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 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: 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.

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 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: The present invention relates to immobilized procainamide analogs, as well as to a method of making immobilized procainamide analogs. These immobilized analogs are prepared by activating the carboxyl group on a substituted p-benzoic acid derivative toward nucleophilic attack; reacting the activated benzoic acid derivative with a polyamine to produce the benzoic acid derivative of Formula 3: and binding the benzoic acid derivative of Formula 3 to a latex polymer having functional groups that react with aliphatic amino groups. A method of conducting an immunoassay using the immobilized procainamide analog Formula 3 is described, comprising the steps of preparing a solution comprising said immobilized procainamide analog; adding a sample suspected of containing procainamide to said solution; adding an anti-procainamide antibody to said solution and observing the rate of increase in solution turbidity following antibody addition.

Abstract: Providing context-specific electronic performance support for a device through just-in-time knowledge transfer. Performance support content comprising information regarding device procedures, device alerts, and display screens for displaying information related to the device can be stored in multiple content files. Each content file can be associated with a device alert, a device procedure, and/or a display screen. Device users can interact with one or more display screens on a display associated with the device. The device users can request performance support content by activating an icon or hyperlink on the display screen(s). A content publisher can identify performance support content responsive to each request from one or more of the content files based on context information related to the display screen(s) on the display at the time of the request. The content publisher can display a display screen comprising the identified information on the display associated with the device.

Abstract: A method for rapidly and uniformly mixing solutions within a biochemical analyzer by rapidly and repeatedly moving a sampling probe in a two-dimensional boomerang-curved pattern within the solution.

Abstract: An improved energy tube-cable-router for securing flat cables and fluid carrying tubes and adapted to eliminate an undesirable pumping action of the fluid within the tubes by maintaining the longitudinal axis of tubes in a plane containing the central radius of curvature of tube-cable-router.

Abstract: A method for determining not to reuse a previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette in an analyzer when an assay scheduled to be performed may be adversely affected by contaminants remaining in the cleaned reaction cuvette. If determined not to reuse a previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette, the previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette is replaced with an unused new reaction cuvette.

Abstract: An improved mounting clamp adapted to simultaneously secure flat ribbon cables and a number of fluid tubes to a surface and having a locking feature to facilitate assembly and release.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at haptens, immunogens and immunoassays for buprenorphine (BUP) and nor buprenorphine (norBUP). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) and (ii) an antibody raised against an immunogen of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP). The medium is examined for the presence of a complex comprising a labeled hapten of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample.

Abstract: A device for automatically maintaining tension and control of a drivebelt as the driving direction of the drivebelt is rapidly reversed and when the drivebelt is worn.

Abstract: A liquid aspiration method which includes aspirating partial aliquots of liquid at a number of different depths of penetration of a pipette tip into a liquid. The different depths are selected so that partial aliquot segments are obtained throughout the entire depth of sample, optionally excluding the extreme top and bottom levels.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed comprising a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, linked to a sirolimus compound at position 26 or at position 32. Such sirolimus compounds comprising an immunogenic carrier can be employed to raise both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the sirolimus compound. Polyclonal antibodies are also disclosed, which are raised against a compound wherein a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, is linked to a sirolimus compound at position 32. The above antibodies and sirolimus compounds comprising a label can be used in assays for the detection of sirolimus compounds.

Abstract: A method for reducing carryover of and delivering liquid taken from a source container by a dispensing means to a target container by spinning the target container so that any liquid within the target container is removed from the dispensing means prior to dispensing liquid into the target container.