Abstract: New and improved connector is provided for the zero dead volume connection of separate, like diameter flexible tubing lengths by direct tubing length end abutment and connection under controlled conditions. The connector is particularly adapted for use with tubing lengths of fluorocarbon or like materials in contemporary biomedical sample liquid analysis systems which utilize an immiscible isolation liquid or "oil" to minimize sample liquid carryover and maximize the accuracy of sample liquid analysis results.

Abstract: A specific binding enzyme-resistant ligand assay test material, which material comprises (a) a solid phase incorporated with one partner of a specific binding pair comprising said ligand or a binding analog thereof and a specific binding protein therefor; (b) a conjugate comprising the other partner of said specific binding pair incorporated with a substance which protects the specific binding protein of said pair from enzyme inactivation when bound with its partner; and (c) an active protein-inactivating enzyme. Also a specific binding method of assaying for an enzyme-resistant ligand in a sample, which method uses the above test material and which results in a reduction in interference caused by non-specific protein.

Abstract: New and improved, mechanically self-resonant apparatus and method for the non-invasive mixing of materials are disclosed, and comprise vibrator means including container means for the materials to be mixed, and drive means to drivingly vibrate the vibrator means. Sensor means are operatively associated with the vibrator means and the drive means, and are operable to sense the frequency of vibration of the vibrator means and maintain that frequency at or near the resonant frequency of the vibrator means. This promotes thorough mixing of the materials, and minimizes the energy input required for vibrational mixing of the materials. Control means are provided to control the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator means at or near the resonant frequency to avoid damage to the materials attendant mixing. The container means may take the form of a conduit through which the materials to be mixed are flowing attendant vibrational mixing.

Abstract: New and improved, liquid level adjusting and filtering device is provided, and is operable upon insertion into a container to automatically adjust the level of a liquid as contained in the container to a predetermined, precisely repeatable location, and to filter the thusly level-adjusted liquid. The device is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with test tube-like devices, in the nature of those marketed under the Trademark "Vacutainer" by the Becton-Dickinson Company of East Rutherford, NJ, containing whole blood samples which have been separated as by centrifugation into respective blood cell, buffy and blood serum layers; and is operable in that context to present blood serum samples to automated sample analysis systems at the same predetermined and precisely repeatable location relative to the aspirating probe means of such systems.

Abstract: A novel compound is disclosed having the structure ##STR1## in which R is H or lower alkyl, R* is intermediate alkyl, and X is halogen or pseudohalogen. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the compound, the method including the steps of reacting (intermediate alkyl)benzene (I) with succinic anhydride to form (intermediate alkyl)-benzoylpropionic acid (II), successively reducing and dehydrating (II) to form 7-(intermediate alkyl)-1-tetralone (III), alkylating (III) to form 2-hydroxy(lower alkylidene)-7-(intermediate alkyl)-1-tetralone (IV), acrylating (IV) to form 2-acyloxy(lower alkylidene)-7-(intermediate alkyl)-1-tetralone (V), reacting (V) in the presence of an cycloalkene to form 7(intermediate alkyl)-2-(lower alkyl)-1-naphthol (VI), reacting (VI) with a 2,6-dihaloquinone-4-haloimide to form the compound (I), and isolating it.

Abstract: A method is described for transferring a thin tissue section affixed to a substrate by a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to a microscope slide which supports a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of polymerizable material. The tissue section is contacted to the second adhesive layer to form a laminate. Following polymerization of the second layer to form a positive bond between the tissue section and microscope slide, the substrate and first adhesive layer are completely removed to expose the tissue section, now affixed to the microscope slide by the polymerized second adhesive layer, for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A novel compound is disclosed having the structure ##STR1## in which R is lower alkyl and X is halogen or pseudohalogen. Also disclosed in a novel process for preparing the compound which comprises the steps of combining a compound having the structure ##STR2## in which X is a halogen or pseudohalogen, and a compound having the structure ##STR3## in which R is lower alkyl and A is lower alkylidene to produce a first reaction mixture; adjusting the pH of the first reaction mixture to at least about 8 to produce a second reaction mixture; and recovering the compound or its salt from the second reaction mixture.

Abstract: A test means, test device, and method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of a test sample as well as a method for making the device, are disclosed. The test means comprises a weakly acidic polyelectrolyte polymer, at least 50 percent of the carboxyl groups of which are present in the form of the salt of a quaternary ammonium ion having the structure ##STR1## in which the R substituents, same or different, are hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl, with the proviso that at least one of R is other than hydrogen; and an indicator means capable of producing a detectable response to ion exchange between the polyelectrolyte salt and the test sample. The device comprises a carrier matrix incorporated with the test means. The method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity comprises contacting the test sample with the test means or device and observing a detectable response.

