Abstract: The present invention includes a heat sealable capsule adapted for use in analysis devices such as GCs, and methods for using the capsules to perform analysis in such devices. The capsules include a tube having an end that is heat-sealed to contain a sample that is to be analyzed at an injection temperature. The tube includes a heat sealable medium having a heat seal that closes the end, the tube having an inner and outer surface, both of the surfaces being substantially chemically inert with respect to the sample. The tube is substantially free of any material that outgases at the injection temperature. The tube is openable without breaking into pieces, and remains intact at the injection temperature. The capsule can include a programmable tag that stores information related to the sample contained therein.

Abstract: A method for validating or calibrating a chemical detector at a point of use. The method includes presenting a device to the chemical detector, the device comprising a frangible container defining a predetermined volume and a chemical material sealed within the frangible container in a predetermined amount, and breaking the frangible container to release the chemical material for detection by the chemical detector. A device and method of making the device for validating or calibrating a chemical at a point of use are also provided.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, disposable cathode handler assembly facilitates automated or manual loading of a cathode with analyte for spectrometric analysis and is intended for a single use application. This cathode handler assembly is comprised of several parts which work cooperatively together to stabilize a separate cathode and direct an analyte into the cathode. A stopper and channeling unit are disposed in supporting interconnection with the cathode so as to maintain it in a stable orientation for loading. The channeling unit may be used in combination with a liner which also interacts with the cathode to guide the analyte into an interior chamber therein, and further contains an analyte cap holder. A stopper prevents the introduced analyte from escaping the cathode and a housing is connected exteriorly of the cathode and supporting components to further stabilize the cathode during the loading procedure. A loading base may be integrated to assist in manual loading of a cathode.

Abstract: A module for staging sample tubes and mixing the samples contained in the sample tubes for an automated clinical analyzer. In one embodiment, this module comprises a mixing drum, which is capable of mixing the contents of a sample tube in an end-over-end manner. The mixing drum is capable of mixing samples in the sample tubes without separating the solid components of the sample, e.g., red blood cells from the liquid components of the sample, e.g., plasma. A device for elevating the sample tube in the sample tube carrier can be used to enable the cap of the sample tube to be punctured by a piercing element in a piercing assembly. After the cap of the sample tube is punctured, a probe for aspirating the sample from said sample tube can obtain the sample in the receptacle of the sample tube through a bore in the piercing element. The piercing assembly can include a resiliently biased element for ejecting the sample tube from the piercing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer assembly for transferring a fluid between a vessel and a vial and a method for using same. The vial may be a maximum recovery vial. The vessel has a body with an open end and a slidable piston positioned within the body through the open end. The maximum recovery vial has an inner chamber with an open end and a closed end and a penetrable seal covering the open end of the inner chamber. The transfer assembly includes a housing having first and second open ends and a bore extending between the first and second open ends. The housing is connectable to the piston. The transfer assembly also includes a conduit having first and second ends and first and second apertures adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, disposable cathode handler assembly facilitates automated or manual loading of a cathode with analyte for spectrometric analysis and is intended for a single use application. This cathode handler assembly is comprised of several parts which work cooperatively together to stabilize a separate cathode and direct an analyte into the cathode. A stopper and channeling unit are disposed in supporting interconnection with the cathode so as to maintain it in a stable orientation for loading. The channeling unit may be used in combination with a liner which also interacts with the cathode to guide the analyte into an interior chamber therein, and further contains an analyte cap holder. A stopper prevents the introduced analyte from escaping the cathode and a housing is connected exteriorly of the cathode and supporting components to further stabilize the cathode during the loading procedure. A loading base may be integrated to assist in manual loading of a cathode.

Abstract: A sample carrier having a top wall, a base, and a support wall joining the top wall and the base. The top wall includes aligned, spaced-apart openings on at least one side of the support wall which are sized to receive sample tubes. Sleeves depending from the top wall and circumscribing each opening direct sample tubes into sample tube holding areas. The sample tube holding areas each include one or more retaining walls extending upward from the base opposite the support wall. Springs extending outward from the support wall bias sample tubes against the retaining walls. A drip shield comprising a cover plate, a pair of through-holes for accessing sample tubes in the sample carrier, and a depending fin which separates sample tubes on opposite sides of the support wall protects against cross-contamination between sample tubes held by the sample carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorbent collector material based on polyorganosiloxane for the microextraction of substances to be analysed, the collector material having an open-cell foam structure, and to a collector and a liner which include this collector material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for concentrating and transferring volatile compounds contained in a sample on a detachable solid support (12) into a liquid for subsequent detection and/or analysis of the volatile compounds, are described. The apparatus comprises a holder (14) for the solid support (12), means (16) for transporting the holder (14) to a heating position on a heatable plate (18), an enclosed space-creating arrangement comprising the heatable plate (18) attached to a movable housing (30), the holder (14), the solid support (12), a funnel (20) on the solid support (12), and inside the funnel (20) a chilled member (22), means inside the housing (30) for heating the heatable plate (18) to evaporate the volatile compounds which then are condensed on the chilled member (22), means (24) for transporting the chilled member (22) from a cooler (26) to the inside of the funnel (20) and from there to a position (28) where condensed compounds are removed from the chilled member (22) into a liquid.

Abstract: A sample plate structure is provided including a retainer plate having a central recess with a trough along its periphery, a sample insert plate which fits into and rests on contact surface of the recess, and a magnet that is held below the contact surface. A portion of the bottom surface of the insert is formed of a magnetic material. The magnet provides sufficient force to retain the insert plate in the retainer plate during MALDI MS analysis. The sample insert plate is provided with a peripheral configuration, which assures that the sample insert plate is properly oriented within the sample plate support structure and is held flat. A hole for a protrusion allows easy insert installation and alignment against the orientation feature in the recess as well as easy removal of the insert simply by pushing up from underneath the retainer plate. While the insert sample plate can be a consumable, the remaining portion of the apparatus can be reused.

Abstract: An automated system and process is provided for pooling samples from a multiplicity of blood or plasma donations for subsequent testing to uniquely identify any such blood or plasma donations which may be infected with a particular virus. The system includes an autosampler needle which is directly inserted into a blood or plasma sample aliquot container in order to withdraw an aliquot portion of the contents for forming a sample pool with aliquot portions of other blood or plasma samples. The autosampler comprises a tubular piercing member having a hollow interior bore and a tubular shroud surrounding the piercing member.