Method of dispensing analytic reference material

Abstract

A method of dispensing an analytic reference material includes providing a dispensing device including an ampoule having at least two storage lumens extending axially along the length of an ampoule body, an analytic reference material subunit in each of the storage lumens, distal gaskets sealing the analytic reference material subunits from a distal end of the ampoule, and an outlet lumen. The method also includes providing a plunger assembly coupled to a proximal end of the ampoule, the plunger assembly in communication with the storage lumens and depressing the plunger assembly to force the distal gaskets into gasket seats in the dispensing device and expelling the analytic reference material subunits from the storage lumens via the outlet lumen to form the analytic reference material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method dispensing an analytic reference material, comprising:
 providing a dispensing device comprising an ampoule having at least two storage lumens extending axially along the length of an ampoule body, an analytic reference material subunit in each of the storage lumens, distal gaskets sealing the analytic reference material subunits from a distal end of the ampoule, and an outlet lumen;   providing a plunger assembly coupled to a proximal end of the ampoule, the plunger assembly in communication with the storage lumens; and   depressing the plunger assembly to force the distal gaskets into gasket seats in the dispensing device and expelling the analytic reference material subunits from the storage lumens via the outlet lumen to form the analytic reference material.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , wherein the analytic reference material subunits combine in a mixing tip coupled to a distal end of the ampoule body prior to expulsion from the mixing tip. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , comprising providing the dispensing device having proximal gaskets sealing the analytic reference material subunits in the storage lumens from the proximal end of the ampoule. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , wherein the analytic reference material subunits flow over a curved surface of the distal gaskets seated in the gasket seats to the outlet lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device is provided with a proximal dead space and a distal dead space in the storage lumens for thermal expansion of the analytic reference material subunits. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , comprising providing the dispensing device having at least four storage lumens. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing the dispensing device having the least four storage lumens distributed in a radial configuration about a center point. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing method of  claim 6 , comprising providing the dispensing device having a different analytic reference material subunit in each storage lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , wherein each analytic reference material subunit has at least two chemical components and at least one liquid carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing method of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the provided analytic reference material subunits are chemically incompatible with one another.