i.n the housing thereoE whereby a test or assly device ~llay ~)e insertt^~d into juxt.li)osition t(:> the :Liql.t-id clischarge port o:E the separator in order that an imlllediate test may be accomplished~
A
~LX7~7[39 According to a still Eurther aspect of my invention there is provided a separator of the aforemen-tioned character in which the test or assay specimen is incorporated in the housing of the separator immediately adjacent to and in fluid communication with the dis-charge port. With this embodiment of the invention an immediate test can be achieved without the utilization of an ancillary testing device.
Accordîng to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided in a suspension liquid separator, the combination of: a housing having a separator chamber and an eluant port, a liquid suspension receiving port and a liquid discharge port communicating with said chamber; and a depth-type, planar, liquid filter body located in said chamber in juxtaposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liquid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port and the porosities of the fil.ter material being interconnected in the plane of the filter, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configured such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby :El.uid El.-)w i.sl rest~i.cted wi.thin sai.d :Eilter body.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided in a liquid ~.~'7~ 3 suspension separator :Eor providing a liquid test specimen from which particulates have been removed, the combination of a housing incorporating a separator chamber, said housing having eluant and liquid suspension ports located at one extremity of said chamber and a discharge port communicating with another extremity of said chamber; a depth-type planar liquid filter body located in said separator chamber in juxtaposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liquid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configured such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby fluid flow is restricted within said filter body said filter body incoporating laterally operative filtration passages whereby eluant and liquid suspension introduced into said chamber through said respective ports will be conveyed to said discharge port while said particulates are retained in said filter body.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
The invention will be more clearly understood from the :Eollowing spec;fication and thc accolllpanyinc drawings, which are Eor the purpose oE iLI.u.c;trat:i.on only, in which:
P~
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a separator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
FIG. 2 i~ a rear elevational view;
5. FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on 10. the broken line 5-5 of FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 6-6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative construction of the eluant 15. and suspension ports;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the eluant reservoir of the separator;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a typical filter 20. body utilized in conjunction with the separator of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the separator of the inventioh; and 25. FIG. 11 ~s a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
A`` v~ .
~ ~ 7~ ~C3 Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention:
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 9 thereof, I show a liquid suspension separator 10 which is incorpQrated in a substantially 5. rectangular housing 12 fabricated from any suitable inert material such as vinyl or polyethylene plastics.
The housing 12, as best shown in FIG~ 5 of the drawings, consists of a front se~tion 14 and a rear section 16, said sections being joined at their abutting 10. surfaces 18 by means of a suitable adhesive. ~he front and rear sections 14 and 16 of the housing are configured to provide, in conjunction, a separator chamber 20, as best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
The separator chamber 20, as best shown in 15. FIG. 5 of the drawings, incorporates a filter 22 constituted by a filter body 24, said filter body being illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings as being generally of triangular configuration in plan.
The shape of the separator chamber is of the 20. same shape as the filter body 24 and the inner walls of the chamber 20 are closely juxtapo~ed to the edges and parallel suraces of the filter body to prevent bypassing of eluant or the liquid suspension.
. As previously mentioned, the filter body 24 is 25. fabricated from any of a number of depth-type planar i~, .,~
~7~7~)~
filter materials capable o entrappinq formed ~uspension elements or particulates during flow between the parallel surfaces of the filter contained in the separator chamber 20. Illustrative of such filter 5. materials i~ a gla88 microfiber filter which is available in a range of porosities suitable for entrapping particulates from any number of su3pensions of interest including blood and tissue washes.
As previously mentioned, it i9 absolutely 10. necessary that the porositie~ of the filter materials be interconnected in the plane of the filter to facilitate flow of the suspension and eluant from one end of the filter to the other rather than between the eluant and su~pension receiving ports.
15. The housing 12, a~ best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5 incorporates an eluant receiving port 30 which permits a suitable eluant, such as a balanced salt solution, to be introduced into the separator chamber 20. Located in the front ~ection 14 of the 20. housing 12 is a suspension receivinq port 32 through which the suspenslon, such a3 blood, may be introduced to the separator chamber 20.
Located in juxtapo~ition to the lower extremity of the filter body 24 is a liquid di~charge 25. port 34 whose dimQnsion may be of a ~ize requisite to y the desired rate of flow of the liquid component of the su pension from the separator chamber 20.
It will be noted that the precise conformity of the mass of the filter body 24 to the shape of the 5. separator chamber 20 is required in order that the bypassing alluded to hereinabove be avoided and the substantially triangular configuration of the filter body 24 in separator chamber 20 has been chosen t~
achieve such conformity. In addition, the greater width 10. of the filter body 24 i8 located adjacent the eluant and liquid suspension introductory ports 50 that the relatively large quanity of liquid injected through these ports may be adequately received by the filter body 24 and conveyed through the gradually restricted 15. area of the filter body 24 to the inverted apex of the generally triangular configuration of the filter body 24.
