Abstract: A multichannel photometric measurement apparatus according to one embodiment includes: a single signal generator for generating an initial signal, the initial signal containing a harmonic component for collectively generating a plurality of modulation signals; a light emitting device including a plurality of light sources that are respectively drivable by each of the plurality of modulation signals having different frequencies; a light detector for detecting a plurality of kinds of light emitted from the light emitting device; and discriminating means for discriminating a detected signal output from the light detector per frequency domain of each of the different frequencies for each of the modulation signals.

Abstract: A device and method for optically examining the interior of turbid media including acts of spatially separating a plurality of wavelength bands contained in a broad-band light; separately modulating the plurality of wavelength bands; recombining the plurality of modulated wavelength bands to a beam of spectrally encoded broad-band light; illuminating a turbid medium with the beam of spectrally encoded broad-band light; detecting light emanating from the turbid medium with a detector and demodulating the detected light with a demodulator to provide spectroscopic information.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a compound in the blood of a part of a subject is provided. An invasive or non-invasive sample of blood may be used for this determination. Also provided is a device for measuring the concentration of a compound in the blood of a subject. The device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, a holder, a detector and a processing system.

Abstract: In a spectrophotometer of the single-beam type, highly stable transmission and absorption spectra can be obtained with a high SNR while drifting is suppressed and for a long time even when the amount of light from the light source is varied over time. The spectrophotometer includes: a light source; a sample cell; a polychromator that generates a transmission spectrum of a sample in the sample cell by dispersing a portion of light from the light source that has passed through the sample into a plurality of spectral components; an image sensor that detects the transmission spectrum of the sample; a light source monitoring photodetector that detects a portion of the light from the light source that has not passed through the sample cell; and an operation unit that corrects the transmission spectrum of the sample by using an output signal from the light source monitoring photodetector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measurement of probe light frequency. The apparatus includes an optical spectrometer comprised of a medium of rapidly changing circular birefringence. The circular birefringent medium changes the polarization of probe light an amount that is dependent upon probe light frequency. Thus probe light frequency is deduced by analyzing probe light polarization after it propagates through the birefringent medium. The birefringent medium is constructed from a gaseous substance and a magnetic field, where the gaseous substance has one or more absorption lines near the probe light frequency. The magnetic field permeates the gaseous substance and shifts the frequency of the absorption line(s) by the Zeeman effect. The method includes probe light emitted from a transmitter, which scatters off of a target, then the scattered probe light is collected and transmitted through the optical spectrometer where frequency is measured.

Abstract: Provided herein is an elementary analysis apparatus allowing size and weight reduction and capable of performing atomic adsorption spectrometry by an electrothermal method and of forming plasma without using a gas. A sample is supplied from a liquid feed portion through a flow channel to an atomizing portion, and a voltage is applied between electrodes. When the voltage is applied to the electrodes, electric current and electric field are concentrated in the atomizing portion and bubbles are generated to cause a plasma in the bubbles, and element in the sample is atomized by the plasma. Light that irradiates the atomizing portion from a light source and is transmitted therethrough is received, for example, by an optical fiber or the like and split by a spectrophotometer. The amount of the split light is detected by a detector and analyzed by a computer.

Abstract: A method for determining a paint formulation includes: obtaining target color information for a target color, identifying a plurality of toners and corresponding concentrations of the toners in a paint formula that can be used to produce a paint having a color that is similar to the target color, and modifying the paint formula by removing one of the identified toners having a lowest concentration to produce a modified paint formula that can be used to produce a paint having a color that is similar to the target color, and determining if the modified paint formula meets user specified acceptance criteria. An apparatus that can be used to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: The invention is a detection system that provides for background removal from a field of view (FOV) of spectra. A panoramic field of regard may be partitioned into a large number of FOV's. An FOV may include spectra including that of a target substance. Such detection may require removing the spectra other than that of the target. This may amount to removal of the background with an estimated background developed from spectra of one or more FOV's which may be similar to the background of the FOV with the target. An estimation of the background may be a sum of a number of FOV spectra where each spectrum is assigned a weight, the total amount of the weights being one.

Abstract: A method for improving the analysis of spectral data wherein light is directed through a linearly variable bandpass filter to impinge on a linear array of photodetectors. The ratio of the passband captured by a target detector to the passband captured by adjacent detectors is determined and used to calculate the amount of light to add back to the amount reported by the target detector. The value of the stored information from each target detector is then adjusted by subtracting from that detector what was added to adjacent detectors.

