CA1109034A - Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes - Google Patents

Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes

Info

Publication number
CA1109034A
CA1109034A CA315,910A CA315910A CA1109034A CA 1109034 A CA1109034 A CA 1109034A CA 315910 A CA315910 A CA 315910A CA 1109034 A CA1109034 A CA 1109034A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
plate
guide means
tube
tubes
tapering
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
Application number
CA315,910A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Strathearn Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sanofi Pasteur Ltd
Original Assignee
Connaught Laboratories Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Connaught Laboratories Ltd filed Critical Connaught Laboratories Ltd
Priority to CA315,910A priority Critical patent/CA1109034A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1109034A publication Critical patent/CA1109034A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0289Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid
    • B01L3/0293Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid for liquids

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus useful in the addition of reagents in small quantities to micro reaction systems is described. The apparatus enables liquids to be dispensed within a narrow desired area of a receiving tube from a needle while avoiding undesired contact with tube walls. Guide means control the position of the needle with respect to the tube. The apparatus is particularly useful in connection with a radio-immune assay system wherein radioactive labelled protein is delivered to a tube.

Description

11~9~34 he present invention relates to a device that is to be used generally for directing the addition of liquids to a reaction system, such that the liquid delivered is confined to a desired small area of the reaction vessel's surface.
The invention is particularly useful in a radioimmune assay system wherein radioactive labelled protein is delivered to a tube.

In the addition of reagents in small quantities to micro reaction systems, it is important that all the reagent be delivered and that none be left on the sides of the reaction vessel. This is especially true when the added reagent is part of an eventual detection system for studying the reaction. For example, in the addition of radioactive labelled materials to a reaction vessel, where the final measurement is the amount of radioactivity remaining in the vessel, perhaps in the form of a precipitate or complex bound to the surface of the vessel, it is highly desirable that no labelled material be splashed or otherwise be deposited onto the sides of the vessel, which would lead to a higher than expected count. This is especially true if the vessel is placed directly into the counting apparatus as in the case of a tube.
This problem has direct relevance to radioimmune assays conducted in small tubes, where volumes are small and accurate counts are required. The basic premise behind any radioimmune assay is that an antigen or antibody, is allowed to combine with its respective radioactively-labelled antibody or antigen, as the case may be, and that the resultant labelled complex is isolated, the radioactivity measured and,
- 2 - ..
~' ~1~ii9~3~4 from this figure and comparison with measurements taken on standard materials, the amount of original material calculated.
One particular type of assay that employs an extension of this concept is the so-called "sandwich" assay employing protein-coated tubes. In this assay, an antibody to the desired antigen is first absorbed from solution onto the inner surface of a glass or plastic tube. The remainder of the solution is removed and the tube washed. Both glass and plastic will readily absorb proteins onto their surfaces and after the washing a "coat" of antibody is left on the tube. The samples to be tested are then placed in the tubes and any antigen present in the sample will be complexed by the antibody on the tube. After removal of the sample and washing, the tubes are treated with radioactively-labelled antibody and it will be readily seen that where antigen is present, labelled antibody will be complexed in a "sandwich"
onto the tube. After washing, the tube is placed directly in a counter and the number of counts in excess of a known negative standard will give an estimate of the quantity of antigen present in the original sample.
Because of the aforementioned adsorptive properties of the tube material, any radioactive protein that is splashed or otherwise placed on the sides of the tube rather than contacting the already-coated portion of the tube may absorb to the inside of the tube or dry onto the wall of the tube. This labelled protein will not readily be washed off and will tend to leave labelled protein on the tube where it has not reacted with the antigen, resulting in a higher count than expected. Such higher counts will be especially detrimental in samples in which there is no antigen and which might normally be expected to give low counts. When this occurs, the result is a false positive reaction.
Whilst it is relatively easy~to ensure that no splashing occurs on the addition of reagents, the actual reagent addition requires dexterity and is time-consuming and tedious. secause radioimmune assays are becoming very useful for diagnostic purposes and many hundreds of tests have to be performed in a day, it is desirable that false-positives be reduced to a minimum and yet the maximum number of tests be performed.
The present invention provides an apparatus that al-lows for the quick addition of solutions to small tubes without the possible concomitant splashing, permitting the provision of a radioimmune assay kit which is capable of conducting many tests rapidly without error.
In accordance with one aspect of the present inven-tion, there is provided a guide apparatus for use in connec-tion with the dispensing of liquids from an elongate dispensing mem~er to a specific small confined area location, comprising a planar plate~like member having longitudinal and lateral extremities and adapted to be positioned substan-- tially horizontally in use, planar wall members depending from each of the longitudinal and lateral extremities and terminating in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plate-like mem~er, and a plurality of guide means integrally-formed with the plate-like mem~er and extending in tapering fashion from one open end at the plate-like member towards the plane and terminating in another open end at a location spaced from the plane, whereby the dispensing member may extend through the guide means and dispense liquids o~ly to
3~ a specific small confined area location below the guide apparatus.

