Abstract: An assembly for separating, metering and delivering fluids such as whole blood, includes a central rotating member rotatable about a fixed spin axis. A processing chamber holding member is connected to the central rotating member by a centrifugally actuated frame. At rotational speeds below a first predetermined speed, the centrifugally actuated frame is in a first position. At rotational speeds greater than the first speed, centrifugal force moves the frame to a second position angularly spaced from and at greater distance from the spin axis than the first position. A processing chamber is mounted on the holding member and its orientation relative to the spin axis is the same in the first and second positions. Fluid is provided in the processing chamber.

Abstract: A new and improved method and composition for determining the presence and concentration of low to trace amounts of proteins, such as albumin, in a test sample, such as urine. The method includes using a reagent composition capable of interacting with low trace amounts of proteins to produce a visually or instrumentally detectable and/or measurable response. The method can be used in wet assays or in dry test strip assays, wherein the reagent composition is incorporating into a carrier matrix. The new and improved reagent composition, comprising a dye, such as a polyhydroxybenzenesulfonephthalein-type indicator, like pyrocatechol violet; a tungstate, such as ammonium tungstate; and, if necessary, a suitable buffer, is incorporated into the carrier matrix to provide sufficient sensitivity to low to trace protein levels and sufficient color resolution between low to trace protein levels, thereby affording an accurate and trustworthy protein assay of test samples having a low protein concentration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the elimination of ascorbic acid interference in assay systems, particularly assay systems based upon oxidase-peroxidase coupled reactions. When ascorbic acid is present in a sample, it can act as a reductant thereby interfering with an assay's reagent system. The present invention eliminates this inteference by quickly oxidizing any ascorbate thereby preventing ascorbate from acting as an unwanted reductant. The ascorbate is oxidized using a dual oxidant system comprising a water soluble polymer bound to Cu.sup.+2 and an organic or inorganic oxidant such as chromate, peroxide, or a N-halo derivative. This invention is surprisingly selective and generally will not itself interfere with the assay's reagent system. Furthermore, the present invention is so fast and efficient that it can be incorporated into a convenient format, such as a conventional "dip-and-read" reagent test strip system.

Abstract: A test device and method of determining the presence and concentration of proteins, such as albumin or Bence Jones proteins, in a test sample. The test device includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reactant system capable of interacting with proteins to produce a visually or instrumentally detectable and/or measurable response. The carrier matrix of the device can include commonly used bibulous matrices, such as filter paper, or a nonbibulous protein-permeable strip, membrane or layer of a polymerized urethane-containing composition. In addition, a reactant system, including a dual indicator reagent system, such as bromophenol blue, methyl orange and, if necessary, a suitable buffer, is incorporated into the carrier matrix to provide improved color resolution and increased sensitivity to proteins, thereby affording a more accurate and trustworthy protein assay of test samples, such as urine.

Abstract: A lancet assembly includes a reusable base unit that defines a handle for a lancet assembly and houses a biasing mechanism for driving a lancet into the finger of a user. The base unit includes a spring biased hammer that once cocked, can be released to drive a lancet. A lancet is included in a disposable end cap that may be releasible attached to one end of the base unit. The end cap includes integral resilience spring fingers that maintain the lancet completely within the end cap before and after use, and functions to return the lancet after engagement of the lancet and hammer. The end cap can be rotated to orient the end cap relative to user's finger to control the depth of penetration of the lancet into the user's finger.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl andR.sup.2 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, or a substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and their preparation. The compounds can be used in an iron assay system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a number of innovative electrophilic substitution reactions involving 2,5-dithienylpyrrole (2,5-DTP). More specifically, these reactions are used in the synthesis of monomers for preparing functionalized conducting organic polymers.The electrophilic substitution reactions in this invention are accomplished under conditions not requiring the use of N-1 pyrrole blocking groups to direct reaction at the pyrrole C-3 position. This is because the steric bulk of the 2,5-dithienyl groups prevent N-acylation and therefore direct reactions with electrophiles at the pyrrole C-3 position.The reaction conditions chosen have also demonstrated a greater regioselectivity towards functionalization at the pyrrole 3-position than the basic reaction conditions suggested in the prior art. This result may be explained by an activation of the pyrrole 3-position towards electrophilic substitution. This is attributed to an electron donating resonance contribution of the 2,5 thienyl groups.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of stable dispersions of hydrophobic reagents in aqueous material, which process involves dissolving an ionomeric polymer, together with hydrophobic reagent substance, in a suitable organic solvent, adding water to the resulting material and then removing the organic solvent. The resulting dispersion has exceptionally high stability and finds utility in the production of diagnostic reagent test devices.