Abstract: In order to provide a spectrophotometer, which can detect, by means of output intensity signals obtained by a photodetector, the entry of external light at the time of sample cell replacement and the like without providing a door with an opening/closing sensor or the like, a spectrophotometer (60) is provided with: a photodetector (12); a light blocking unit (41); a storage unit (34), which stores a light blocking period where light is blocked by means of the light blocking unit (41) and output intensity signals obtained by the photodetector (12) by corresponding the light blocking periods to the output intensity signals; and a control unit (31b), which calculates transmittance or light absorbance on the basis of the output intensity signals in the light blocking periods, said output intensity signals having been stored in the storage unit (34), and output intensity signals in light entry periods.

Abstract: An analytical assembly within a unified device structure for integration into an analytical system. The analytical assembly is scalable and includes a plurality of analytical devices, each of which includes a reaction cell, an optical sensor, and at least one optical element positioned in optical communication with both the reaction cell and the sensor and which delivers optical signals from the cell to the sensor. Additional elements are optionally integrated into the analytical assembly. Methods for forming and operating the analytical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spectrometric sensor for measuring a spectra value of a flowing fluid. The spectrometric sensor comprises a light source for emitting a first light flux toward a sample of the flowing fluid, a light detector for measuring a first intensity of a reflection of the first light flux from the flowing fluid and a second intensity of a second light flux received via the flowing fluid, and a control unit configured for generating at least one spectra value according to at least one of the first and second intensities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spectrophotometer capable of achieving a good signal-to-noise ratio by improving the use efficiency of the amount of light emitted from a Xe flash lamp or other intermittent light source. Light having a desired wavelength is selected from the light emitted from the Xe flash lamp (1), which is a single light source having a wide wavelength range, allowed to pass through a sample (7), detected by a photodetector (21, 22), and supplied to a low-pass filter (24) in a signal processing circuit (23). The duration of the waveform of a signal output from the photodetector (21, 22) is extended by the low-pass filter (24), which has a time constant equivalent to the elapsed time required for the intensity of the light emitted from the Xe flash lamp (1) to decrease from a peak value to a half value and acts as delay means or other duration extension means.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy dispersion device, spectrograph and method that can be used to evaluate the composition of matter on site without the need for specialized training or expensive equipment. The energy dispersion device or spectrograph can be used with a digital camera or cell phone. A device of the invention includes a stack of single- or double-dispersion diffraction gratings that are rotated about their normal giving rise to a multiplicity of diffraction orders from which meaningful measurements and determinations can be made with respect to the qualitative or quantitative characteristics of matter.

Abstract: Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for reducing elasto-capillary coalescence of nanostructures. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of wet nanostructures on an electrode with a counter electrode positioned in air opposite the wet nanostructures. An electric field is applied between the counter electrode and the wet nanostructures using a voltage source, thereby reducing aggregation of the nanostructures. In another embodiment, an elasto-capillary coalescence reduction apparatus includes an electrode configured to receive a plurality of wet nanostructures, a counter electrode positioned in air opposite the wet nanostructures, and a voltage source coupled to the electrode and the counter electrode. The voltage source is configured to apply an electric field across the electrode and the nanostructures, which causes each of the nanostructures to repel a neighboring nanostructure.

Abstract: A method of using an optical sensor, the optical sensor comprising a sensing surface comprising graphene layer, the sensing surface located on a substrate, includes determining a first optical absorption spectrum for the graphene layer by a spectrophotometer; adding an analyte, the analyte selected to cause a shift in the first optical absorption spectrum, to the graphene layer; determining a second optical absorption spectrum for the modified graphene layer by a spectrophotometer; determining a shift between the first optical absorption spectrum and the second optical absorption spectrum; and determining a makeup of the analyte based on the determined shift.

Abstract: A calibration device 21 according to the present invention is a member used for white calibration of an optical characteristic measuring apparatus 1 for measuring an optical characteristic of a specimen arranged to close a measuring opening and is used together with a spacer 24. Accordingly, such a calibration device 21 can perform more accurate white calibration by preventing formation of an interference pattern by the spacer 24.