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...

?34 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention~ there is provided an apparatus for the dispensing of liquids into tubes from an elongate dispensing member, comprising a block of support material having an upper surface and side surfaces and a plurality of upwardly-opening holes formed therein, a plurality of tubes located in snug fit relationship one in each of the holes in recessed manner with respect to the upper surface, and a cover member for the ~lock of support material, the cover member comprising a planar plate-like portion extending in face-abutting relationship with the upper surface of the block and planar wall portion depending from longitudinal and lateral extremities of the plate-like portions and extending adjacent with the side surfaces of the block, the cover mem~er further comprising a plurality of open ended guide means extending in tapering fashion from the plate-like portion one into each of the plurality of tubes in non-touching axial relationship therewith, each of the guide means being dimensioned to position and support the elongate dispensing member in the tube spaced from the walls and bottom thereof in all positions of the elongate dispen-sing member with respect to the guide means.
The invention is further described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view with parts cut away for illustrative purposes, of a radioimmune assay kit embodying the guide device of this invention; and Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, a radioimmune assay kit 10 comprises a lower block of foamed plastic material 12 such as, expanded polystyrene or other convenient shock and ~ 4a -~9~3~

thermal-resistant support material, and an upper cover member 14, preferably formed of rigid clear plastic material or other convenient material of construction. The lower block 12 has a plurality of open-topped holes 16 formed therein in regular pattern. In each of the holes 16 is positioned in snug-fit relationship therewith an open-topped - 4b -reaction tube 18 in recessed re:Lation with respect to the top surface 20 of the block 12, as can be seen ~ Figure 2.
The tubes 18 are adapted to receive the reagents discussed above and may be formed of glass or convenient polymeric material, such as, polystyrene. Where the tubes 18 are to be used for an assay of the sandwich type an antibody protein layer 19 is first coated on the tube inner surface.
The cover member 14 comprises a flat plate portion 22 which engages the top surface 20 in face-abutting relation-ship and integral depending outer walls 24 which engage the side walls 26 of the lower block 12 at the lower ends thereof in face-abutting relationship. The depending walls 24 have a protrusion 28 which engages a shoulder 29 to resist further downward movement of the cover 14 with respect to the block 12. The face-abutting relationship of the walls 24 and 26 effectively maintains the kit 10 in assembled relationship.
Depending from the flat plate portion 22 are a plurality of downwardly-tapering tubular members 30 or guide means, open at both ends and in number the same as the number of tubes 18. Each of the tubular guide members 30 extends generally axially and centrally of one of the tubes 18.
It will be seen from Figure 2 that, owing to the recessed location of the tubes 18, no part of the guide - means 30 touches the tube 18 so that any contamination from this source is avoided.
The tubular members 30 are dimensioned to extend to a position upwardly spaced with respect to the lower extremities of the walls 24.

