Abstract: A wickless temperature controlling apparatus and method to analyze the characteristics of an adsorbent is provided. The apparatus provides a heat transfer between a cooling liquid and a sample vessel immersed in the cooling liquid and further provides a stabilized temperature to the sample vessel. The apparatus further comprises a thermal bridge between a saturation vapor pressure thermometer, which is also immersed in the cooling liquid, and the sample vessel to provide a uniform temperature between the thermometer and the vessel. The method to analyze the adsorbent utilizes the apparatus. In addition, the method includes a novel method of dosing an adsorptive gas to an adsorbent.

Abstract: Gelatin and aminodextran coated polymer core particles useful in immunoassays and methods of making the same are disclosed. The preparation of aminodextrans having varying amounts of amine groups is also described, as is a method of crosslinking gelatin and aminodextran without the use of a stabilizer.

Abstract: A process for determining the reticulocyte population in blood samples, which process includes the use of coriphosphine O to stain reticulocytes and which process is particularly suitable for detection by flow cytometry techniques.

Abstract: The invention describes the preparation of preserved, non-infectious control cells. The control cells are prepared by modification, activation or otherwise changing selected normal leukocyte cells, tissue culture cells or zenogenic transplants in immunosuppressed animals to have characteristics of abnormal cells or by the addition of cells from an established cell line, which have been similarly modified or activated, to a normal leukocyte population. The preferred method of preserving the control cells is by lyophilization using an isotonic 10% trehalose solution.

Abstract: A reticulocyte analyzing method and apparatus in which a biological sample stream of ghosted red cells is passed into and through a point focused beam of light, such as laser light. A light detector structure is positioned with respect to the axis of the light beam to provide a light output pulse indicative of the passage of each cell. Electrically conductive contacts within the fluid stream can provide additional electrical pulse outputs of each cell. A staining reagent can be utilized with a ghosting reagent to further differentiate the reticulocytes. The light and the light and electronic produced output pulses or signals can be combined to define and quantify reticulocytes as distinct from other known cell types.

Abstract: A fiber optic spatial filter assembly for laser diffraction particle sizing apparatus utilizing a laser to generate a monochromatic light beam which is coupled to an optical fiber operating substantially in a monomode and creating a beam of light having a high degree of spatial coherence which is then passed through collimating lenses to interrogate and impinge upon the particles of matter through which the laser diffracted light passes. The light scattered by the particles is focused onto a Fourier plane and thereafter impinges upon a photooptical detector array, positioned coincident with the Fourier plane, for measuring the light intensities of the scattered light by scattering angle, thus enabling the computation of particle size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a system for measuring a measurable component in a sample. A sample is introduced into a chamber. A permeable membrane to the measurable component allows the component to pass into a second chamber. In the second chamber the component is measured directly or reacted in the presence of an enzyme to generate a detectable product detected by a detector therein. The second chamber is then flushed. The second chamber is only of a size sufficient to contain enough liquid to wet the detector therein.

Abstract: A sample probe wash chamber for cleaning the exterior of a sample probe. The probe wash chamber includes an interior threaded passageway between a wash fluid inlet and outlet. The inlet tangentially opens into an annular chamber formed adjacent one end of the threaded passageway. The outlet opens into a second annular chamber formed adjacent the other end of the threaded passageway and has a vacuum applied to it. The outlet can open perpendicularly into the second annular chamber to remove any moisture from the end of the sample probe positioned at the outlet opening. The probe wash chamber and the sample probe are movable with respect to one another and preferably the probe wash chamber is movable over the sample probe for multiple sample aspiration and cleaning operations.

Abstract: A separation procedure for separating a selected desired or undesired population from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including the non-selected population is separated from the particles with the selected population bound thereto. The particles can be heated for sterilization and endotoxin removal.

Abstract: An optical screening method and apparatus for identifying both the morphology and selected characteristics or properties expressed by cells, such as cancer cells. The cells are combined with one or more different sets of microspheres, each set having a reactant bond thereto which will bind to a specific molecule which can exist on one or more types of cancer cells. The cells and microspheres are formed as a smear on a slide, stained with a histological type stain and optically viewed to identify the type of cells to which the different sets of microspheres do or do not bind. The different sets of microspheres are optically differentiated by having different optical characteristics, such as size, shape, color or combinations thereof. A fast cancer cell screening method or panel is provided by adding different sets of microspheres having different reactants bound thereto to different sample portions and optically screening the different sample smears.

Abstract: The invention describes stable colloidal polymeric particles of 0.2-5.0 microns size which are coated with a first aminodextran layer and a second metallic solid layer, The metal is coated by reduction of a metallic salt or complex by the aminodextran.

