Abstract: Competitive assay procedure for determining the concentration of physiologically active haptens in which the hapten is bound to an immunogenic carrier and competes for binding sites on antibodies against the hapten. Actual concentration is determined by comparison with standard curves.

Abstract: An improved cuvette array for a centrifugal analyzer is disclosed. The array is conventionally formed from upper and lower discs of flexible thermoplastic material, in which the lower disc is formed with a plurality of compartments circumferentially spaced about a first central hub, and the upper disc is bonded to the outer periphery of the lower disc and closes an outer peripheral portion of the compartments. The array is improved by forming the upper disc with a central portion that includes a second central hub positioned above the first central hub, together with an intermediate web that bridges the second central hub to the outer peripheral portion of the upper disc so as to close off the inner peripheral portion of the compartments. The intermediate web portion may be joined to the outer peripheral portion of the upper disc by a tearible score line to permit the central portion of the upper disc to be entirely removed.

Abstract: A reagent suitable for .alpha.-amylase determinations. The reagent contains a modified, blocked amylaceous polysaccharide substrate, e.g., starch glyolate, an exating by amylose, a buffer and an enzymatic glucose measuring system. The glycolate substrate is selected such that the ratio of methylated glucose to glucose is between 1:4 to 1:16. The system permits an impid assay in a single vid within 7 minutes and can be automated.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer that is microprocessor controlled is disclosed. A shuttle carries a plurality of cuvettes containing liquids to be spectrophotometrically analyzed by a single beam spectrophotometer. The shuttle moves the cuvettes past the spectrophotometer in a plurality of cycles to complete a given test. At the beginning of a test, spectrophotometer lamp energization is controlled to achieve a predetermined spectrophotometer output for a reference filter. The remaining filters are then positioned one-by-one, and amplifier gain is adjusted to achieve optimum spectrophotometer output for each filter. The gain associated with each filter is stored by the microprocessor, and thereafter during the test, when each filter is used, the stored gain associated with that microprocessor is utilized in the amplifier circuitry. Additionally, at the beginning of each cycle of shuttle movement, an air calibration reading is taken, to be used by the microprocessor in determining absorbance.

Abstract: An assembly for loading and dispensing varying amounts of fluid from multiple syringes is disclosed. A body member having spaced-apart surfaces A.sub.o and B.sub.o coacts with a handle member having spaced-apart surfaces A.sub.1 and B.sub.1 (A.sub.1 and B.sub.1 are either fixedly spaced or variably spaced) parallel to the surfaces A.sub.o and B.sub.o. The handle member is mounted for relative reciprocal movement with respect to the body member in a direction D.sub.o the same as a vector perpendicular to the surfaces A.sub.o and B.sub.o. A plurality of syringe actuators each associated with an individual one of the syringes is included, and they are mounted for relative movement with respect to the body member. Each syringe actuator has actuating surfaces for respective contact with the surfaces A.sub.o and B.sub.o on the body member and A.sub.1 and B.sub.1 on the handle member.

Abstract: A system for the detection of a biological analyte of interest is disclosed which comprises a microencapsulated fluorescer material which has been conjugated to an immunological specie specific to the biological analyte of interest, a means of disrupting the capsule containing the fluorescer and an energy source other than electro-magnetic radiation which is capable of activating the fluorescer.

Abstract: A valve structure in which a valve member moves into and out of contact with first and second valve seating areas, the valve member contacting the seating areas with different forces. The movable valve member is comprised of block members coupled together so that a change in their relative longitudinal positions produces a corresponding change in their relative transverse positions. A stem member moves the block members to spaced longitudinal positions and produces different longitudinal separating forces between the block member in these positions thereby to urge one of the block members in a transverse direction with different forces against the valve seating areas. The application of forces directly through block members and indirectly through springs is employed to provide different valve seating forces. Block members for valve port blocking and valve port opening are utilized. A shock absorbing structure incorporating a movable spring holder is also utilized.

Abstract: A system for automatically processing liquids in open-ended containers. The containers are moved past a plurality of operating stations that carry out the following operations: washing, reagent-adding, incubation, detection, and storage. The operating stations for washing and reagent-addition include vertically and horizontally movable assemblies for operating upon the containers. The containers are carried in groups in individual carrying blocks which are moved throughout the system.

Abstract: A disposable flexible disc radial cuvette array has its cuvettes divided into inner compartments and outer compartments by a ramp-shaped wall. These cuvettes are separated from their adjacent cuvettes by dual side walls and have uniform parameters. The annular cuvette array includes an integral opaque horizontal annulus having a first radial series of slots thereon, substantially aligned with the radial centers of the outer ends of the cuvettes, and has a second radially spaced set of slots generally aligned with the side walls. The cuvette walls and array hub portion provide rigidity. The annulus also has an inwardly extending flange covering the outer radial ends of the cuvette, there being formed therein slots open to both the inner and outer compartments. Locating projections extend upwardly from the disc surface in an embodiment adapted to position a rotatable, cuvette numbering, annular ring, the ring being variably, rotatably positionable to provide selectivity of the cuvette numbers.

Abstract: A valve seat cleaning device utilizing a valve head of resilient material in the shape of a frustum of a cone. A flexible circular disk is positioned against that end of the valve head of lesser diameter. The circular disk is of somewhat greater diameter than that end of the valve head so that it may perform a wiping action to wipe away dirt particles from the valve seat.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a movable valve member which is spring biased toward a first valve position. A cable is coupled at one portion thereof to the movable valve member and is wound about a drum on another portion thereof. The drum winds the cable thereon and moves the valve to a second valve position. The drum is released to permit the valve member to move under the action of the biasing spring to the first valve position.