We claim:
1. A method of transporting a desired fluid in a channel comprising:
providing a working fluid to transport the desired fluid;
providing a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
providing a first segment of the desired fluid;
providing a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
providing the desired fluid to be transported and further manipulated; and
transporting the desired fluid in the channel by applying a motive force to the working fluid which in turn exerts force against the desired fluid through the first and second buffer fluid.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second buffer fluid are the same.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second buffer fluid comprise air.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desired fluid contains an analyte to be analyzed.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desired fluid contains blood to be typed.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises silicone oil.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is a conduit.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel step-wise changes cross-section.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the channel changes from a plastic tube to a metal tube.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is not smooth.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the channel is part of a dispensing nozzle and the desired fluid is dispersed andor aspirated.
12. A method of preventing or reducing contamination or dilution of a fluid being transported in a channel comprising:
providing a working fluid to transport the desired fluid;
providing a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
providing a first segment of the desired fluid;
providing a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid; and
providing the desired fluid to be transported and further manipulated.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the working fluid is present in the channel prior to the desired fluid.
14. A method of dispensing a fluid to be analyzed, comprising:
providing a probe having a working fluid contained therein;
aspirating a segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid from a buffer fluid source into the probe;
aspirating a segment of the fluid to be dispensed;
aspirating a segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid from a buffer fluid source into the probe after the segment of the fluid to be dispensed;
aspirating a selected amount of the fluid to be dispensed; and
dispensing the selected amount of fluid to be dispensed, wherein the segment of fluid to be dispensed located between the first and second buffer fluid is not dispensed.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first and second buffer fluid are the same.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first and second buffer fluid comprise air.
17. An analyzer for analyzing a fluid sample containing an analyte comprising:
a source of a fluid sample containing an analyte to be analyzed;
a sample receiving element for receiving the fluid sample to be analyzed; and
a detector for detecting the analyte contained in the fluid,
a fluid handling system that includes a channel to transport the sample,
wherein the fluid handling systems includes a working fluid in the channel; a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the sample; a first segment of the sample; a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the sample; and the sample to be transported and analyzed, wherein the fluid is present in the channels in the order of working fluid; first buffer fluid; first segment of the fluid sample, second buffer fluid; and the sample which will be analyzed.
18. An analyzer as claimed in claim 17, wherein the fluid handling system comprises an aspirating and dispensing probe and a disposable tip.
19. An apparatus for immunohematological testing of blood comprising:
a sample and reagent metering system;
a gel test card containing multiple microtubes having a gel for agglutinating red blood cells contained in the sample;
an incubator for incubating one or more gels cards;
a centrifuge for centrifuging one or more gel cards; and
an image recorder and processor for recording an image of the test card and processing the results to determine one or more of the following: agglutination strength of weak to strong (0,1,2,3,4), empty gel card, double cell population; excess red cells and no results determined,
wherein the sample and reagent metering system includes a fluid handling system that includes a channel to transport the sample or reagents, wherein the fluid handling systems includes a working fluid in the channel; a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the sample; a first segment of the sample or reagent; a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the sample or reagent; and the sample or reagent to be transported and analyzed, and wherein the fluid is present in the channels in the order of working fluid; first buffer fluid; first segment of the fluid sample or reagent, second buffer fluid; and the sample or reagent which will be analyzed.
20. A microfluidics handling system comprising:
a microsystem platform that comprises:
a substrate having:
a first flat, planar surface; and
a second flat planar surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface comprises:
at least one microchannel;
an optional reagent source;
an optional reaction chamber;
a source of motive force to transport the fluid;
a working fluid in the microchannels;
a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
a first segment of the desired fluid;
a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid; and
the desired fluid to be transported and further manipulated, wherein the fluid is present in the, microchannels in the order of working fluid; first buffer fluid; first segment of the desired fluid, second buffer fluid; and the desired fluid.
21. A handling system according to claim 20, wherein the source of motive force spins the substrate or platform to provide a centripetal force.
