Abstract: The invention relates to a web-based instrument and data management system and method including software executing on an instrument controller computer system that receives a web file from a web browsing software executing on a remote computer. The web-based interface also extracts a user identifier and a requested action, determines with the user is authorized for the requested action and performs the action is the user is authorized. If not the web-based interface generates and transmits a web file indicating that the user is not authorized for the requested action.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting headspace vapor is generally disclosed comprising pressurizing a vessel containing headspace vapor with a carrier gas and subsequently venting the sample mixture through an adsorbent trap and out a vent. A flow controller is employed to gradually increase the flow therethrough as the pressure drops as a result of the gradual depletion of headspace vapor in the vessel and, in certain embodiments, the flow controller maintains a constant flow rate. Due to the time saved, in some embodiments, multiple pressurization-venting cycles are implemented to maximize the amount of vapor extracted from the vial. Due to the constant flow rate, in certain embodiments, the pressure decay is monitored and compared to reference values in order to determine whether the sample vessel has a leak or other defect.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow rate into a chromatographic column is disclosed generally comprising communicating a fluid to the column through a transfer line, measuring the inlet pressure, determining the outlet pressure, and adjusting the applied pressure until the inlet and outlet pressures produce a desired flow rate for the transfer line outlet. In certain embodiments, the applied pressure is adjusted by controlling a proportional valve. In some embodiments, the outlet pressure is determined by measuring the pressure drop across the transfer line and calculating the outlet pressure from the measured inlet pressure and the pressure drop.

Abstract: A differential scanning calorimeter apparatus includes reference and sample cells and controlled temperature shields. The temperature of the shields is controlled such that baseline curvature is reduced by eliminating heat flow from the furnaces to their surroundings (quasi adiabatic conditions) and by controlling heat flow through a well defined solid state heat resistance between the furnaces and a temperature controlled heat sink. The temperature of each shield can be controlled independently to reduce differential heat flow over the whole temperature range of the scan, or maintained at a constant temperature for conventional power compensated DSC operation. The temperature/time profile for each shield can be controlled according to actual furnace temperature, obtained from an empty run, or stored in the computer memory and recalled for sample measurements.

Abstract: Methods of amplifying genomic DNA are provided which include contacting template genomic DNA, a plurality of random primers, and a DNA polymerase, wherein the ratio of template genomic DNA to random primers is in the range of about 1:10-1:35,000,000 (w/w), inclusive, to produce a reaction mixture; and incubating the reaction mixture under isothermal conditions suitable for DNA synthesis, thereby producing amplified genomic DNA characterized by less than 10 percent gene copy number error. The template genomic DNA used in described methods can be in denatured condition and/or in non-denatured condition to achieve production of amplified genomic DNA characterized by less than 10 percent gene copy number error. In a particular option, the reaction mixture includes detectably labeled nucleotides and detectably labeled amplified genomic DNA characterized by less than 10 percent gene copy number error is produced.

Abstract: An analyte of a sample is transferred to an analytical instrument by introducing a quantity of a compound of a standard material into a vessel containing an adsorbent material; introducing a quantity of the analyte of the sample into the vessel; and transferring the analyte of the sample and the compound of the standard material to the analytical instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency.

Abstract: In a spectroscopic process a sample for producing a test spectral line or spectrum of at least one component contained in the sample is stimulated and the transmitted and/or emitted electromagnetic rays are used to create the test spectral line or spectrum. In order to improve such a spectroscopic process to such an extent that variations of certain parameters, which alter the shape and/or occurrence of a spectral line, are compensated, a comparison spectral line or spectrum of a known comparison material is produced under substantially the same parameters as the sample. The comparison spectral line or spectrum is compared with an ideal comparison spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a transfer function, and the transfer function is applied to the test spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a corrected test spectral line or spectrum.

Abstract: A sample is divided into a series of aliquots with the aliquots being subjected to at least two successive parallel separation steps in order to resolve protein or viral components thereof. The separation steps are performed not only on a sample but subsamples each containing a prelabeled tag to afford comparisons between subsamples. The parallel separation is amenable to high throughput and automation.

