Abstract: A process for steam-sterilizing label-bearing containers stacked with the labels in contact, without destroying the labels such as occurs if the labels are printed by thermal transfer for product-variable data. The process features laser-ablating imagewise the label to remove an ink layer so as to expose either a contrasting ink layer below, or a metal foil or polymer substrate. Such containers are then readily stacked on the labels and sterilized without thermal damage to the labels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting patient sample quality, and/or analytes, in the tip used to aspirate the patient sample liquid and then dispense it onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis is done on the liquid while still in the tip, by scanning the tip for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure, using NIR and adjacent visible radiation, and detecting the absorbance spectra of the liquid. Thereafter, or prior thereto, the liquid is dispensed onto a dried slide test element for assaying analytes that are not assayed spectrophotometrically, thus enhancing throughput.

Abstract: A method of preventing false detection of signal due to splashing of reagent liquid used to produce such signal, when dispensing at least one such liquid from a metering tip into a second liquid, comprising the steps of: a) positioning the metering tip a predetermined distance above the upper level of the second liquid prior to dispensing the one liquid; andb) while maintaining the distance throughout the dispensing of the one liquid, dispensing the one liquid;wherein the predetermined distance is between about 1.0 mm and about 2.0 mm so that splashing during dispensing is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of detection of light transmitted or reflected from a test object using any one of plural filters each with a unique center wavelength. To prevent chromatic aberration in non-collimated light passed through the filters, the thickness of each filter is unique, depending on its center wavelength.

Abstract: Abnormal reactions in a red blood cell classification by agglutination, are checked following centrifugation of a sample in a column of a cassette, the column containing microparticles. This is done by imaging the column on a detector array that is used to correlate the images with predefined red cell classes based upon the distribution of the images across the column. However, prior to the correlation step, abnormal reactions are checked for by detecting whether any of the following is present:i) errors that cause imaged features of the column or any pellet produced therein to be out of range;ii) hemolysis of the sample;iii) insufficient or too many blood cells present;iv) mixed field agglutination; andv) presence of fibrin at the top of the microparticles.

Abstract: A method, and a calibration device, for calibrating a system for analyzing aqueous solutions and that includes a pixel array and a variable focus line for focusing onto the pixel array illuminated images of the aqueous solutions. The method includes the steps of illuminating a pattern on the calibration device to form an illuminated image of that pattern, and directing that illuminated image through the lens and onto the pixel array. The method includes the further step of deriving data values representing the image on the pixel array, and using those data values to adjust the focus of the lens and to adjust the position of the calibration device relative to the pixel array.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related method for uniformly transferring a liquid material to a test slide element in which a transfer element having a liquid supporting surface area approximately equal to the surface area subtended by the test volume of the test slide element is brought into direct contact with the test element surface so that the liquid is distributed all at once thereto.

Abstract: A method and fluorimeter for flashing a target at several different levels for detection of fluorescence by a PMT without blinding the PMT at the highest level. Two lamps are provided each of which is powered to flash at two different levels that are staged in energy from the lowest of four to the highest of four levels, and a shutter is provided to close off the PMT from exposure when an acceptable, detectable level of fluorescence is detected by the PMT.

Abstract: A method, and a calibration device, for calibrating a system for analyzing aqueous solutions and that includes a pixel array and a variable focus line for focusing onto the pixel array illuminated images of the aqueous solutions. The method includes the steps of illuminating a pattern on the calibration device to form an illuminated image of that pattern, and directing that illuminated image through the lens and onto the pixel array. The method includes the further step of deriving data values representing the image on the pixel array, and using those data values to adjust the focus of the lens and to adjust the position of the calibration device relative to the pixel array.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting patient sample quality, and/or analytes, in the tip used to aspirate the patient sample liquid and then dispense it onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis is done on the liquid while still in the tip, by scanning the tip for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure, using NIR and adjacent visible radiation, and detecting the absorbence spectra of the liquid. Much smaller liquid volumes, and no through-the-label detection, are required, compared to doing the scanning of the liquid in a primary patient collection container.

Abstract: A flexible container containing pre-deposited reagents, comprising a plurality of temporarily sealed, breakable compartments dispersed in the container, each compartment containing a reagent useful for immuno-assaying, and each compartment comprising opposed confining walls at least one of which is sufficiently flexible as to allow the compartment to be compressed in the presence of an adequate external force, external outlets in the container for the contents of said compartments, passageways extending from each of the compartments to the outlets, each of the outlets terminating in a platform that supports a drop of at least 10 .mu.L as a pendant drop, the platforms of at least two of the outlets being adjacent so as to form between them an exterior angle with respect to each other sufficient to cause drops pendant therefrom to substantially uniformly intermix.

