Inventors:
Amirthaganesh Subramanian - San Jose CA, US
Jeffrey Sugarman - Los Altos CA, US
Chiming Frank Huang - San Jose CA, US
Assignee:
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY - Franklin Lakes NJ
International Classification:
G01M 3/02
Abstract:
Provided herein are systems and methods for detecting a compromised flow line in a laboratory instrument. In one embodiment, for example, the system includes: (1) a wash station in fluid communication with a sample probe; (2) a fluid line coupled to the wash station to withdraw fluid from the wash station and deliver the fluid to a waste tank; and (3) a vacuum transducer, coupled to the fluid line, to measure vacuum pressure per unit time within the fluid line. The vacuum pressure per unit time is then used to detect a compromised flow line (e.g., a clog, occlusion, opening, etc. in the flow line).