Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of quantitative microspectroscopy, and in particular to a method for determining the volume of particles that are suspended in liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microscopic sample analysis, and specifically relates to a device for preparing thin microscopic samples of liquids.

Abstract: A centrifuge device that is used to centrifuge a fluid sample, such as a blood sample, to separate the fluid sample into its various component layers, and which is capable of measuring the length of the component layers to calculate cell counts for each layer. The centrifuge device includes a rotor assembly for rotating and thus centrifuging the fluid sample, and a movable optical reader device for reading the cell layers in the centrifuged sample. The centrifuge device is capable of accurately controlling the reading of the centrifuged sample based on the orientation of the rotor, so that the rotor can continue to rotate the centrifuged sample while the readings are being taken.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-instrumented assays giving quantitative and/or qualitative results. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process and kit determining analyte in a sample wherein the solid support has a contact zone and binder distributed and immobilized throughout the solid support. A sample and a tracer are added to the contact zone and a visible zone is obtained. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process and test wherein the solid support has two contact zones and the binder is not immobilized on the solid support. In this embodiment, the binder is mobile and is added to the second contact zone. At the same time, sample and a tracer are added to the first contact zone. A visible zone is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microscopic sample analysis, and specifically relates to a method for preparing thin microscopic samples of liquids.

Abstract: Devices for conducting an assay are disclosed which utilize shrink wrap as a casing material. The use of shrink wrap casings enables the preliminary fluid filtering step and the chemical detection step to be combined, provides improved control over the flow of fluids into and through the assay device and reduces the time, material, effort, expense and risk of contamination involved in conducting assays.

Abstract: An apparatus adaptable for use in a centrifuge apparatus to rotate a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while the centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises an engaging member configured to engage a gear which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a driver configured to apply a driving force to the engaging member to cause the engaging member to engage and rotate the gear, which rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. The centrifuge apparatus can therefore obtain readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube at different orientations of the fluid tube.

Abstract: A shatter-proof fluid sample container adaptable for use with a centrifuge is provided. The fluid sample container is especially useful for expanding layers of a fluid sample, such as a blood sample, that form during centrifugation. The fluid sample container includes at least one fill well, a reagent pellet well including a reagent pellet containing reagents and dyes, a mixing channel, a distribution cavity which distributes the fluid to a plurality of expansion cavities, and a float cavity which includes a constant density precision molded float. As the fluid is centrifuged in the fluid sample container, the fluid contacts and dissolves the reagent pellet, and flows through the mixing channel where the material in the reagent pellet mixes with the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in a centrifuge apparatus to rotate a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while the rotor of the centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises a cam which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a cam follower configured to apply a driving force to the cam to cause the cam to rotate, which in turn rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. The cam follower applies the driving force to the cam in response to changes in the magnitude of centrifugal force applied to the cam follower caused by increases and decreases in the speed of rotation of the rotor. The centrifuge apparatus can therefore obtain optical readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube.

Abstract: Culture media for microorganisms containing blood or hemin, particularly Trypticase Soy Agar with blood, and chocolate agar, are combined with known chromogenic substrates to produce chromogenic media. Methods for preparing these chromogenic media include adding chromogenic substrates to the surface of previously prepared media, or incorporating the chromogenic substrate into the media as it is prepared. Methods for distinguishing microorganisms in a sample using these culture media are also described.

Abstract: A method for rotating a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while a centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube by utilizing an apparatus comprising an engaging member configured to engage a gear which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a driver configured to apply a driving force to the engaging member to cause the engaging member to engage and rotate the gear, which rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. This method can therefore obtain readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube at different orientations of the fluid tube.

Abstract: A carrier tube system and method for using the same includes a carrier tube that is configured to receive a capillary blood tube, and a cap which seals the carrier tube to isolate the blood in the capillary tube from the surrounding atmosphere. The carrier tube system can be placed in a centrifuge which separates the blood with its component parts and optically reads the resulting layer thicknesses. The cap of the carrier tube can include a gear portion which is adapted for engagement with an indexing mechanism of the centrifuge, so that the indexing mechanism can rotate the carrier tube system about its longitudinal axis during centrifugation, thus allowing the optical reader of the centrifuge to take layer thickness readings at various positions about the circumference of the capillary tube. The cap can also include a float holder which holds a float that is inserted automatically into the capillary tube when the cap is placed.