Thus, the eluant introduced through the eluant port 30 carries the introduced suspension through the 20. gradually restricted area of the filter body 24 and the particulates are suspended in the interstice~ of the filter body until the liquid component of the su~pension is delivered to the discharge port 34.
It is al~o desirable to have the lower 25. extremity of the filter body 24 projecting through the ~.~
8~
discharge port 34 ~o that physical contact with the relevant portion of a te~t or assay device may be obtained.
By insuring physical contact between the lower 5. extremity of the filter body 24 and the relevant portion of a test or assay device, the necessity for a substan-tial flow of the liquid component of the suspension is eliminated and, thu~, a large amount of eluant need not be applied to the filer body 24 through the eluant 10. port 30.
The slot 40 may be provided in the lower extremity of the hou~ing 12 to act as a guide for the introduction of a test or assay device 42, a~ best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing~. The relevant portion of the 15. device 42 can be introduced into the slot 40 and the filtered liquid component of the suspension be contacted thereby to provide an immediate indication of the desired chracteristic of the liquid component of the suspension being ~ought.
20. Although I have dl~closed the utilization of a glass microfiber filter and its incorpo'ration in the separator chamber 20, there are other means available for restricting the flow of eluant and the liquid portion of the suspension to the body of the filter.
25. For instance~ the` filter body 24 can be sandwiched ~ 7~7~
between sheets of nonporous material parallel to and in contact with the filter surfaces and edges. A typical material for such enclosing sheet~ i8 sheets of vinyl plastic which can be heat-sealed at the edges.
5. The enclosing sheets may ke pierced to provide access to the eluant, suspension and discharge ports.
It was al50 conceivable that a filter utilizing the sheets as the housing instead of the relatively rigid housing formed from polyethylene might be utilized with 10. the ports provided in the sheets in the same manner as in the more rigid housing.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed at 50 in FIGS. 3, 4 and ~ of the drawings wherein the same reference numerals as were utilized in 15. discussing identical components of the previously dis-cu~sed embodiment are utilized.
The essential difference between the previously discus3ed embodiment 10 an~ the present embodiment 50 lies in the provision of a test chamber 52 20. in the lower extremity of the housing 12 in immediate juxtaposition to and in fluid communication with the discharge port 34. Located in the test chamber 52 will be an assay or test composite 54 8Ui table for the test being cqnducted. Therefore, the eluted liquid portion 25. of the suspension is transferred t~ the assay or test ~ 7~
chamber for immediate analysis. A viewing port 56 may be provided in the wall of the test chamber 52 to permit visual apperception of the test re~ults.
Although I have disclosed, in the previous 5. embodiments 10 and 50 of the invention simple injection ports for the eluant and su~pension~, it is conceivable that troughlike re~ervoirs 62 and 64 be provided adja-cent the eluant and ~uspension ports 30 and 32, respec-tively, see FIG. 7, ~o that the required dosage can be 10. placed in the troughlike reservoirs or receptacles 62 and 64 to permit the absorption of the eluant and suspension into the fibrous interstices of the filter body 24.
Alternatively~ as best illustrated in FIG. 8 15. of the drawings, a sealed capsule 72 can be provided adjacent the eluant port 30 containing the requisite amount of eluant previously determined to be necessary to convey the liquid component of the su~pension to the discharge port 34. The sealed capcule 72 incorporates a 20. rupturab~e area 74 which, when the cap~ule 72 is com-pressed between the fingers, will ba ruptured to permit the flow of eluant into the sep~rator chamber 20.
The separator of the invention may be utilized to sepa~at~ a quantity of the liquid component of the 25. ~uspension by dosing the filter body 24 through the suspen~ion port 32. The ~u~penslon enters the i ~
7~
poro ities of the filter body 24 which permit liquid flow but entrap the formed suspen~ion elements or particulates.
A predetermined volume of eluant fed from the 5~ reservoir through the eluant port 30 displaces the liquid portion of the suRpension from the suspension port 32 toward the discharge port 34 in a path deter-mined by the triangular configuration of the filter body 24 and separator chamber 20. The volume of eluant 10. is selected so that the liquid portion of the suspension will be displaced through the discharge port 34, while the eluant is retained within the filter body 24.
A specific and particular exam~le of the use of the separator of the invention i8 the obtaining of an 15. aliquot of the liquid portion of bovine blood for the determination of parasitic infections in beef carcasses.