Abstract: A flexible cuvette comprising enclosed chambers and passageways for filling and/or passing liquid thereinto or therethrough, the chambers and passageways being formed by plastic sheets blocked together prior to use to eliminate air bubbles, by an amount sufficient to require at least 0.8 g/cm of lineal width peel-apart force.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a solution for an agglutination pattern. The method comprises the steps of producing an illuminated image of the solution on an array of pixels, and assigning to each pixel in the illuminated image, a data value representing the intensity of the illuminated image on the pixel. Those data values are then processed according to a predetermined program to determine if an agglutination pattern is present and, if so, to classify that pattern into one of a plurality of predefined classes. With the preferred processing procedure, the pixel array is separated into a plurality of zones, and the data values for the pixels in each zone are processed according to a respective predetermined procedure to determine values for a predefined set of variables. Then, those determined values are processed to determine whether an agglutination pattern is present in the solution, and if so, to classify that pattern into one of the predefined classes.

Abstract: An improved cartridge and method of dispensing test elements therefrom, which seals off the elements from exposure to the atmosphere. The cartridge includes, at its end apertured to eject test elements, a cover plate, said plate optionally being biased into contact with the end-most test element to cover the fluid opening provided in all such test elements. To dispense that end-most element, a pusher blade engages and ejects the element as in conventional cartridges. Optionally, the opposite end of the cartridge is sealed with a duck-bill seal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining actual liquid volumes in vessels in an incubator rotor that experiences vertical run-out as it rotates past stations that fill the vessels with liquid. Air pressure is used to determine the height of the bottom of each of the empty vessels, and then the height of the liquid that fills the vessels, so that the difference in height is converted into volume to compare with the desired and expected volume for the operation that does the volume-filling.

Abstract: A method for determining and correcting for the variations in height of a rotor as it wobbles when rotating past a particular critical circumferential position. The method comprises sensing a reference surface of each vessel in the rotor that is to be filled during the use of the rotor in an incubator, as a tare height of the vessel, so that the effect of the vertical run-out is known and corrected for by the computer. Air pressure is used to detect the reference surface, either from a vessel-wash probe connected to the source of air pressure, or a separate sensor probe.

Abstract: Humidity control apparatus for articles being stored, comprising: a) a chamber within which the articles are to be contained, b) a conveyor passing by a portion of, and exposed to, the contents of the chamber, c) a drive mechanism for driving the conveyor past the portion of the chamber, d) a desiccant on the conveyor, e) a humidistat positioned to measure the water vapor content within the chamber, and f) a control mechanism operatively connecting the humidistat and the drive mechanism for advancing fresh desiccant past the chamber when the water vapor content of the chamber is too high.

Abstract: A slide for reacting a biological sample with reagents, and a method for using the same. The slide comprises a liquid-impervious top surface comprising glass, first portions of the surface having thereon a hydrophobic mask that repels an aqueous liquid, and second portions of the surface being completely free of any coverage by the mask so as to be wettable with an aqueous liquid, at least one of the other wettable second portions being totally isolated from the other wettable second portions by some of the mask, so that aqueous liquid will not flow from the one wettable portion to the another wettable portion until an overflow amount of aqueous liquid is added to the one wettable portion in an amount sufficient to bridge across the mask, and an absorbent material mounted at one side of the surface in position to receive liquid from the slide.

Abstract: A dry immunoassay analytical element, for assaying a ligand, comprising in the following order:(a) a layer containing a labeled ligand;(b) a spreading layer;(c) a receptor layer containing a fixed concentration of an immobilized receptor for the labeled ligand and the receptor is i) covalently bonded to polymeric beads having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 5 .mu.m and ii) dispersed in a polymeric binder and(d) a support;characterized in that the spreading layer contains a water soluble polymer containing vanadium IV (V.sup.+4) ions.

Abstract: A clamp for holding an analyzer in place on a horizontal surface, comprising an entrance mouth angled to allow insertion of a bracket of the analyzer without initial accurate alignment, and a tongue-and-opening interlock between the clamp and the bracket on the analyzer, sized to give limited sideways movement between the clamp and analyzer, once the clamp is locked onto the bracket. The clamp is locked to the bracket using a spring effective to adjust for dimensional variations.