Abstract: A culture medium and blood specimen are introduced into a sealable glass vial having a headspace gas mixture such that a change in the gas mixture composition can be monitored by a chemically sensitive material in the vial comprising a mixture of a fluorophore and a chromophore. The fluorophore exhibits a long fluorescence decay time and a fluorescence intensity that depend on a first chemical parameter, such as oxygen concentration. The chromophore exhibits an optical transmission that depends on a second chemical parameter, such as carbon dioxide concentration, the optical transmission of the chromophore changing with the second chemical parameter either within the excitation or within the emission wavelength range of the fluorophore.

Abstract: A carrier tube system and method for using the same includes a carrier tube that is configured to receive a capillary blood tube, and a cap which seals the carrier tube to isolate the blood in the capillary tube from the surrounding atmosphere. The carrier tube system can be placed in a centrifuge which separates the blood with its component parts and optically reads the resulting layer thicknesses. The cap of the carrier tube can include a gear portion which is adapted for engagement with an indexing mechanism of the centrifuge, so that the indexing mechanism can rotate the carrier tube system about its longitudinal axis during centrifugation, thus allowing the optical reader of the centrifuge to take layer thickness readings at various positions about the circumference of the capillary tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow-through device that has a quality control procedure for a binder used in the test area of an assay device to bind an analyte from a test sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials for the facilitation of high-protein-binding capability on tissue culture-treated plastic surfaces, such as, for example, polystyrene assay plates.

Abstract: A combined reflector and arc guide for use with a xenon flash tube comprises a reflector structure having a reflecting surface that is adapted to be placed in a predetermined orientation with respect to the flash tube. An electrically conductive arc guide is carried by, and is preferably integral with, the reflector structure for controlling the arc in the flash tube. The arc guide comprises an elongated ridge that projects outwardly from the reflecting surface of the reflector structure, and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flash tube. An electrical terminal is carried by the reflector structure and has an electrical connection to the arc guide for allowing an electrical potential to be applied to the arc guide. The reflector structure is preferably made of an electrically conductive plastic material, thereby providing continuity between the electrical terminal and the arc guide without the need for a separate conductor.

Abstract: A media additive for the promotion of the growth of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria is presented. The additive comprises lyophilized microorganisms exposed to ionizing radiation. The microorganisms are Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Escherichia coli ATCC 110303. Such microorganisms are incapable of multiplication, yet retain many of their metabolic pathways, enzymes, and biologically active compounds, permitting them to be utilized by the bacteria to be cultured.

Abstract: A centrifuge device that is used to centrifuge a fluid sample, such as a blood sample, to separate the fluid sample into its various component layers, and which is capable of measuring the length of the component layers to calculate cell counts for each layer. The centrifuge device includes a rotor assembly for rotating and thus centrifuging the fluid sample, and a movable optical reader device for reading the cell layers in the centrifuged sample. The centrifuge device is capable of accurately controlling the reading of the centrifuged sample based on the orientation of the rotor, so that the rotor can continue to rotate the centrifuged sample while the readings are being taken.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-instrumented assay giving quantitative and/or qualitative results. Specifically, the invention is directed to an assaying process wherein a first portion of binder supported on substantially the entire length of a solid is contacted with a sample suspected of containing analyte. The binder is a binder for at least the analyte. The first portion is also contacted with a tracer. The process includes contacting a second binder portion also supported on the solid with tracer. The second portion is juxtaposed to the first portion and has a known amount of analyte thereon. The amount of analyte in the sample is determined by comparing the visibility of tracer in the first and second portions. In a preferred embodiment, a third binder portion supported on the solid juxtaposed to the second portion is contacted with tracer. The third portion has a known amount of analyte thereon. The amount of analyte in the third portion is different from the amount on the second portion.