Fluid level regulator
View Patent ↗A biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprises a biological sample container configured for storing a biological fluid sample, and a fluid level regulator configured to determine a fluid level in the biological sample container and to dispense a fluid into the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level. A method of regulating a fluid level of a biological fluid sample in a container during a process of transferring biological matter in the fluid sample to a specimen slide, the method comprises monitoring a pressure of an interior chamber of a specimen filter, the chamber coupled to a vacuum source and having one end submerged in the fluid sample, determining a fluid level of the fluid sample in the container based on a detected change in pressure of the specimen filter chamber, and adding a liquid to the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level.
1. A biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:
a biological sample container configured for storing a biological fluid sample;
a vacuum source;
a specimen filter having an interior chamber and an opening in communication with the chamber; and
a fluid level regulator configured to determine a fluid level in the biological sample container and to dispense a fluid into the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level, wherein the fluid level regulator comprises:
a fluid level monitor;
a fluid dispenser; and
a controller in communication with the fluid level monitor and the fluid dispenser,
wherein the fluid level monitor comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the specimen filter chamber while the chamber is coupled with the vacuum source and the opening is submerged in the fluid sample, wherein the controller uses the measured pressure in determining the fluid level.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a filtration based biological specimen slide processor.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a vacuum conduit configured to couple the vacuum source to the specimen filter chamber.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an elevator for moving the sample container relative to the specimen filter, wherein the controller uses a relative position of the elevator in determining the fluid level.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening in the specimen filter is positioned at the desired fluid level.
6. A biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:
a biological sample container configured for storing a biological fluid sample, the fluid sample container being translucent;
a fluid level regulator configured to determine a fluid level in the biological sample container and to dispense a fluid into the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level, wherein the fluid level regulator comprises:
a fluid level monitor;
a fluid dispenser; and
a controller in communication with the fluid level monitor and the fluid dispenser,
wherein the fluid level monitor comprises
a light source configured to emit light towards a side of the fluid sample container; and
a light detector configured to measure light passing through the fluid sample container, wherein the controller uses a measurement of detected light emitted from the light source in determining the fluid level.
7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a filtration based biological specimen slide processor.
8. A method of regulating a fluid level of a biological fluid sample in a container during a process of transferring biological matter in the fluid sample to a specimen slide, the method comprising:
monitoring a pressure of an interior chamber of a specimen filter, the chamber coupled to a vacuum source and having one end submerged in the fluid sample;
determining a fluid level of the fluid sample in the container based on a detected change in pressure of the specimen filter chamber;
adding a liquid to the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level; and
submerging the one end of the chamber by moving the container towards the one end of the chamber until the change in pressure is detected.
9. A method of regulating a fluid level of a biological fluid sample in a container during a process of transferring biological matter in the fluid sample to a specimen slide, the method comprising:
monitoring a pressure of an interior chamber of a specimen filter, the chamber coupled to a vacuum source and having one end submerged in the fluid sample;
determining a fluid level of the fluid sample in the container based on a detected change in pressure of the specimen filter chamber;
adding a liquid to the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level; and
submerging the one end of the chamber by disposing the one end of the chamber at the desired fluid level and adding the liquid to the container until the change in pressure is detected and the determined fluid level is equal to the desired fluid level.