As may be seen from Figure 2, each of the tubular 13L~9~;~`34 members 30 comprises a short upper steeply-tapering conical portion 32 adjacent the plate portion 22 and a long gently-tapering portion 34 extending from the steeply-tapering portion 32 to the lower end of the tubular member 30.
The conical portion 32 is intended to aid in location of the delivery system, for example, a syringe -needle 36 or a micropipette, into the tubular member 30, and acts as a support system for the delivery system when positioned in the tubular member 30 such that the needle 36 does not extend to the base of the tube 18. The angle of the walls of the conical portion 32 may vary to suit any delivery system relative to different sizes of tubes, preferably between about 30 and about 60, more preferably about 45.
The gently-tapering portion 34 is dimensioned to act as a guide for the needle 36 or other delivery system to ensure that the needle 36 does not engage the walls of the tube 18 even if inserted or withdrawn non-axially with respect to the tube 18. This may be seen by the dotted outlines of the needle 36 which represent the limits of movement of the needle 36.
While the combined effect of the shaping of the tubular members 30 is to ensure that the needle 36 does not quite reach the bottom of the tube 18 or touch the sides of the tube 18, even though it is moved or non-axially inserted, it is preferred to dimension and shape the tubular members 30 so that, after delivery of the reagent to the tube 18 from the needle 36, the tip of the needle 36 just touches the liquid surface. The latter construction is particularly useful in avoiding contamination, since the tip of the needle 36 drains evenly. If a drop of liquid is ~ )g~34 left on the tip of the needle 36, it may be knocked off during removal of the needle 36.
The assay kit 10 may be used in any convenient radioimmune assay, for example, for the detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen. The provision of the guides permits rapid insertion and removal of delivery systems for dispensing liquids and avoids the time-consuming prior operations necessary to ensure proper dispensing of liquid samples into the tube and the incidence of incorrect readings owing to improper dispensing.
The present invention, therefore, provides a novel radioimmune assay kit which can effect a number of assays rapidly with a minimum of incorrect readings.
While the present invention has been described particularly with reference to a radioimmune assay kit, it will be apparent that the guide means has wider applicability to all systems wherein the dispensing of liquids into tubes is required to be effected in precisely controlled manner.
Modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A guide apparatus for use in connection with the dispensing of liquids from an elongate dispensing member to a specific small confined area location, comprising a planar plate-like member having longitudinal and lateral extremities and adapted to be positioned substan-tially horizontally in use, planar wall members depending from each of said longitudinal and lateral extremities and terminating in a plane parallel to and spaced from said plate-like member, and a plurality of guide means integrally-formed with said plate-like member and extending in tapering fashion from one open end at said plate-like member towards said plane and terminating in another open end at a location spaced from said plane, whereby said dispensing member may extend through said guide means and dispense liquids only to a specific small confined area location below said guide apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced parallel tapering tubular members.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said tubular members comprises an upper steeply-tapering conical portion adjacent said plate-like member and a lower gently-tapering portion for the remainder of the length thereof.
4. An apparatus for the dispensing of liquids into tubes from an elongate dispensing member, comprising a block of support material having an upper surface and side surfaces and a plurality of upwardly-opening holes formed therein, a plurality of tubes located in snug fit relation-ship one in each of said holes in recessed manner with respect to said upper surface, and a cover member for said block of support material, said cover member comprising a planar plate-like portion extending in face-abutting relationship with said upper surface of said block and planar wall portion depending from longitudinal and lateral extremities of said plate-like portions and extending adjacent with said side surfaces of said block, said cover member further comprising a plurality of open ended guide means extending in tapering fashion from said plate-like portion one into each of said plurality of tubes in non-touching axial relationship therewith, each said guide means being dimensioned to position and support said elongate dispensing member in said tube spaced from the walls and bottom thereof in all positions of said elongate dispensing member with respect to said guide means.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein guide means comprises a tubular member having a short steeply-tapered conical portion adjacent said plate-like portion and a long gently-tapered portion for the remainder of the length thereof.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said steeply-shaped conical portion slopes at an angle of about 30° to about 60° to the axis of said tubular member.
CA315,910A 1978-11-07 1978-11-07 Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes Expired CA1109034A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA315,910A CA1109034A (en) 1978-11-07 1978-11-07 Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA315,910A CA1109034A (en) 1978-11-07 1978-11-07 Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1109034A true CA1109034A (en) 1981-09-15

Family

ID=4112912

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA315,910A Expired CA1109034A (en) 1978-11-07 1978-11-07 Apparatus for dispensing liquid into tubes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1109034A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999020394A2 (en) * 1997-10-17 1999-04-29 Texperts, Inc. Spillproof microplate assembly
CN113895665A (en) * 2021-09-10 2022-01-07 上海素莲食品科技有限公司 Canned plant protein ham packaging equipment and working method thereof

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6027694A (en) * 1996-10-17 2000-02-22 Texperts, Inc. Spillproof microplate assembly
WO1999020394A2 (en) * 1997-10-17 1999-04-29 Texperts, Inc. Spillproof microplate assembly
WO1999020394A3 (en) * 1997-10-17 1999-07-29 Texperts Inc Spillproof microplate assembly
CN113895665A (en) * 2021-09-10 2022-01-07 上海素莲食品科技有限公司 Canned plant protein ham packaging equipment and working method thereof

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