Abstract: An assay device for the performance of immunochromatographic assays and other assays has two principal parts, a first opposable component and a second opposable component. The first opposable component can contain a sample preparation means and a second opposable component can contain a suitable chromatographic medium for detection of an analyte. Alternative embodiments of the invention can also exist. For example, the first opposable component can have a sample preparation means and a chromatographic medium that is not in communication with the sample preparation means and the second opposable component can contain a communicating means that, when the two components are brought into opposition, establishes a communication between the sample preparation means and the chromatographic medium. Assay devices according to the present invention can be used for both unidirectional and bidirectional assays.

Abstract: A stable self-forming density gradient is created by applying a centrifugal field to a solution that contains 27-33% Percoll (v/v) and 36-44% sugar (w/w). This density gradient is stable for several hours, allowing separation of low sedimentation particles, such as subcellular particles.

Abstract: Methods for profiling oligosaccharides released from glycoproteins and methods for the electrophoretic separation of high mannose, complex and hybrid oligosaccharides are disclosed. The methods include first providing an analytical sample which includes at least one released oligosaccharide and introducing the sample into an electrophoretic channel containing a separation medium having a pH less than 8 and greater than 2.5. Then applying a sufficiently high electric field causes the released oligosaccharides to migrate and separate within the electrophoretic channel in accordance with their molecular size or charge to mass ratio. Detecting the separated oligosaccharides provides glycoprotein conjugate profiling information. Preferred embodiments include using a separation medium which includes lithium acetate buffer having a pH of about 4.75 and a gel of about 0.4% polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: A nephelometer and nephelometer/turbidimeter combination of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The combination includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: A separator and a method for quickly separating an aliquot of plasma or serum from cells in a sample of blood is provided herein. The separator includes a housing which defines a separation container, an outlet aperture, a valve which selectively seals the outlet aperture, and a spinner. Initially, the spinner rotates the housing at a separation speed which causes the heavier cells to separate from the serum or plasma. Subsequently, the spinner rotates the housing at a faster, expellant speed which causes the valve to open and the cells to be expelled through the outlet aperture. After the cells have been expelled from the separation container, rotation of the housing is stopped and the serum or plasma is collected from the separation container. Since the separator provided herein does not use a separation gel, the separator is easy to clean and reusable.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a centrifuge is disclosed. The operational parameters of the centrifuge are determined on the basis of the experimental protocol selected by the user. Parameters relevant to the particular experimental protocol are supplied by the user, while the run-time operating parameters of the centrifuge are automatically computed by the system. The centrifugal protocols contemplated in the present invention include pelleting, rate-zonal and isopycnic experiments. Depending upon the specific experimental protocol, the user must provide certain minimum information such as sedimentation rate and gradient concentrations used in the experiment. The user also must identify the rotor to be used, unless the centrifuge device is capable of identifying the rotor automatically. For unusual situations, the user may set the specific operating parameters of a centrifugal run in order to provide for customized experiments.

Abstract: A labware adapter having a tubular body with upper and lower spaced apart annular collars, serving to guide the adapter into a rotor bore, while at the same time defining a fluid reservoir between the two collars and the inside wall of the rotor. The upper collar has peripheral indentations through which fluid can pass for ingress into the reservoir in the event of sample leakage from the internal portion of the adapter. The lower collar has a vent channel for allowing fluid to move past the collar, for example on insertion of the adapter into a rotor bore. The indentations, vent channel and reservoir all provide mass relief for the adapter, lowering the overall moment of inertia for the adapter, compared to one fitting into the same bore with a smooth tubular shape. The tubular body has an annular ridge above the upper annular collar defining seal glands so that a cylindrical cap can be fit over the ridge in sealed relation with the tubular body.

Abstract: A holder (10) is provided for securing a capillary (30) having a window section (28) including first and second edges (46) (48) to a mount (80). The holder (10) comprises a retaining surface (14) for securing the capillary (30) to the holder (10) and a mounting surface (18) for detachably securing the holder (10) to the mount (80). The retaining surface (14) is attached to the capillary (30) proximate to the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), with a portion of the window section (28) exposed. Since the capillary (30) is secured proximate the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), the fragile capillary window section (28) is protected during manufacturing or installation into an electrophoretic system (32). The retaining surface (14) preferably is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of capillaries (30) to allow for the substantially simultaneous testing of multiple capillaries (30).

Abstract: A cap assembly for use with a centrifuge container includes a stopper (plug) member to provide a fluid-tight seal of an open end of the container. The stopper member includes a channel therethrough. A lid receives the combination of a stopper fitted into the open end of the container. Depending portions on the underside of the lid press upon the stopper to ensure a reliable seal of the container. In addition, the depending portions are adapted to close off an opening of the channel when the lid and stopper are assembled. Removal of the lid opens the channel allowing air to flow into the container, and in this way any vacuum that develops in the container during a centrifugation run is released by such action.

Abstract: A rotor lid assembly for a rotor body comprises a lid portion having a centrally depending shank. A bore formed through the shank receives a tie-down stem having a diameter smaller than the bore. A piston-like portion disposed along the stem contacts a periphery of the bore. A venting channel is formed along the shank to allow fluidic flow to and from the bore. The piston portion occludes such flow when the stem is in a first position and permits fluid flow when the stem is in a second position. In one embodiment the lid assembly comprises a lid member and a safety knob, each having a central neck portion and a bore formed therethrough with the neck portion of the knob received in the bore of the lid. A venting channel is formed through both neck portions. A tie-down stem is received in the bore of the knob.