Abstract: Portable spectrophotometer and method for characterizing solar collector tubes for simultaneously and on-field characterizing reflection and transmission coefficients. This device includes all the components needed to take this measurement, such as a module that takes the measurement of the reflection coefficient (R) of the inner tube (1?), a module that takes the measurement of transmission coefficient (T) of the outer tube (1?), an electronic data acquisition and processing system (12), an external computer (13) for controlling the device and sending the measured data (17) and a communication system (15) between device and the computer (13).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a holder for biological sample containers such as well plates. The holder comprises a flat vacuum bed surrounded by a seal. A container is placed within the seal and a vacuum is applied, pressing and flattening the lower surface of the sample container against the flat vacuum bed. Samples in all portions of the container may then be imaged without the need to refocus on each portion of the container. For imaging, a sample in a well can be illuminated by a beam of light arranged so that a part or all of the sample is illuminated by direct rays that have not passed through the well plate. The beam is redirected to other parts of the well if a single illumination does not cover the whole well, so that the sample to be imaged using a series of partial images.

Abstract: A device is provided that can be inserted into a spectrophotometer, in order to measure the thickness and refractive index of a thin film that is on a sample plate. A pair of identical parallelogram prisms diverts the spectrophotometer beam to measure the attenuated total reflection, and returns an output beam that is in the original beam path, independent of wavelength and rotation angle. The attenuated total reflection of the thin film sample plate is measured in a prism coupling geometry, as a function of wavelength and angle. From this data, combined with normal incidence transmission data, the thickness and refractive index can be extracted.

Abstract: An apparatus used to calibrate microtiter plate readers. The apparatus includes one or more structures having two exterior surfaces wherein one of the exterior surfaces is coated with a coating selected to establish on that surface a reflection loss that mimics reflection loss at an air-liquid interface, and the other of the two exterior surfaces is coated with a coating selected to establish a reflection loss on that surface that mimics the reflection loss at a bottom surface of a microtiter plate. The apparatus may be a single layer, a multi-layered composition or a container. The apparatus is an artifact that may be used to calibrate a plate reader by mimicking a solution-filled microtiter plate. The artifact may be used for a plurality of liquids, including water. The artifact produces reflection losses more closely mirroring reflection losses expected for a liquid-filled microtiter plate well.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an organic solvent selected from 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether for enhancing formation, potential formation, fluorescence and/or detection of an exciplex. The invention is applicable particularly to nucleic acid hybridisation assay using two polynucleotide probes that will hybridise to a target nucleic acid. Each probe is labelled with one of two partners capable of forming an exciplex such that, on photoirradiation, the exciplex is formed when the probes are hybridised to the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method of real-time processing and monitoring comprises the steps of blending a material of interest (e.g., an active pharmaceutical material), with a secondary material, (e.g., an excipient), illuminating the blended materials with light, reflecting light carrying information about the blended materials through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said light with a first detector (152), detecting a deflected portion of the information carrying light with a second detector (156), and determining in real-time at least one selected property of the blended materials based on the detector outputs.

Abstract: A method and a system for ordering paint to cover a surface includes, retrieving a color value from a machine-readable memory to a processor. The processor retrieves a paint quantity from a machine-readable memory. The processor compiles an order for paint including the paint quantity and color value and then transmits the order from the processor to a vendor for formulating the paint quantity having the color value when painted upon the surface and allowed to dry.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer 10 includes built-in detector 24 and external detector 32. When a mountable/removable optical path switcher 23a is installed in a specimen chamber 23, measurement based on detection signals from built-in detector 24 is replaced by measurement based on detection signals from external detector 32. The spectrophotometer further includes a measurement data threshold-value storage unit 51 that stores threshold value T for measurement data from built-in detector 24 or external detector 32, and a light-receiving detector recognition unit 52 that recognizes which detector is able to receive the measuring light beam based on the results of a comparison between threshold value T and measurement data from built-in detector 24 or external detector 32 while the measuring light beam is being introduced into specimen chamber 23.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer has a specimen cell; a light source unit for emitting light to the specimen cell; a photodetector for detecting the light that passed through the specimen cell; a light-shielding unit for blocking the light from impinging on the photodetector at predetermined periods; a memory unit for storing output strength signals detected by the photodetector; and a controller for calculating transmittance or absorbance based on output strength signal S of the incidence duration and output strength signal DS of the light-blocked duration stored in the memory unit. The incidence duration and light-blocked duration occur in this sequence in a single period. The controller calculates the true output strength signal sN of the Nth period removed of the effects of output strength signal SN?1 of the incidence duration of the (N?1)th period that are included in the output strength signal SN of the incidence duration of the Nth period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for an optical spectrometer, in particular a photon density wave spectrometer, having a measuring chamber, which can be loaded with a sample to be measured, and a coupling-in/coupling-out device which is configured to receive excitation light from a light source and couple it into the sample to be measured in the measuring chamber and to receive measuring light formed in the sample to be measured on account of the excitation light which has been coupled in and to emit said measuring light to a detection device, wherein the coupling-in/coupling-out device has an optical switching device and a plurality of light guide elements which couple to the latter, have a respective optical waveguide and can be connected according to at least one selectable measuring configuration using the optical switching device in order to couple in the excitation light and receive the measuring light according to the at least one selectable measuring configuration, and wherein outputs