The separator is utili~ed in the ~laughterhouse to obtain the blood sample and is attached to the beef carcass during processing.
20. In usage, the blood samp~e is added at the suspension port 32 and the formed blood elements or particulates are trapped within the filter body 24 as the eluant displaces the liquid portion of the blood longitu~inally and laterally through the body of the 25. filter to the discharge port 34 where it is transferred J~
~ 7~
to the test or assay strip or to such other object as may be desired.
Another embodiment 80 of the separator of the invention is ~hown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings.
5. The separator 80 include~ a generally rectangular housing 82 which may be fabricated from the Bame types of plastic as the previoucly discus~ed embodiments and which includes an eluant reservoir 84 having an eluant port 86 at the bottom thereof communicating with a 10. separator chamber 88 which is formed in the housing 82.
Located in the separator chamber 88 is a filter body 90 which i6 of generally elongated rectangular configuration, but which has a lower truncated conical portion 92, as best shown in FIG. 10 15. of the drawings.
Formed in the wall of the housing in overlying relationship with the filter bod~ 90 and below the eluant port 86 is a suspension liquid port 94 which is large enough to permit a sample of the suspension liquid 20. to be placed upon the filter body 90 and which i9 located below the eluant port 86 to permit the flow of eluant from the eluant re~ervoir 84 to cause the movement of the liquid component of the suspension liquid~ downwardly by gravity toward the discharge 25. port 96.
,~ \, j -~r ~-~7~7()~
As previously men'cioned~ the extreme lower end of the filter body 90 may protrude through the discharge port 96 into a slot 98 in the housin~ 82 to permit a te~t assay to be inserted into contiguity to the lower 5. extremity of the filter body 90 and the discharge port 96.
Of course, as previously mentioned, the fabrication of the housings of the variou~ embodiments can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways by the 10. utilization of an equally wide variety of manufacturing expedients. For instance, the separator 80 may be fabricated from an injection molded blank in which the separator chamber is constituted by an elongated slot for the reception of the filter body bhich slot is later 15. covered by a liquid-proof cover, such a~ a liquid-proof label or the like.
Therefore, the expencive~ time-consuming and impractical laboratory testing of beef blood samples is eliminated and it becomes economically feasible by the 20. utilization of the separator manufactured in accordance with thOe teachings of this invention to te~t individual beef carcasses as they are transported along the line in the slaughterhouse.
~ It will be apparent to those skilled in the 25. art that various e~bodiments other than those disclosed hereinabove can be constr~cted which will fall within the scope of the appended claim6, althou~h differing in details of construction.
,.
Background of the Invention:
This invention relates to liquid suspension separators and, more particularly, to a liquid suspension separator which will permit separation of the 5. suspension liquid from the suspended particulates.
At the present time, the separation of particulates from sugpensory liquid as, for example, the particulates from blood 4erum, entails the subjection of the blood sample to laboratory procedureæ which are both 10. elaborate and expensive. Such procedures, of course, cannot be utilized in field testing where tests on the suspensory liquid are indicated.
For instance, it is well known that a large percentage of slaughtered hogs are infected with 15. trichinosis and that many beef carcasses are infected with various types of parasites such as worms and the like. However, the testing of the carcasses to deter-mine the presence of such infestations entails the dissection of portions of the carcaases or the obtention 20. of blood samples from the individual carcasses and the laboratory separation and te~ting of the samples.
. Present-day blood separation and testing procedures require that the specimens be drawn from individual carcasse~, transported to a laboratory for ~5. 4eparation and then ~ubjected to laboratory testing. As ~ 7~ ~
a matter of fact, such procedures have been Eollowed in some countries, but the expense oiE such testing greatly increases the ultimate cost oE the meat derived fro~n the carcasses.
According to one aspect of my invention there is provided a liquid suspension separator which can be utilized in slaughterhouses or similar environments to conduct blood separations resulting in liquid test samples which can be immediately subjected to the requisite test or assay to indicate the inEestation of the carcass being subjected to the test.
It should be understood that, while the application and utilization of the liquid suspension separator is described herein in conjunction with tests on carcasses and the like to determine the infestation of the carcass by varous types of parasites, the liquid suspension separator may be utilized in many applica-tions, including emergencies which occur in connection with injuries to human beings or in veterinary applica-tions involving the treatinent of animals. In other words, it is not intended that the application of the teachings of the invention be limited solely to the ascertainment oE the infestation in edible carcasses.
I also provide a separator oE the aEorementioned character which includes a housing incorporating a separator chamber. A nu~nber of ports are provided by the housing in co~n~nunication with the separator chamber including an eluant port, a liquid ~17~9 suspension port and a discharge port.