Abstract: An accessory for a spectrometer for carrying out measurements of specular reflectance of a sample. The accessory is designed so that all components can be located in a housing and the sample can be located horizontally on a top-plate of the housing with the components disposed below the plane of that plate.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to methods of detecting or predicting pre-eclampsia (PE). The technology described herein also relates to commercial packages, such as diagnostic kits, for performing a method of detecting or predicting PE. In particular, the technology described herein provides methods of predicting pre-eclampsia when determining the levels of biochemical markers.

Abstract: A miniaturized gas sensor comprised of thick- or thin-film type electrodes, on a non-conductive supportive substrate, and in contact with a solid ionomer electrolyte, for the detection of toxic gases, i.e., carbon monoxide, and other oxidizable or reducible gases and vapors is described. The all-solid planar sensor cell has two or more film type electrodes arranged on a non-conductive planar surface of a supportive substrate. The electrodes are discrete and in intimate contact with the same solid polymer ionomer membrane. The sensor cell contains no liquid electrolyte and is operated in a constant-voltage, potentiostatic or potentiodynamic mode. A high sensitivity to a select gas or vapor is achieved by a novel three-phase contact area design for a sensing electrode which provides contact with the solid ionomer electrolyte, as well as the gas sample via diffusion openings or holes that penetrate through the supportive substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having improved response time and sensitivity. The electrochemical gas sensor includes a substrate for providing a surface upon which a film of conductive material may be deposited, a pair of electrodes deposited on the substrate for permitting a measurement of current, and an electrolytic material for providing an electrical connection between the electrodes. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a passage in the surface for holding or transporting gas received from a gas source, whereby sensing occurs at a three way interface where the gas, electrolytic material, and electrodes come in direct contact with one another.

Abstract: An accessory for a spectrometer for carrying out measurements of specular reflectance of a sample. The accessory is designed so that all components can be located in a housing and the sample can be located horizontally on a top-plate of the housing with the components disposed below the plane of that plate.

Abstract: An analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography is disclosed generally comprising a tube packed with an adsorbent, wherein the tube may serve as the liner of a chromatographic injector, as an adsorbent trap coupled to a chromatographic column, and/or as an adsorbent trap coupled to a headspace sampler. Preferably, a heating device allows the tube to be heated. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte pre-concentrator further comprises a column isolating accessory so that a chromatographic column can be temporarily isolated from substances flowing through the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that include a thermal desorption unit, a chromatographic column, and an interface device between the unit and the column. The interface device controls the fluid flowing into the column, such as by providing additional carrier gas to maintain a substantially constant gas flow or velocity, by proving a controlled temperature increase, or by venting a portion of the gas received from the thermal desorption unit, thereby removing the dependence on the thermal desorption unit for such control. In some embodiments, the interface is a chromatographic injector. In certain embodiments, a transfer line from the desorption unit is coupled to the same port of the interface device as the chromatographic column. In some of these embodiments, this is accomplished by employing a special adaptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and reagents for detecting the presence of and/or activity of one or more phospho-transfer activities such as kinase, phosphatase, nucleotide cyclase, or phosphodiesterase activities.

Abstract: Encoded bead multiplex assays for chromosomal gains and losses are provided that provide the benefits of complex, large template DNA sources, such as BAC DNA, as the probe material without bead networking or other assay performance problems. Reagents for assaying DNA are described herein which include a plurality of encoded particles having attached amplicons amplified from a template DNA sequence. Each individual attached amplicon includes a nucleic acid sequence identical to a random portion of the template DNA sequence, wherein the amplicons together represent substantially the entire template DNA and wherein the nucleic acid sequence identical to a random portion of the template DNA sequence of each individual amplicon is shorter than the entire template DNA.

Abstract: A device comprising a sampling probe configured to sample a fluid, and an ultrasound sensor coupled to the sampling probe and configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy, the ultrasound sensor further configured to generate a first signal by receiving ultrasound energy reflected from a fluid surface of the fluid is provided. Fluid handling systems and methods of using the fluid handling devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.