Abstract: The method and system of the invention provide especially for continuously obtaining and analyzing, on a real time basis, sweat from a selected area of skin on the body of a person, especially a neonate, being diagnosed for cystic fibrosis, by causing sweating of the selected area of skin, by placing an electrically positive iontophoretic electrode device of a set of said devices over the selected area of skin preferably within a previously placed receiving and holding device which, following the induction of sweat and removal of the electrically positive iontophoretic electrode device, receives a sweat-sensing electrode device that continuously sends electrical signals to sweat analysis circuitry for providing a digital readout of the ionic composition of the sweat. The receiving and holding device insures recovery and utilization of essentially all of the sweat being produced by the selected area of skin.

Abstract: A cytocentrifugation device of the type disclosed by the copending Stokes-Quirante U.S. application Ser. No. 07/788,310 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,228 on Oct. 12, 1993) is improved by the provision of elongate, rounded projections on and protruding from the clamping face of the delivery conduit flange at the delivery end of such conduit and the flattening of the otherwise rounded and flange contacting end faces of the clamping arms. Further improvements include a floating mounting for the clamping arms so as to ensure even clamping of the annular area of the absorption pad marginal to the absorption pad opening confronting the cell deposition area of the microscope slide that is otherwise covered by the absorption pad, and the provision for positively, properly aligning the several items to be clamped together during operation of the cytocentrifuge apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to one or more miscroscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time or angular rotation during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry determines the position of the slides and carousel in the spray chamber and coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides. The slide holding carousel may be replaced by an interchangable centrifuge rotor when it is desired to perform cytocentrifuging tests.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides.

Abstract: A sweat-collection device formed as a solid body having a shallowly concave, sweat-collecting surface at a face thereof defining a concavity with a rim lying wholly within a common plane for firm placement over an iontophoresis-stimulated area of a person's skin to collect sweat from the skin area and pass it through a bore at the center of the concavity. The concavity is so shallow that no dead space occurs between the collecting surface and the skin and flesh bulged into the concavity when the device is applied to a patient whose sweat is to be collected for testing. Optionally, the concavity may be modified without introducing dead space thereinto, to incorporate barrier means for preventing unusually soft skin and flesh of infants and some adults from bulging into and closing the bore.

Abstract: A sweat collection device for use with equipment for inducing human sweat has an electrically heated cup member whose temperature is maintained substantially constant by monitoring the temperature of the cup and controlling the electrical power supplied thereto in accordance with requirements determined by the temperature monitoring.

Abstract: An in-situ, thermocouple, soil hygrometer or psychrometer probe equipped with a removable, moisture pervious thermocouple shield, so that the thermocouple may be periodically cleaned for increased life and improved performance, has an elastic, protective boot that retains the shield in place about the thermocouple and permits easy removal of such shield. The boot is made of low-vapor sink material, so as not to interfere with proper operation of the thermocouple, and is configured to firmly grip the thermocouple mount, so that pulling of the thermocouple from its lead wires during removal and replacement of the shield is avoided.

Abstract: Instruments for use by medical laboratories to measure oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure of blood for determining the risk of pulmonary edema are improved by the provision in the sensing heads thereof of a sinuous, preferably spiral, elongate, sample chamber facing one side of the usual osmotic membrane, whose other side faces a similar reference chamber for saline solution. The membrane is preferably pre-mounted in a ring holder, which merely slips into place within a receiving recess of the sensing head, and a special waste collection system is provided for receiving liquid flushed from the sample chamber between individual uses of the device. Such waste collection system comprises a drainage receptacle which constantly maintains a constant depth pool of the drained liquid about the discharge end of the drain tube that leads from the sample chamber, so as to maintain a constant end effect for such drain tube.