Abstract: An immunofixation electrophoresis applicator system and method deposits antisera in spaced apart locations on a substrate where the antisera is deposited as an elongated bead in a first direction and retained against migration in a direction transverse to said first direction at least by surface tension.

Abstract: A blotter assembly for use in electrophoresis comprising a block and a closed cell silicone blotter pad adhesively attached thereto and restricted against accidental movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A wash solution for removal of unbound proteins, unreacted antisera, and excess stain from an electrophoresis gel plate and a method of using the wash solution. The wash solution contains one or more of Hexamethylindanopyran, Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl cinnamal, Butylphenyl methylpropional, d-Limonene and Linalool. Alternatively, the wash solution react with lipids and fats in the unbound proteins and/or unreacted antisera, and/or causes pores in the gel to expand yielding a more efficient removal of unbound protein and unbound antisera, and/or contains protease enzymes that digest proteins and an amylase enzyme to hydrolyze starches and sugars.

Abstract: An applicator having a body and a series of teeth extending in a first direction from said body, the teeth spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each tooth having a base, a tip, and opposed sides, in which at least one tooth includes a series of serrations spaced apart from each other, each serration having a tip, and a base, and opposed sides and preferably being of generally trapezoidal shape. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the applicator.

Abstract: An immunofixation electrophoresis method including separation of proteins (antigens) by electrophoresis, subjecting the separated proteins to various antisera to cause an antibody-antigen reaction and visualizing the results of the antibody-antigen reaction by staining, including a series of blotting and rehydrating steps with an elevated temperature rehydrating solution to remove unbound proteins (antigens), unreacted antisera, and excess stain.

Abstract: The invention relates to, among other things, a method for performing electrophoresis with in-situ calibration. The method includes combining a volume of a test sample with a volume or quantity of a calibrating sample to form a final volume, where the volume of the calibrating sample includes a known concentration of a calibrator and the final volume includes a known ratio of test sample to calibrating sample. The method also includes depositing a loading fraction in a receiving well of an electrophoretic gel, in which the loading fraction is a fraction of the final volume, and separating the loading fraction along a common separation lane of the electrophoretic gel such that components of the test sample and the calibrator are separated from one another along the common separation lane.

Abstract: An immunofixation electrophoresis applicator system and method deposits antisera in spaced apart locations on a substrate where the antisera is deposited as an elongated bead in a first direction and retained against migration in a direction transverse to said first direction at least by surface tension.

Abstract: A fluid applicator device includes an applicator body having a surface that is generally planar. A plurality of aligned applicator teeth extend from said applicator body. Each applicator tooth extends longitudinally from said applicator body along a length from a base of the applicator tooth proximate to the applicator body to a tip of the applicator tooth distal to the applicator body. At least one applicator tooth of the plurality of aligned applicator teeth has a width that is greater at the base than at the tip. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the fluid applicator device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for separating charged molecules of a fluid comprises a support surface, a gel substrate disposed on the support surface having spaced apart parallel generally planar gel contact surfaces, and at least a first electrodes having generally planar electrode contact surface in contact with a respective generally planar gel contact surface. The electrode generally planar contact surface area is from about 35% to about 100% of the area of the corresponding generally planar contact gel surface.

Abstract: The application describes methods for determining the concentration and/or particle number of a lipoprotein(a) subform in a biological sample using capillary isotachophoresis laser induced fluorescence (CE-ITP-LIF) and compositional analysis of lipoprotein(a) particles. The ability to measure the concentration and/or particle number of a lipoprotein(a) subform in a biological sample provides a useful diagnostic tool for assessing cardiovascular risk in a subject.

Abstract: A method for filling a receptacle with a precise amount of liquid includes filling the receptacle while forming a controlled meniscus to prevent spillage. If an excess amount of liquid is deposited, then excess is then withdrawn such that the receptacle contains only the desired amount of liquid.

Abstract: An assembly, method, system, and apparatus for the assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid are disclosed. The levels determined may be used to predict the risk of developing various diseases related to lipoprotein.

Abstract: An assembly, method, system, and apparatus for the assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid are disclosed. The levels determined may be used to predict the risk of developing various diseases related to lipoprotein particles.

Abstract: An assembly, method, system, and apparatus for the assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid are disclosed. The levels determined may be used to predict the risk of developing various diseases related to lipoprotein particles.

Abstract: An assembly, method, system, and apparatus for the assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid are disclosed. The levels determined may be used to predict the risk of developing various diseases related to lipoprotein particles.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring fluid directly from a container sealed with a closure, to a receptacle. The receptacle includes an aperture and an interior floor. The fluid dispenser has two ends—a first end pierces the closure to establish fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the container and the second end engages the aperture in the receptacle. Relative movement of the receptacle and container toward each other dispenses fluid from the container, through the dispenser, and directly into the receptacle. The second end of the dispenser is precluded from contacting the interior floor of the receptacle to avoid unintentional withdrawal of the fluid from the receptacle.

Abstract: A process for making a support for an electrophoretic medium comprising the steps of: applying an agarose coating to a corona treated polymeric film by transferring a layer of agarose solution onto a surface of the corona treated polymeric film. The pH of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 8 and about 11 and the concentration of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 0.1 and about 0.4% agarose by weight. The agarose powder used to make the agarose solution can be pre-treated by introducing a fresh reducing atmosphere above the agarose powder and exposing the agarose powder to a reducing atmosphere. The reducing atmosphere treatment may be repeated at least three times.

Abstract: A process for making a support for an electrophoretic medium comprising the steps of: applying an agarose coating to a corona treated polymeric film by transferring a layer of agarose solution onto a surface of the corona treated polymeric film. The pH of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 8 and about 11 and the concentration of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 0.1 and about 0.4% agarose by weight. The agarose powder used to make the agarose solution can be pre-treated by introducing a fresh reducing atmosphere above the agarose powder and exposing the agarose powder to a reducing atmosphere. The reducing atmosphere treatment may be repeated at least three times.

Abstract: Optically scanned data forms an image stored in a computer memory represented as an array having at least two dimensions. The stored image is subjected to virtual scanning. Thus a subset of the array is defined as a portion of the image having first and second dimensions. The value of the subset is derived, the subset is then incremented, and the value of the incremented subset is determined. The steps of incrementing and deriving the value of the incremented subset are repeated. The derived values of the data are compared to a calibrated standard, to create adjusted values of data. The adjusted data values, in the case of electrophoresis, represent the scanned sample which has been subjected to electrophoresis. Thereafter, the adjusted data values can be integrated or otherwise processed.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus to dispense and spread a liquid from a storage container onto a surface. An inventive paddle is attached to an apparatus which is inserted into a storage container, such as a test tube. After dispensing the sample, the storage container is manipulated such that the paddle smears, crushes, or distributes the dispensed sample. Therefore, it is unnecessary to set aside the storage container to perform a smear procedure on a dispensed sample of blood. This increases the safety, speed, and efficiency of the smear procedure, and reduces the risk that the sample will be contaminated. The invention further discloses a method and apparatus for using temperature differential, rather than mechanical force, to safely dispense hazardous biological and chemical samples from a storage container such as a test tube.