Abstract: A metering and transfer valve assembly particularly for use in particle analyzing apparatus for the study of particles in liquid suspension, the valve assembly having at least pair of inner and outer valve elements coaxially arranged in face to face frictional sealing engagement with a center valve element, each of the valve elements being independently rotatable, first passages defining a first flow path through the assembly, second passages defining a second flow path through the assembly, the first passages including a metering chamber for measuring and transferring a precise sample aliquot of sample flowing in the first flow path into the second flow path, the first flow path leading to a first exterior location and the second flow path leading to a second exterior location, and a drive fluid being introduced to the second flow path subsequent to transfer of said aliquot thereto for propelling said aliquot along the second flow path to the second exterior destination, the second destination being a flow s

Abstract: A hematology control product comprising leukocyte analogs and an aqueous solution of a plasma substance for use in a blood counting instrument is described. The instrument employs a lytic reagent system for the lysable red blood cells in the control product. The plasma substance is in an amount effective to enable the differentiation of each of said leukocyte analogs relative to the physical attributes of the analogs, said physical attributes of the analog are similar to human leukocytes. Preferably, the plasma substance comprises cholesterol or its derivatives.A method for using the cell suspension media comprising an aqueous solution of a plasma substance is also described. The method provides a quality control to determine whether an instrument is operating within manufacturer's specifications.

Abstract: The invention describes the use of novel aminodextran compounds containing about 5-20% by weight amine groups to bind a plurality of monoclonal antibodies. The resulting antibody-aminodextran compounds may be used to induce the activation and proliferation of selected mammalian cells. Specific examples are given using an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody conjugated two aminodextrans containing about 5% and 16%, respectively, by weight amine groups as an agent for inducing the activation and proliferation of T cells.

Abstract: A hematology control product comprising leukocyte analogs is described. The analogs comprise red blood cells which simulate at least two physical properties of human leukocytes. A method for making leukocyte analogs from blood cells having desired physical properties is also described. The process comprises expanding the cell volume, changing the hemoglobin content of the cell and fixing the cell. Generally, the monocyte and lymphocyte analogs leak hemoglobin from the cell while the eosinophil analog has the hemoglobin precipitated in the cell. A further method is described to use the control product to determine whether an automatic instrument is operating within manufacturer's specification.

Abstract: A reticulocyte analyzing method and apparatus in which a biological sample stream of ghosted red cells is passed into and through a point focused beam of light, such as laser light. A light detector structure is positioned with respect to the axis of the light beam to provide a light output pulse indicative of the passage of each cell. Electrically conductive contacts within the fluid stream can provide additional electrical pulse outputs of each cell. A staining reagent can be utilized with a ghosting reagent to further differentiate the reticulocytes. The light and the light and electronic produced output pulses or signals can be combined to define and quantify reticulocytes as distinct from other known cell types.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating at least one definitive biological reaction including increasing the accuracy of determinations made therefrom. The reaction involves selected viable biological cells which are prepared in a small sample volume and rapidly mixed with microspheres having antibody specific at least to specific ones of the cells bound thereto. The microspheres can be magnetic and the bound cells can be magnetically removed to analyze the remaining blood cell populations. The microspheres can be introduced sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to colloidal particle having a core material and a gelatin/aminodextran coating with pendent functional groups attached thereto. Biological substances or molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies, may be attached to said particles. The monoclonal antibody containing particles are useful in a variety of positive and negative biological assays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and rapidly, retrieving, counting and/or analyzing at least one selected white blood cell population and/or subset thereof of a whole blood sample or portion thereof. A volume of a biological sample containing the white blood cells is prepared and at least one reactant specific or preferential at least to some selected biological cells is introduced thereto and rapidly mixed for a short period of time. The opacity and/or volume parameter of the cells can be modified and the mixture is then counted and analyzed in one or more steps to obtain the desired white blood cell population analysis.The biological sample can be a whole blood sample and the reactant can include or be a lyse or a monoclonal antibody bound to microspheres, which will bind to specific ones of the cells or a combination of lyse and microspheres with antibody bound thereto.

Abstract: A multifunctional liquid sampling, metering and transfer valve assembly and the analytical system employing same. The valve assembly is capable of performing all liquid handling functions therewithin. The valve assembly comprises a pair of coaxially arranged valve discs engaged in frictional, sealed face to face disposition and includes plural axially parallel through passageways arranged for selective communication, one disc being rotatable relative to the other. Plural dedicated flow paths are defined by said passageways for metering, storing and delivering precise volume aliquots of sample, of diluent and of lysing reagent (in respect of blood cell study) from sources of said liquids to mixing and/or testing chambers. Vacuum is employed to move the liquids along the dedicated flow paths aiding in preventing leakage from the junctions of the passageways within the valve assembly along the engaged surfaces.