Abstract: A method for detecting polarizing direction of electromagnetic wave includes disposing a carbon nanotube structure in a vacuum environment, irradiating a surface of the carbon nanotube structure by an electromagnetic wave with a polarizing direction while rotating the carbon nanotube structure, and determining the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave according to change of the visible light emitted from the carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged along a substantially same direction. The carbon nanotube structure can absorb the electromagnetic wave and emit a visible light. The rotating axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the carbon nanotube structure irradiated by the electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: Provided are a spectrophotometer using a xenon flash lamp and which can compare with data stored in the past, and a method for determining the performance of the spectrophotometer. In normal times, spectroscopic analysis is performed by employing a bundle of light rays emitted from the xenon flash lamp, spectrally separating the bundle of light rays into arbitrarily-defined wavelengths with a spectroscope through a concave mirror, and detecting the bundle of light rays having passed through a sample with a photodetector. When the performance is to be determined, a low-pressure mercury lamp is arranged in a path of the bundle of light rays between the xenon flash lamp and the spectroscope, a light-shield plate which constitutes a shutter mechanism is operated to shield the light and allow the light to pass through, and the intensity of the light is detected, to thereby determine the “wavelength accuracy” or the “resolution” by employing the bright-line spectrum of the low-pressure mercury lamp.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the power correction of optical measurements in an optical measurement arrangement, the steps including: providing a light source for producing a light beam; splitting the light beam into two beams; directing a first split light beam through an interrogation area and into an optics separation device; directing the light beams from the optics separation device and a second split light beam representing the intensity of the illumination of the main light beam of the light source into cells of a detector array; measuring and assessing the information obtained in the cells; and using this information to calculate the corrected value for the cells receiving the light beams from the optics separation device in order to adjust the power for the intensity of the light beam of the light source and/or to correct the intensity of the light beams from the interrogation area.

Abstract: This invention is to make the detection sensitivities as even as possible among a plurality of specimens to be inspected in an analyzer that leads light transmitted from the plurality of specimens to be inspected to a single spectrometer via optical fibers, the analyzer includes first and second light guide members provided for every first and second specimen to be inspected so as to lead the light obtained from each of the specimens to be inspected to a photo-detecting part, and light projection side end portions of a plurality of optical fiber elements composing the first and second light guide members are arranged in mixture.

Abstract: A spectrometer assembly (10), comprising an Echelle grating (18; 46) for dispersing radiation entering the spectrometer assembly (10) in a main dispersion direction, and a dispersion assembly (16; 40) for dispersing a parallel radiation bundle generated from the radiation entering the spectrometer assembly in a lateral dispersion direction, is characterized in that the dispersion assembly (16; 40) is reflective, and the dispersion assembly (16; 40) is arranged relative to the Echelle grating (18; 46) in such a way that the parallel radiation bundle is reflected in the direction of the Echelle grating. The Echelle grating (18; 46) may be arranged in such a way that the dispersed radiation is reflected back to the dispersion assembly (16; 40).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for spectrophometric measurement of a physiological property of a patient. For example, an embodiment of a patient monitoring system may include a monitor operatively coupled to a spectrophotometric sensor, which may include an emitter configured to transmit light into tissue of the patient and a detector configured to receive the light from the tissue. The emitter may use a photonic crystal light emitting diode to generate the light.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating quantitatively surface properties such as cleanness and quality of the surface of a work that has been evaluated in the past by visual appearance inspection. A determined pattern 14 is made from plural concentric circles arranged at a center of an object lens in a taking picture device 12. A front edge of a probe is in contact with the surface of a work by the probe 10 that is provided at a middle portion of a cylindrical case 11 in a vertical direction so that the surface of the work and the determined pattern face each other. The determined pattern is illuminated by light of a light source so that a reflected image of the determined pattern is projected onto the surface of the work. A picture of the reflected image is taken by the taking picture device. The resulted image data includes standard deviation of brightness distribution of the resulted image data positioned on radius lines extending in all directions to outside from a center of the ring pattern image.

