ULTRASONIC BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

An ultrasonic sample evaluation process in which a vial containing a liquid medium is placed on a receptacle and a ultrasonic source signal is propagated upwards in the vertical direction through the liquid medium. A number of reflected ultrasonic signals is received at the bottom of the sample vial and evaluated to identify a pattern characteristic of a reflection off the meniscus, and the presence of a pattern characteristic of a collection implement located in the liquid medium. An estimate of the amount of liquid medium contained in the sample vial is generated based on a time characteristic of the pattern characteristic of a reflection off the meniscus, and a signal indicating the presence of a collection implement in the liquid medium is generated upon identifying such a pattern.