Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for determining the presence and/or amount of cyclosporin A in a medium suspected of containing cyclosporin A. In the method a combination is provided in a medium. The combination comprises (i) the sample, (ii) a first member of a signal producing system (sps) associated with a first support wherein the first sps member is capable of activating a second member of the sps and wherein the first support is associated with a first member of a specific binding pair, and (iii) the second sps member associated with a second support wherein the second sps member is activatable by the first sps member. The second support comprises either (I) cyclosporin C or cyclosporin A and the combination further comprises a conjugate of an antibody for cyclosporin A and a second member of the specific binding pair or (II) antibody for cyclosporin A and the combination further comprises a conjugate of cyclosporin A and a second member of the specific binding pair.

Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a limited period of time immediately prior to the end of a liquid aspiration process and comparing the standard deviation of the residuals to a critical value to determine if the liquid was of a desired sufficient volume.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer having the capability to operate at both a higher and lower throughput, depending upon the assay load demand experienced by the hospital or laboratory, so that analyzer throughput most closely matches assay demand.

Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a predetermined period of time prior to the end of an aspiration or dispensing process and comparing a pressure reading to predetermined values to determine if the aspiration or dispensing pipette was free of clogs.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for enhancing the bioavailability of a hydrophobic drug, and in some embodiments for determining a hydrophobic drug, in a sample suspected of containing a hydrophobic drug. A combination is formed in a medium where the combination comprises the sample, a hemolytic agent where a determination of the hydrophobic drug is conducted, and a bioavailability agent for the hydrophobic drug. The bioavailability agent comprises an ionic detergent comprising a chain of at least 10 carbon atoms or a non-ionic detergent comprising a chain of at least 15 repeating ethylene oxide units or propylene oxide units or a combination of ethylene oxide units and propylene oxide units. The concentration of the bioavailability agent in the medium is sufficient to enhance the bioavailability of the hydrophobic drug.

Abstract: A sample tube carrier insert having a bottom portions with opposing projections vertically extending above bottom portion so that an interference-fit is formed between the bottom of a sample tube carried by the carrier and the projections to prevent undesirable rotation of the tube.

Abstract: A mobile, thermally insulated storage and retrieval unit for housing tube racks on shelves and having an elevator and conveyor for moving racks between shelves and an exterior loading tray.

Abstract: A clinical sample analysis system having an analyzer positioning mechanism for providing height adjusting and horizontal alignment between an analyzing module and a clinical workstation using cradle beams and rolling ball transfer positioners.

Abstract: A method and a device for removing high priority samples from a primary conveyor and transferring such samples directly to an analyzer's sampling location even if other samples have been previously removed from the conveyor and are in a queue to be analyzed.

Abstract: A method for cleansing used reaction cuvettes so that whenever certain assays are to be or have been performed in the reaction cuvette, the cuvette is automatically subjected to an additional cleaning operation by providing a number of washing and drying manifolds, each of which is independently selectively activated to perform or not perform a cleaning operation

Abstract: A method for dispensing a desired number of oriented tablets from a bulk source into a well within a reagent container by moving the tablets by vibration into a number of parallel loading chutes and transfer chutes and displacing the desired number of tablets into a drop chute aligned over the well.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for analyzing patient samples. The analyzer includes a plurality of cuvettes, which allow the samples to be mixed with various reagents. The analyzer includes one or more detectors, including a detector adapted to detect luminescence of the reaction mixture in the cuvettes. The analyzer allows for various diagnostic assays to be performed on a single system, and provides for high-sensitivity analysis at faster speeds.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a desired number of oriented tablets from a bulk source into a well within a reagent container by moving the tablets by vibration into a number of parallel loading chutes and transfer chutes and displacing the desired number of tablets into a drop chute aligned over the well.

Abstract: Cleaning a liquid sample probe with a cleansing station having sources of air, cleansing solution, bath and shower water in a two-well cleansing body.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining whether a reagent container is new and unused or whether the reagent container has been previously used whenever reagent containers are initially placed onto an analyzer. Unused containers have a weakened member that can be deformed by a moveable sensor probe when containers are placed onto the analyzer.

Abstract: A multi-analyte calibration solution having known amounts of sodium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ethyl alcohol, with pH adjusted within a range between about 7.8 and 8.4.

Abstract: A small sample cup rack adapter having a spring biased plunger moveably disposed within a generally cylindrical outer body, with the plunger adapted to support a small sample cup within the outer body. After initial contact between an aspiration probe and the bottom of the small sample cup, the probe may be lowered an additional distance, minimizing the “dead volume” of sample.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer with a vision system proximate a sample tube rack, the rack having a number of different insert adapters, the adapters having markings to identify the insert, thereby identifying the type of tube. The adapters are of heights selected to position tubes of various heights at a common aspiration level. A 2-D imaging device is employed to read the markings and for analyzing various distinguishing characteristics of the sample tubes.

Abstract: An automatic clinical analyzer in which the number of cuvette ports available for reaction vessels on a reaction carousel are 50% in a configuration using a single reagent storage areas; in a second configuration an additional reagent storage areas is employed and additional ones of the cuvette ports on reaction carousel are utilized, thereby significantly increasing throughput.