Abstract: Reagents for the immobilization of biopolymers, processes for their preparation and their subsequent use in the immobilization of biopolymers for analytical and diagnostic procedures are described. One type of reagent includes a solid support fabricated of a polymeric material having at least one surface with pendant acyl fluoride functionalities. Another reagent includes solid supports fabricated of polymeric materials including ethylene acrylic acid or ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers and activated polypropylene. Processes for preparing reagents include derivatizing polymeric materials to form acyl fluoride functionalities or derivatizing ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers to form active acyl functionalities.

Abstract: Activating groups based on N-hydroxynaphthalimide, are disclosed herein. The activating groups can mediate the coupling of labeling moieties, such as biotin or cyanine dyes, to a variety of components, including chain terminators, nucleoside triphosphates, and oligonucleotides, which are used in nucleotide sequencing. From these activating groups, activated esters of the labeling moieties can be prepared. The activated esters react with a component, for example a derivatized nucleotide chain terminator, to give a labeled component. In additions, methods of the present invention provide for labeling a nucleoside triphosphate in organic media. The activating groups and methods of the present invention allow the activation and coupling reactions to occur at a much higher yield, compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously conducting multiple ligand assays on a sample potentially containing target analytes uses as a detector a waveguide having a planar surface with a plurality of probes of known recognition to the target analytes thereon. The probes are in discrete areas on the waveguide. A sample containing target analyte is treated with a light-responsive compound such that it binds to the target analyte to form a conjugate and the conjugate is applied to the probes on the waveguide. A laser light is passed into the planar surface of the waveguide at a plurality of different locations, by causing relative movement between the waveguide and the laser light, so that evanescent waves radiate from the waveguide. Where conjugate has attached to a probe, there is emission of light different from that emitted by a probe without conjugate attached thereto.

Abstract: Reagents for the immobilization of biopolymers, processes for their preparation and their subsequent use in the immobilized of biopolymers for analytical and diagnostic procedures are described. One type of reagent includes a solid support fabricated of a polymeric material having at least one surface with pendant acyl fluoride functionalities, Another reagent includes solid supports fabricated of polymeric materials including ethylene acrylic acid or ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers and activated polypropylene. Processes for preparing reagents include derivatizing polymeric materials to form acyl fluoride functionalities or derivatizing ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers to form active acyl functionalities.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and retrieving labware comprises at least one labware hotel having a frame, a plurality of support arms for receiving and supporting labware, and an elevator capable of moving the support arms in unison. The support arms are periodically located upon an elevator cable and are removable from the cable such that the distance between adjacent support arms may be varied. A labware shuttle having a labware receiving surface is capable of holding and transporting labware between a first and second position. The first position is directly below a labware hotel and the second position is a location remote from the labware hotel. When the shuttle is in the first position, support arms from the labware hotel may engage labware held on the shuttle to remove labware from the shuttle or place labware upon the shuttle. When the shuttle is in the second position, the labware receiving surface may be rotated so that the labware upon the shuttle may be presented in at least two angular orientations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for detecting the presence of at least one specific nucleic acid sequence in a sample containing a nucleic acid or a mixture of nucleic acids by amplifying the nucleic acid using polymerase chain reaction, cleaving the amplified products with uracil DNA glycosylase to obtain short DNA segments and detecting the DNA fragments by using reverse blot hybridization.

Abstract: An assay device for detection or determination of an analyte in a sample uses opposable components and is suitable for assay of human chorionic gonadotropin and other protein or glycoprotein hormones.

Abstract: The present invention fulfills the above stated needs, as well as others, by providing a automated container sealing apparatus that automatically removes seals from a backing and applies the seals to the container. The seals are pre-cut and have a size corresponding to the size of the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for sealing containers, the containers defined by a generally planar sealing surface and one or more receptacles, wherein each of the one or more receptacles include an opening coplanar with and defining corresponding openings in the sealing surface.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the liquid portion of blood from the cellular components of blood comprises: (1) a pad of porous material permeable to the liquid portion of blood but capable of trapping the cellular components of blood; (2) a substrate supporting the pad; and (3) means, attached to the pad, for facilitating the flow of the liquid portion of the blood: (i) through interstices around the trapped cellular components of the blood and (ii) from the pad of porous material. The separation of the liquid portion of blood from the cellular components of the blood occurs by flow through the pad of porous material without significant hemolysis. The device can be incorporated into a device for the performance of specific binding assays such as immunoassays. The pad of porous material can contain an agglutinating agent such as a lectin or an anti-blood cell antibody, or a carbohydrate such as mannitol.