Abstract: A protocol record database is used in conjunction with operating a centrifuge device. Each protocol record includes information relevant to the centrifugation of a certain specimen. The user can search the database for a protocol on the basis of the specimen and/or the type of separation desired. The database has an interface to one or more centrifuges via a controller. The controller, operates a centrifuge in accordance with the run program of a selected protocol record. In a preferred embodiment, the protocol records have links to additional files which supplement the information contained in the protocol records. These supplemental files include information related to the availability and compatibility of the various hardware needed to perform a centrifugation. The supplemental files can also be used to provide general information to assist the user in setting up a centrifuge for an experiment.

Abstract: A capillary, interface and holder for a capillary electrophoresis system are provided herein. The capillary is disposed in a substantially planar housing having side surfaces. The capillary includes at least two, substantially coplanar capillary openings which extend through an interface surface located on one of the side surfaces. The interface includes at least two spaced apart receptacles for receiving an ionic fluid. Each receptacle includes a liquid permeable medium having a capillary area and a conductor area. Each capillary area is in fluid communication with one of the capillary openings and each conductor area is in contact with at least one electrical conductor. At least two of the capillary areas are substantially coplanar. The ionic fluid is disposed in each receptacle to create an electrical path between the capillary area and conductor area of each receptacle.

Abstract: A capping and sealing assembly for a sample-holding centrifuge container which features a self-sealing lid that forms a fluid-tight seal in an opening of the canister with a predetermined amount of force, with the force being dependent upon the centrifugal load to which the capping assembly is subjected. The lid includes a cover portion and a peripheral member surrounding the cover portion and extending transverse thereto. The lid is disposed within an open end of the container, with the peripheral member having a frusto-conical surface that faces the container's wall. A gasket is disposed about the frusto-conical surface, forming a fluid-tight and air-tight seal with the cylindrical wall. A plurality of arcuate ribs extend across the cover portion, between opposed areas of the peripheral member. Each of the ribs are adapted to flex, under centrifugal force, expanding the opposed areas outwardly. In this manner, the sealing force between the peripheral member and the wall is increased.

Abstract: A centrifuge having a housing defining a chamber features a containment system with a decelerator to reduce the kinetic energy of debris traveling from the chamber toward the housing. The chamber includes an opening, and a lid is pivotally mounted to the housing to selectively cover the opening. The decelerator includes a first annular member extending from a periphery of the opening inwardly toward the chamber, terminating in a downwardly extending angled region, as well as a second annular member extending downwardly in spaced relation with respect to the housing, forming a gap therebetween. The second annular member, the first annular member and the annular gap define a trap adapted to preventing debris from impinging upon the gasket and the lid. An annular baffle extends downwardly from the lid and is adapted to seat proximate to the trap upon the lid being positioned to cover the opening.

Abstract: A method for rapid separation of serum or plasma from cells in a whole blood sample uses a cylindrical sample tube having longitudinally-extending internal ribs. A separation gel and the sample are introduced into the tube, and the tube is axially centrifuged so as to form concentric shells of cells, gel, and serum or plasma. After centrifugation is stopped, the serum or plasma collects in the tube by gravity flow and the cells and gel remain affixed to the walls and ribs of the tube.

Abstract: A solid mass rotor for centrifuges of the type supporting sample containers in cells which are radially positioned apertures in the rotor body features a cross-sectional shape which is relieved by a plurality of apertures, a first subset of which defines cells and a second subset of which defines relief zones. The solid mass of the rotor disposed between the cells and the relief zones defines a plurality of spokes extending from a radially central spin axis. The relief zones reduce the mass and overall moment of inertia of the rotor, while maintaining the strength and high speed capability associated with solid mass rotors.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl of 1 to about 10 carbons and R' is selected from the group consisting of trityl and pixyl, for use in the synthesis of 2'-OMe RNA sequences. Fast cleavage and deprotection of oligonucleotides is facilitated by the use of a reagent comprising methylamine as active component in place of the traditional reagent ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: Purification of synthesized oligonucleotides is achieved using novel processes and reagents. The novel processes involve adding certain salts to treated synthesized oligonucleotides prior to eluting the oligonucleotides from reverse phase purification cartridges. The novel processes also involve treating synthesized oligonucleotides using cleaving and deprotecting reagents containing methylamine and certain salts. Reagents comprising methylamine and certain salts can be used to rapidly cleave and deprotect oligonucleotides while obtaining high yields of purified oligonucleotides using reverse phase purification technologies.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the presence of hemolysis, icteris and lipemia in a serum sample are provided herein. The method includes the steps of positioning a probe inlet of a probe in a sample container, aspiring at least a portion of the serum sample into a probe lumen of the probe from the sample container, and monitoring the serum sample in a probe lumen to determine whether hemolysis, icteris and lipemia are present in the serum sample. The serum sample is monitored with a detector which performs spectrophotometric analysis of the serum sample in the probe lumen through a substantially transparent section of the probe. From the spectrophotometric analysis, a hemolytic index, an icteric index and a lipemic index of the serum sample can be established. Based upon these serum indices, the serum sample can be transferred to a clinical analyzer for additional tests or can be disposed of because the sample is compromised.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor with a body having a spin axis and a plurality of bores formed therein, each of which is adapted to support a centrifuge container. The rotor includes a load reducing feature to decrease the loading between the rotor body and the centrifuge container, during centrifugation. The load reducing feature includes separating a portion of an annular shoulder of a centrifuge container from the rotor body. The portion of the annular shoulder that is separated is disposed between the spin axis and the bore associated with the centrifuge container.