The eluant port is adapted to receive eluant which is introduced into the separator chamber for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below.
Of course, the liquid suspension port receives the suspension, such as blood, for suitable separation in the separator chamber.
In turn, the discharge port discharges the liquid component of the suspension after the particu-lates have been filtered therefrom in a manner to be described in greater detail below.
The housing may be fabricated from a wide variety of suitable materials which are impervious to liquid flow including vinyl or polyethylene plastics or the like. The housing may be formed by injection or blow molding and is usually of sufEicient size to receive the required eluant dosage and liquid suspension adequate for the provision of a requisite liquid test specimen.
Incorporated in the separator chamber is a filter consisting of a body of filter material. The body may be formed from any of a number of depth-type planar filter materials capable of entrapping formed suspension elements or particulate~s during eluant-induced Elow between the filter surEaces. Exelnplary of such a ~naterial is glass ~nicrofiber filter material which is available in a range of porosities suitable for entrapping formed elements or particulates from a number j~:
~ 71~3 of suspensions such as blood and tissue washes.
An inherent characteristic oE the filter material is that the filter porosities are intercon-nected in the plane of the filter. A conventional filter which is capable of entrapping formed suspension elements or particul.ates but which is not suitable for the practice of the invention`is a planar membrane filter which has porositi.es connecting its opposite surfaces but offers no pathway for lateral flow generally parallel to and between the surfaces.
According to a :Eurther aspect of my invention there is provlded a separator of the aforementioned character in which the aforesaid filter body is disposed in intimate contact with the adjacent walls of the separator chamber in order that neither eluant nor fluid suspension bypass the porosities of the filter. Such bypassing would, in the case of the eluant, provide an unduly diluted fluid test specimen and, in the case of the suspension, permit the bypassing of particulates or other suspended materials to the discharge port.
According to another aspect of my invention there is provided a separator of the aforement;oned character having receptor means incorporated i.n the housing thereoE whereby a test or assly device ~llay ~)e insertt^~d into juxt.li)osition t(:> the :Liql.t-id clischarge port o:E the separator in order that an imlllediate test may be accomplished~
A
~LX7~7[39 According to a still Eurther aspect of my invention there is provided a separator of the aforemen-tioned character in which the test or assay specimen is incorporated in the housing of the separator immediately adjacent to and in fluid communication with the dis-charge port. With this embodiment of the invention an immediate test can be achieved without the utilization of an ancillary testing device.
Accordîng to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided in a suspension liquid separator, the combination of: a housing having a separator chamber and an eluant port, a liquid suspension receiving port and a liquid discharge port communicating with said chamber; and a depth-type, planar, liquid filter body located in said chamber in juxtaposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liquid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port and the porosities of the fil.ter material being interconnected in the plane of the filter, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configured such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby :El.uid El.-)w i.sl rest~i.cted wi.thin sai.d :Eilter body.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided in a liquid ~.~'7~ 3 suspension separator :Eor providing a liquid test specimen from which particulates have been removed, the combination of a housing incorporating a separator chamber, said housing having eluant and liquid suspension ports located at one extremity of said chamber and a discharge port communicating with another extremity of said chamber; a depth-type planar liquid filter body located in said separator chamber in juxtaposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liquid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configured such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby fluid flow is restricted within said filter body said filter body incoporating laterally operative filtration passages whereby eluant and liquid suspension introduced into said chamber through said respective ports will be conveyed to said discharge port while said particulates are retained in said filter body.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
The invention will be more clearly understood from the :Eollowing spec;fication and thc accolllpanyinc drawings, which are Eor the purpose oE iLI.u.c;trat:i.on only, in which:
P~
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a separator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
FIG. 2 i~ a rear elevational view;
5. FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on 10. the broken line 5-5 of FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 6-6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative construction of the eluant 15. and suspension ports;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the eluant reservoir of the separator;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a typical filter 20. body utilized in conjunction with the separator of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the separator of the inventioh; and 25. FIG. 11 ~s a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
A`` v~ .
~ ~ 7~ ~C3 Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention:
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 9 thereof, I show a liquid suspension separator 10 which is incorpQrated in a substantially 5. rectangular housing 12 fabricated from any suitable inert material such as vinyl or polyethylene plastics.
The housing 12, as best shown in FIG~ 5 of the drawings, consists of a front se~tion 14 and a rear section 16, said sections being joined at their abutting 10. surfaces 18 by means of a suitable adhesive. ~he front and rear sections 14 and 16 of the housing are configured to provide, in conjunction, a separator chamber 20, as best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
The separator chamber 20, as best shown in 15. FIG. 5 of the drawings, incorporates a filter 22 constituted by a filter body 24, said filter body being illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings as being generally of triangular configuration in plan.
