Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific C-peptide assay method which can eliminate all interference due to proinsulin and its intermediates, in particular des-31,32-proinsulin and/or des-64,65-proinsulin. It also relates to antibodies for carrying out this assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nutritive agar culture medium allowing the direct identification of pathogenic bacteria of the genus Listeria, said medium comprising a chromogenic synthetic substrate specifically cleaved by the phospholipase C specific of phosphatidylinositol (PIPLC).

Abstract: This invention relates to a selective medium for the culture and isolation of Gram.sup.- bacteria comprising at least one antibiotic specifically active against Gram.sup.+ bacteria and at least one bacteriocin.

Abstract: Immunoenzymatic conjugate consisting of glycosylated labelling enzymes in copolymer form and substances having immunological activity.Method for the production of the conjugates according to the invention and use of the said conjugates in diagnostic kits.

Abstract: A method that assays activated antithrombin III (AT III) is useful for monitoring the effect in vivo of an agent that activates AT III. It involves the steps of contacting AT III with a solution sample containing the agent, wherein the agent is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan or a sulfated oligosaccharide, followed by contacting the sample with i) a first monoclonal antibody that preferentially binds AT III activated by the agent, as opposed to binding native AT III, and ii) a second monoclonal antibody that preferentially binds denatured AT III as opposed to either AT III activated by the agent or native AT III.

Abstract: A process for bacteria identification and for determining the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics, and an apparatus and measuring supports for carrying out this process. There is manually introduced, by means of a sampling and transfer tool, a given volume of bacterial colony into a primary receiver. This is automatically dispersed within a liquid to form a precalibrated inoculum in the primary receiver. There is automatically carried out total or partial transfer of this precalibrated inoculum between the primary receiver and one or more measuring supports, these transfers being carried out without the precalibrated inoculum being placed in contact with an element other than a sampling and transfer tool and/or the primary receiver and its final measuring support or supports and in such a way that the transferred quantities of bacteria correspond to the quantities required for the analyses to be carried out.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated chemical analyzer capable of automatically analyzing a plurality of samples for at least two different analytes. The analyzer includes a plurality of assay resource stations and an analyzer control means. Each assay resource station includes an assay resource capable of performing a predetermined operation upon a sample-containing reaction vessel within a fixed indexing time. The analyzer control means includes scheduling means for allocating assay resources to one of the reaction vessels as a function of that time cycle and a transfer control means for controlling transfer of reaction vessels directly from one assay resource station to another according to a chronology selected from a plurality of different predetermined chronologies.

Abstract: Liposome reagents used in assays to detect the presence or amount of an analyte in a test sample, particularly where the analyte is antiphospholipid antibodies are described. The liposome reagents comprise a liposome, a ligand chosen to bind specifically with the analyte and associated with the liposome membrane, and a haptenated component associated with the membrane of the liposome where the hapten is chosen to bind specifically to a receptor bound to a solid phase or to a label compound that is an element of a signal detection system and where the liposome reagent is prepared so that during the assay the linkage between the solid phase and ligand of the liposome reagent is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of a variety of analytes in a patient sample employing liposomes with associated ligand, where the ligand is capable of binding target analyte in that sample. In another aspect of the invention, the assays employ liposomes as a soluble support matrix where at least a portion of the support is associated with the ligand and the ligand is in a confirmation permitting it to bind to target analyte in a patient sample.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated chemical analyzer with improved processing flexibility and ease. In one embodiment of this invention, the analyzer includes an incubation station, a wash station and a read station. The incubation station includes an elongated, movable track to carry reaction vessels along an incubation path, the wash station includes a movable track to carry vessels along a wash-cycle path, and the read station is adapted to move vessels along a read path. A first transfer station is positioned adjacent a first end of the wash-cycle path to transfer vessels from the incubation path to the wash-cycle path and a second transfer station is positioned adjacent a second end of the wash-cycle path and a first end of the read path for selectively transferring a vessel from the wash-cycle path to either the incubation path or the read path.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for analyzing samples for different analytes. A plurality of assay resource stations are provided, each of which includes an assay resource capable of performing a predetermined operation upon a reaction vessel within a time cycle of fixed duration, as is an analyzer control means. Information identifying two samples and the analyte to be determined in each is provided to the analyzer control means. Assay resource requirements for the first assay are determined as a function of an integral number of time cycles and appropriate time cycles of each required assay resource are allocated to the first assay. Assay resource requirements for the second assay are also determined as a function of an integral number of time cycles and time cycles are allocated to the second assay according to the availability of the assay resources.