Abstract: A capping and sealing assembly for a sample-holding centrifuge container which features a self-sealing lid that forms a fluid-tight seal in an opening of the canister with a predetermined amount of force, with the force being dependent upon the centrifugal load to which the capping assembly is subjected. The lid includes a cover portion and a peripheral member surrounding the cover portion and extending transverse thereto. The lid is disposed within an open end of the container, with the peripheral member having a frusto-conical surface that faces the container's wall. A gasket is disposed about the frusto-conical surface, forming a fluid-tight and air-tight seal with the cylindrical wall of the canister. The gasket is received in a channel formed into the frusto-conical surface. A region of the channel includes a vent slot to facilitate removal of the container from the canister. A plurality of arcuate ribs extend across the cover portion, between opposed areas of the peripheral member.

Abstract: A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing oligonucleotides and other biomolecules using a carboxylated polyvinylidene fluoride support membrane for the construction of geosensors and other array-based systems. The support membrane may be used in either covalent or non-covalent binding states.

Abstract: A closure and a device for use with a closure are described. The closure includes a first member having an interrupted beveled edge, a second member having an undercut edge, and optionally a base member to which the second member is fixed. The first member is adapted to be received with the interrupted beveled edge retained by the undercut edge. A test device can include such a closure and can also include a hinge between the first and second members. Test elements, such as a chromatographic medium, an absorber, an applicator, or a sample application zone, can be disposed on the first member and/or the base member and can be brought into opposition by closing the first member with the closure. The beveled edge is interrupted by one or more uncut portions or bridges. A testing device according to the present invention can perform a number of types of immunoassays, including unidirectional assays, bidirectional assays, and assays employing a split flow path.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor locking apparatus includes a C-shaped annular member for a snap-fit engagement about a drive hub. The member comprises first and second contacting segments and a third non-contacting segment. Centrifugation causes the contacting segments to flex outwardly and come into contact with the interior wall of the drive hole of a mounted rotor. The unbalanced mass distribution of the annular member causes the member to tend to slide off the drive hub. This further separates the contacting segments, thus increasing the locking effect of the annular member/drive hub assembly to the rotor as the member is wedged in place between rotor and drive hub.

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 chromatographic assay device for use with immunoassays allows rapid and convenient assays of analytes of biological interest, and permits extractions to be carried out in situ, avoiding the use of separate extraction vessels. The device has a wide dynamic range and avoids interference from particulates or colored components. In one form, the device comprises: (1) a first opposable component comprising a sample preparation means adapted to receive a sample to be assayed; and (2) a second opposable component comprising a chromatographic medium. The first and second opposable components can be brought into opposition so as to cause the sample preparation means to apply the sample to be tested to the chromatographic medium. Preferably, the analyte is detected with a visually detectable label. Other variations of the device vary the arrangement of components to provide optimal chromatography for a variety of analytes, as well as to permit bidirectional chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for attaching pre-synthesized oligonucleotides to a polypropylene support medium. Most preferably, a polypropylene film is aminated by a plasma discharge in the presence of ammonia gas. An oligonucleotide having a terminal phosphate is activated in the presence of an imidazole and a carbodiimide to form a phosphorimidazolide. The activated oligonucleotide becomes immobilized by forming a phosphoramidate bond with the aminated polypropylene. The invention can be used to construct oligonucleotide arrays for hybridization assays.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the liquid portion of blood from the cellular components of blood comprises: (1) a pad of porous material permeable to the liquid portion of blood but capable of trapping the cellular components of blood; (2) a substrate supporting the pad; and (3) means, attached to the pad, for facilitating the flow of the liquid portion of the blood: (i) through interstices around the trapped cellular components of the blood and (ii) from the pad of porous material. The separation of the liquid portion of blood from the cellular components of the blood occurs by flow through the pad of porous material without significant hemolysis. The device can be incorporated into a device for the performance of specific binding assays such as immunoassays. The pad of porous material can contain an agglutinating agent such as a lectin or an anti-blood cell antibody, or a carbohydrate such as mannitol.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for capillary electrophoresis which is automated using conveyors which carry vials containing electrolytes and samples, a capillary contained in a modular, portable, and interchangeable cartridge, and actuators for bringing the capillary into flow communication with the fluids in the vials. Electropotential is applied to the ends of the capillary to cause electrophoretic separation. The cartridge may include an opening to allow detection of fluid in the capillary using a detector provided in the apparatus.