Abstract: Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic processing system for a flow cytometer that uses a processing chip that processes data in a parallel architecture on a sample by sample basis and provides for high throughput of data. In addition, multi-gain linear amplifiers are used which are matched using feedback circuits to provide accurate data and high resolution data having high dynamic range.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for describing characteristics of a data sample. This description is used to represent the shape of a histogram of the data sample.

Abstract: A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating motion in a thin liquid film on a substrate, in particular in a capillary gap, in which at least one ultrasound wave is sent right through the substrate in the direction of the liquid film, and a device for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: A microtiter plate transport device is configured to grip a microtiter plate in a first location. The microtiter plate transport device is configured to make a vertical approach to the microtiter plate and grip the microtiter plate in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation along either the opposing longer sides or the opposing shorter sides of the microtiter plate. The device comprises a Cartesian coordinate robot including a first gripping member and a second gripping member opposed to the first gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are supported by an arm configured to move along a vertical axis which extends between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are configured to rotate about the vertical axis.

Abstract: Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.

Abstract: A stirring device and an analyzing device for stirring a liquid retained in a vessel with sound wave. The Stirring device (20) comprises: a surface acoustic wave element (24) having sound generation section (24b, 24c) located on a piezoelectric substrate (24a) wherein the sound generation sections are electrically connected in parallel, and center frequencies of respective fundamental waves of the sound generation sections differ from each other, respective resonant frequency bands of the sound generation section are partially overlapped with each other, and origins of acoustic stream caused by sound wave radiated to the vessel from different sound generation section are located alternately; and a drive control section (21) for controlling a frequency of drive signal input to the surface acoustic wave element so that at least two sound generation sections of the plurality of sound generation sections generate sound wave simultaneously.

Abstract: Provided are high-resolution parametric signal restoration systems, and applications thereof. Such systems include a multi-output module and a parametric compensator. The multi-output module provides a reference gain output signal and one or more higher gain output signals based on a single input signal. The parametric compensator independently responds to functional parameters of the one or more higher gain output signals to provide a compensation error signal. The single input signal is modified based on the compensation error signal.

Abstract: A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers is provided. The cap piercing station utilizes a piercing blade having a generally Z-shape cross-section, a carriage assembly for moving the blade to pierce a cap on a container, an alignment block assembly for preventing the container from being lifted up by friction with the blade when the blade is being withdrawn from a pierced cap, and a latch assembly for latching the alignment block assembly when the blade is being withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that MHC heavy chain monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming detectable conformational epitopes and being detected by conformation-dependent antibodies. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measurement for the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a dispensing device capable of removing bubbles reliably. In this dispensing device, deaerated water is fed by a water feed pump to the inside of a pipeline up to the vicinity of the leading end of a dispensing nozzle. A water feed valve disposed near a dispensing pump is closed to establish a deaerated water space opened on the leading end side of the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing pump is activated on the space, thereby causing the dispensing nozzle to perform suction and exhaust actions. The dispensing device comprises a vacuum means connected to the space through the water feed valve thereby maintaining a vacuum state. In case the deaerated water space is cleared of the bubbles, the cleared water space is brought, by opening a change-over valve, into communication with a pipeline having a vacuum means connected thereto, thereby bringing the space into the vacuum state.

Abstract: A reference control for cell by cell analysis on flow cytometric analyzers contains cellular analogs made of permeated blood cells containing therein aggregated intracellular proteins and preserved antigenic sites thereof, having cellular membrane permeable to antibodies and a suspension medium. The reference control is frozen after being prepared and thawed prior to use. The cellular analogs further contain a fluorescence marker therein. Further disclosed are a method of making the reference control and a method using the reference control, as an internal or stand-alone control, for measurements of cellular hemoglobin and cellular hemoglobin variant of a blood sample.

Abstract: An analyzer analyzes a sample based on optical characteristics of the sample.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a biological entity. The method may include entering into a digital computer, at least a plurality of first input values associated with a first genetic element (e.g., mecA), a plurality of second input values associated with a second genetic element (femA), and a plurality of third input values associated with a third genetic element (e.g., orfX) associated with a plurality of samples. Each sample includes a first input value in the plurality of first input values, a second input value in the plurality of second input values, and a third input value in the plurality of third input values.

Abstract: The present Invention relates to a process for determining the genotype of one or more individuals from a biological sample which contains nucleic acids from different individuals, in particular a process for determining the number of copies of a predetermined sequence, in which first using at least two subquantities of the biological sample of different concentrations, in each case at least one amplification reaction is carried out, subsequently the number of the different amplification products obtained for each of the at least two subquantities is determined and compared with one another, and finally the amplification products which were obtained only for one defined subquantity and/or those amplification products which were obtained for all subquantities, are characterized. In addition, the present invention relates to a kit for carrying out the process according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic processing system for a flow cytometer that uses a processing chip that processes data in a parallel architecture on a sample by sample basis and provides for high throughput of data. In addition, multi-gain linear amplifiers are used which are matched using feedback circuits to provide accurate data and high resolution data having high dynamic range.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for assessing the state of oocyte maturation in a female mammal based on the level of PAPP-A found in the female's bodily fluid sample.

Abstract: Provided are high-resolution parametric signal restoration systems, and applications thereof. Such systems include a multi-output module and a parametric compensator. The multi-output module provides a reference gain output signal and one or more higher gain output signals based on a single input signal. The parametric compensator independently responds to functional parameters of the one or more higher gain output signals to provide a compensation error signal. The single input signal is modified based on the compensation error signal.

Abstract: A pipette assembly for automatic pipetting machines including a stepped mandrel and tip for providing a minimum contact seal between the pipette tip and mandrel. The mandrel includes a first cylindrical portion with a first exterior diameter and a second cylindrical portion with a second exterior diameter. Raised bands on the first and second cylindrical portions contact the interior wall of the pipette tip to form seals. Because only a portion of the mandrel, specifically the seal portions, contacts the pipette tip, lower forces are required to insert the tip onto the mandrel.