Abstract: A modular reaction vessel cartridge for a photometric reagent analyzer includes a hollow cuvette defining a filling chamber defining an upper orifice through which a first reagent is communicated, a dispensing opening below the upper orifice and through which a second reagent is communicated into the filling chamber, a read chamber below the dispensing opening and fluidically communicating with the filling chamber, and a dispensing control chamber above the read chamber having an exit fluidically communicating with the dispensing opening, defining a receiving opening through which the second reagent is communicated into the control chamber, and a plunger slidably and fluid-tightly disposed in the control chamber and defining therebetween a volume shaped to hold the second reagent such that, responsive to the plunger being moved into the filling chamber, fluid in the control chamber is dispensed into at least the filling chamber without fluid in the cuvette being transferred out from the cuvette.

Abstract: A method of detecting antibodies to syphilis antigens includes providing a syphilis detection kit having a screening solid-phase platform with a screening portion coated with non-treponemal syphilis antigens. The screening portion is fabricated by initially dissolving cholesterol in an organic solvent and further diluting the dissolved cholesterol in an ethanol solution comprising cardiolipin and lecithin to form an antigen solution, permitting the antigen solution to evaporate at the screening portion and at least partially coating the screening portion with an antigen coating, and stabilizing the antigen coating into a syphilis antigen complex by overcoating the antigen coating with an overcoat solution comprising an inert protein.

Abstract: A non-treponemal diagnostic test for syphilis infection includes initially dissolving cholesterol in an organic solvent and further diluting the dissolved cholesterol in an ethanol solution comprising cardiolipin and lecithin, permitting a volume of the antigen solution to evaporate in place within a container, rinsing the coated container with buffered saline, stabilizing the antigen coating by overcoating the antigen coating with an inert protein dissolved in buffered saline, decanting the overcoat solution, air-drying the container, and sealing the container in vapor-proof pouches with desiccant, providing an enzyme-labeled conjugate component of a syphilis infection test that is formulated to be compatible with a lipid nature of the cholesterol, the cardiolipin, and the lecithin VDRL antigens, providing a sample diluent that is formulated to be compatible with the lipid nature of the VDRL antigens, and providing a wash fluid that is formulated to be compatible with the lipid nature of the VDRL antigens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminometer and methods which provides simple and effective measurement of a plurality of wells in a plurality of strips in an automatic fashion. The luminometer may be used in CLIA (Chemi Luminescent Immuno Assays). The luminometer allows for CLIA micro strip reading, and reads break-apart wells, with a plurality of wells per strip, and calculates results instantly and automatically. The luminometer has an automatic carrier positioning system which selectively positions the plurality of wells in the plurality of strips at a measuring position, wherein the drive system associated with the positioning system drives the carrier along a single axis of movement. An optical track system automatically provides Y axis movement of the carrier. The luminometer may have a calibration system for maintaining proper operation of the system in measurements therewith.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminometer and methods which provides simple and effective measurement of a plurality of wells in a plurality of strips in an automatic fashion. The luminometer may be used in CLIA (Chemi Luminescent Immuno Assays). The luminometer allows for CLIA micro strip reading, and reads break-apart wells, with a plurality of wells per strip, and calculates results instantly and automatically. The luminometer has an automatic carrier positioning system which selectively positions the plurality of wells in the plurality of strips at a measuring position, wherein the drive system associated with the positioning system drives the carrier along a single axis of movement. An optical track system automatically provides Y axis movement of the carrier. The luminometer may have a calibration system for maintaining proper operation of the system in measurements therewith.

Abstract: A cuvette holder is provided to allow a flow cell optical analyzer to be adapted for coagulation analysis. The flow cell analyzer has a light source and a photo detector defining a first and a second end of an optical path, a vacuum source for drawing a liquid sample through a flow cell positioned in the optical path so that light from the light source passes through the sample, and means for analyzing data collected at the photo detector. The coagulation analyzer has a light source and a photo detector defining the respective ends of an optical path, a cuvette containing a liquid sample positioned in the optical path for passage of light from the light source through the liquid sample, a means for agitating the liquid sample and a means for analyzing data collected at the photo detector.