Abstract: Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. To date no specific marker is available for gastric cancer screening. The expression profile of 37 proteins was identified to be consistently different between the plasma of normal and gastric cancer subjects. The expression of complement component C9 protein was validated to be significantly higher in the plasma of gastric cancer compared to normal subjects. This was independent of the gastritis and H. pylori status of the patients. We also observed a statistically significant difference (p<0.04) in the expression level of C9 between patients with intestinal and diffuse types of cancer. Two independent blind test studies showed a high sensitivity and specificity to detect gastric cancer. The C9 protein is a biomarker for screening gastric cancer.

Abstract: Two-color (two-photon) excitation with two confocal excitation beams is demonstrated with a Raman shifter as excitation light source. Two-color excitation fluorescence is obtained from Coumarin 6H dye sample (peak absorption=394 nm, peak fluorescence=490 nm) that is excited using the first two Stokes outputs (683 nm, 954 nm, two-color excitation=398 nm) of a Raman shifter pumped by a 6.5 nsec pulsed 532 nm-Nd:YAG laser (Repetition rate=10 Hz). The two Stokes pulses overlap for a few nanoseconds and two-color fluorescence is generateven with focusing objectives of low numerical apertures (NA?0.4). We observed the linear dependence of the two-color fluorescence signal with the product of the average intensities of the two Stokes excitation beams. The two-color fluorescence distribution is strongly localized around the common focus of the confocal excitation beams.

Abstract: To provide a mercury measuring apparatus of a closed system capable of performing automatically a process ranging from collection to injection of the sample composed mainly of hydrocarbon, which is effective to accomplish a highly reliable measurement. The mercury measuring apparatus 100 includes a column 1 filled with a first adsorbent 11 and a reducing agent 13, an injecting unit 3 for injecting a sample into the column 1, a first heating unit 12, a second heating unit, a mercury collecting tube 18 filled with a second adsorbent 17, a third heating unit 19, a mercury measuring unit 2, gas flow passages FP1, FP2 and FP4, flow switching valves V1 to V3, V5 and V6 for selecting one of the gas flow passages FP1, FP2 and FP4, and a control unit 4.

Abstract: An embodiment of a liquid chromatography detection unit includes a fluid channel and a radiation detector. The radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of a radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along the fluid channel. An embodiment of a liquid chromatography system includes an injector, a separation column, and a radiation detector. The injector is operable to inject a sample that includes a radiolabeled compound into a solvent stream. The position sensitive radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of the radiotabeled compound as the distribution travels along a fluid channel. An embodiment of a method of liquid chromatography includes injecting a sample that comprises radiolabeled compounds into a solvent. The radiolabeted compounds are then separated. A position sensitive radiation detector is employed to image distributions of the radiolabeled compounds as the radiolabeled compounds travel along a fluid channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optically analyzing a sample are provided. The apparatus includes a first optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of light and has a first filter and a first monochromator that provide different paths for the narrow waveband of the light. The apparatus may also include a light source that generates the light as broadband excitation light, in which case the first optical device transmits a narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light through the first filter or the first monochromator. Further, the apparatus may include a second optical device that directs the narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light onto the sample and receives emission light from the sample, a third optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of the emission light, and a detector that converts the narrow waveband of the emission light into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A laser system provides harmonic generation in a laser beam pulse. In another aspect of the present invention, a laser operably remits a laser pulse, a gaseous optical medium operably creates third or greater harmonic generation in the pulse, and a controller characterizes and compensates for distortions in the pulse. A further aspect of the present invention employs multiple optical media arranged to cause cascading harmonic generations in a laser pulse.