The shape of the separator chamber is of the 20. same shape as the filter body 24 and the inner walls of the chamber 20 are closely juxtapo~ed to the edges and parallel suraces of the filter body to prevent bypassing of eluant or the liquid suspension.
. As previously mentioned, the filter body 24 is 25. fabricated from any of a number of depth-type planar i~, .,~
~7~7~)~
filter materials capable o entrappinq formed ~uspension elements or particulates during flow between the parallel surfaces of the filter contained in the separator chamber 20. Illustrative of such filter 5. materials i~ a gla88 microfiber filter which is available in a range of porosities suitable for entrapping particulates from any number of su3pensions of interest including blood and tissue washes.
As previously mentioned, it i9 absolutely 10. necessary that the porositie~ of the filter materials be interconnected in the plane of the filter to facilitate flow of the suspension and eluant from one end of the filter to the other rather than between the eluant and su~pension receiving ports.
15. The housing 12, a~ best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5 incorporates an eluant receiving port 30 which permits a suitable eluant, such as a balanced salt solution, to be introduced into the separator chamber 20. Located in the front ~ection 14 of the 20. housing 12 is a suspension receivinq port 32 through which the suspenslon, such a3 blood, may be introduced to the separator chamber 20.
Located in juxtapo~ition to the lower extremity of the filter body 24 is a liquid di~charge 25. port 34 whose dimQnsion may be of a ~ize requisite to y the desired rate of flow of the liquid component of the su pension from the separator chamber 20.
It will be noted that the precise conformity of the mass of the filter body 24 to the shape of the 5. separator chamber 20 is required in order that the bypassing alluded to hereinabove be avoided and the substantially triangular configuration of the filter body 24 in separator chamber 20 has been chosen t~
achieve such conformity. In addition, the greater width 10. of the filter body 24 i8 located adjacent the eluant and liquid suspension introductory ports 50 that the relatively large quanity of liquid injected through these ports may be adequately received by the filter body 24 and conveyed through the gradually restricted 15. area of the filter body 24 to the inverted apex of the generally triangular configuration of the filter body 24.
Thus, the eluant introduced through the eluant port 30 carries the introduced suspension through the 20. gradually restricted area of the filter body 24 and the particulates are suspended in the interstice~ of the filter body until the liquid component of the su~pension is delivered to the discharge port 34.
It is al~o desirable to have the lower 25. extremity of the filter body 24 projecting through the ~.~
8~
discharge port 34 ~o that physical contact with the relevant portion of a te~t or assay device may be obtained.
By insuring physical contact between the lower 5. extremity of the filter body 24 and the relevant portion of a test or assay device, the necessity for a substan-tial flow of the liquid component of the suspension is eliminated and, thu~, a large amount of eluant need not be applied to the filer body 24 through the eluant 10. port 30.
The slot 40 may be provided in the lower extremity of the hou~ing 12 to act as a guide for the introduction of a test or assay device 42, a~ best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing~. The relevant portion of the 15. device 42 can be introduced into the slot 40 and the filtered liquid component of the suspension be contacted thereby to provide an immediate indication of the desired chracteristic of the liquid component of the suspension being ~ought.
20. Although I have dl~closed the utilization of a glass microfiber filter and its incorpo'ration in the separator chamber 20, there are other means available for restricting the flow of eluant and the liquid portion of the suspension to the body of the filter.
25. For instance~ the` filter body 24 can be sandwiched ~ 7~7~
between sheets of nonporous material parallel to and in contact with the filter surfaces and edges. A typical material for such enclosing sheet~ i8 sheets of vinyl plastic which can be heat-sealed at the edges.
5. The enclosing sheets may ke pierced to provide access to the eluant, suspension and discharge ports.
It was al50 conceivable that a filter utilizing the sheets as the housing instead of the relatively rigid housing formed from polyethylene might be utilized with 10. the ports provided in the sheets in the same manner as in the more rigid housing.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed at 50 in FIGS. 3, 4 and ~ of the drawings wherein the same reference numerals as were utilized in 15. discussing identical components of the previously dis-cu~sed embodiment are utilized.
The essential difference between the previously discus3ed embodiment 10 an~ the present embodiment 50 lies in the provision of a test chamber 52 20. in the lower extremity of the housing 12 in immediate juxtaposition to and in fluid communication with the discharge port 34. Located in the test chamber 52 will be an assay or test composite 54 8Ui table for the test being cqnducted. Therefore, the eluted liquid portion 25. of the suspension is transferred t~ the assay or test ~ 7~
chamber for immediate analysis. A viewing port 56 may be provided in the wall of the test chamber 52 to permit visual apperception of the test re~ults.