Abstract: An automated sample analysis instrument positively identifies and maintains the identity of a plurality of patient samples contained in individual sample containers. The invention prevents sample misidentification, especially when patient sample must be transferred from one sample container to reaction wells in Microtiter.RTM. plates. Rows of reaction wells in Microtiter.RTM. plates are processed in parallel so the difference in reaction time between any two wells on a plate is four minutes or less. Reaction wells are washed with high-pressure jets of wash solution and are aspirated so as to advantageously utilize fluid meniscus on top of fluid contained in the wells. The apparatus can be adjusted to perform a variety of different ELISA-type tests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance a vessel stepwise along a linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels and the first vessel carrying plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vessels' linear path and the second vessel carrying plate is adapted to move rectilinearly both generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to that linear path.

Abstract: Stabilized composition of troponin I or T for immunoassays, comprising an aqueous solution containing troponin I or troponin T, 1 to 10 molar equivalents of troponin C per molar equivalent of troponin I or T, and Mg.sup.++ and/or Ca.sup.++ ions, as well as a process for stabilizing a composition of troponin I or T for immunoassays consisting in adding from 1 to 10 molar equivalents or troponin C per molar equivalent of troponin I or T.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated chemical analyzer with improved processing flexibility and ease. In one embodiment of this invention, the analyzer includes an incubation station, a wash station and a read station. The incubation station includes an elongated, movable track to carry reaction vessels along an incubation path, the wash station includes a movable track to carry vessels along a wash-cycle path, and the read station is adapted to move vessels along a read path. A first transfer station is positioned adjacent a first end of the wash-cycle path to transfer vessels from the incubation path to the wash-cycle path and a second transfer station is positioned adjacent a second end of the wash-cycle path and a first end of the read path for selectively transferring a vessel from the wash-cycle path to either the incubation path or the read path.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing immunoassays employs a microtiter tray having wells coated with a specific binding partner in conjunction with an array of magnets disposed below the tray. A device for providing relative circular motion of the tray and magnetic array so as to provide a magnet field to the well walls for attracting magnetic particles and subsequent movement of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Peptides possessing some of the immunological properties of the peptide of the formula Gly-Gly-Arg-Leu; Lys-Lys-Thr-Glu. Application to the diagnosis of certain autoimmune diseases and to the vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides a reagent supply system including a reagent rack for retaining a plurality of vials. The rack has a base and first and second walls extend upwardly from the base. The first wall includes an abutment extending toward the second wall and adapted to engage a first recess on one of the vials, while the second wall includes a flexible clip having a shoulder thereon, the shoulder being biased toward a position adapted to engage a second recess on the vial. The invention also provides a method of handling reagents which includes providing a variable reagent rack adapted to retain a plurality of vials and a common reagent pack containing a plurality of predetermined common reagents adapted to coact with reagents in the vials. A patient fluid is provided and a plurality of assays to be performed on that fluid are determined. Vials are then selected, each vial containing a different assay-specific reagent necessary for one of the assays, and the selected vials are loaded onto the rack.

Abstract: An improved immunoassay method and kit have been developed that include a sample pretreatment method and kit employing an alkylating agent that modifies antibodies in the sample to render the antibodies incapable of interfering with analyte detection. Prior to performing the immunoassay, the alkylating agent is inactivated so that it does not modify antibody reagents used in the immunoassay.