22. A handling system according to claim 20, wherein the source of motive force is an electrode based pump.
23. A method of transporting a fluid in a microfluidics handling system comprising:
providing the microfluidics handling system according to claim 20;
providing a working fluid to transport a desired fluid;
providing a first segment of a first buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
providing a first segment of the desired fluid;
providing a second segment of a second buffer fluid which is immiscible with the working fluid and the desired fluid;
providing the desired fluid to be transported and further manipulated; and
transporting the desired fluid in the conduit by applying a motive force to the working fluid which in turn exerts pressure against the desired fluid through the first and second buffer fluid.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of cooperative location of a plurality of nodes possessed by a first mobile body comprising several nodes able to transmit andor receive a signal by wireless means, the method comprising, for at least one first node from among the said nodes, a step of measurements of distances separating the said first node from second nodes by using the said wireless means, each of the said second nodes being possessed by one of the following distinct type entities, by choice:
the first mobile body,
a remote fixed apparatus situated within transmission range of the said mobile body,
a second mobile body, remote and situated within transmission range of the first mobile body,
at least two nodes from among all the said second nodes used to perform the said distance measurements being possessed by two entities of distinct types andor by the said second mobile body, the method comprising a step of utilizing the said measurements to locate at least the said first node at least in relation to a subset of the said second nodes, the method furthermore comprising a step of locating at least one other of the said nodes, possessed by the body by utilizing at least one measurement of distance separating this other node from a third node, it being possible for this third node to be the said first node.
2. The method of cooperative location as claimed in claim 1, in which a first step is executed to measure distances between the first node and second nodes already positioned and possessed by entities remote from the first mobile body, a second step being executed to estimate the position of the said first node on the basis of the said measurements, a third step being executed if it has not been possible to determine the position of the said first node according to the desired accuracy on completion of the second step, the third step comprising at least one measurement of distance between the first node and at least one other node possessed by the first mobile body and positioned on completion of the first step, the position of the said first node then being estimated on the basis of the measurements of distances arising from the first step and from the third step.
3. The method of cooperative location as claimed in claim 1, in which a first step comprises the taking of measurements of distances between the first node and second nodes, at least one second node being possessed by the first mobile body, at least one other second node being possessed by an entity remote from the first mobile body, the method executing a second step to estimate the position of the first node on the basis of the said measurements of distances.
4. The method of cooperative location as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one measurement is performed of time of flight of an indirect path of ultra wideband signal transmitted between the first node and a second node, the said path arising from a single reflection, between the first node and the second node, on a surface external to the body comprising the first node, the second node belonging, by choice, to:
the first mobile body;
a fixed apparatus, remote and situated within transmission range of the said mobile body;
a second mobile body, remote and situated within transmission range of the first mobile body;
utilizing the said time of flight measurement to locate the first node at least with respect to the second node.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the measurements of distances are performed by measurement of the time of arrival of a signal transmitted between the first node and a second node, the first node and the second node being synchronized, or of an exchange of signals transmitted between the first node and a second node, the first node and the second node being asynchronous.
6. A method of cooperative location of a mobile body, the method comprising, for several nodes of the said body, a first step of cooperative location of node as claimed in claim 1, so as to estimate the position of the said nodes, and a second step of utilizing the said positions to locate the said mobile body.
7. A system suitable for the implementation of the method as claimed in claim 1, the system comprising a first mobile body comprising several nodes from among which at least one node is able to transmit signals, for example an ultra wideband radiofrequency transmitter, the said node being within transmission range of at least one second node comprising a receiver able to receive the signals transmitted by the said transmitter, the first mobile body comprising means for calculating a position of the transmitter node.
8. A system suitable for the implementation of the method as claimed in claim 1, the system comprising a first mobile body comprising several nodes from among which at least one node is able to receive signals, for example an ultra wideband radiofrequency receiver, the said node being within transmission range of at least one second node comprising a transmitter of signals, the system comprising means for calculating the position of the receiver node.