Abstract: An improved radioimmunoassay procedure involves the use of a stabilized complex of labelled antigen and antibody which has an extended shelf life as compared to the same complex absent the stabilizers. Since the time needed to incubate the mixture of labelled antigen and antibody is eliminated, the time for completing the assay is considerably shortened and simplified. The components for carrying out the procedure are packaged in a kit basically including standard antigen for generation of a standard curve, a stabilized labelled antigen-antibody complex and reference serum, if used. A plurality of stabilizers are used in the complex to provide a shelf life of six weeks or more.

Abstract: A pumping system for dispensing controlled and variable amounts of fluids in predetermined quantities includes a pump piston which moves axially in a pump chamber. The piston is reciprocated by a drive lead nut cooperating with a non-rotatable lead screw attached to the piston. The piston is sealed to the pump chamber by a seal element whose distance from the lead nut is fixed regardless of the position of the piston, thus protecting the seal. The rotatably driven lead nut includes a hollow driven shaft, containing lubricant, so that the lead screw is lubricated as it travels into the shaft of the lead nut. The motor for the system is a pulse operated reversible stepping motor enabling accurate output from the pump, for example, between .01 ml/min to 9.99 ml/min as controlled by the stepping motor. One motor may drive two pumps for a continuous controlled pumping system. If desired a flush mechanism may be used to rinse the piston of any pumped material which adheres to the surface.

Abstract: An energy conversion system for the production of power from hot fluid sources which may contain dissolved solutes and undesirable noncondensable gases is disclosed in which direct heat transfer is utilized by said hot fluid sources to vaporize a working fluid which is then in turn utilized for the production of power. In the given system the working fluid is employed in such a manner as to blanket the appropriate interior surfaces of the apparatus thus preventing contamination by any of the dissolved solutes which subsequently may have precipitated out during the energy conversion stage of the power. Also disclosed is a modification of said energy conversion system whereby any loss of the said working fluid is prevented, thereby eliminating the necessity of their replacement, so that the given system can operate for extended periods of time without the added expense of providing for make-up fluid.

Abstract: An improved pump system includes a booster turbine unit including a turbine mounted on the same shaft as the booster pump and utilizing a primary pump as the primary fluid power source. Various forms of turbine and booster pump may be used such that either the pressure or rate of flow from the primary pump may be increased substantially by a relatively simple and reliable system. The output of the primary pump may be flowed through the booster turbine including the booster pump or one fluid may be used as the same source and another as the pump system output. Various forms and designs are described.

Abstract: An immobilized immunoadsorbent for use in immunoassay and radioimmunoassay procedures includes, in a preferred form, a mass of superficially porous refractory particles having a water insoluble polymer, such as dextran, bonded thereto. The polymer in turn has bonded to it, by covalent bonds, antibodies capable of binding a specific antigen thereto and stoichiometrically releasing the bound antigen by the use of a rinsing solution which does not adversely affect the binding of the antibody to the polymer. Preferably, each of the porous particles includes an impervious core which has joined thereto sufficient layers of microparticles to form an outer porous coating on the core. Methods of forming such an immunoadsorbent and for using the same and structure for supporting the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for obtaining pure components from a fluid mixture employing a minimum amount of energy. A rectification column is utilized in which the fluid mixture is separated into its components whereby the heat addition and cooling required is accomplished by means of a heat pump transfer system. The system transfers heat energy to a working fluid to power a compressor structure in a heat pump cycle by supplying heat to the liquid phase. Compressor structure is disclosed in the forms of an ejector and a turbine-powered compressor. As disclosed, the same working fluid is employed in the power cycle and the heat pump cycle. Specific structures are disclosed for obtaining greater efficiency including an arrangement for heat regeneration in the power loop of the heat pump cycle and also disclosed is an arrangement whereby individual systems are staged for the separation of multicomponent mixtures.

Abstract: An inertial sighting system for slaving the axis of a craft mounted movable member such as an armament system, camera, spotlight or the like to the axis of a hand held sight including two sets of inertial sensors in the form of a pair of gyroscopes for each set. One pair of gyroscopes, fixed to the craft and responsive to changes in craft attitude, provides pitch, azimuth, and roll information regarding craft attitude. The other pair of gyroscopes, fixed to the sighting device and responsive to changes in sighting device attitude, provides pitch and azimuth information regarding sight device attitude. The spin axes of the gyroscopes are initially aligned by a caging mechanism provided on a sight stowing bracket mounted on the craft and a cooperating caging mechanism on the sight.

Abstract: Apparatus for radioimmunoassay provides a continuously reusable short cycle analytical system of particular use in biochemical analysis such as the determination of steroids, hormones, polypeptides, viruses, vitamins, drugs, and the like. The apparatus disclosed samples a mixture of an unlabelled antigen sample and a known concentration of labelled antigen, bringing the mixture into contact with a mass of appropriate antibody that has been immobilized thereby to bind at least part of the mixed antigen to the antibody. The amount of bound and/or unbound labelled antigen is detected and counted and, by use of previously prepared standards, the unknown concentration of unlabelled antigen is found. The still immobilized antibody is regenerated for immediate reuse by rinsing it with a selected eluting solution that is capable of breaking the antigen-antibody. Alternate ways of immobilizing the antibody are described. Several suitable eluting solutions are disclosed.