Abstract: Liquid-transfer equipment and method for dispensing liquid reagents for chemical assays, which equipment and method provide time-controlled metering of the quantity of liquid dispensed even though the liquid supply reservoir is not pressurized.

Abstract: A metering-type dispenser device, of integrated nature having its own liquid reservoir, particularly for the metered dispensing of liquid reagents in a chemical assay, in which there is an independence of the liquid reservoir from any pressure such as used in activating the pumping stroking of the pumping head member of the device.

Abstract: An automated chemistry-testing system for analyzing serum samples in which a controlled intensity, monochromatic light beam of substantially any desired wavelength can be selectively directed through any one of a plurality of test solutions in a spectrophotometer. The system operates at very high speed, permitting serum test solutions to be scanned with a multiplicity of wavelengths of light to provide extensive data on the characteristics of the serum. The invention also provides substantial flexibility and permits a wide variety of test to be more reliably performed.

Abstract: Fluid-sampling system and method for automated, chemistry-analyzing apparatus for withdrawing precise quantities of serum samples from a specimen container and for dispensing the samples into reagent containers for analysis. The apparatus includes a sampler assembly coupled to pressure-generating means for the withdrawal and dispensing of the serum by the sampler assembly. The system is designed such that the quantity of a serum sample taken up and dispensed will be a function only of the fluid mechanics of the sampling system and the timed operation of a control valve rather than being a function of any pressure variations established in the flow control means as in prior systems. This permits infinitely variable, very small, yet very precise quantities of a serum or other fluid to be taken up and dispensed permitting more efficient and cost effective use of available serum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing serum and reagents for chemical analysis. The method comprises the steps of providing a container containing a serum sample and one or more reagents to be mixed, positioning an elongated mixing member within the containers and extending into the serum sample and reagents to be mixed, and then rapidly oscillating the mixing member back and forth along an arcuate path for a sufficient period of time to thoroughly mix the serum sample and reagents. The method reduces foaming of the serum sample-reagent fluid being mixed, helps to eliminate the formation of air bubbles therein and is useful as a degasser to remove air or other gases from serum-reagent mixture. Piezoelectric techniques are employed to effect the mixing with a simple and reliable apparatus. The mixing means includes a driving assembly which comprises a thin, flexible, metal plate having a pair of thin, flexible, piezoceramic elements secured to opposite faces thereof. Upon the application of an A.C.

Abstract: An improved colorimetric assay method and reagent composition for the quantitative determination of creatinine in biological fluid specimens in the presence of protein, in which the specimen is reacted directly with an alkaline picrate reagent composition which contains an iron chelator, preferably ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, thereby significantly suppressing interference from bilirubin and improving reagent stability.

Abstract: An improved diagnostic assay and stabilized reagent composition for the determination of .gamma.-glutamyltransferase activity in biological specimens using a buffered solution of .gamma.-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide and glycylglycine, wherein .beta.-cyclodextrin and preferably also dimethylsulfoxide have been added thereto.

Abstract: Liquid-transfer equipment as for dispensing liquid reagents for chemical assays, which provides time-controlled metering of the quantity of liquid dispensed even though the liquid supply reservoir is not pressurized.

Abstract: A precision metering device for very small quantities of fluids, in which a controlled deflection of one or more selected portions of a Bourdon tube are used to give precise metering of fluids in amounts of only a few microliters or less, and in which a single one of the precision metering devices may be used to provide selected variations of the small amounts of dispensed fluid and with different fluids, usually without extra purging procedures.

Abstract: An improved assay method and reagent composition for the determination of magnesium in a fluid sample by reaction with an alkaline buffered solution of calmagite, in which caffeine and preferably also thiourea have been included, thereby achieving parity between protein-free and protein-containing samples while eliminating the need for cyanide.

Abstract: A colorimetric assay method and reagent composition for the direct, quantitative determination of chloride in fluids which may be performed directly on non-deproteinized samples and which utilizes a reagent comprised of 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine, mercuric ions, ferrous ions, and a sulfate salt in a sulfate or sulfonate buffer at a selected pH in the range of about 1.5 to 3.0.

