Abstract: An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

Abstract: A liquid supply module includes one or more sets of bulk liquid containers each supplying a respective reservoir via a liquid supply line. The bulk liquid containers and reservoirs are vented above the highest liquid level in the system. A pump periodically removes a known volume of liquid from a reservoir which is replenished from a bulk liquid container. A sensor detects a liquid/air transition in the liquid supply line to the reservoir indicative of the exhaustion of liquid resupply from the bulk liquid container. Art air vent solenoid valve in communication with the reservoir is closed when an empty bulk liquid container is replaced. Normal pump operation siphons liquid out of the bulk container after container replacement. A control system tracks pump iterations and calculates a number of executable iterations remaining before the reservoir runs dry.

Abstract: A sensitive assay method has been discovered that reduces the amount of non-specific binding present in an assay, the method comprising detecting an analyte present in a sample through a specific binding reaction in which either an analogue of the analyte or a specific binding partner of the analyte is immobilized on a solid-phase and said specific binding reaction produces a detectable product immobilized on said solid-phase that may be correlated to the amount of analyte present in the sample wherein said assay employs an effective amount of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene-alkylether, a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer, a polyalkylene oxide-modified polymethylsiloxane block copolymer, and mixtures thereof to reduce non-specific binding.

Abstract: An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing dye-based reference materials useful for calibrating or qualifying instrument systems that are diagnostic spectroscopically for hemoglobin and CO-ox fractions. The dye-based reference materials are non-proteinaceous and may be interpreted by CO-oximeter instrument systems as providing a spectrum substantially equivalent to the spectrum of blood, particularly with regard to hemoglobin and hemoglobin CO-ox fractions. Dye-based reference materials may be formulated to provide CO-ox fractions approximating those seen in a clinical setting, including normal physiological CO-ox fractions. The dye-based reference materials may be combined with other ingredients thus making the materials useful as references for pH and blood gas instruments and/or electrolyte instruments in addition to CO-oximeter instrument systems.

Abstract: This invention involved the discovery of novel polymers used as adhesives and a process for their preparation. The polymers were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution, at room temperature, of PVC with substituted alkyltrialkoxysilanes, which can be cured at room temperature to give adhesion of PVC to hydrophilic substrates. These polymers are particularly useful as adhesion promoters in ion-selective electrodes. The invention also involved the application of these adhesive primers to planar electrode substrates to give greatly improved performance in the response of ion-selective electrodes.

Abstract: A solid state, multi-use electrochemical sensor having an electrically nonconductive substrate, a working electrode, and a semi-permeable membrane covering the working electrode. The working electrode includes an electrically conductive material adhered to a portion of the substrate. A first portion of the conductive material is covered with an electrically insulating dielectric coating, and a second portion of the conductive material is covered with an active layer. The active layer includes a catalytically active quantity of an enzyme carried by platinized carbon powder particles, which are distributed throughout the active layer. A sensor package for incorporating a sensor is provided.