Abstract: A tray assembly for use with an apparatus adapted to inspect a liquid sample, including a support tray insertable within an inspection location within the liquid sample inspection apparatus so that a light source of the apparatus illuminates a liquid sample carried on the support tray and a detector of the apparatus receives light from the liquid sample when the support tray is positioned at the inspection location, and an insert supported within the support tray and having a first surface adapted to receive a first type of liquid carrier and a second surface adapted to receive a second type of liquid carrier different from the first type of liquid carrier.

Abstract: A tray assembly for use with an apparatus adapted to inspect a liquid sample, including a support tray insertable within an inspection location within the liquid sample inspection apparatus so that a light source of the apparatus illuminates a liquid sample carried on the support tray and a detector of the apparatus receives light from the liquid sample when the support tray is positioned at the inspection location, and an insert supported within the support tray and having a first surface adapted to receive a first type of liquid carrier and a second surface adapted to receive a second type of liquid carrier different from the first type of liquid carrier.

Abstract: A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure oxygen cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve also may be used for other purposes. The surge prevention valve may have a housing with an inlet and an outlet. A seal unit may be used to close the main flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and a bleed passageway may be provided in the seal unit to bypass the main flow path. The valve may have an actuator for opening the bleed passageway and for moving the seal unit to open the main flow path. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a manual push-then-turn operation is used to open the valve. The actuator may be used to threadedly move the seal unit toward and away from the valve seat to close and open the main flow path. In addition, a valve rod may be provided for closing the bleed passageway.

Abstract: A pressure regulator utilizing a gauge having rugged internal components. In one embodiment, the gauge has a low profile and is mounted to the regulator body. In another embodiment, the gauge is integral with the regulator body. In one preferred embodiment, the gauge includes a pressure pin and a bias, such as a spring. One side of the pressure pin communicates directly with the source pressure and is urged by the source pressure to move the pressure pin in a first direction, while the other side of the pressure pin is at a known pressure, such as ambient or atmospheric pressure, and is urged by the bias to move the pressure pin in a second direction opposed to the first direction. An indication of the position of the pressure pin is sensed by a user and is used to determine the source pressure or level. In one aspect, the indicator is a pointer or indicator mounted to move in response to movement of the pressure pin and mounted so that its position is visible (i.e., sensed by sight) to the user.

Abstract: A fluid sensing pipette includes an outer conductive tube forming a first electrode and an inner conductive tube forming a second electrode. The inner conductive tube is disposed concentrically within the outer conductive tube. To insulate the inner conductive tube from the outer conductive tube, the inner conductive tube is coated with a thin, uniform, and consistent Parylene coating. A hydrophobic polymeric tube is disposed concentrically within the inner conductive tube to prevent cross-contamination between different biological samples aspirated into the pipette. The inner and outer conductive tubes are separately coupled to a level detection circuit which permits the pipette to detect entry of the pipette into a conductive fluid. The level detection circuit determines the impedance between the first and second electrodes and produces a control signal in response to the impedance falling below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A multiple profile reagent card for simultaneously or sequentially performing multiple analyses of analyte is formed by applying ribbons of reagent impregnated matrix material parallel to each other on a substrate and then removing portions of at least the matrix material to create separate matrices along each ribbon of matrix material. The multiple profile reagent card facilitates automatic processing of immunochemical, diagnostic and/or serological tests.

Abstract: A multiple profile reagent card for simultaneously or sequentially performing multiple analyses of analyte is formed by applying ribbons of reagent impregnated matrix material parallel to each other on a substrate and then removing portions of at least the matrix material to create separate matrices along each ribbon of matrix material. The multiple profile reagent card facilitates automatic processing of immunochemical, diagnostic and/or serological tests.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining multiple, individual reagent test devices in a holder. The holder consists of a base member and a top member in which the top member contains openings of at least the same number and dimension as the reagent pads appearing on the test devices. The holder permits the practical utilization of multiple, individual dip-and-read test devices in automated instrumentation.