Abstract: A method for detecting oxygen in a test sample is provided, the method involving exposing a test sample and a control sample to sensor compositions having a luminescent compound capable of generating a signal indicative of oxygen depletion. The method further involves determining the strengths of such signals for the test sample versus the control sample, and using the difference to determine whether oxygen in the test sample is being consumed.

Abstract: A device for monitoring, sampling or delivering a substance though the skin of a patient includes a support and a microdevice having at least one skin penetrating member. The support has a substantially flat bottom surface with the skin penetrating member extending beyond the bottom surface. An outlet port extends through the support to the bottom surface at a location between the skin penetrating member and the outer edge of the support for drawing a vacuum to enhance penetration of the skin. The device is produced by positioning the microdevice in a recess formed in the support and applying a bonding agent to wick into a gap formed between the microdevice and the wall of the recess.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines an interior chamber and a central opening which communicates with the interior chamber. The housing further comprises an elongate, proximally extending dilator projection portion which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the central opening and the interior chamber is a reseal member which has an elastically openable and closable aperture disposed therein and defines an expandable and collapsible internal reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to a second position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration and communicates with the fluid passage and the reservoir.

Abstract: An over-the-needle catheter for insertion into an anatomical passage through the use of an introducer. The catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body defining proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Partially inserted into and protruding from the distal end of the catheter body is a rigid, tubular sleeve which defines an abutment shoulder within the lumen of the catheter body. Disposed on and encapsulating the exposed portion of the sleeve is a distal tip member defining a central opening which communicates with the lumen via the sleeve. The abutment shoulder is adapted to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the tip member relative to the introducer to prevent the tip member from being pushed proximally over the introducer and collapsing the catheter body during the insertion of the catheter into the anatomical passage.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample.

Abstract: A chromatographic test strip comprising a solid support having at least a first portion and a second portion with said portions being in the same plane so as to permit capillary flow communication with each other. The sample is added to the first portion. The first portion also may comprise a tracer portion having a tracer movably supported therein. The tracer consists of a visible particulate marker. In the second portion, a binder is immobilized. The test strip is useful in a variety of immunoassays.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which recognize activated T lymphocytes are secreted by hybridomas produced by conventinal fusion and selection methodology following immunization of mice with a human lymphocyte fraction containing T lymphocytes activated by a mitrogen or an antigen. The monoclonal antibodies are used in a method to monitor subsets of activated T lymphocytes present, for example, from a patient's blood.

Abstract: A method for multi-parameter analysis of cells in a body fluid sample is described which makes use of a plurality of fluorescence measurements, comprising at least two nucleic acid dyes and at least one fluorescently labelled cell surface marker, and a plurality of light scattering measurements. A kit containing the nucleic acid dyes and cell surface marker also is described.

Abstract: Described is a hematology-diagnosis apparatus employing expert system technology. The apparatus comprises a computer/data processor which is provided with a memory facility, a central processor and a printer. Stored in the memory facility is a knowledge base applicable to hematologic diagnostics, and instructions by which the apparatus is to process input data, in the form of a plurality of--four in a specific exemplary embodiment--hematologic parametric numerics obtained from a patient's bood assay. The numerics are entered via entry means. The apparatus accordingly executes the instructions, and on the basis of the parametric numerics, prints out diagnostic and hematologic messages applicable to the patient.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O.D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume.

Abstract: In order to produce a more well defined interface between adjacent cell layers in a centrifuged sample of anticoagulated whole blood, a material which will bond one group of cells together is added to the blood sample prior to centrifugation. The bonding material must produce a high strength bond between one group of cells, but not effect the other cell types. The material is added prior to centrifugation of the blood sample. An example of a bonding agent is a monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A reusable breach loading target pressure activated lancet firing device for use with a lancet includes a sled which releasably engages the lancet so that the lancet point may extend outwardly from a distal end of the sled. The sled is substantially contained and movably engaged within a housing having a distal aperture at its distal end and a side aperture defining a breach to allow access to the sled for engaging and disengaging the lancet. A spring is provided for biasing the distal end of the sled toward the distal end of the housing. A cocking mechanism positions and releasably holds the sled in a position in a direction toward the proximal end of the housing so that the spring means is partially deflected. A trigger mechanism for releasing the cocking mechanism and allowing the sled to move toward the distal aperture, also allows the lancet, when engaged in the sled, to project outwardly from the distal aperture.

Abstract: An automatic retractable lancet assembly includes a housing with a sharp-pointed lancet movably mounted therein. A depressible plunger and slide mechanism actuates the movement of the lancet outwardly from the housing. After this outward movement is completed, the actuator elements become dissociated from further movement of the lancet. Subsequently, the lancet is automatically retracted back inside the housing by virtue of a spring element.

Abstract: An operable shunt valve comprises a housing containing an inlet conduit for receiving fluid, an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the inlet conduit and a valve seat positioned between the inlet and the outlet conduits. A normally closed valve is movably positioned in the housing resting against the valve seat and adapted to move away from the valve seat in response to fluid pressure in the inlet conduit. A normally collapsed expansible balloon is positioned in the inlet conduit and, when expanded, adapted to contact the valve to lift the valve from the valve seat. A reservoir mechanism is provided for controllably and manually expanding the balloon to thereby force the valve open in the event the valve becomes unresponsive to fluid pressure in the inlet. A method of using an operable, implanted shunt valve, substantially as described above, is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: A self-venting, non-coring needle assembly for the transfer of liquid to or from a container includes a hub having a forward end, a rearward end for engaging fluid transfer apparatus and a passageway therethrough. A hollow shaft extends outwardly from the forward end of the hub and has a lumen in fluid communication with the passageway. The shaft includes a closed distal end and an aperture in the side thereof near the distal end and in fluid communication with the lumen. A sleeve is slidably maintained on the shaft. During use, gases are vented by passing freely between the outside of the shaft and the inside dimension of the sleeve.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the simplified and rapid recalibration of electrochemical toxic gas detectors. Periodically, a single untrained operator may temporarily operate the system of the invention for adjusting the "span" and "zero" settings on the sensor, make two adjustments until he obtains a signal, such as a light signal, in order to obtain recalibration. The arrangement allows the use of untrained personnel to make otherwise technical adjustments in remote regions where gas detectors may be utilized. The system of the invention may be located at the sensing head of the toxic gas sensor or at the controller thereof.

Abstract: In the culturing of micro-organisms, non-microbial turbidity in the supernate is prevented by including an adsorbant for components which cause such non-microbial turbidity; e.g., lipoproteins and/or chylomicrons, with such adsorbant being soluble in the culture media. The adsorbant sediments such components, and is particularly effective in culture media which include an anticoagulant. Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is a particularly effective adsorbant.