Although I have disclosed, in the previous 5. embodiments 10 and 50 of the invention simple injection ports for the eluant and su~pension~, it is conceivable that troughlike re~ervoirs 62 and 64 be provided adja-cent the eluant and ~uspension ports 30 and 32, respec-tively, see FIG. 7, ~o that the required dosage can be 10. placed in the troughlike reservoirs or receptacles 62 and 64 to permit the absorption of the eluant and suspension into the fibrous interstices of the filter body 24.
Alternatively~ as best illustrated in FIG. 8 15. of the drawings, a sealed capsule 72 can be provided adjacent the eluant port 30 containing the requisite amount of eluant previously determined to be necessary to convey the liquid component of the su~pension to the discharge port 34. The sealed capcule 72 incorporates a 20. rupturab~e area 74 which, when the cap~ule 72 is com-pressed between the fingers, will ba ruptured to permit the flow of eluant into the sep~rator chamber 20.
The separator of the invention may be utilized to sepa~at~ a quantity of the liquid component of the 25. ~uspension by dosing the filter body 24 through the suspen~ion port 32. The ~u~penslon enters the i ~
7~
poro ities of the filter body 24 which permit liquid flow but entrap the formed suspen~ion elements or particulates.
A predetermined volume of eluant fed from the 5~ reservoir through the eluant port 30 displaces the liquid portion of the suRpension from the suspension port 32 toward the discharge port 34 in a path deter-mined by the triangular configuration of the filter body 24 and separator chamber 20. The volume of eluant 10. is selected so that the liquid portion of the suspension will be displaced through the discharge port 34, while the eluant is retained within the filter body 24.
A specific and particular exam~le of the use of the separator of the invention i8 the obtaining of an 15. aliquot of the liquid portion of bovine blood for the determination of parasitic infections in beef carcasses.
The separator is utili~ed in the ~laughterhouse to obtain the blood sample and is attached to the beef carcass during processing.
20. In usage, the blood samp~e is added at the suspension port 32 and the formed blood elements or particulates are trapped within the filter body 24 as the eluant displaces the liquid portion of the blood longitu~inally and laterally through the body of the 25. filter to the discharge port 34 where it is transferred J~
~ 7~
to the test or assay strip or to such other object as may be desired.
Another embodiment 80 of the separator of the invention is ~hown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings.
5. The separator 80 include~ a generally rectangular housing 82 which may be fabricated from the Bame types of plastic as the previoucly discus~ed embodiments and which includes an eluant reservoir 84 having an eluant port 86 at the bottom thereof communicating with a 10. separator chamber 88 which is formed in the housing 82.
Located in the separator chamber 88 is a filter body 90 which i6 of generally elongated rectangular configuration, but which has a lower truncated conical portion 92, as best shown in FIG. 10 15. of the drawings.
Formed in the wall of the housing in overlying relationship with the filter bod~ 90 and below the eluant port 86 is a suspension liquid port 94 which is large enough to permit a sample of the suspension liquid 20. to be placed upon the filter body 90 and which i9 located below the eluant port 86 to permit the flow of eluant from the eluant re~ervoir 84 to cause the movement of the liquid component of the suspension liquid~ downwardly by gravity toward the discharge 25. port 96.
,~ \, j -~r ~-~7~7()~
As previously men'cioned~ the extreme lower end of the filter body 90 may protrude through the discharge port 96 into a slot 98 in the housin~ 82 to permit a te~t assay to be inserted into contiguity to the lower 5. extremity of the filter body 90 and the discharge port 96.
Of course, as previously mentioned, the fabrication of the housings of the variou~ embodiments can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways by the 10. utilization of an equally wide variety of manufacturing expedients. For instance, the separator 80 may be fabricated from an injection molded blank in which the separator chamber is constituted by an elongated slot for the reception of the filter body bhich slot is later 15. covered by a liquid-proof cover, such a~ a liquid-proof label or the like.
Therefore, the expencive~ time-consuming and impractical laboratory testing of beef blood samples is eliminated and it becomes economically feasible by the 20. utilization of the separator manufactured in accordance with thOe teachings of this invention to te~t individual beef carcasses as they are transported along the line in the slaughterhouse.
~ It will be apparent to those skilled in the 25. art that various e~bodiments other than those disclosed hereinabove can be constr~cted which will fall within the scope of the appended claim6, althou~h differing in details of construction.
,.