Abstract: A device for preparing a control solution for ketone analysis is disclosed, as well as a method for preparing it. The device comprises a carrier vehicle incorporated with an ester of a .beta.-ketoalkanoic acid, and a hydrolyzing substance capable of converting the ester to the corresponding .beta.-ketoalkanoic acid. The ester has the structure ##STR1## in which R is a lower alkyl group and R' is an aliphatic or cyclic group having 1 to about 7 carbon atoms. The method comprises contacting a predetermined volume of solvent with the device.

Abstract: A composition, test device and method for determining the presence of leukocytes, esterase and/or esterase activity in a test sample is disclosed. The composition comprises an ester which, when cleaved by esterolytic activity, produces a detectable response such as color formation. In addition the composition comprises the compound 3-quinuclidinol. The device is prepared by incorporating a carrier matrix, such as paper, with the composition. The method comprises contacting a test sample with the device and observing a detectable response.

Abstract: An improved test means, device and method for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of an aqueous sample are disclosed. The test means comprises a weakly basic polyelectrolyte polymer salt and an indicator means capable of producing a detectable response to ion exchange between the polymer salt and the test sample. The polymer salt is one in which one or more of the basic moieties of the polymer is present as the salt of a strong organic acid.

Abstract: A homogeneous specific binding assay element, a method for its preparation, and a method for its use in determining a ligand in or the ligand binding capacity of a liquid sample are disclosed. The test element comprises a solid carrier incorporated with reagents for a homogeneous specific binding assay system which produces a detectable response, usually an electromagnetic radiation signal, that is a function of the presence or amount of the ligand in or the ligand binding capacity of the sample.

Abstract: A composition, test device and method for detecting the presence and/or determining concentration of glucose in a liquid test sample are disclosed. The composition is capable of determining glucose concentration over a broad range, e.g. 0 to about 5,000 milligrams (mg) of glucose per deciliter (dl) of test sample. Moreover, the composition is resistant to interference from the presence of ascorbate in the sample. The composition comprises glucose oxidase, peroxidase and, as an indicator capable of producing a detectable response in the presence of peroxidase and H.sub.2 O.sub.2, a mixture of two compounds. One has the structure ##STR1## and the other has the structure ##STR2## in which R, same of different, is H or lower alkyl, R' is aryl and R" is lower alkyl.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a ligand in, or the ligand binding capacity of a liquid test sample which includes the steps of (a) adding to the sample a conjugate of the ligand and a label, (b) contacting the sample with a test device containing reagents which in conjunction with the conjugate and ligand, are capable of producing a detectable response, and (c) measuring the response.

Abstract: A homogeneous specific binding assay element, a method for its preparation, and a method for its use in determining a ligand in or the ligand binding capacity of a liquid sample. The test element comprises a solid carrier incorporated with reagents for a homogeneous specific binding assay system which produces a detectable response, usually an electromagnetic radiation signal, that is a function of the presence or amount of the ligand in or the ligand binding capacity of the sample.

Abstract: A homogeneous specific binding assay device, a method for its preparation, and a method for its use in determining a ligand, such as antigen, hapten, or antibody, in a liquid sample. The test device comprises a solid carrier member, such as a fibrous web matrix, e.g., paper, or a polymeric film or gel, incorporated with reagents for a homogeneous specific binding assay system which produces a detectable response, usually an electromagnetic radiation signal, that is a function of the presence or amount of the ligand in the sample.

Abstract: An improved composition, device and method, whereby enhanced sensitivity is achieved in detecting test sample constituents such as glucose and blood. The improvement resides in the use of a broad range of compounds as enhancers for benzidine-type indicators. The enhancer tends to stabilize the blue colorform of such indicators.

Abstract: A test kit for the determination of bilirubin in a test sample is disclosed. It comprises a reagent capable of producing a color change or other detectable response in the presence of bilirubin, and a test mat comprising finely divided silica gel. The kit is utilized by wetting the test mat with a portion of a liquid test sample suspected of containing bilirubin, contacting the wetted mat with the reagent, causing the reagent to at least partially wet the mat and observing the appearance of a color change or other detectable response.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of an aqueous test sample, the composition comprising a strongly acidic or strongly basic polyelectrolyte, a buffer substance capable of providing a pH of about 5.5, and an indicator means capable of producing a detectable response to ion exchange between the polyelectrolyte and the sample. The test device comprises a carrier matrix incorporated with the test composition, and the method for its use comprises contacting an aqueous test sample with the device and observing a detectable response.

Abstract: A stabilized composition comprising apoglucose oxidase is disclosed. In addition to the apoenzyme, a stabilizing agent comprising poly(vinyl alcohol), bovine serum albumin or mixtures thereof is included. The composition can also comprise, in addition to the apoenzyme and stabilizing agent, reagents for a homogeneous specific binding assay system capable of producing a detectable response which is a function of a ligand in, or the ligand binding capacity of a test sample, wherein the apoenzyme is itself one of the reagents in the assay system. The stabilized composition can be utilized in a test device for assaying a ligand in, or the ligand binding capacity of a liquid sample, whereby the device comprises a test device incorporated with the composition.