Patent ID: 8507280
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of normalizing surface tension of a sample fluid on a clinical analyzer, the method comprising: first aspirating a portion of a sample fluid into a metering tip, the metering tip having a lower end through which the sample fluid is aspirated and an upper end, and the sample fluid being free of surface-tension normalizing agent; then sealing the lower end of the metering tip, forming a cuvette for the portion of the sample fluid; then pre-treating a micro-tip with a surface tension-normalizing agent by aspirating a volume of a surface-tension normalizing agent into the micro-tip, then dispensing out a portion of the volume of the surface-tension normalizing agent and retaining in the micro-tip a remaining portion of the volume of the surface-tension normalizing agent; then dispensing the remaining portion of the volume of the surface tension-normalizing agent into the sample fluid in the cuvette; then mixing the remaining portion of the volume of the surface tension-normalizing agent and the sample fluid in the cuvette using the micro-tip to create a mixture of the sample fluid and the surface tension-normalizing agent, wherein the mixing comprises repeatedly aspirating and dispensing a volume of the mixture, the volume of the mixture being less than or equal to the volume of the surface-tension normalizing agent used to pre-treat the micro-tip, the mixture having a normalized surface tension; and using the mixture for testing on the clinical analyzer.