Abstract: A method for identifying, characterizing, categorizing and enumerating cells within a cell population. The survivorship characteristics of the different cell populations is used to obtain quantitative and qualitative information about the cell populations initially present in the sample solution before conditions were imposed on the sample solution to elicit a response. The monitored cell survivorship response may be either direct disappearance of intact cells or the appearance of cell structures, carcasses, ghosts or residuum. In a preferred embodiment, a leukocyte cell decay rate in the presence of an erythrolytic agent is determined by monitoring leukocyte counts at several time intervals after the addition of the erythrolytic agent to the sample solution. The leukocyte decay rate is then used to indicate the presence of a fragile leukocyte population, and to accurately estimate the number of leukocytes initially present in the whole blood sample.

Abstract: A method, composition, device, apparatus, and kit for the determination of the presence or amount of an analyte by monitoring an analyte-mediated ligand binding event in a test mixture which contains the analyte to be assayed, a specific binding member, a Raman-active label, and a particulate having a surface capable of inducing a surface-enhanced Raman light scattering. The test mixture is illuminated with a radiation sufficient to cause the Raman-active label in the test mixture to emit a detectable Raman spectrum. The differences in the detected surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra are dependent upon the amount of the analyte present in the test mixture. Thus, by monitoring these differences, the presence or amount of the analyte are determined.

Abstract: A method of holding a container with a container holder comprises the following steps. The container is received within a bore on the container holder, and a fluid is conveyed through a fluid passage operatively connected with a flexible element within the bore such that the flexible element engages the container to retain the container within the bore.

Abstract: An assay carrier for carrying and positioning a plurality of reaction cells each carrying a single assay, and for carrying and positioning a plurality of reagent packs, for use in selectively performing any one of a plurality of immunoassays on each of the plurality of cells in the carrier.

Abstract: A kit comprising a modified carousel for carrying a plurality of reaction cells and a plurality of reagent packs is adapted to be installed as a replacement unit in single immunoassay instrumentation, providing an immunoassay instrument which is capable of selectively performing any one of a plurality of immunoassays on multiple reaction cells.

Abstract: A holder is pneumatically actuated to grasp and hold a plurality of sample containers during an analytical process which requires movement of the containers. The holder comprises a body having holes therein for receiving the caps and upper portions of the containers. Within each hole is a rigid cylindrical element and within each rigid element is a flexible tubular element. The outer diameter of the flexible element is smaller than the inner diameter of the rigid element so that a pneumatically sealed chamber is formed between the two elements when the ends of the flexible element are folded back over the ends and outer surface of the rigid element. The holder body and the rigid element are provided with holes forming a fluid passage through which positive and negative pressures may be applied to the chamber. When a negative pressure is applied to the chamber to draw the flexible element outward toward the rigid element, the cap and upper portion may move freely into the flexible element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and reagent for measuring the total carbon dioxide content in a sample of body fluid. The improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of propylene glycol to the PEPC enzyme reagent to increase the activity of PEPC and maintaining the enzyme reagent at a substantially constant pH of about 6.0 to 7.0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a multiple port metering pump includes a graduated scale mounted on the head of the pump and an indicator mounted on the body of the pump, whereby the angular orientation of a plurality of radially extending, sequentially spaced outlet ports may be adjusted relative to the pump piston to calibrate and balance the flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A reagent pack for carrying a plurality of individual reagent containers which are required for performing a specific immunoassay is suitable both for transportation of the assays from the manufacturer to the instrumentation site and for use at the instrumentation site during the running of the specific immunoassays on an assay specimen.

Abstract: An improved biological sample analyzer for conducting assays of samples loaded therein, and a method and system for operation thereof, that schedules operations by instrument systems on each biological sample and schedules a conditional cleaning operation prior to a scheduled instrument system operation. The analyzer conducts the assays of the biological samples by performing the scheduled instrument system operations and performs a cleaning operation prior to any scheduled instrument system operation conditioned upon the instrument system operation scheduled prior to the cleaning operation. The biological analyzer can perform a warming operation prior to a scheduled instrument system operation determined upon the lapse of time between the scheduled instrument system operation and the instrument system operation scheduled prior thereto.

