Abstract: The invention provides an automatic analyzing machine comprising a unique reaction cup combination for running high volume chemical analyses, such as analyses for sodium, potassium, glucose, creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen). The reaction cup combination includes an aluminum body having at least one flat smooth side. A planar heating element is sandwiched between the flat side and a planar outer sidewall. Within the planar outer sidewall is disposed a reagent inlet conduit coiled or otherwise disposed in planar fashion. By this design, heating of inlet reagent is more efficient and control of the temperature within the reaction cup is more precise. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction cup assembly includes a pair of such heating element and inlet conduit combinations so that the reaction cup can be rinsed with heated water instead of heated reagent. Such a design not only reduces the use of expensive reagent, but minimizes toxic waste disposal needs.

Abstract: Homogeneous competitive immunoassay methods for simultaneously detecting analytes using capillary electrophoresis and fluorescent detection systems are described. The methods are useful for detecting and/or quantitating the concentration of a plurality of drugs of abuse in a single urine sample using a single assay method.

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 detecting an analyte in a sample uses both the specificity of an enzymatic reaction and the separation power of capillary electrophoresis.

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. A plurality of arcuate ribs extend across the cover portion, between opposed areas of the peripheral member. Each of the ribs are adapted to flex, under centrifugal force, expanding the opposed areas outwardly. In this manner, the sealing force between the peripheral member and the wall is increased.

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 trifunctional conjugate is provided having three chemical moieties attached through a spacer moeity. At least two of the chemical moieties are relatively small molecules, usually less than about 7,000 Daltons in size. The spacer moiety is selected to impart certain steric properties to the conjugate. In one embodiment, the binding of a macromolecular specific binding partner to one of the chemical moieties sterically inhibits the binding of a different macromolecule to another chemical moiety. In another embodiment, the binding of a first chemical moiety to a macromolecule restricts the subsequent binding of a second chemical moiety to a proximate location on the same macromolecule. The three chemical moieties are preferably a nitrophenylazido residue, a phenyl boronic acid residue, and a solid support or a label such as biotin. The spacer is preferably cysteine, lysine, glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, S-acetylmercaptosuccinic anhydride or .omega.-carbobenzoxylysine.

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 method for making a preconjugate which includes immunogenic species of a polymorphic analyte. The method is carried out by reacting an activated binding moiety, and a polymorphic analyte at room temperature for between about 10 hours and about 60 hours. The attaching reaction results in an excess of the preconjugate which includes the immunogenic species of the polymorphic analyte. The preconjugate can be used to make an immunoreactive conjugate useful as a developer antigen in a competitive inhibition immunoassay for the polymorphic analyte.

Abstract: A solid mass rotor for centrifuges of the type supporting sample containers in cells which are radially positioned apertures in the rotor body features a cross-sectional shape which is relieved by a plurality of apertures, a first subset of which defines cells and a second subset of which defines relief zones. The solid mass of the rotor disposed between the cells and the relief zones defines a plurality of spokes extending from a radially central spin axis. The relief zones reduce the mass and overall moment of inertia of the rotor, while maintaining the strength and high speed capability associated with solid mass rotors.

Abstract: An ion selective electrode assembly is provided having a sample injection cup, a flow cell analyzer and multiple module pump for simultaneously pumping liquids between the sample injection cup and the flow cell analyzer using a single motor. One of the pump modules is capable of pumping a reference solution directly to the flow cell analyzer. Flow through each pumping module is controlled by a pair of rocker valves. The sample injection cup includes a first diaphragm valve for allowing a mixture of sample and reagent to flow to the flow cell analyzer. The sample injection cup further includes a second diaphragm valve installed immediately downstream of the first diaphragm for allowing a flushing solution to flow throughout the sample injection cup and the flow cell analyzer.