Claims (7)
1. In a suspension liquid separator, the combination of: a housing having a separator chamber and an eluant port, a liquid suspension receiving port and a liquid discharge port communicating with said chamber; and a depth-type, planar, liquid filter body located in said chamber in jux-taposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liquid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port and the porosities of the filter material being interconnected in the plane of the filter, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configured such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby fluid flow is restricted within said filter body.
2. The separator of claim 1 in which said filter body is flat and incorporates co-planar surfaces juxtaposed to walls of said chamber to prevent bypassing of liquid suspen-sion and eluant around said filter body.
3. The separator of claim 2 in which said chamber and said filter body are of generally flat, triangular configu-ration having a base and an apex with the base of said tri-angular filter body juxtaposed to said liquid suspension receiving and eluant ports and the apex of said body juxta-posed to said discharge port, said filter body corresponding to said triangular configuration of said chamber to cause liquid flow from said eluant and liquid suspension ports to said discharge port.
4. In a liquid suspension separator for providing a liquid test specimen from which particulates have been removed, the combination of a housing incorporating a separa-tor chamber, said housing having eluant and liquid suspen-sion ports located at one extremity of said chamber and a discharge port communicating with another extremity of said chamber; a depth-type planar liquid filter body located in said separator chamber in juxtaposition to said ports, said filter body having one portion adjacent said eluant and liq-uid suspension receiving ports and another portion adjacent said liquid discharge port, the width of said chamber at said another portion being configures such that said another portion completely fills said chamber, whereby fluid flow is restricted within said filter body said filter body incorpo-rating laterally operative filtration passages whereby eluant and liquid suspension introduced into said chamber through said respective ports will be conveyed to said dis-charge port while said particulates are retained in said filter body.
5. The separator of claim 4 in which said housing has receptor means therein for the reception of a testing device to be juxtaposed to the discharge port in order that it may receive a liquid specimen from said discharge port.
6. The separator of claim 4 in which said receptor means comprises a receptor slot formed in said body immedi-ately adjacent said discharge port and adapted to receive said test device.
7. The separator of claim 4 in which said housing incorporates a test chamber in liquid communication with said discharge port.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US723,162 | 1985-04-15 | ||
| US06/723,162 US4696797A (en) | 1985-04-15 | 1985-04-15 | Suspension liquid separator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1271709A true CA1271709A (en) | 1990-07-17 |
Family
ID=24905116
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000498435A Expired - Fee Related CA1271709A (en) | 1985-04-15 | 1985-12-23 | Suspension liquid separator |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4696797A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0640936B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU586849B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE904484A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1271709A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH671343A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3604612C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2580189B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2181662B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1190191B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL8600058A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE464731B (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5240844A (en) * | 1985-09-13 | 1993-08-31 | Wie Siong I | Test kit for determining the presence of organic materials and method of utilizing same |
| US5000922A (en) * | 1986-02-19 | 1991-03-19 | Jon Turpen | Sample filtration, separation and dispensing device |
| US5112490A (en) * | 1986-02-19 | 1992-05-12 | Jon Turpen | Sample filtration, separation and dispensing device |
| US4753776A (en) * | 1986-10-29 | 1988-06-28 | Biotrack, Inc. | Blood separation device comprising a filter and a capillary flow pathway exiting the filter |
| US5110727A (en) * | 1987-04-03 | 1992-05-05 | Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Inc. | Method for performing coagulation assays accurately, rapidly and simply, using dry chemical reagents and paramagnetic particles |
| US5435970A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1995-07-25 | Environmental Diagnostics, Inc. | Device for analysis for constituents in biological fluids |
| DK0689673T3 (en) * | 1993-03-17 | 1998-02-02 | Akzo Nobel Nv | Apparatus for detecting a specific reactant |