Abstract: A colorimetric assay method and stabilized working reagents for the determination of magnesium in which an alkaline reagent containing a dye to complex magnesium reacts directly with the sample, requiring no protein-removal steps and no addition of substances to artificially correct for absorption differences of the metallized and free dye due to the presence of protein. The dye is either Calmagite or Eriochrome Black T. The reagent is buffered so that the pH is greater than about 9.0; the relative Van Slyke buffer value .beta.' of the reagent is greater than 1.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay and reagent system for the determination of uric acid directly on a non-deproteinized sample of a biological fluid using an alkaline phosphotungstate reduction reaction in the presence of at least one organic sulfhydryl-containing compound.

Abstract: An improved triglyceride assay and reagent system which provides the introduction of iron into a reaction mixture in which glycerol from hydrolyzed triglycerides is coupled to a NAD/NADH indicator system, and measuring the resultant change of the oxidation state of the iron by use of an iron chelator, thereby improving the sensitivity and performance of the assay.

Abstract: The discovery of 9-(2-pyridyl)-acenaphtho[1,2-e]-as-triazine and its sulfonated form, having particular advantages when used as both a chelator and indicator of ferrous ions in organic or aqueous mediums; a process for the synthesis of those compounds in which hydrazine is used as both a reactant and as a solvent in production of intermediate compounds, eliminating the need of ethanol and the disadvantageous ether-extraction step; the use of N,N-dimethylformamide as a reaction solvent in the production of triazines; the use of the new triazine compounds to measure iron, transferrin, and UIBC/TIBC in biological systems; the use of dimethylsulfoxide and certain processes to eliminate the interferences commonly encountered in these assays; and the use of the triazine compounds to measure both total and/or reduced iron in a variety of matrices.

Abstract: The discovery of 9-(2-pyridyl)-acenaphtho[ 1,2-e]-as-triazine and its sulfonated form, having particular advantages when used as both a chelator and indicator of ferrous ions in organic or aqueous mediums; a process for the synthesis of those compounds in which hydrazine is used as both a reactant and as a solvent in production of intermediate compounds, eliminating the need of ethanol and the disadvantageous ether-extraction step; the use of N,N-dimethylformamide as a reaction solvent in the production of triazines; the use of the new triazine compounds to measure iron, transferrin, and UIBC/TIBC in biological systems; the use of dimethylsulfoxide and certain processes to eliminate interferences commonly encountered in these assays; and the use of the triazine compounds to measure both total and/or reduced iron in a variety of matrices.

Abstract: Urea assay or analysis process and reagents therefor, in which the assay involves a reaction between a sample of biological fluid and an acidic reagent solution of o-phthaldehyde and a chromogenic compound; the chromogenic compounds include certain substituted benzene compounds, certain substituted naphthalene compounds, certain aminopyrimidines, certain substituted quinolines, certain morpholino substituted quinolines and certain morpholino substituted naphthalenes.

Abstract: Urea assay or analysis process and reagents therefor, in which the assay involves a reaction between a sample of biological fluid and an acidic reagent solution of o-phthaldehyde and a chromogenic compound; the chromogenic compounds include certain substituted benzene compounds, certain substituted naphthalene compounds, certain aminopyrimidines, certain substituted quinolines, certain morpholino substituted quinolines and certain morpholino substituted naphthalenes.

Abstract: Urea assay or analysis process and reagents therefor, in which the assay involves a reaction between a sample of biological fluid and an acidic reagent solution of o-phthaldehyde and a chromogenic compound; the chromogenic compounds include certain substituted benzene compounds, certain substituted naphthalene compounds, certain aminopyrimidines, certain substituted quinolines, certain morpholino substituted quinolines and certain morpholino substituted naphthalenes.

Abstract: An alkaline picrate reagent system useful for the quantitation of creatinine in biological fluids. Interference from constituents normally found in serum or urine is eliminated by the use of dimethylsulfoxide with preferably an aralkane detergent in combination with a kinetic or reaction rate analysis mode. It obviates the need for any pretreatment of the sample, and avoids the need of other chemicals in the system which if allowed to contaminate glassware would have a deleterious effect on other analyses performed in the laboratory.