Abstract: A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and then to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A new and improved composition and method of determining the specific gravity of an aqueous test sample. The method includes using a test device comprising a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of interacting with an aqueous test sample to produce a visually or instrumentally detectable and measurable response that correlates to the specific gravity of the aqueous test sample. The new and improved reagent composition, comprising a molybdate-dye complex indicator, such as a molybdatepyrocatechol violet complex; a protein, such as albumin; a chelating agent, like tartaric acid; and, if necessary, a suitable buffer, is incorporated into a carrier matrix, like filter paper, to provide increased sensitivity to test sample specific gravity and improved color differentiation between test samples having different specific gravities, thereby affording a more accurate and trustworthy specific gravity assay of an aqueous test sample, such as urine.

Abstract: Test compositions, indicators, and test device are provided which are capable of generating different hues at different analyte concentrations. The compositions are capable of generating a yellow hue in situ. Visual tests for clinically important analytes, such as glucose, are determined by use of two independent catalytic systems which are reactive with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to produce a range of hues; the particular hue produced depending on the concentration of the analyte. The invention provides a test device for the determination of analyte, e.g. glucose, in body fluid which exhibits a RAINBOW of hues, the particular final hue produced depending on the analyte concentration.

Abstract: A disposable, inexpensive electrode for an electrochemical sensor includes a laminated anode and a laminated cathode. The anode is a film substrate with anodic material such as platinum deposited on the substrate. The cathode is also a film substrate with cathodic material such as silver deposited on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be laminated with an intermediate layer of dielectric material. A working surface is provided on the electrode and defined, in part, by the anode and cathode. One procedure for defining the working surface is to fabricate spaced openings in the cathode film and the layer of dielectric material. The openings in the cathode film and dielectrical layer are aligned and the exposed surfaces of the anode and cathode define the working area. An enzyme, such as glucose oxidase, is bonded to the exposed anode and a membrane is applied over the working area and enzyme. The membrane is preferably a silicone water-based elastomer.

Abstract: Reflectance apparatus is disclosed for obtaining measurement of nonspecular reflected light in which controlled light rays are directed along a transmission path from a light source through a plurality of light traps to expose or illuminate a specimen and nonspecular reflected light is passed from the specimen through the light traps along a transmission path to one or more detectors where the nonspecular reflected light is measured, the detector's field of view being larger than the illuminated area of the specimen over a wide range of specimen to source and detector distances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a number of innovative electrophilic substitution reactions involving 2,5-dithienylpyrrole (2,5-DTP). More specifically, these reactions are used in the synthesis of monomers for preparing functionalized conducting organic polymers.The elctrophilic substitution reactions in this invention are accomplished under conditions not requiring the use of N-1 pyrrole blocking groups to direction reaction at the pyrrole C-3 position. This is because the steric bulk of the 2,5-dithienyl groups prevent N-acylation and therefore direct reactions with electrophiles at the pyrrole C-3 position.The reaction conditions chosen have also demonstrated a greater regioselectively towards functionalization at the pyrrole 3-position than the basic reaction conditions suggested in the prior art. This result may be explained by an activation of the pyrrole 3-position towards electrophilic substitution. This is attributed to an electron donating resonance contribution of the 2,5 thienyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl andR.sup.2 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, or a substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and their preparation. The compounds can be used in an iron assay system.

Abstract: An easily grasped reagent strip is disclosed. The reagent strip includes a handle that is elevated or spaced from a flat surface on which the reagent strip is placed. The handle is formed or bent to extend laterally from the rest of the reagent strip. Alternatively, ribs or buttons may be formed in the handle of the reagent strip to space the handle from a flat surface. The reagent strip can also include informative tactile indicia such as braille to inform a visually impaired or blind person of the type of reagent strip and the location of the reagent pad on the strip.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating constituents of fluids, diluting the constituents and inoculating a reagent includes a spinning assembly for spinning a processor member. The processor member includes fluid and diluent compartments, separation chambers for a fluid and for a diluent, a mixing chamber, and a reagent chamber. The fluid compartment is in communication with the fluid separation chamber by a first passage. The diluent compartment and diluent separation chamber are communicated by a second passage. The first and second passages are oriented such that centrifugal force moves the fluid and diluent through the first and second passages into the respective chambers. The chambers are aligned to prevent outflow under the influence of centrifugal force but to allow outflow into measuring passages upon braking the spinning of the processor member. Spinning the processor member after braking generates a centrifugal force moving the fluid and diluent through the measuring passages into a mixing chamber.