Abstract: A biological sample analyzer, and a method and system for operation thereof, wherein instrument systems used to perform an assay of each of the biological samples loaded into the analyzer are operated in accordance with a schedule developed by a scheduler routine. The scheduler routine determines a time allowance for performing operations by instrument systems for conducting an assay on each biological sample from a load list indicating the type of assay to be conducted upon each biological sample. The time allowance determined is adapted to accommodate variations in actual performance of instrument system operations on each sample so that the assays of the biological samples can be performed by the instrument system operations in accordance with a reliable and reproducible schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a reaction cartridge having a plurality of reaction wells having different reagents disposed thereon, at least one well adapted to receive a sample, a well containing particles adapted to bind to the sample and which have the capability of being separated from cells which are not bound to the separation particles and at least one fluorophore adapted to bind to a specific type of cell in the sample, and a wash area adapted for washing a probe. An image forming device is provided to detect images which indicate whether specific reactions have occurred in each of the reaction wells. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for dispensing and aspirating liquids including a mechanism for detecting liquid levels. The device further includes logic for analyzing the information received from the image detection apparatus and processing the information to generate a visual indication of the results of the assays being performed.

Abstract: An assay for an analyte in a test sample that uses a ligand binding reaction between the analyte and a specific binding member or a binding member pair that includes one binding member having a Raman active reporter. The analyte can be assayed by measurement of the Raman scattering signal of the Raman-active reporter. The Raman scattering signal can be either a noon-enhanced Raman scattering signal or a Raman scattering signal that is enhanced by a surface capable of enhancing that Raman scattering signal.

Abstract: A stabilized prolactin calibrator is disclosed. The calibrator has a pH from about 5.5 to about 9.0, and contains prolactin in a 0.01 M to 0.2 M matrix of tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane which additionally contains about 0.3 to 4 percent of bovine serum albumin, about 0.05 to 0.2 percent of sodium azide and from about 0.01 to about 0.2 mole/liter NaCl.

Abstract: A carousel for carrying and positioning a plurality of assays and a plurality of reagent packs in an immunoassay testing apparatus is designed to direct warmed or heated air in a predetermined and controlled manner for maintaining the assays and reagent packs within a specified, controlled temperature range.

Abstract: Liquid transport system with constant fluid flow rate provided by cam driven pump. Multiple cams on common cam shaft are driven by a source of constant power and coordinate timing and operation of multiple system elements.

Abstract: An improved multi-purpose blood diluent for use with a gentle lysing agent and improved detergent reagent system are disclosed which are especially suitable for use in routine electronic enumeration and volumetric differentation of blood cells. The preferred imidazole stabilizer used in the diluent reagent is found to be an excellent cell stabilizing agent and buffer for maintaining cell morphology during operation. A synergistic combination of a superior antimicrobial agent, the preferred Triadine-10, used in the diluent and the detergent reagents, not only prevents bacterial or fungal growth, but also helps to stabilize cells and to obtain distinct volumetric differentiation of certain leukocyte subpopulations. The preferred Brij 35 in a balanced salt solution has proved to be an efficient and cost effective detergent to ensure accurate results and trouble-free operation of the analyzers.

Abstract: A method for purifying an aqueous intrinsic factor solution which contains R-protein is disclosed. The method involves adding to the intrinsic factor solution an amount of colloidal silica to disperse lipid emulsion, an amount of cobinamide sufficient to bind substantially all of the R-protein in the solution and an amount of an intrinsic factor affinity resin sufficient to bind the intrinsic factor in the solution, washing the bound cobinamide and the R-protein from the resin, eluting the intrinsic factor from the resin, and dialyzing the eluted intrinsic factor. The purified intrinsic factor possesses less than 0.004 percent cross reactivity with cobinamides, and at least 95 percent of the proteins in the purified material can bind cobalamins. A conjugate of microparticles and the purified intrinsic factor is also disclosed, as is a kit for conducting an assay for cobalamins which includes a conjugate of microparticles and purified intrinsic factor.

Abstract: A reagent bottle and cap assembly includes a bottle which may be positioned in current apparatus in such a manner that the removal of fluids is maximized. The cap has a flip-top with a live hinge and live over-center spring for holding the cap in an open position and includes a conical core which is in communication with a wiper blade for breaking the meniscus or fluid seal between the core and the neck to enhance the flow of fluids which have collected on the cap back into the bottle for minimizing evaporation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for concentrating particles in a minute area on a solid surface. The method permits the detection of small amounts of analytes by providing for an observable signal in relation to the concentration of particles in the area.