Patent ID: 9046507
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: G01F,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring the status of a fluid transfer probe, the method comprising: (A) moving a fluid transfer probe known to have a protective tip on its distal end with respect to a secondary structure; (B) during step (A), measuring a first capacitance reference signal from the fluid transfer probe with the protective tip disposed on its distal end; (C) moving a fluid transfer probe known to lack a protective tip on its distal end with respect to the secondary structure; (D) during step (B), measuring a second capacitance reference signal from the fluid transfer probe lacking a protective tip; (E) deriving a reference value from either or both of the first capacitance reference signal and the second capacitance reference signal; and (F) determining whether or not a fluid transfer probe has a protective tip engaged on its distal end by: