Abstract: A probe for heating a reagent and/or a test specimen from a storage temperature to an analysis temperature is provided herein. The probe is particularly useful with or as part of a clinical analyzer. The probe includes an electrically conductive, tubular inner structure and an electrically conductive, tubular outer structure which substantially encompasses the inner structure. An insulator is positioned between the inner structure and the outer structure which electrically separates the inner structure from the outer structure. Further, an interconnector electrically connects the inner structure to the outer structure. An electrical supply supplies current to the probe which flows through the inner structure and the outer structure to heat the reagent or the test specimen.

Abstract: A one piece, injection molded single piece, well container suitable for reagents for use in a clinical instrument such as a protein analyzer, normally molded from a high density polyethylene or other recyclable plastic. The container is one or more wells, uses standard caps, and is readily adapted to automatic filling equipment. The molded, single piece reagent cartridge is used in a clinical instrument, the reagent cartridge comprised of a plurality of storage wells located in a line in fixed relationship. The reagent cartridge has a guide at one end which is engageable with a means on the receiving means on an analyzer to restrain the cartridge from radial or lateral movement. Each of the wells has side walls and a closed bottom, and the side walls have an upper terminal position including an access opening.

Abstract: An intravascular medical catheter and method of manufacturing a medical catheter are provided herein. The medical catheter includes a guidewire shaft, a sleeve, and a balloon. The sleeve is attached to the guidewire shaft while a distal tail of the balloon is thermally bonded to the sleeve. Because of the sleeve, the distal tail of the balloon can be thermally bonded even if the guidewire shaft is made of a material which is thermally incompatible with the balloon. Thus, for example, a medical catheter can be made with an HDPE guidewire shaft and a balloon made of PEBA, PET, Polyurethane, or Nylon. The resulting medical catheter has a catheter tip which is durable, flexible, and has a relatively low profile for good tracking in the body vessel and good lesion crossing.

Abstract: A separator and a method for quickly separating an aliquot of plasma or serum from cells in a sample of blood is provided herein. The separator includes a housing which defines a separation container, an outlet aperture, a valve which selectively seals the outlet aperture, and a spinner. Initially, the spinner rotates the housing at a separation speed which causes the heavier cells to separate from the serum or plasma. Subsequently, the spinner rotates the housing at a faster, expellant speed which causes the valve to open and the cells to be expelled through the outlet aperture. After the cells have been expelled from the separation container, rotation of the housing is stopped and the serum or plasma is collected from the separation container. Since the separator provided herein does not use a separation gel, the separator is easy to clean and reusable.

Abstract: A holder (10) is provided for securing a capillary (30) having a window section (28) including first and second edges (46) (48) to a mount (80). The holder (10) comprises a retaining surface (14) for securing the capillary (30) to the holder (10) and a mounting surface (18) for detachably securing the holder (10) to the mount (80). The retaining surface (14) is attached to the capillary (30) proximate to the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), with a portion of the window section (28) exposed. Since the capillary (30) is secured proximate the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), the fragile capillary window section (28) is protected during manufacturing or installation into an electrophoretic system (32). The retaining surface (14) preferably is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of capillaries (30) to allow for the substantially simultaneous testing of multiple capillaries (30).

Abstract: A capillary, interface and holder for a capillary electrophoresis system are provided herein. The capillary is disposed in a substantially planar housing having side surfaces. The capillary includes at least two, substantially coplanar capillary openings which extend through an interface surface located on one of the side surfaces. The interface includes at least two spaced apart receptacles for receiving an ionic fluid. Each receptacle includes a liquid permeable medium having a capillary area and a conductor area. Each capillary area is in fluid communication with one of the capillary openings and each conductor area is in contact with at least one electrical conductor. At least two of the capillary areas are substantially coplanar. The ionic fluid is disposed in each receptacle to create an electrical path between the capillary area and conductor area of each receptacle.

Abstract: A method for rapid separation of serum or plasma from cells in a whole blood sample uses a cylindrical sample tube having longitudinally-extending internal ribs. A separation gel and the sample are introduced into the tube, and the tube is axially centrifuged so as to form concentric shells of cells, gel, and serum or plasma. After centrifugation is stopped, the serum or plasma collects in the tube by gravity flow and the cells and gel remain affixed to the walls and ribs of the tube.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the presence of hemolysis, icteris and lipemia in a serum sample are provided herein. The method includes the steps of positioning a probe inlet of a probe in a sample container, aspiring at least a portion of the serum sample into a probe lumen of the probe from the sample container, and monitoring the serum sample in a probe lumen to determine whether hemolysis, icteris and lipemia are present in the serum sample. The serum sample is monitored with a detector which performs spectrophotometric analysis of the serum sample in the probe lumen through a substantially transparent section of the probe. From the spectrophotometric analysis, a hemolytic index, an icteric index and a lipemic index of the serum sample can be established. Based upon these serum indices, the serum sample can be transferred to a clinical analyzer for additional tests or can be disposed of because the sample is compromised.

Abstract: A labeled pipe fitting and a method for applying labels to the outer surface of a pipe fitting which is covered with a layer of oil that resists labelling with an adhesive backed label is provided. The label, which is imprinted with indicia relating to the pipe fitting, is secured onto the pipe fitting with a substantially transparent plastic tube which is shrunk with heat around the pipe fitting and the label.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting foodstuffs, such as nuts from the ground, uses compressed air passing through at least one venturi to create a vacuum at the inlet of a pickup conduit. Nuts are sucked into the pickup conduit which provides a straight flow path for the nuts. Compressed air is also discharged near the pickup conduit inlet to blow nuts to the inlet of the pickup conduit. Additionally, the machine discharges air from laterally extending blower arms to move nuts from obstacles which cannot be easily reached by the pickup conduit to locations where the foodstuffs can be reached by the pickup conduit.