Abstract: A system for providing color analysis of a toner image on an image bearing surface with a spectrophotometer is provided. The system includes an illuminator positioned adjacent to the image bearing surface and configured to emit a light beam at the image bearing surface, a linear sensor positioned adjacent to the image bearing surface and configured to receive the light reflecting off the toner image on the image bearing surface, a gradient index lens placed in the optical path of the light beams reflecting off the image bearing surface between the image bearing surface and the linear variable filter; and the linear variable filter positioned between the linear sensor and the gradient index lens. The system is devoid of a collimating lens positioned in between the gradient index lens and the linear variable filter, and the linear variable filter and the linear sensor are spaced apart by a gap.

Abstract: A confocal microscope includes an objective lens for converging light which is emitted from a light source to a sample, a scanning mechanism for relatively scanning the sample with the light converged to the sample, and a plurality of confocal diaphragm apertures that are arranged at positions optically conjugate to the light-gathering position of the objective lens and have different diaphragm diameters. The confocal microscope further includes a plurality of photodetectors for detecting the intensities of lights respectively transmitting through the confocal diaphragm apertures, and a weighting/combining arithmetic processing unit for combining signals output from the photodetectors after weighting the signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing pressure-volume-temperature testing on fluids include: a portable environmental control chamber 14, a first pressure vessel 12A disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, a second pressure vessel12B disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, the second pressure vessel in hydraulic communication with the first pressure vessel, a viscometer 18 configured to measure the viscosity of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, and an optics system 22 configured to measure optical properties of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the use and the manufacture of a fiber optic sensor having an angled terminal portion of a fiber optic element. In one embodiment, an optical fiber is cut at an angle and a portion of the fiber's jacket is removed near the angle so that the cladding is exposed. Light may then travel through the fiber, reflect off the angled portion, and emit through the exposed cladding into a patient. Light may also be collected from the patient using the same or a different fiber optic element having an angled terminal portion. In one embodiment, the emitted light can then be collected and analyzed to derive various physiological parameters. In certain embodiments, the fiber optic sensor may be used in environments where metallic and/or electronic sensors are not suitable.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for in situ chemical analysis of liquid samples.

Abstract: After a liquid sample between a sample-holding platform 11 and a window plate 22 is measured, a window plate holder 23 is raised, and a head 14 is moved from a standby position into the gap between the window plate 22 and the sample-holding platform 11. Then, the window plate holder 23 is lowered so as to press the window plate 22 onto the head 14 until the head 14 touches the sample-holding platform 11 below. Then the head 14 is swung back to the original position, whereby a wipe material 40 fitted on the head 14 simultaneously wipes off the liquid sample from both the lower surface of the window plate 22 and the upper surface of the sample-holding platform 11. Pressing the arch springs 35 enables the wipe material 40 to be easily attached to or detached from the head 14.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying patients to be treated by dopamine agonist therapy comprising the step of analyzing a plasma or urine sample from said patient for concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), norepinephrine metabolites (NE metabolites), dopamine, dopamine metabolites, serotonin, serotonin metabolites, or fasting triglycerides, wherein one or more of: (a) NE metabolites, (b) NE/NE metabolites:dopamine/dopamine metabolites, (c) NE and serotonin, (d) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin, (e) NE and serotonin metabolites, (f) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin metabolites, or (g) NE is/are greater than about 30% over normal level; or dopamine/dopamine metabolites are less than about 30% below normal; or fasting triglycerides are greater than about 150 mg/dl and/or said patient has blood pressure of greater than about 135/85 mm Hg. The present invention is also directed to treating identified patients with dopamine agonist therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying patients to be treated by dopamine agonist therapy comprising the step of analyzing a plasma or urine sample from said patient for concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), norepinephrine metabolites (NE metabolites), dopamine, dopamine metabolites, serotonin, serotonin metabolites, or fasting triglycerides, wherein one or more of: (a) NE metabolites, (b) NE/NE metabolites: dopamine/dopamine metabolites, (c) NE and serotonin, (d) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin, (e) NE and serotonin metabolites, (f) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin metabolites, or (g) NE is/are greater than about 30% over normal level; or dopamine/dopamine metabolites are less than about 30% below normal; or said patient has hypertriglyceridemai and/or hypertension . The present invention is also directed to treating identified patients with dopamine agonist therapy.