| JP3234370B2 (en) * | 1993-10-01 | 2001-12-04 | タイホー工業株式会社 | Sample collection device |
| US5416026A (en) * | 1993-10-04 | 1995-05-16 | I-Stat Corporation | Method for detecting the change in an analyte due to hemolysis in a fluid sample |
| DE19753849A1 (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-06-10 | Roche Diagnostics Gmbh | Analytical test element with a tapered capillary channel |
| US6833111B2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2004-12-21 | Varian, Inc. | Multiple analyte assaying device with a multiple sample introduction system |
| US7270959B2 (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2007-09-18 | Oakville Hong Kong Company Limited | Specimen collection container |
| US7300633B2 (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2007-11-27 | Oakville Hong Kong Company Limited | Specimen collection container |
| US20030235521A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2003-12-25 | Shea Laurence R. | Array assay devices and methods of using the same |
| JP4885134B2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2012-02-29 | エイカーズ バイオサイエンスィズ インコーポレイテッド | Blood separation device and method for separating liquid component fraction from whole blood |
| AU2006321289B2 (en) * | 2005-05-23 | 2011-12-08 | Phadia Ab | Two step lateral flow assay methods and devices |
| BRPI0802006B1 (en) * | 2008-04-17 | 2020-12-15 | Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais | DEVICE FOR CONTROL AND MONITORING OF VACUUM PRESSURE IN ASPIRATION SYSTEMS FOR BIOLOGICAL SECRETIONS |
| US8956859B1 (en) | 2010-08-13 | 2015-02-17 | Aviex Technologies Llc | Compositions and methods for determining successful immunization by one or more vaccines |
| KR101215006B1 (en) * | 2011-08-16 | 2012-12-24 | 바디텍메드 주식회사 | Capillary microcuvette having dual sampling means |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3697227A (en) * | 1966-05-13 | 1972-10-10 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Chemical constituent sampler |
| CH550016A (en) * | 1969-03-27 | 1974-06-14 | Sterilplast Spa | DIALYZER. |
| US3660033A (en) * | 1969-09-29 | 1972-05-02 | Leroy L Schwartz | Disposable specimen collection and analysis bag |
| BE786213A (en) * | 1971-07-13 | 1973-01-15 | Technicon Instr | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES, IN PARTICULAR DESANG |
| DD111644A2 (en) * | 1974-05-23 | 1975-03-12 | ||
| SE406039B (en) * | 1974-08-29 | 1979-01-22 | Transcodan | IN THE LIQUID CROOM FROM INFUSION AND TRANSFUSION DEVICES CONNECTED FILTER UNIT |
| US4289623A (en) * | 1975-11-05 | 1981-09-15 | Extracorporeal Medical Specialties, Inc. | Hollow fiber dialysis |
| GB1573627A (en) * | 1976-09-18 | 1980-08-28 | Ismail A A A | Process and device for the determination and detection of a reaction component |
| US4188948A (en) * | 1977-10-20 | 1980-02-19 | American Hospital Supply Corporation | Filter device |
| US4294594A (en) * | 1979-10-02 | 1981-10-13 | United States Surgical Corporation | Self-contained filter assembly for removing air, particles and bacteria from a solution |
| US4318813A (en) * | 1980-06-30 | 1982-03-09 | Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. | Membrane plasmapheresis module |
| US4369112A (en) * | 1981-03-18 | 1983-01-18 | Gelman Sciences Inc. | Filter device |
| DE3205229C2 (en) * | 1982-02-13 | 1983-12-22 | Sartorius GmbH, 3400 Göttingen | Disposable filters |
| JPS59168843A (en) * | 1983-03-14 | 1984-09-22 | ジエルマン サイエンシスインコ−ポレ−テツド | Method and filter for sampling serum specimen |
-
1985
- 1985-04-15 US US06/723,162 patent/US4696797A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-12-23 CA CA000498435A patent/CA1271709A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1986
- 1986-01-03 SE SE8600019A patent/SE464731B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1986-01-13 NL NL8600058A patent/NL8600058A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-01-15 FR FR8600493A patent/FR2580189B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-01-17 AU AU52526/86A patent/AU586849B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1986-01-21 IT IT47558/86A patent/IT1190191B/en active
- 1986-01-28 GB GB8602021A patent/GB2181662B/en not_active Expired
- 1986-02-14 DE DE3604612A patent/DE3604612C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-02-15 CH CH604/86A patent/CH671343A5/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1986-03-25 BE BE0/216451A patent/BE904484A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1986-04-15 JP JP61086953A patent/JPH0640936B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL8600058A (en) | 1986-11-03 |
| AU5252686A (en) | 1986-10-23 |
| IT1190191B (en) | 1988-02-16 |
| DE3604612C2 (en) | 1996-07-25 |
| SE464731B (en) | 1991-06-03 |
| GB8602021D0 (en) | 1986-03-05 |
| DE3604612A1 (en) | 1986-10-23 |
| US4696797A (en) | 1987-09-29 |
| FR2580189B1 (en) | 1990-10-19 |
| FR2580189A1 (en) | 1986-10-17 |
| GB2181662A (en) | 1987-04-29 |
| IT8647558A0 (en) | 1986-01-21 |
| AU586849B2 (en) | 1989-07-27 |
| GB2181662B (en) | 1989-06-21 |
| SE8600019L (en) | 1986-10-16 |
| CH671343A5 (en) | 1989-08-31 |
| JPS61238313A (en) | 1986-10-23 |
| JPH0640936B2 (en) | 1994-06-01 |
| SE8600019D0 (en) | 1986-01-03 |
| BE904484A (en) | 1986-07-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |