Equilibrator device for use in determination of the acid-base status, the oxygen dissociation curve of blood and other properties of physiological interest. The device comprises, within a confined and thermostatically controlled environment, a cuvette for accommodating a sample of blood or other liquid to be equilibrated with a gas phase, means for controlledly rotating such cuvette and means for promoting passage of a gaseous flow firstly through a humidifying ambient and then into the presence of said sample.
This application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 493,316, filed July 31, 1974 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 240,961, filed Apr. 4, 1972, entitled "BLOOD EQUILIBRATOR"and now abandoned.
Standards solutions and test samples are necessary for blood gas analyzers. Production of such standards and test samples has only been possible with relatively expensive apparatus. Such standards and test samples are provided herein by apparatus 10 which equilibrates a liquid 12 with a gas 14. The apparatus 10 includes a barrel 16 open at a first end 18 and at a second end 20. A piston 22 fits matingly reciprocally within the barrel 16. A flow control 26 allows the gas 14 to flow into the second end 20 of the barrel 16 and prevents the liquid 12 from flowing out of the second end 20 of the barrel 16. The gas 14 is allowed to flow out of the barrel 16 above a liquid level 44 therein. A method utilizing the apparatus 10 to prepare standard and test sample solutions is also set out.
Multiple, independent path bubble tonometer apparatus for preparing a plurality of predetermined like or different gas/blood samples under identical though dynamic conditions. The tonometer comprises in a controlled environment common locus, multiple tonometer paths each of which is defined by a gas/blood equilibration chamber, means to add a blood sample to the chamber, means to diffuse a gas into the blood sample to an equilibrium condition therein, the gas diffusion means including a porous diffuser body communicating the sample with a pressurized gas supply, and side arm means to selectively withdraw an aliquot portion of the equilibrium condition sample; and an enclosure defining the controlled environment locus identically about each and every tonometer path for instantly cross-referenceable multiple sample preparations.
The invention is concerned with apparatus for equilibrating an aqueous solution with gas. The apparatus includes a gas vessel having therewithin a gas of a selectable composition at a pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure. Flow control means receive flow from the vessel and control a flow rate therefrom. A solution tube is provided having an aqueous solution therewithin. Conduit means lead from the flow control means to the tube below a liquid level of the aqueous solution. Means are also provided for causing the gas to be delivered within the aqueous solution below the liquid level as a plurality of bubbles. The process of the present invention is directed at simultaneously equilibrating a plurality of aqueous solutions each with one of a plurality of gas compositions. The process comprises positioning a plurality of solutions tubes, each having an open end and a closed end, in mating fit within a respective one of a plurality of cavities formed within a heat conductive block with the open ends of the tubes upwardly and a respective one of a plurality of aqueous solutions in each of the tubes. The temperature of each of the solutions is adjusted to be substantially equal by controlling the temperature of the block to a desired value. A respective one of the plurality of gas compositions is delivered below a respective liquid level of a respective aqueous solution within each respective one of the tubes in the form of bubbles.
Cell useful for equilibrating a hydrophilic liquid such as an aqueous solution held therewithin with a gas composition. The cell comprises a tube having an open end and a closed end, the closed end comprising a porous member having a hydrophobic surface, the member being impervious to flow of a hydrophilic liquid therethrough when the tube is filled therewith and positioned vertically with a closed end thereof downwardly and being permeable to pressurized flow of the gas composition upwardly therethrough. The invention is also concerned with such a cell in an apparatus for equilibrating a hydrophilic liquid such as an aqueous solution with a gas composition, which apparatus comprises a gas vessel having therewithin a gas of a selectable composition at a pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure, flow control means for receiving flow from said vessel and controlling a flow rate therefrom and conduit means leading from the flow control means to a solution cell having therewithin a hydrophilic liquid.
Standards solutions and test samples are necessary for blood gas analyzers. Production of such standards and test samples has only been possible with relatively expensive apparatus. Such standards and test samples are provided herein by apparatus 10 which equilibrates a liquid 12 with a gas 14. The apparatus 10 includes a barrel 16 open at a first end 18 and at a second end 20. A piston 22 fits matingly reciprocally within the barrel 16. A flow control 26 allows the gas 14 to flow into the second end 20 of the barrel 16 and prevents the liquid 12 from flowing out of the second end 20 of the barrel 16. The gas 14 is allowed to flow out of the barrel 16 above a liquid level 44 therein. A method utilizing the apparatus 10 to prepare standard and test sample solutions is also set out.