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 compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl of 1 to about 10 carbons and R' is selected from the group consisting of trityl and pixyl, for use in the synthesis of 2'-OMe RNA sequences. Fast cleavage and deprotection of oligonucleotides is facilitated by the use of a reagent comprising methylamine as active component in place of the traditional reagent ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: Discloses DNA isolation and purification methods which involve novel washing steps. The disclosed methods provide a means for isolating and purifying DNA from a homogeneous mixture of DNA of other cellular contaminants by treating silica with the homogeneous mixture containing DNA in the presence of a chaotropic salt solution and then washing and separating the washed and treated silica in successive wash steps with aqueous alcohol wash solutions. A first wash step involves washing the treated silica with a first wash solution of at least 95 wt % alcohol in water. A second wash step similarly involves washing the treated and washed silica with second wash solution of less than 95 wt % alcohol in water.

Abstract: Oxidizing compositions particularly for use in automated oligonucleotide synthesis containing a mixture of KI and I.sub.2 in solution, in equilibrium with KI.sub.3. One preferred composition contains 1.75% KI.sub.3 (providing 0.69% KI and 1.06% I.sub.2) in tetrahydrofuran/pyridine/water (93/5/2, v/v). These formulations enable synthesis of oligonucleotides of significantly higher quality than the currently employed formulation comprising 3% I.sub.2 in tetrahydrofuran/pyridine/water (74/21/2, v/v).

Abstract: An assay for detecting in a test sample, an analyte that undergoes auto-oxidation is disclosed. The assay comprises the steps of forming a reaction mixture by combining in an aqueous medium (i) a sample containing the analyte and (ii) a stabilizer that reduces the rate of radical mediated auto-oxidation of the analyte. The reaction mixture is incubated for a period of time and the rate of auto-oxidation is detected. When the detected rate of auto-oxidation is substantially zero, a sufficient quantity of an enzyme is added, that catalyzes the oxidation of the analyte. In the presence of the stabilizer, the analyte can be oxidized to a product species. The product species, the analyte, or both can be detected.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor overspeed protection system which can operate with rotors of at least two speed ranges. A set of coding elements are provided on the rotors coded to represent the actual maximum safe speed rating of the rotor. An additional set of coding elements coded to correspond to the maximum speed in the lower speed range are also provided such that the rotor can be operated at the maximum speed possible in a prior art centrifuge designed for operation in the lower speed range. The detection circuit for the coding elements automatically adjusts the detection threshold depending on the average values of the sensor output peaks corresponding to the codes.

Abstract: A composition, which has utility as a storage buffer and as a sample diluent before analysis by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), is comprised of water, a borate compound, a buffer compound and a pH modifier for maintaining a physiological pH. In addition, a conductivity adjusting compound is present so that the conductivity of the composition is about the same as a prospective capillary electrophoresis running buffer. Containers with storage buffer/sample diluent can be assembled in a kit for conducting serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) or immunosubtraction (IFE/s) analysis. Moreover, the storage buffer/sample diluent can be used in methods of preparing samples for CZE analysis, such as quantitative dilutions and enzymatic or immunological reactions.

Abstract: A reagent segment including a body and trough formed therein with the floor of the trough sloped towards a drainage zone. The reagent segment is adapted for transporting reagents within an automated analyzer by having at least two protrusions on the exterior wall of the trough that fit within corresponding cavities of a transport arm. The reagent segment is retained by a latching mechanism through a protuberance on the exterior surface of the trough that conforms with a hole in the latching mechanism. The reagent segment can also have a concave depression on the interior surface of the trough at the drainage zone. The depression can coincide with the protuberance on the exterior surface of the trough that associates with the hole in the latching mechanism. Further, the reagent segment may include at least one indexing rib, between the exterior surface of the trough and the rim of the body, that can be inserted within an indexing slot of a holding means.

Abstract: Bidentate reagents for rapidly and quantitatively assaying the concentration of pharmacological agents in biological samples are described. The reagents are used in an immunoassay format for determining the concentration of desired, preselected pharmacological agents, such as benzoylecgonine, cocaine, an opiate, PCP, digoxigenin, acetaminophen, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, theophylline, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, vancomycin, quinidine or a cannabinoid.